SFLR-20260517-1400

Will the Senate please come to order and will members please signify your presence by voting.

There are 19 members present. Senator Steadman is excused from a call of the Senate. Thank you. With 19 members shown as present, we have a quorum to conduct business. The invocation this afternoon will be given by Senator Rauscher.

Members, please rise.

It is with the deepest respect for all religions that I offer this prayer. Father God in heaven, we come to you with offerings of thanksgiving, prayer, and petition. Hallowed is your name above all, and your kingdom has no end. Thank you for your son who died for us, that that we may live with you eternally. We thank you for your spouse— for our spouses and our families.

We give thanks for our homes, our health, our income, and our privilege to serve as legislators. Father God, we recognize that we cannot take a single breath without you. You are our provider. You forgive our iniquities time and time again. So we ask for the strength and the wisdom to forgive those around us in the same manner.

Father God, help us to recognize our calling as an opportunity to be able to make a difference and to ask that we not take it lightly. Yet as we work alongside our colleagues, remind us of our need to represent— to their need to represent their district with the same individuality as and passion as we represent our own. Father God, heal the broken hearts of the foster child. Give them a stable and loving environment. Provide them with hope and the answer for their prayers.

We pray for the unborn. We give assurance to the recovering addict and, uh, a lighted path to those who still struggle. We pray for our children and our grandchildren, that they can grow and learn to become productive, giving in nature, and that all parents accept their role in that. Father God, we ask that you watch over these final days of this session. Keep us humble, keep us civil.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you, Senator Rauscher. Senator Ray Jackson, if you would please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to 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 Gray Jackson. Will the Secretary please certify the journal? I certify as to the correctness of the journal for the 117th legislative day. Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the journal be approved The journal is approved as certified by the Senate Secretary.

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

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 afternoon, Mr. President. Thank you. And are there messages from the House? A message dated May 16 stating the House passed and returned Senate Concurrent Resolution No.

24, Suspend Uniform Rules for House Bill 184 and CS for Senate Bill No. 104, Finance, Vehicles, Boats, Transfer on Death Title. The bill and resolution have been referred for enrollment. A message dated May 16 stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment to House Bill No. 10, Amended, effective date added, thus adopting Senate CS for House Bill 10 Finance, add faculty member to University Board of Regents.

A message dated May 16th stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment to CS for House Bill 184 Community and Regional Affairs, thus adopting Senate CS for CS for House Bill 184 Finance, ADA Workforce Housing Development Municipal Tax. A message dated May dated May 16th stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment to House Bill 216, thus adopting Senate CS for House Bill 216, Community and Regional Affairs, Transfer of Railroad Land to Whittier. A message dated May 16th stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment to House Bill 314 amended, thus adopting House Bill 314 amended Senate, Architects, Engineers, Surveyors, Registered Interior Design. A message dated May 16 stating the House has passed and is transmitting for consideration. See as for House Bill 193 Finance amended by the House Finance Committee, an act relating to minimum paid sick leave requirements, establishing a paid parental leave program, relating to employer surcharges, relating to the Employment Assistance and Training Program account, relating to unemployment benefits, relating to the collection of child support report obligations relating to employee unemployment tax credits, relating to employer contributions to unemployment, relating to the duties of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and providing for an effective date.

Referred to the Finance Committee.

CS for House Bill 195, financed by the House Finance Committee, an act changing the term physician assistant to physician associate, relating to physician associates, relating to collaborative practice agreements for pharmacists relating to the prescription of opioid overdose drugs, relating to the prescription administration of drugs and devices by pharmacists, relating to reciprocity for pharmacists, amending the definition of practitioner and providing for an effective date. Referred to the Finance Committee. Those are all the messages from the House this afternoon, Mr. President.

Thank you, Madam Secretary.

I'm ready.

Will the Senate come back to order, please? Madam Majority Leader.

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate concur with the House amendments to Senate Bill 143 and recommend that the Senate vote yes. Thank you. Senator Yunt, would you explain the changes?

Thank you, Mr. President. Yes, a couple of— one brief change. There was an amendment on the House floor that passed unanimously that would create— the Department of Education is going to have to create a program that works with future elected school board members and teaches them gives them ethics training and financial literacy training. I personally think it's a fantastic amendment, which is probably why there was no objection. You know, at the local level of all of our districts, the school board members are playing with the largest amount of money.

They have the largest budgets. So I think it would be a fantastic addition to the legislation. I personally see no issue with it. And in all fairness, it did ask— it did add a one-time Fiscal note to the legislation, as were previously, there was none before, but there is a one-time $200,000 fiscal note for setting up the training programs. But I do ask for everyone's support.

Thank you. Thank you, Senator Yount. If you are ready for the question, the question being, shall the Senate concur to the House amendments to CS for Senate Bill 143, Committee on Regional Affairs, amended in the House? Senators may proceed to vote.

The Secretary will lock the roll. Do any Senators wish to change their vote? The Secretary will announce the vote. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas to 0 nays, the Senate has concurred in the House amendments to CS for Senate Bill 143, Committee on Regional Affairs, amended in the House.

Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent the vote on concurrence be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Hearing no objection, the effective date clause has been adopted. Madam Secretary. I have no further messages from the House this afternoon, Mr. President.

I have no communications. I brief at ease.

Will the Senate go back to order, please? Madam Secretary. That brings the title change, HCR 19, before the Senate on final passage. Thank you. Are you ready for the question?

Question being, shall the title change resolution, HCR 19, pass the Senate? Senators may proceed to vote.

The secretary will lock the roll. Do any senators wish to change their vote? The Secretary will announce the vote. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas to 0 nays, the title change resolution HCR 19 has passed the Senate.

At this time, Madam Secretary, are there communications? I have no communications this afternoon, Mr. President. Thank you. Reports of standing committees?

The Labor and Commerce Committee considered House Bill 50, Snow Classics, New Zero Fiscal Note, signing do pass, Senator Bjorkman, chair Senator Gray Jackson, signing no recommendation, Senators Dunbar, Yunt. The bill has no further referral. It is in the Rules Committee. The State Affairs Committee considered CS for House Bill 217, Community and Regional Affairs, amended, Autonomous Vehicles, Commercial Driver License, and recommended the adoption of the previous Transportation Senate Committee Substitute. Previous zero fiscal note.

Signing: Do Not Pass, Senator Bjorkman. Vice Chair: Senator Tilton. Signing: Do Pass, Senator Gray-Jackson. The bill has no further referral. It is in the Rules Committee.

The Education Committee considered CS for House Bill 261, Finance Amended Education Funding, and recommended it be replaced with an Education Senate Committee Substitute. New fiscal and zero fiscal notes. Signing do pass, Senator Tobin, Chair, Senators Kiel, Stevens. Signing no recommendation, Senator Bjorkman. The bill has a further referral to the Finance Committee.

