SFLR-20260514-1030

So will the Senate please come to order, and all members please signify your presence by voting.

There are 20 members present. Thank you. With 20 members shown as present, we have a quorum to conduct business. The invocation this morning will be given by Pastor Mark Holman with the Resurrection Lutheran Church. Members, please rise.

Oh, good and gracious God, you surround us with the beauty and the richness of your creation. From the oceans, rivers, and streams, for the life therein that brings work and trade and sport and nourishment, we thank you and praise you. Oh, God of wisdom, these days grant to your elected leaders your spirit's gifts of discernment, compassion, and justice. May these hallowed halls secure a place for honest debate, fair judgment, deepened relationship, and joy in your service. Bless our leaders and all who they serve.

Amen. Let it be so. Amen. Thank you, Pastor Holman. Senator Cronk, would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, Senator Cronk. Will the Secretary please certify the journal? I certify as to the correctness of the journal for the 114th legislative day Senate Journal Supplement Number 11 and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement Number 19. Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the journals be approved as certified by the Senate Secretary.

Thank you. Hearing no objection, the journal has been approved. Senator Hoffman. Good morning, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent that the prayer be spread on the journal.

Thank you. Seeing no objection, the prayer has been spread upon the journal. At this time, are there guests for introduction? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, are there messages from the Governor? I have no messages from the Governor this morning, Mr. President.

Thank you. Are there messages from the House? A message dated May 13 stating the House has passed and is transmitting for consideration, CS for House Bill 202, State Affairs, by the House State Affairs Committee, an act designating the OS Cross Cabbage, commonly known as the giant green cabbage, as the official state state vegetable and providing for an effective date. Thank you. That will be referred to the State Affairs Committee.

CS for House Bill number 261, Finance, amended by the House Finance Committee, an act relating to education funding, providing for an effective date by amending the effective date of sections 10, 11, 13, and 15, Chapter 5, SLA 2025, and providing for an effective date. Education and Finance.

CS for House Bill 388 Finance by the House Finance Committee, an act relating to loans made from the bulk fuel loan account and providing for an effective date. Referred to the Finance Committee. Concur message dated May 13 stating the House passed CS for Senate Bill 86 Finance with the following amendment: House CS for CS for Senate Bill 86 Finance, and it is transmitted for Returned for consideration with HCR 17. Those are all the messages from the House this morning, Mr. President. Yeah, thank you.

Concur message, uh, Senate Bill 86 will lay on the Secretary's desk.

Are there communications, Madam Secretary? I have no communications today. And are there standing reports of standing committees? Report dated May 13 stating in accordance with AS 3905080, the Judiciary held a hearing on the following appointee. A signature on this report does not reflect intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individual during any further sessions.

Alaska Judicial Council, Mike Miller. Signing the report, Senator Clayman. Chair Senators Stevens, Tobin, Tilton, Kiehl. Report dated May 13th, stating in accordance with AS3905080, the Labor and Commerce Committee held a hearing on the following appointees. A signature on this report does not reflect intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individuals during any further sessions.

Board of Massage Therapists, Caron Cobden. Real Estate Commission, Elise Buchholz. Board of Social Work Examiners, Judy Kendall. Signing the report, Senator Bjorkman, Chair, Senators Dunbar, Merrick, Gray Jackson, Yunt. The Finance Committee considered Senate.

Senate Bill 55, TRS contribution rate, PERS, TRS Social Security, or SBS, and recommended it be replaced with a Finance Committee substitute. New fiscal and zero fiscal notes. Signing do pass: Senators Olson, Steadman, Hoffman. Co-chairs: Senators Kaufman, Cronk. Signing no recommendation: Senators Merrick, Keel.

The bill has no further referral. It is in the Rules Committee. The Labor and Commerce Committee considered Senate Bill 250, Data Centers, Utilities, and recommended the adoption of the previous Community and Regional Affairs Committee substitute. Previous zero fiscal note, signing no recommendation, Senator Bjorkman, Chair. Senators Merrick, Yunt, signing do pass.

