Alaska Legislature: MISC-20260619-1230

Will the joint session please come to order?

In accordance with the provision of Uniform Rule 51, I turn the gavel over to the President of the Senate, the Honorable Gary Stevens. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will this joint session of the Alaska State Legislature please come to order? Madam Secretary, please call the roll of the Senate.

Senator Bjorkman. Here. Senator Clayman. Here. Senator Cronk.

Here. Senator Dunbar. Here.

Senator Tobin. Here. Senator Wilkowski. Here. Senator Yunt.

Here. President Stevens. Here. There are 20 members of the Senate present. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Will the House members please indicate their presence by voting?

Will the clerk please tally the board? 39 Members present.

Thank you. Madam Secretary, would you please announce the combined total? 59 Members present in the joint session. Thank you. With 59 members present, this joint session has a quorum to conduct business.

This joint session was called under Article II, Section 16 of the Alaska Constitution. For the sole purpose of considering the Governor's veto of the following bills. House Bill 52, relating to minors in psychiatric hospitals. Senate Bill 41, relating to mental health education. House Bill 314, relating to architects, engineers, surveyors, and interior designers.

Senate Bill 21, relating to the Alaska Work and Save Program. And House Bill 195, relating to pharmacists and Physicians Associates. We will deal with those in that order. Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move that the legislature override the governor's veto of House Bill 52.

Thank you, Madam Secretary. Would you please read the title?

Minors and Psychiatric Hospitals.

Thank you. Is there discussion?

Seeing no discussion— I'm sorry. Representative Diver, didn't see you. Sorry. Good afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Mr. President.

Thank you for this moment. Mr. President, today we are not considering a new proposal. This has been a bill that we in the legislature have been working over the past 2 years and I have been working on this bill for 4 years. We are considering whether to stand behind a bill that this legislature put a lot of thought and care into. It is a straightforward bill to ensure the transparency, communication, and accountability in the treatment of minors who are receiving care in psychiatric hospitals in this state.

The bill does not interfere with medical decision-making. I want to also be clear, it does not prohibit the use of seclusion or restraints when medically, medically necessary, and it does not prevent providers from delivering care. Instead, it establishes basic safeguards for children and families. It guarantees that minors have access to confidential communication with a parent or legal guardian. It requires notification when seclusion or restraint is used to families.

It provides for independent oversight through unannounced inspections. And it ensures that the legislature and the public have access to meaningful information about how these facilities are working and operating. These are measured and reasonable expectations My colleagues here on the floor, the children affected by this bill are among the most vulnerable young people in our state. For many families, especially those from rural Alaska, rural communities, a child receiving psychiatric treatment means that child is hundreds of miles away from their home. Parents and legal guardians are asked to place tremendous trust in a system in the system that is caring for their child during one of the most difficult moments a family can experience, Mr. President.

House Bill 52 helps to ensure that trust is met with transparency. It helps ensure that families remain connected to their children, and it helps ensure that policy— policymakers, us, have the information necessary to oversee the system that we fund and operate. We also know that Alaska Native children make up a significant portion of these youth who are receiving care in these facilities. For many of these children, maintaining connections with family, community, and culture is very important. This bill recognizes that reality.

After extensive hearings, With stakeholders' input, committee review, and debate, this body reached a bipartisan conclusion that House Bill 52 represents good public policy. I believe that conclusion was correct and it remains correct today. This bill is very thoughtful. It is balanced. It is accountable.

And it is worthy of becoming law. Thank you. I respectfully ask for your vote to override the veto of House Bill 52. Thank you, Mr. President, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Representative Dybert.

I appreciate your comments. If I could make a comment at this point. All of these bills have passed through both of our houses. We have all heard the bills. We all know the bills.

We have a tough day here with a lot to do, a lot on the Senate to do to get stuff to you. I would ask everyone to please keep your comments short. As we have all heard it before. And I don't want to have to put any time limits on, but I will if we— if this takes too long. So, Representative Fields.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Several years ago, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a very comprehensive report on the well-being of children in Alaska. And actually, Alaska was the only state identified in this report. U.S. DOJ found, tragically, that the North Star facility operated by Universal Health Services intentionally and avoidably detained children to make money. UHS is a for-profit corporation based on the East Coast.