The Finance Committee considered CS for House Bill 388, Finance, Bulk Fuel Loan Cap. Previous fiscal— previous indeterminate and zero fiscal notes. Signing do pass, Senators Olson, Steadman, Hoffman, Co-Chairs Senators Cronk, Kiel. Signing no recommendation, Senators Kaufman, Merrick. The bill has no further referral.

It is in the Rules Committee. Those are all the standing committee reports this afternoon, Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Are there reports of special committees? I have no special committee reports this afternoon, Mr. President.

Brief at ease.

Will the Senate come back to order, please? Madam Secretary, are there Senate resolutions for induction? Thank you. Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 33 by the Senate Rules Committee, suspending Rules 24C, 35, 41B, and 42E, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill Number 27, relating to medical care for major emergencies. Thank you.

Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 33 will lay on the Secretary's desk. Those are all the Senate resolutions for introduction this afternoon, Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Are there Senate bills for introduction? I have no Senate bills for introduction today.

Thank you, Madam Secretary. Would you please read the first item on today's calendar?

See as for House Bill number 23, Labor and Commerce, by the House Labor and Commerce Committee, an act renaming the State Commission for Human Rights, the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights, relating to removal of commissioners of the Alaska State Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights. Relating to reports from the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights. Relating to the definition of employer for the purposes of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights. And relating to local civil rights commissions. The Finance Committee considered the bill, recommended it be replaced with a Finance Senate Committee substitute, new title with SCR 32, new fiscal note, signing, do pass.

Senators Olson, Hoffman, Senators Kiel signing no recommendation. Senators Kaufmann, Cronk, Merrick, there is a Finance Senate Committee substitute. Thank you. Senator Hoffman. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate Finance Committee substitute for House Bill 23 be adopted in lieu of the original bill.

Thank you, Senator Hoffman. If you would please explain the changes. Yes, the changes to the committee substitute for House Senate Finance Committee substitute to Senate Bill 23 are as follows: adds language to allow for predetermination agreements to be made and provide instructions on how they are handled. There were no changes to the fiscal notes. Thank you, Senator Hoffman.

Hearing no objection, the Senate Finance Committee substitute has been adopted.

There is an amendment number 1 by Senator Kawasaki on members' desks. Thank you, Senator Kawasaki. We are in second reading, and if you'd move your amendment. Mr. President, I move Amendment Number 1. As an objection, would you please explain the amendment?

Thank you, Mr. President. Amendment Number 1 is a simple amendment that just establishes the effective date as January 1st, 2027. Without the amendment, the bill would go into effect 90 days after signature, which is sort of a variable time. That would give the commission time to, um, allow them ample time to change the name on their signage, letterheads, and online. It'll also matter about when the jurisdiction of the commission will definitely be clear when it starts on January 1st, 2027.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Kawasaki. Is there further discussion? Is the objection maintained? Objection is not maintained.

So hearing no further objection, Amendment number 1 has been adopted.

Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the bill as amended be engrossed and advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Thank you. Is there objection?

Without objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary.

Senate CS for CS for House Bill number 23, Finance, effective date added Senate an act renaming— State Commission for Human Rights—the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights relating to investigations and conciliation by the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; related to removal of commissioners of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to reports from the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to definition of employer for purposes of Alaskan commission civil rights; local civil right's committee regulations that would be considered final rule after public comment period ends this year. Commissions and providing for an effective date before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you. Senator Kawasaki to carry the bill. Thank you, Mr. President.

I'm pleased to carry this bill on behalf of the retiring chairman of the Finance Committee in the other chamber. This Human Rights Commission bill is a cleanup piece of legislation that's been going on for the last couple years. It does four major things. The first is it would allow jurisdiction jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission over all nonprofits not related to religion or religious capacity. It makes board members for cause when it comes to removal of members of the board.

It changes the time of the annual report to slightly later in the year so that they don't have to do it right there at January 1st of the year. It also makes it so that the Civil Rights Commission's name is changed to the Alaska Commission on Human— let me get that right. It changes it so that the State Commission for Human Rights shall be known— I'm sorry, it changes it the other way so that the State Commission for Civil Rights is now known as the State Commission for Human Rights, which is the standard protocol for most other states as well. Thank you. And one final amendment, Mr. President, was added in the House to make sure that It was an amendment in the Senate Finance Committee allowing HRC to do early settlements or mediations to avoid actual actions.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Kawasaki. Is there further discussion? If you are ready for the question, the question being, shall Senate CS for CS for House Bill 23 Finance effective date added in the Senate pass the Senate? Senators may proceed to vote.

The secretary will lock the roll. Do any senators wish to change their vote? The secretary will please announce the vote. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas and 0 nays, Senate CS for CS for House Bill 23 finance effective date added in the Senate has passed the Senate.

Madam Secretary.

Mr. President, Senator Baxter, please. Um, Madam Majority Leader, Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the vote on the bill be considered the vote on the effective date Without objection, so ordered.

Madam Secretary. That brings the title change SCR 32 before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you. Are you ready for the question? Question being, shall the title change resolution SCR 32 pass the Senate?

Senators may proceed to vote.

The Secretary will lock the roll. Do any Senators wish to change their vote? The Secretary will announce the vote. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas and 0 nays, the title change resolution SCR 32 has passed the Senate.

Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

CS for House Bill number 25, Labor and Commerce, amended by the House Labor and Commerce Committee. An act relating to disposable food serviceware and containers provided by customers and providing for an effective date. The State Affairs Committee considered the bill. New zero fiscal note. Signing do pass, Senator Kawasaki.

Chair, Senator Gray Jackson. Signing no recommendation, Senators Bjorkman, Tilton, The Labor and Commerce Committee considered the bill and recommended it be replaced with the Labor and Commerce Senate Committee substitute. Previous zero fiscal note. Signing, no recommendation, Senator Bjorkman. Chair, Senator Yunt.

Signing, do pass, Senators Dunbar, Gray Jackson. There is a Labor and Commerce Senate Committee substitute. Thank you. Senator Bjorkman.

Brief it is, Mr. President.

Will the Senate come back to order, please? Senator Bjorfinn.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent that the Labor and Commerce Committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original bill. Thank you, Senator Bjorfinn. Would you please explain the changes? Absolutely.

Mr. President, while being heard in the Labor and Commerce committee, House Bill 25 was amended by adding a new subsection to the bill. The new subsection allows local municipalities by ordinance to permit restaurants to continue to use polystyrene foam food service ware if that community determines it is appropriate for them to do so. Very simply, Mr. President, this allows for a local community to opt out of the Styrofoam ban for restaurants. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Yorkman.