Senator Gray-Jackson. The bill has no further referral. It is in the Rules Committee. The Resources Committee considered CS for House Bill 117, Resources Commercial Fishing Set Gillnet Co-op, and recommended it be replaced with a Resources Senate Committee Substitute, new title with SCR 29. New zero fiscal notes, signing do pass, Senator Giesel, Chair, Senators Dunbar, Clayman, Wilkowski.

Signing no recommendation, Senators Rauscher, Myers. Signing amend, Senator Kawasaki. The bill has no further referral. It is in the Rules Committee. The Labor and Commerce Committee considered House Bill 244, CNA training.

Previous zero fiscal notes, signing do pass, Senator Bjorkman, Chair, Senators Dunbar, Merrick, Gray Jackson, Yunt. The bill has no further referral. It is in the Rules Committee. The Transportation Committee considered CS for House Bill 302, Labor and Commerce, Travel Insurance, and recommended it be replaced with a Transportation Senate Committee Substitute, new title with SCR 28, new zero fiscal note. Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman.

Chair: Senator Keele. Signing no recommendation: Senators Steadman, Tobin. The bill has no further referral. It is in the Rules Committee. Those are all the standing committee reports this morning, Mr. President.

Thank you, Madam Secretary. Are there reports of special committees? I have no special committee reports today. And are there Senate resolutions for introduction? Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 29 by the Senate Resources Committee, suspending Rules 24C, 35, 41B, and 42E, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill Number 117, relating to commercial set gillnet fishing.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 29 will lay on the Secretary's desk. Those are all the Senate resolutions for introduction today, Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Are there Senate bills for introduction? I have no Senate bills for introduction today.

Madam Secretary, please read the first item on today's calendar. House Bill number 10, amended, effective date added by Representatives Carrick, Fields, Holland, Burke, Josephson, Gray, Mena, An act relating to the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska and providing for an effective date. The Finance Committee considered the bill, recommended it be replaced with a Finance Senate Committee substitute. New fiscal note, signing do pass, Senator Hoffman, co-chair Senators Kaufman, Cronk, Keel. Signing no recommendation, Senator Steadman, co-chair Senator Merrick.

There is a Finance Senate Committee substitute. Thank you, Senator Hoffman. Yes, Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that Senate Finance Committee substitute for House Bill 10 be adopted in lieu of the original bill. Thank you, Senator Hoffman. If you would please explain the changes.

The changes— the committee substitute for House Bill 10 Finance makes the following change: updates the effective date and sunset date to February 1st, 2027 and February 1st, 2033, respectively. The fiscal notes, the note was updated for this year, but the finance CS does not affect the fiscal impact of this bill. Thank you. Hearing no objection, the Senate Finance Committee substitute has been adopted, and this bill will advance to third reading on our next legislative calendar. Brief at ease.

Well, let's send it back to order, please. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar. House Bill number 93 by Representatives Himschute, Hannan, Burke, Sadler, Josephson, Bynum, An act changing the residency requirements for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing privileges and providing for an effective date. The Judiciary Committee considered the bill, recommended it be replaced with the Judiciary Senate Committee substitute. Previous zero fiscal notes.

Signing no recommendation, Senator Clayman. Chair, Senator Tobin. Signing do pass, Senator Stevens. Signing amend, Senator Tilton. The Resources Committee considered the bill, recommended the adoption of the previous Judiciary Senate Committee Substitute, previous zero fiscal note.

Signing do pass, Senator Giesel, Chair, Senators Dunbar, Wilkowski. Signing do not pass, Senator Rauscher. Signing no recommendation, Senator Clayman. Signing amend, Senators Kawasaki, Myers. There is a Judiciary Senate Committee Substitute.

Thank you. Senator Clayman. Thank you, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate Judiciary Committee Substitute to House Bill 93 be adopted in lieu of the original bill. Thank you.