I read their press releases to investors. Last quarter, they made $348 million. This is a company that makes over a billion dollars per year with psychiatric detention facilities that detain, in the case of Alaska, children. I want to reference the long body of investigative work by the Anchorage Daily News on abuses at North Star, which include involuntary sedation of children as if they were animals, secluding children in rooms where— [SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE] —in isolation where they don't need to be. Isolating small children even from video contact with their families.

This bill directly fixes the abuses documented for over a decade by the U.S. DOJ and the Anchorage Daily News. I asked an employee who worked at North Star— when I, when I saw the news about the veto last night, I asked an employee who works there today. I can tell you that within the last year, UHS has tried to detain children involuntarily at North Star. I asked them, the employee, about the bill, and with permission to read from what this employee told me. I'm not going to identify them, of course, for fear of retaliation.

Yes. Yes. The unannounced— this is the employee's voice— the unannounced visits are so important because everyone knows we're going to be inspected, and we all get instructions on what we need to do to check the boxes for the inspection, not to actually fix the problems. The unannounced visits in this bill are so important. On the video calls, this is what the employee said: A video call would be incredibly helpful for kids' mental health.

And she explained, for younger children, a phone call, they don't know they're talking to their parents. This is about parents being connected to their young children. On the reports of chemical restraints, this employee said, quote, it's crazy to me there isn't a requirement to report chemical restraints. This would help hold them accountable and force them to do better de-escalation training. In closing, The employee said, "Each aspect of this bill could be a real game changer for the industry.

I really hope it can be a reality. This is one of the most serious issues we've dealt with in my time in the legislature. We're finally responding substantively to some of the most grievous human rights abuses that occur in our state, and I urge yes vote." Thank you, Senator Fields. Sabri Fadhi.

Thank you.

So will the joint session please come back to order? Is there further discussion on Senate Bill 54? House Bill 52. Further discussion? Seeing none, Madam Majority Leader, would you please describe what we will be voting on?

Thank you, Mr. President, Mr. Speaker. To remind members, a yes vote votes in favor of overriding. A no vote means maintaining the governor's veto. Thank you. [FOREIGN LANGUAGE] This vote requires 40 affirmative votes.

Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. If you are ready for the question, the question being, shall we override SCS for Senate, for CS for House Bill 52 Finance?

Mr. Speaker, House members may proceed to vote.

Will the clerk please lock the roll? Does any member wish to change his or her vote?

Will the clerk please announce the vote? 22 Yeas, 18 nays. Thank you. Madam Secretary, would you please call the roll of the Senate? Senator Merrick.

Yes. Senator Myers. No. Senator Olson. Yes.

Senator Rauscher. No. Senator Steadman? Yes! Senator Tilton?

Yeah! Senator Tobin? Yeah! Senator Wilkowski? [FOREIGN LANGUAGE] Senator Yunt?

No! Senator Bjorkman? Yes! Senator Clayman? Yes!

Senator Cronk? No! Senator Dunbar? Yes! Senator Giesel?

Yes. Senator Gray Jackson? Yes. Senator Hoffman? Yes.

Senator Kaufman? No. Senator Kawasaki? Yes. Senator Keele?

Yes. President Stevens? Yes.

Madam Secretary, please— Announce the combined vote. 14 Yeas, 6 nays in the Senate. Thank you. And then the combined vote, please.

36 Yeas, 24 nays. Thank you. The joint legislative session has failed to override the governor's veto of House Bill 52.

Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move that the legislature override the governor's veto on Senate Bill 41.

Thank you. Is there debate?

Senator Gray Jackson. Thank you, Mr. President and Mr. Speaker. You know, I love this job because public service is my passion, and I love trying to help our constituents navigate through government. But the one thing I always focus on is, you know, just do your job, do your best, and don't take it personal. But you know what?

Governor Dunleavy has made this personal. And he made it personal because it's affecting our kids who, who are hurting, Mr. Speaker and Mr. President. So I rise today with disappointment. I'm shocked, and yet somehow I'm inspired, um, following the beat of Senate Bill 41, a bill that will save lives in this state both now and for generations to come. Senate Bill 41, it was simple.