Hearing no objection, the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee substitute has been adopted. This bill will advance a third reading on our next legislative calendar. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

CS for House Bill number 27, Health and Social Services, an act relating to medical care for major emergencies. The Finance— pardon me, the Health and Social Services Committee considered the bill. New fiscal note signing do pass: Senator Dunbar, chair, Senators Clayman, Tobin, Giesel. Signing no recommendation: Senator Myers. The Finance Committee considered the bill.

Previous Fiscal note. Signing do pass, Senators Olson, Hoffman, co-chairs. Signing no recommendation, Senator Steadman, co-chair. Senators Kaufman, Cronk, Merrick, Keel. There is an amendment number 1 by Senator Gray Jackson on members' desks.

Thank you, Senator Gray Jackson.

We are in second reading, so we proceed to your amendment. Brief it, please. Brief it, please.

We'll send it back to order, please. Senator Gray Jackson. Thank you, Mr. President. I move Amendment Number 1. Thank you.

There has been an objection. Would you please explain your amendment? Thank you, Mr. President. Amendment Number 1 adds CPR curriculum to House Bill 27, Major Medical Emergencies. My staff and I have worked over the past 2 years to advance CPR education in Alaska schools, something already required in 44 states to help create new lifesavers in our communities each year.

This amendment contains the same language as Senate Bill 20, CPR Curriculum, which has received broad support from the Anchorage Fire Department, the American Heart Association, Providence Heart and Vascular, and many of the same industry leaders supporting HB 27 today. Cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and clearly qualifies as a major medical emergency, making this amendment a natural fit for HB 27. I also want to note that the House sponsor supports including this amendment today. During hearings on SB 20, paramedics spoke about the trauma families experience when they're— when they feel helpless, as well as the impact on first responders arriving after valuable time has been lost. CPR training, it's simple, it's practical, and life-saving.

Early CPR can increase survival rates up to 4 times by circulating blood and oxygen until medical professionals arrive. This legislation carries a zero fiscal note and is eligible for a small grant through the Rural Health Transformation Project to help address unforeseen implementation costs for rural Alaska and other school districts. Free online resources will also be available to schools upon passage. Importantly, this curriculum teaches CPR awareness and life-saving skills without requiring formal instruction— instructor certification. Schools can implement the training flexibility through Sure Start short instructional sessions once or twice a year, making it efficient and not burdensome in schools, teachers— for schools, teachers, or students.

We have also received support from educational organizations across the state. HB 27 is a common-sense measure that will help save lives in Alaska, and this amendment directly supports that mission. It's time for Alaskans to join the the rest of the country and giving students the knowledge and the confidence they need to act in these critical moments. I respectfully urge support for this amendment, and I want to thank the House sponsor of HB 27 for supporting its inclusion today. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Senator Gray Jackson. Is there further discussion on Amendment Number 1?

Is the objection maintained?

Hearing no further objection, Amendment Number 1 has been adopted. Madam Majority Leader, Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the bill be engrossed and advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Thank you. Without objection, so ordered.

Madam Secretary, CS for House Bill Number 27, Health and Social Services Amended Senate Act relating to medical care for major emergencies relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation education in public schools, relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development, and providing for an effective date before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you. Senator Gray Jackson to carry the bill. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I rise today with pride to carry House Bill 27, sponsored by the representative in District 19 from the other body.

This legislation strengthens Alaska's response to major medical emergencies and helps save lives across our state. HB 27 modernizes Alaska's emergency medical services system by improving coordination between hospitals, clinics, EMS providers, and public health agencies for time-sensitive emergencies like strokes and heart attacks. The bill recognizes the simple reality. In Alaska, geography and weather can turn minutes into life or death delays. This legislation creates a more organized statewide system so patients can get the right care at the right place at the right time.

A really critical element of HB 27 is the data collection and registries on heart attacks and strokes. Right now we have very little statewide data. The fiscal note reflects one additional PCN within the Office of Rural and Community Health Systems to track data and implement strategies to improve metrics as gaps are identified. That work will help ensure that we are not only responding to emergencies, but also continuously, continuously improving outcomes and strengthening care across Alaska. Public testimony and letters of support from Healthcare organizations have made it clear that Alaska already has strong trauma systems in place, but stroke and cardiac care need the same level of statewide coordination.

Hospitals, emergency responders, and healthcare professionals across Alaska, they support this effort because they know better coordination means better outcomes for patients. HB 27 also invests in education and preparedness Most importantly, CPR curriculum has been added to this bill. That addition empowers young Alaskans with life-saving skills and helps build a culture of emergency readiness in our communities. In a state where emergency response times can be long, having more citizens trained in CPR can mean the difference between life and death before the first responders even arrive. This bill is is practical, bipartisan, and focused on saving lives.

It does not create unnecessary bureaucracy, it creates coordination. It does not duplicate services, it strengthens the systems that we already rely on. Every Alaskan deserves the confidence that if they or a loved one suffer a stroke, heart attack, or other major emergency, that our state is prepared and ready to respond effectively. I urge a yes vote on House Bill 27. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Senator Gray Jackson. Is there further discussion? Are you ready for the question? The question being, shall CS for House Bill 27, Health and Social Services, amended in the Senate, effective date added in the Senate, pass the Senate? Senators may proceed to vote.

The secretary will lock the roll. Do any senators wish to change their vote? The secretary will announce the vote. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas and 0 nays, CS for House Bill 27, Health and Social Services, amended in the Senate, effective date in the Senate, has passed the Senate.

Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the vote on the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Thank you. Hearing no objection, the effective date clause has been adopted.

I'll brief— please, Senate, come back to order, please. Uh, Madam Secretary. That brings the title change Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 33 before the Senate on final passage. Thank you. And if you are ready for the question, the question being, shall the title change resolution SCR 33 pass the Senate?

Senators may proceed to vote.

The secretary will lock the roll. Do any senators wish to change their vote? The secretary will announce the vote. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas, 0 nays, the title change resolution SCR 33 has passed the Senate.

Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

CS for House Bill number 52, Health and Social Services, amended by the House Health Health and Social Services Committee an act relating to the rights of minors undergoing evaluation or inpatient treatment at psychiatric hospitals, relating to the use of seclusion or restraint of minors at psychiatric hospitals, relating to a report published by the Department of Health, relating to inspections by the Department of Health of certain psychiatric hospitals, and providing for an effective date. The Finance Committee considered the bill, recommended it be replaced with a finance Finance Senate Committee substitute, previous fiscal and zero fiscal notes. Signing do pass, Senator Hoffman. Co-chair, Senator Merrick. Signing no recommendation, Senator Olson.

Co-chair, Senators Kaufman, Cronk, Kiel. There is a Finance Senate Committee substitute. Thank you. Senator Hoffman. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate Finance Committee substitute for House Bill 52 be adopted in lieu of the original bill.