Would you please explain the changes? Yes, there was one change. The Senate Judiciary Committee made one. The effective date would change from January 1st, 2027 to January 1st, 2028. This update was made at the sponsor's request.

Thank you, Senator Clayman. Hearing no objection, the Senate Judiciary Committee substitute has been adopted. This bill will advance to third reading on our next legislative calendar. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on our calendar.

CS for House Bill Number 184, Community and Regional Affairs, by the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee. An act relating to financing by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority for workforce housing development projects. The Finance Committee considered the bill, recommended it be replaced with a finance Senate committee substitute, new title with SCR 24. New zero fiscal note, signing do pass: Senators Olson, Steadman, Hoffman. Co-chairs: Senator Kiel.

Signing no recommendation: Senators Kaufman, Cronk, Merrick. There is a Finance Senate Committee substitute. Thank you, Senator Hoffman.

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that Senate Finance Committee substitute for House Bill 184 be adopted in lieu of the original bill. Thank you. If you would please explain the changes. The committee substitute for House Bill 184 Finance makes the following changes. In the language, bill's language changes expands the size of the workforce housing projects to include 3 or more dwellings.

It was originally 5 or more. It also repeals the sunset date of a tax exemption for certain ADA-owned properties. The fiscal note changes. The note was updated to reflect the adoption of the Senate Finance CS but remains a zero fiscal note. Thank you, Senator Hoffman.

Hearing no objection, the Senate Finance Committee substitute has been adopted, and this bill will advance to third reading in our next legislative calendar. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on our calendar.

House Bill number 216 by Representatives Holland, Josephson, an act approving the transfer of land owned by the Alaska Railroad Corporation to the city of Whittier and providing for an effective date. The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered the bill, recommended it be replaced with the Community and Regional Affairs Senate Committee substitute. Previous zero fiscal notes. Signing do pass. Senator Dunbar, Vice Chair Senators Gray, Jackson, Yunt.

There is a Community and Regional Affairs Senate Committee Substitute. Thank you, Senator Merrick. Good morning, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent that the Community and Regional Affairs Committee Substitute of House Bill 216 be considered and adopted in lieu of the original bill. Thank you, Senator Merrick.

If you please explain the changes. Yes, Mr. President. Community and Regional Affairs Committee amended the bill to allow the Alaska Railroad Corporation to receive land, or a combination of land and cash, equal to the fair market value of the property. When this land transfer occurs. Thank you.

Hearing no objection, the state— the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee substitute has been adopted, and this bill will advance to a third reading on our next legislative calendar. Madam Secretary, the next item on today's calendar.

CS for House Bill Number 221, State Affairs, by the House State Affairs Committee. An act establishing the first Friday of every October as Alaska Arts and Culture Day and providing for an effective date The State Affairs Committee considered the bill, previous zero fiscal note, signing do pass. Senator Kawasaki, chair. Senator Gray Jackson signing no recommendation. Senators Tilton, Bjorkman, I have no amendments.

Thank you. This bill will advance to third reading on our next legislative calendar. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on our calendar. House Bill 314, amended by Representative Prox Staff, Tomaszewski, Galvin. An act relating to registered interior designers and interior design relating to project costs for the construction, enlargement, or improvement of airports.

Extending the termination date of the State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors. Relating to the State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors. Establishing requirements for the practice of registered interior design.

Relating to the practice of architecture, engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture, and registered interior design; relating to the scope of the certification requirements for architects, engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, and registered interior designers; relating to immunity for design professionals; relating to the cost of construction for recreation centers; relating to liens for labor or materials furnished; relating to the procurement of landscape architectural and interior design services; relating to the cost of construction of safe water and hygienic sewage disposal facilities villages and providing for an effective date. The Finance Committee considered the bill, previous fiscal and zero fiscal notes. Signing do pass: Senators Olson, Hoffman. Co-chairs: Senators Kaufman, Cronk. Signing no recommendation: Senator Steadman.