Thank you, Senator Hoffman. If you would please explain the changes. The changes to House Bill 52 Finance are as follows: removes language related to reporting and notification practices that are contradictory to established notification and confidentiality requirements, updates the definition of chemical restraint. There are no changes to the fiscal note. Are you hearing No objection.

The Senate Finance Committee substitute has been adopted. Madam Majority Leader, Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the bill be engrossed and advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Thank you. Without objection, so ordered.

Madam Secretary, Senate CS for CS for House Bill number 52, Finance, an act relating to the rights of minors undergoing evaluation or inpatient relating to the use of seclusion or restraint of minors at psychiatric hospitals, relating to a report published by the Department of Health, relating to inspections by the Department of Health of certain psychiatric hospitals, and providing for an effective date before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you. Senator Clayman to carry the bill. Thank you, Mr. President. In 2022, the United States Department of Justice investigated Alaska's behavioral health system for youth.

The DOJ investigation found an overreliance on institutionalization to treat minors with behavioral health disabilities in Alaska. These findings demonstrated urgent need for transparency and parent-guardian involvement at the psychiatric hospitals that serve Alaskan youth with behavioral health care needs. Hospital 52 enhances and protects the rights of those young patients who undergo evaluation or inpatient treatment at these psychiatric hospitals. House Bill 52 establishes straightforward measures. First, it guarantees that minors have access to confidential communications with a parent or legal guardian for at least 2 cumulative hours per week.

Second, it requires the Department of Health to publish an annual report to the legislature. That report will include data on the use of seclusion and restraints, whether mechanical, physical, or chemical, as well as findings from facility inspections. And third, it strengthens oversight by requiring unannounced inspections at least twice a year, including inter— interviews with at least half of the minor patients without staff present unless necessary for safety. And finally, it ensures that when seclusion or restraint is used on a minor, both the department and the minor's parents or legal guardian are notified within 72 hours. In conclusion, House Bill 52 enhances and protects the rights of these young patients who undergo evaluation and inpatient treatment at these psychiatric hospitals.

I respectfully ask for your support and urge a yes vote on House Bill 52. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Clayman. Is there further discussion?

If you are ready for the question, question being, shall Senate CS for CS for House Bill 52 Finance passed the Senate. Senators may proceed to vote.

The secretary will lock the roll. Do any senators wish to change their vote? The secretary will announce the vote. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas and 0 nays, Senate CS for CS for House Bill 52 Finance has passed the Senate.

Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the vote on the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Hearing no objection, the effective date clause has been adopted. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

House Bill number 79 by Representatives Fields, Galvin, Josephson, Gray, an act naming the Vic Fisher Shoup Bay State Marine Park. The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered the bill, previous zero fiscal note, signing do pass, Senator Merrick, chair Senators Olson, Dunbar, Gray, Jackson, Yunt. The Resources Committee considered the bill, recommended it be replaced with a Resources Senate Committee substitute, new title with SCR 30, new zero fiscal notes, signing do pass, Senator Giesel, chair Senators Dunbar, Wielekowski signing no recommendation. Senators Myers, Rauscher, there is a Resources Senate Committee substitute. Thank you.

Senator Giesel. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate Resources Committee substitute for House Bill 79 be adopted in lieu of the original bill. Thank you. Senator Giesel, if you would please explain the changes.

Mr. President, there was one change. We added intent language renaming the Institute of Social and Economic Research to the Vic Fisher Institute of Social and Economic Research. There was no change in the fiscal note. Thank you, Senator Giesel. Hearing no objection, the Senate Resources 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.

House Bill Number 176 by Representatives Carrick, Allard, Tomaszewski, Galvin. An act relating to notice of new fees and fee increases from the University of Alaska relating to billing statements from the University of Alaska and providing for an effective date.

The Education Committee considered the bill, recommended it be replaced with with an Education Senate Committee substitute. Previous zero fiscal note. Signing a recommendation, Senator Tobin, Chair. Senators Kiel, Yunt, Bjorkman, Stevens. The State Affairs Committee considered the bill, recommended the adoption of the previous Education Senate Committee substitute.

Previous zero fiscal note. Signing amend, Senator Kawasaki, Chair. Signing do pass, Senators Gray, Jackson, Tilton. Signing no recommendation, Senator Bjorkman. There is an Education Senate Committee substitute.

Thank you, Senator Tobin. Thank you, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent for the Senate Committee substitute to be accepted in lieu of the original bill. Thank you, Senator.

Would you please explain the changes? Most certainly, Mr. President. We made two changes in the Senate Education Committee. We added clarifying language regarding the Board of Regents' responsibility to provide notice when imposing a fee increase. The other change clarified that a mandatory fee fee assessed on all students attending the university.

This does not include fees related to courses, multi— multikreation, parking permit fees, or other similar fees like concert or technology fees. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Tobin. Hearing no objection, the Senate Education Committee substitute has been adopted. Madam Majority Leader.

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the bill be engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on the calendar for placed on final passage. Thank you. Without objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary.

Senate CS for House Bill 176, Education, an Act Relating to Notice of New Fees and Fee Increases from the University of Alaska, Relating to Billing Statements from the University of Alaska, and Providing for an Effective Date, before the Senate in third reading, on final passage. Thank you. Senator Myers to carry the bill. Thank you, Mr. President.

I appreciate the chance to carry this bill today on behalf of the member from West Fairbanks and the University District, and especially since I was carrying the companion legislation in the body this year. So as somebody who has formerly represented part of the University District and still has a lot of students in my district, we've heard directly from students about the importance of transparency within our university system. HB 176 was prompted by conversations with fellow Nanooks, Seawolves, and Whales and is intended to strengthen accountability, transparency, and the right of students to know where their hard-earned dollars are going. Or if you prefer, perhaps the ability of their parents to know where their money is going. Mr. President, this bill does not change the right of the university to charge fees, but does require all University of Alaska schools to provide itemized billing statements detailing how much students pay for system and campus-wide fees and where those dollars are allocated.

Legislation also requires notification to UA provided student emails about new fees and fee changes. The bill is rooted in a simple principle: students deserve to know exactly what they're paying for. Greater transparency leads to greater accountability, and accountability builds trust in our institutions. At a time when the cost of higher education continues to rise, students and families deserve clear and accessible information about how their money is being spent. HB 176 is a common-sense step towards openness, informed decision-making, and in responsible stewardship of student dollars.

I want to thank the university administrators that have worked with our offices and the bill sponsor to ensure that the implementation of this bill aligns with our intent and the many students that have advocated for the clarity and transparency for our UA system. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Myers. Is there further discussion?

Senator Kawasaki. Thank you, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent consent to be shown as a cross-sponsor on House Bill 176. Without objection, so ordered, along with Senator Cronk, Senator Wilkowski, Senator Dunbar, Senator Giesel, Senator Gray Jackson, Senator Clayman, and Stevens.

If there's no further discussion, are you ready for the question? The question being, shall Senate CS for House Bill 176, Education, pass the Senate? Senators may proceed to vote.

Senator Tobin.

Thank you. The secretary will lock the roll. Do any senators wish to change their vote?

The secretary will announce the vote. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas to 0 nays, Senate CS for House Bill 176, Education, has passed the Senate. Madam Majority Leader. Mr.

President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the vote on the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Hearing no objection, the effective date clause has been adopted. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

House Bill number 298 by Representatives Galvin, McCabe, an act relating to the Legislative Ethics Act, relating to legislative subpoenas, relating to the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ombudsman, 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 note. Signing do pass. Senator Clayman, Chair, Senators Kiel Tobin.

Signing the recommendation, Senator Tilton. 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 298 be adopted in lieu of the original bill. Thank you. Would you please explain the changes, Senator? Yes, Mr. President. The Senate Judiciary Committee substitute made the following major changes to House Bill 298, establishing that the ethics committee may issue a decision in addition to a written recommendation that the subject of a complaint take corrective action when there is a determination of probable violation.

Second, allowing the subject of the complaint to request for the complaint to not be treated confidentially under AS 24.60.170. And finally, allowing the subject of the complaint to request the ethics committee to make a decision before the campaign period ends. These are all, I believe, minor, and there were also minor changes that included renumbering. That concludes the changes in the committee. Thank you, Senator Clayman.

Hearing no objection, the Senate Judiciary Committee substitute has been adopted. Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the bill be engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. Thank you. Without objection, so ordered.

Madam Secretary. Senate CS for House Bill 298, Judiciary, an act relating to the Legislative Ethics Act, relating to legislative subpoenas, relating to the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ombudsman, and providing for an effective date. Before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you. Senator Tobin to carry the bill.

Well, thank you, Mr. President. And I do want to thank you for the work that you've done on this particular legislation, as well as many of the members here on this body. This has been a piece of legislation that we have put about 4 years of work into. One of the things that we all know is that the public trust deeply matters, and how we build transparency, accountability is through having high ethical standards for the legislature. This legislation is a significant step forward on improving the clarity, the organization, and the consistency of the legislative Legislative Ethics Act and hopefully will make the piece of legislation easier to understand and of course apply.

Really at the heart of House Bill 298 is consistency. When the law is clear and uniformly applied, it reduces confusion and helps provide us better guidance. It also provides better guidance to staff, members of the public, and of course to other members of the legislature. There are 4 key provisions in House Bill 298. The first is clarifying operating procedures.

The second is ensuring that we have clear guidance on the ethics committee structure. The fourth is on committee guidance and— excuse me, the third is on committee guidance and the fourth is on the complaint process. So the first clarifies the authority of the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics to issue subpoenas and also to conduct investigations. When reviewing potential violations. The second improves the structure of the Ethics Committee by clearly defining who can be and who are our public members and aligning oversight standards to ensure that there is consistency on how all participants are treated.

The third updates existing provisions, including guidance on the use of legislative titles, and provides clear disclosure requirements on travel-related gifts. I know everyone here has trouble when we are required to provide snapshots or pictures or upload agendas for when we travel on legislative business. Finally, the bill before you strengthens the complaint process by establishing clear timeframes for acknowledging complaints, conducting preliminary reviews, and initiating investigations, and ensures consistency while protecting due process for all involved. It is important to note that the Ethics Ethics Committee is not a department. It is an organization that underscores the significance of how we ensure that the ethics law is grounded not just interpretation but in clear guidance, which we would like to ensure everyone has when we're providing these recommendations and reviews with legislative ethics in mind.

House Bill 298 protects the integrity of the legislative ethics system. Ensures the Ethics Committee can continue to uphold high standards for integrity and of course accountability in public service. I'm happy to answer any questions, but I urge members to vote yes. Thank you, Senator Tobin. Is there further discussion?

Senator Clayman. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent to be added as a cross-sponsor to House Bill 298. On objection, Senator Clayman will be added along with Senator Giesel. Senator Steadman, Senator Tobin, Senator Kawasaki, and Senator Stevens.

If there's no further discussion and you are ready for the question, the question being, shall Senate CS for House Bill 298, Judiciary, pass the Senate? Senators may proceed to vote.

The secretary will lock the roll. Do any senators wish to change their vote? The secretary will announce the vote. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas to 0 nays, Senate CS for House Bill 298 Judiciary has passed the Senate.

Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the vote on the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Hearing no objection, the effective date clause has been adopted. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

CS for House Bill number 363, Military and Veterans Affairs, by the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. An act relating to the sale of alcohol, relating to the sale or dispensing of alcoholic beverages by patriotic organizations, relating to club licenses, and providing for an effective date. The Labor and Commerce Committee considered the bill previous 0 fiscal notes, signing do pass. Senator Bjorkman, Chair, Senators Dunbar, Gray, Jackson, Yunt. I have no amendments.

Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the bill be engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. Thank you. Without objection, so ordered.

Madam Secretary, CS for House Bill number 363, Military and Veterans Affairs, an act relating to the sale of alcohol relating to the the sale or dispensing of alcoholic beverages by patriotic organizations relating to club licenses and providing for an effective date. Thank you. Senator Dunbar to carry the bill. Thank you, Mr. President. First, I move and ask unanimous consent to abstain from voting due to a possible perceived conflict of interest.

I'm a member of American Legion Jack Henry Post 1. Thank you, Senator Dunbar. It has been objected to. I am also a member. Any others?

Senator Tobin, you are as well. Very good. Senator Dunbar, please continue. Thank you, Mr. President. I will say I received no financial benefit from this, of course.

That's not how American Legions and VFWs and the like work. I'm honored to be asked to carry this on behalf of the member from Kodiak. I believe she—. Just to remind, in case I didn't say it, you are required to vote no matter what. Thank you, Mr.

President. Mr. President, uh, continue. Appreciate that. Um, yeah, I, I'm a member of, uh, this, uh, patriotic organization, and that's actually an official title. Patriotic organizations are nonpartisan, not-for-profit organizations committed to preserving, promoting, and celebrating national pride and advocating for veterans, service members, and their communities.

Now, the impetus for this bill, HB 363, came from the American Legion Post 5 Seward. Uh, House Bill 363 accomplishes two things. First, it allows patriotic organizations to sell alcoholic beverages to members of other patriotic organizations incorporated under Alaska's Nonprofit Corporation Act and possessing a club license under Title IV. These organizations are defined in the bill as the three patriotic organizations that currently hold liquor licenses. Those are the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Veterans Organizations or AMVETS.

Second, HB 363 allows for patriotic organizations only during a permitted event to serve liquor as well as beer and wine during that event. These events must happen at the club's licensed premises and in accordance with the terms of the event permit. Under current law, patriotic organizations are only allowed to serve beer and wine at these events. And I'm sorry, I think I might have misspoke, Mr. President. They— there might be other times when they can serve spirits, but this is specifically having to do with events at the, the, um, the halls of these organizations that currently they can only do beer and wine.