Co-chair: Senators Merrick, Keel. I have no amendments. Thank you, Madam Secretary. This bill will advance to third reading on our next legislative calendar. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

Citations honoring Food Bank of Alaska Thanksgiving Blessing, honoring Christy Tibbles. In memoriam, Ralph James Holbert. In memoriam, Larry Dale Evans. In memoriam, Betty Jean Maynard. Thank you, Madam Majority Leader.

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the citations on today's calendar be approved. Hearing no objection, the citations are approved. Madam Secretary, there are no further items for consideration on today's daily calendar. Thank you. Is there unfinished business at this time?

Unfinished business. Senator Kawasaki. Thank you, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent to be shown as a cross-sponsor on House Bill 10 relating to the Board of Regents. Thank you.

Without objection, so ordered. Along with Senator Dunbar, uh, Senator Cronk, Senator Giesel, Senator Stevens.

Thank you. Our additional unfinished business— Senator Yant, were you added to that, or— okay, please, please go ahead, Senator Yant. Thank you. I move and ask unanimous support to be added as a cross-sponsor of HJR 28, Support Kids Online Safety Act. I think without objection.

So ordered. Senator Yant, along with Senator Bjorkman, Senator Cronk, I believe that's all. And Senator Yunt, go ahead. Uh, one more, sir. If I could be added as a cross-sponsor of House Bill 318, uh, an act relating to the use of social media platforms by minors.

Thank you. Objection. So ordered. Senator Yunt.

Senator Roger, under unfinished business—. Under unfinished business, thank you, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent to be shown as a co-sponsor to HB 202, the giant green cabbage. Without objection, so ordered. Along with Senator Tilton.

Senator Giesel. Thank you, Mr. President. I have two motions. First, I'd like to be a cross-sponsor for House Bill 216 related to the transfer of land between the Alaska Railroad and Whittier. Thank you.

Without objection, so ordered. Senator Giesel, along with Senator Dunbar, Senator Yunt. Please go ahead, Senator Giesel. Secondly, cross-sponsor for House Bill 93 related to residency requirements for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing. Thank you, Senator Giesel.

You be shown. All right. Any additional unfinished business at this time? Moving on to committee announcements. Are there committee announcements and are there other announcements?

Seeing none. Are there special orders? Please, Senator Myers.

Yes, thank you, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent for permission to speak on a safety concern. Without objection, so ordered. Thank you, Mr. President. So, um, I just wanted to make the members here, uh, and the general public aware of a safety concern that's just popped up recently, particularly up in the Fairbanks area.

Um, the members may recall my daughter that came down and visited us this time last year for the last couple of weeks of session. Uh, last Friday She turned 14. And my wife informed me this morning that they're headed over to the DMV to go get her permit. You have all been warned. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Senator Myers. Many of us have been there. Please, under special orders, Senator Clayman. Mr. President, I ask to move back up the calendar to unfinished business. Without objection, moving back to unfinished business.

Senator Clayman. Mr. President, you could say I've been asleep at the wheel. I would ask unanimous consent to be added as a cross-sponsor to House Bill 10 regarding the Board of Regents.

Okay, thank you, Yui Shown, on that as well as Senator Wielechowski, Senator Tobin, Senator Stevens. Please go ahead, Senator. And then continue the same with regard to House Bill 216 about the Alaska Road Corporation land in the city of Whittier. 216, Thank you. Senator Clayman.

And House Bill 221 regarding first Friday in October as Arts and Culture Day. Without objection, so ordered. Senator Clayman. And last but not least, House Bill 314 relating to registered interior designers and lots and lots of other things that I'm not going to say. You will be shown.

Thank you, Senator Clayman. How many times can I be on that university bill? Well, anyway, any additional unfinished business at this time? Brief at ease.

Will the Senate come back to order, please? Senator Hoffman. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Are there additional special orders at this time?

Seeing none, Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess to attend joint session. Thank you. Hearing no objection, the Senate will stand in recess. The House is now in order and would like us to join them quickly, so members should report directly to the House chambers.