This bill would expand it to allow other alcoholic beverages. So with that, Mr. President, patriotic organizations have a unique role providing for active duty military members and veterans by providing a communal space for civic engagement and community. HB 363 is a small reform that will allow greater flexibility for these organizations when they serve alcoholic beverages, and I urge members' support. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Dunbar.

Further discussion? Hearing none, if you are ready for the question. The question being: Shall CS for House Bill 363, Military and Veterans Affairs, pass the Senate? Senators may proceed to vote.

The secretary will lock the roll. Do any senators wish to change their vote? The secretary will announce the vote. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas to 0 nays, CS for House Bill 363, Military and Veterans Affairs, has passed the Senate.

Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the vote on the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Thank you. Hearing no objection, the effective date clause has been adopted.

Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

Senate CS for CS for House Bill 133, Finance, amended Senate. An act establishing deadlines for the payment of certain contracts under the State Procurement Code, establishing deadlines for the payment of grants, contracts, and reimbursement agreements to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and Alaska Native organizations, relating to reports from state agencies to the legislature detailing late payments made during 2026 relating to the state financial transactions internet website and providing for an effective date before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you, Senator Kawasaki, to carry the bill. Thank you, Mr. President.

I'm pleased to carry House Bill 133 to the chamber today. Uh, Alaska doesn't survive specifically because of state government. A lot of times we use things like private contractors, nonprofits, municipal governments, and Alaska Native organizations. And these organizations we use as the state to be a pass-through entity for funding. Oftentimes this funding may take over a year to get to final— to the final organization.

It's not because of disputes about the performance of the work that these nonprofits has performed or accountability. These delays have occurred because state government has fallen down and not performed the duties and made sure that these payments go out on time. The delays have been systematic, spanning multiple administrations. What this bill aims to do is to ensure that organizations that do businesses with the state receive their payments in a prompt and reasonable timeframe. Private contractors on public works projects, like construction projects, have had statutory prompt payment within our statutes since the '90s.

This includes the ability to interest— to receive interest on late payments. We believe this bill— what this bill will do, it will ensure that prompt payments are also in line for our other private contractors and nonprofits, not just on these public works projects, but on other projects that the state needs to perform. House Bill 133 will establish clear expectations for that. Once work is completed and approved, that payment would follow in a very delineated and defined timeline. This doesn't— this bill will not increase the number of grants or contracts.

It doesn't increase the amount of money that goes out from the state to these private entities. Is merely the mechanism for which a payee receives payment from the state of Alaska in a timely manner. This bill will strengthen partnerships. It will reduce uncertainty and ensure service providers are no longer forced to bear the burden of state delays. And there have been stories about state delays where companies and small businesses and small nonprofits, for instance, organizations have had to reach in and get lines of credit to temporarily pay their own staff.

So we want that not to happen, and we're hoping that House Bill 133 will make it a long way to preventing that in the future. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Kawasaki. Is there further discussion? Seeing none, if you are ready for the question, the question being, shall Senate CS for CS for House Bill 133 Finance, amended in the Senate, passed the Senate.

Senators may proceed to vote.

The secretary will lock the roll. Do any senators wish to change their vote?

The secretary will announce the vote. 15 Yeas, 5 nays. And so by a vote of 15 yeas, 5 nays, Senate sees— sees for House Bill 133 Finance, amended in the Senate, has passed the Senate. Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the vote on the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause.

Thank you. Hearing no objection, the effective date clause has been adopted. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar. CS for House Bill 214, State Affairs, an act relating to proof of financial responsibility Responsibility for Suspension for Nonpayment of Judgments before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Brief at ease.

Will the Senate come back to order, please? We are waiting on an amendment on House Bill 214, and so we think we'll move ahead with the next item and come back to that. Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move that the CS for House Bill 214 be moved to the bottom of the bills today.

Without objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, would you please read the next item on today's calendar?

House Joint Resolution number 28 by Representatives Eishide, Underwood, Elam, Galvin, Josephson, Schraggi, calling on the United States Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act. The Education Committee considered the resolution previous Zero fiscal notes, signing no recommendations. Senator Tobin, Chair, Senators Keel, Stevens, signing do pass. Senator Yunt, I have no amendments. Thank you.

Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the resolution be engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. Thank you. Without objection, so ordered.

Madam Secretary. House Joint Resolution number 28, calling on the United States Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you. Senator Yunt to carry the resolution. Thank you, Mr. President, and I'd briefly like to thank, uh, the member from our other body in District 22 as well for allowing me to share with you today the Kids Online Safety Act.

So House Joint Resolution 28 is urging Congress and the president to pass U.S. Bill 1748. This legislation has brought bipartisan support with over 75 co-sponsors in the U.S. Senate, including both of our U.S. senators. HJR 28 is addressing— addresses a growing crisis facing our children and teenagers, namely the harmful effects of social media and online platforms on youth mental health. 95% Of teenagers and over 40% of children ages 8 through 12 are on these platforms for extensive amounts of time. At the same time, rates of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, self-harm, and suicide among young people have risen dramatically.

Algorithms track behavior, collect data, and push content designed to hold attention, especially for young users who may not even have the maturity to recognize manipulation or unhealthy behavior.

House Joint Resolution 28 does a few specific things. It will regulate design features that encourage addictive habitual use. It would establish corporate responsibility for product designs that cause harm to minors. It will limit the collection of data from children, and it will require greater transparency about how platforms can affect young users. Importantly, the Kids Online Safety Act does not censor lawful content, nor does it— nor does it require platforms to collect additional personal data for age verification.

It focuses on accountability, transparency, and protecting children from harmful platform design. Mr. President, online platforms have become deeply embedded in the daily lives of our children, but oversight and protections have not kept pace. House Joint Resolution 28 gives voice to the concerns of Alaska families and joins other states calling on Congress to act. House Joint Resolution 28 is our opportunity to put our Alaskan families and kids first by asking the U.S. Congress and president to pass Senate Bill 1748, the Kids Online Safety Act. I urge— I urge a yes vote.

Thank you. Thank you, Senator Young. Is there further discussion? Senator Clayman. Mr.

President, I move and ask unanimous consent to be added as a cross-sponsor to the resolution. Without objection, so ordered, along with Senator Gray Jackson, Senator Rauscher, Senator Tilton, Senator Sedman, Senator Giesel, and over on this side, Senator Cronk, Senator Kawasaki, Senator Yant, Senator Merrick, Senator Olson, and Senator Stevens. Further discussion? If you are ready for the question, question being, shall House Joint Resolution 28 pass the Senate? Senators may proceed to vote.

The secretary will lock the roll. Do any senators wish to change their vote? The secretary will announce the vote. 20 Ayes, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 ayes, 0 nays, House Joint Resolution 28 has passed the Senate.

Abrivedes.

Will the Senate come back to order, please? Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar. Citations honoring Kareen and James Jamie Marks, honoring Charlie Lampier, honoring Trooper Anthony Tony Beck, in memoriam Richard Rich Irvin Maurer, in memoriam Lonnie Ray Brawlersson. Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Mr.

President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the citations on today's calendar be approved. Thank you. Hearing no objection, the citations are approved. Madam Secretary, with the exception of House Bill 214, there are no further items for consideration on today's daily calendar. Thank you.

We will come back to House Bill 214 should we get that amendment. Is there unfinished business at this time? Unfinished business. Senator Rauscher. Thank you, Mr. President.

I apologize I didn't climb on fast enough. I move and ask ask unanimous consent to be shown as cross-sponsor on HB 176, university fees. Thank you. Without objection, so ordered. Senator Roscher and Senator Clayman.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent to be added as cross-sponsor on House Bill 27, relating to medical care for major emergencies. Without objection, so ordered. Senator Clayman and Senator Cronk.

I move and ask unanimous consent to be a cross-sponsor on HB 363, alcohol sales. Without objection, so ordered. Along with Senator Merrick, Senator Bjorkman, Senator Yancey, Senator Kawasaki, Senator Clayman. Thank you. Additional unfinished business.

Senator Dunbar. Thank you, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent to be excused from the call of the Senate from June 2nd through June 7th for other state business, military service. Thank you. Without objection, so ordered.

Senator Dunbar, additional unfinished business at this time? Moving on to— I'm sorry, Senator, Senator Bjorkman. I move and ask unanimous consent to be excused from the call of the Senate on May May 23rd through May 26th. Without objection, so ordered, Senator Bjorkman. Additional unfinished business?

Senator Rosser. Unfinished? Yes, Senator, unfinished business. I move and ask unanimous consent to be excused from the call of the House on May 22nd through May 26th, plane time. Thank you.

Without objection, so ordered, Senator Rosser. Additional unfinished business?

Moving on to committee announcements. Are there committee announcements? Seeing none, are there any other announcements?

We'll move on then to special orders. Are there special orders? Senator Myers. Thank you, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent for permission to speak on the Big Four-O.

Without objection, so ordered. Thank you, Mr. President. Today is May 17th. 40 Years ago today, as the member from Bethel was contemplating his first run for the legislature, my younger brother was born up in Fairbanks. That's my younger brother Michael.

Yes, my brother's name is Michael Myers. He's no longer in Alaska right now. He's currently living outside of Salem, Oregon. He moved down there about 2022. He told me it he was moving to Oregon for two reasons.

One, because we have a lot of extended family in the area. That's where our mom's side of the family is from. So we got a lot of aunts, uncles, cousins down there. And he also told me he wanted to ride his motorcycle somewhere more than 4 months a year. Guess I can't really blame him on that one.

He actually also got recently married about 3 weeks ago here. Honestly, given that he was almost 40 at the time, I thought he was gonna be a lifelong bachelor, which It does make me wonder if part of the reason he did it is just to prove me wrong one more time. So I just want to wish happy birthday to my younger brother Michael down in Oregon. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Senator Myers. Happy birthday to your brother. Senator Rosser. Thank you, Mr. President. I wish to speak on the topic of what to know and when to know it with unanimous consideration of the body.

Thank you, Mr. President. Um, the beginning of this year I was very impressed, um, with this, uh, calendar which we've had to look at, utilize, and, um, read all year long, all this session long. And I guess I was told I need to give special thanks to, uh, Kira Elkman. For this, one of our secretaries up front. And it's a lot of information on there.

There's a lot of research. There's a lot of things on what to know, how to do it, what time you should do it by, and what time you shouldn't do it by. It's been a very good guide for me, and I just wanted to thank her right now for it. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Rosha.

Additional special orders? We will stand at ease until we— waiting for an amendment.

Will the Senate come back to order, please? Does everyone have Amendment Number 1? Before them. Anyone doesn't?

All right, um, Madam Majority Leader. President, I move and ask unanimous consent to move back up the calendar to today's calendar. Thank you. Back up the calendar to today's calendar. Madam Secretary, um, House Bill 214.

CS for House Bill number 214, State Affairs, an act relating to proof of financial responsibility for Suspension of Nonpayment of Judgments before the Senate in third reading on final passage. There is an amendment number 1 by Senator Bjorkman on members' desks. Thank you, Senator Bjorkman. Thank you, Mr. President.

I move amendment number 1.

My apologies, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent to return to second reading for the purposes of moving one amendment, right? Exactly. Thank you, Senator. We are back then in the second reading.

Senator Carlos— Senator Bjorkman, to move the Amendment Number 1. Thank you very much, Mr. President. I appreciate members' indulgence today as we work in the final days of session to get some good policy passed for our constituents. The bill—. And if you would simply say move Amendment Number 1, then— apologies.

I thought I moved the amendment, Mr. President. Well, we're doing it both ways, so just go ahead and make the amendment, if you would. Mr. President, I move Amendment Number 1. Thank you, and there has been an objection. So Senator Bjorn, would you explain your amendment to us?

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Amendment Number 1 is Senate Bill 35, which passed this body a few weeks ago. Senate Bill 35 is essential because it helps protect protect drivers of delivery network companies who are currently uncovered by insurance in many parts of their job. It also clarifies that these folks, as they are doing their work, that they are independent contractors. They use their own cars, they work as they want to, but because our state has not updated our insurance statute Mr. President, sometimes they're uncovered by insurance.

And currently, this is a problem. Constituents have contacted myself as well as other members because not only drivers of delivery network companies are often uncovered by insurance, but also there are some gaps in riders of companies like Uber and Lyft and transportation network companies, Mr. President. And they are also— they can be uncovered by insurance because the drivers of those vehicles, they can waive what's called underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage. So this bill, as it sits in this amendment, provides for a gap filler, an insurance policy to make sure that drivers for delivery network companies that you might know as Instacart or Walmart Spark, Uber Eats, and many others, that those drivers are protected by insurance. They have insurance on their vehicle.

They have insurance called occupational and accident insurance so that if they get hurt while they're doing the work of the delivery network company, that it won't hurt them as much to miss work because they'll have their health coverage covered as well as some wage replacement under this bill, Mr. President. So it's been some time since the body here in the legislature has passed the Transportation Network Company Bill, and policies have changed. And this bill improves insurance mandates for both the workers of delivery network company drivers who who are doing those runs and the transportation network company drivers as well. I understand that there are different feelings about whether or not these folks should be classified as employees and subject to workers' comp, or if they should become and are independent contractors. That was the genesis of this bill.

The legislature almost 10 years ago decided that transportation network company employees that they would be independent contractors and able to do that on that basis. This bill sticks with that president— precedent, but also makes sure that these folks are insured. I had a constituent reach out to me, Mr. President. He took rides and jobs for a company that would covered under this bill. And I actually met him because he was a member of the American Legion Color Guard.

Really great guy, his name's Paul. And he drove for one of these apps so they could make extra money. But unfortunately, he got into an accident. The accident was pretty bad. He got all busted up, his car got busted up.

And you know how much insurance he had? And was able to have because of our laws right now? Zero. None.

That's a huge gap in our law, Mr. President. It's not acceptable. That's why I am appreciative of members' indulgence that we can get this policy done this year so we can make sure that folks in Alaska have this insurance coverage. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Bjorkman.

Is there discussion? Senator Kawasaki. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. This is a late hour.

We're in day 117, and I understand the desire to jam as many bills into as many bills as we can. This was a bill that— this amendment appears to be similar to a bill that passed this legislature without my support. I support the underlying bill. The member from the other chamber whose bill this is does not appreciate this bill being attached to her bill, potentially going across the other side. Mr. President, again, as we end this, end this last couple days of legislative session, I'd please ask that we really carefully decide what kind of legislation is important to pass.

This bill— this, I'm sorry, this amendment is still a currently active bill in the other chamber. And changing this bill, the underlying bill, by adding this rider really doesn't do any good service to either this bill, the underlying bill, or this entire process. And I'd ask that members please vote no against Amendment Number 1. Thank you, Senator Kawasaki. Is there further discussion?

Senator Bjorkman, wrap up on your amendment.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Mr. President, I came here to accomplish things for my constituents when they asked me to fix problems for them. And I understand that people might not like one bill going into another, but we already did that once today, and that was fine. It was a good policy to help protect Alaskans. This bill does much the same thing.

Insurance policies almost exactly like this one have passed in almost every other state. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but it is the vast majority of all states that have adopted delivery network company insurance standards exactly like this one. We have a problem because Alaskans are uncovered by insurance. This is a good work product that has been thoroughly vetted through many, many stakeholders as well as the Division of Insurance. I urge members vote yes.

Thank you, Senator Bjorkman. Is the objection maintained?

If you are ready for the question, the question being, shall the Senate adopt Amendment Number 1? Senators may proceed to vote.

The secretary will lock the roll.

Do any senators wish to change their vote? The secretary will announce the vote. 13 Yeas, 7 nays. And so by a vote of 13 yeas and 7 nays, Amendment Number 1 has passed the Senate. Madam Secretary.

I have no further amendments, so that brings Senate CS for House Bill Number Senate Bill 214, State Affairs Amended Senate, back before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you. Senator Kawasaki to carry the bill. Brief edis.

Will the Senate come back to order, please? Senator Kawasaki. Thank you, Mr. President. I was pleased to carry House Bill 214, and I will carry the underlying bill. House Bill 214, it cures an outdated, excessively punitive section of Alaska statute.

It deals specifically with a person's driver's license after someone incurs an unsatisfied judgment. And what that is is when a person were to have an unsatisfied judgment because they were driving with a suspended or revoked license or got in an accident, not a DUI, but a different type of an accident, they would have a judgment against them. If the judgment was paid, Even if the judgment was paid, current law, according to statute, says that they would have a lifetime to be— to require SR-22 insurance certificates. And for folks who might not know, SR-22 is basically a certificate saying that you have the financial wherewithal to be able to pay just in case you do come into an accident again. So this SR-22 oftentimes makes your insurance insurance rates cost more.

And so I think it was an artifact that we have been trying to fix for the last dozen years to say that a person who definitely satisfies their judgment at some point in time is going to be free from having to continue to pay this exorbitant rate for insurance with an SR-22 certificate. So what this says is that the first— once a person satisfies their payment payments and satisfied what— satisfies what they are required to pay by court judgment, that they will only have to have the SR-22 certificate for 1 year after that case. If it's their second time where they've maybe done it twice and got into an accident again and don't have insurance or don't— or have a judgment that was placed against them, then they would be required to have SR-22 certificates certificated insurance for 3 years period. And a third judgment means 10 years, and the fourth judgment finally means a lifetime in which they would have to require— be required to have this SR-22 certificate insurance. SR-22 certificated insurance is very expensive.

It sometimes means as much as $2,000 extra, $2,400 extra in a year. And so these sometimes are people that are just exclusively prevented from driving simply because they've had this judgment that was placed against them a dozen years ago. And since then they've moved on, but they still have this judgment. And so it does nothing to the insurance companies. It does nothing except allows them to collect more.

Does nothing for public safety, but it really does prevent people who've paid their restitution, paid their satisfaction, satisfied their judgment to the court's discretion, it allows them to continue on with their life. I would ask members to support the underlying bill and appreciate the support. Thank you, Senator Kawasaki. Is there additional discussion?

Senator Clayman. Thank you, Mr. President. I want to speak briefly to the amended bill that includes underinsured motorist coverage. Coverage. Several years ago, we passed a bill relating to the transportation network companies.

At the time, I did not support that bill because I felt it was essential that underinsured motorist coverage be required for companies engaged in that business. Since we passed that legislation, legislation became law, I've heard stories about people who have been injured while riding in Uber, hit by an under— under— or an uninsured motorist, and they've person that caused the accident, the other motorist, didn't have insurance and the passenger in the Uber was not well protected. This measure puts that underinsured coverage and the underinsured coverage in place so that it will really protect Alaska consumers that, that as of today they are not protected. So I support the amended version and urge a yes vote. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Senator Clayman. Additional discussion?

Brief eddies.

Back to order, please. Is there further discussion? If you are ready for the question, question being, shall CS for House Bill 214, State Affairs, as amended in the Senate, has passed the Senate. Senators may proceed to vote.

The Secretary will lock the roll. Do any Senators wish to change their vote? The Secretary will announce the vote. 17 Yeas, 3 nays. And so by a vote of 17 yeas and 3 nays, CS for House Bill 214, State Affairs, amended in the Senate, has passed the Senate.

We'll roll back down the calendar. Senator Giesel. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, Monday, May 18th, 2026. Brief, brief adieu.

Um, come back to order, please. Would you withdraw your Mr. President, I rescind the motion I just made. Thank you, Senator Giesel. Senator Kawasaki. Mr. President, I serve notice of reconsideration on my vote on House Bill 214.

Reconsideration has been served on 214.

Is there objection to reconsideration?

None. If you are ready— not today. I'm sorry. Okay. Okay.

Reconsideration for additional date. All right. We are back to the end of the show here. Does anybody have any special orders? If not, Madam Majority Leader.

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 AM tomorrow, May 18th, 2026. Thank you. Hearing no objection, the Senate is adjourned.