It would have brought mental health professionals from across Alaska, nationally, collectively to develop guidelines for developmentally appropriate instruction in mental health. Again, their work would develop guidelines that would be included in the current health curriculum that teachers could use to educate students about mental health, how to recognize challenges they may be facing, and where to turn for support when they need it. Unfortunately, online blogs and commentators mischaracterized this bill, spreading claims that were not only false, but harmful. Those misunderstandings ultimately found their way into the governor's veto message as well. The governor claimed this bill would place the state in the role of imposing upon school districts and mandating development of mental health education.

That is simply, simply not what SB 41 would do. The bill wouldn't create a state takeover of local classrooms. It wouldn't create a process for experts, educators, parents, and stakeholders to develop age-appropriate resources that schools could use to help students better understand mental health and access support when they need it. The governor also argued that school districts are already working to meet existing requirements and suggested that decisions involving mental health instruction should remain as close as possible to parents, local school boards, and communities. But SB 41, it didn't remove parents from the conversation.

It didn't strip authority from local school boards. It didn't replace community values with one-size-fits-all mandate. In fact, it sought to provide communities with better tools to address a crisis that is impacting students in every corner of our state. The reality is much simpler. The governor vetoed a bill with the potential to save lives in every community represented in this chamber, and I can't emphasize that enough.

Thank you. Alaska has the highest suicide rate in the nation. In many rural communities, suicide rates are nearly 4 times that average, the national average. Teaching our students how to recognize mental health challenges, seek help, and support one another is one of the most basic and meaningful steps we can take to address this crisis. At a time when young Alaskans are struggling with anxiety, depression, isolation, and suicide at alarming rates, I find it difficult to accept the argument that we should do nothing because districts are already busy or because local communities should address these challenges on their own.

The stakes are simply too high. Every student in Alaska deserves access to information that could help them recognize when they or a friend are in a crisis and connect them with appropriate support. As we've seen before, votes on a bill don't always carry over to a veto override. I get that. But I ask all of you, what matters more?

Standing with a governor who's about to leave office at the end of this year, or standing with students in your district, my district, and every district across Alaska whose lives could be improved and even saved by this legislation? So to everyone who fought for this bill, I'm sorry. To the students who testified and shared their experiences, I'm sorry. [SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE] To the educators, advocates, and stakeholders who have worked toward this curriculum for years, I am sorry. But guess what?

Today we have an opportunity to send a message to Governor Dunleavy. We can let him know that we don't agree with this veto. We can affirm that this curriculum deserves to move forward. We can reject the notion that providing students with mental health education somehow undermines local control. [FOREIGN LANGUAGE] And we can assure that parents who want their children to have access to these resources will have that opportunity.

And know this, our children are watching. They are watching. They are hoping that we hear their voices and understand their pleas for help. They're looking to us for leadership, compassion, and action. So ladies and gentlemen, we have a chance today to stand with our children and do the right thing.

Thank you. I beg you to please override this veto. Thank you, Mr. President, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Senator Gray Jackson. [FOREIGN LANGUAGE] Joint session, please come back to order.

Is there further discussion? Please go ahead, Senator. Thank you, Mr. President. I'll keep it very short. The number one thing that every student that's walked into my office said mental health.

Thank you. Thank you, Senator Crockett. Madam— unless I see other comments, I don't. Madam Majority Leader, will you please describe what we will be voting on? Mr.

President, we are voting on an override of the governor's veto of Senate Bill 41. A yes vote is in favor of the override. A no vote maintains the governor's veto. This vote requires 40 votes in the affirmative to override the veto. Thank you.

If you are ready for the question, question being, shall the legislature override the Governor's veto on Senate Bill 41? We'll begin with the Senate, I believe. Yes, Madam Secretary, please call the roll of the Senate. Senator Myers. No.

Senator Olson. Yes. Senator Rauscher. No. Senator Steadman.

Yes? Senator Tilton? No! Senator Tobin— yes! Senator Wilkowski— yes!

Senator Yunt— no! Senator Bjorkman— yes! Senator Claymen— yes! Senator Cronk— yes! Senator Dunbar— yes!

Senator Giesel— yes! Senator Gray Jackson— yes! Senator Hoffman— Senator Kaufman. Yes. Senator Kawasaki.

Yes. Senator Keele. Yes. Senator Merrick. Yes.

President Stevens. Yes.

16 Yeas, 4 nays. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House members may proceed to vote.

Will the clerk please lock the roll? Does any member wish to change his or her vote? Will the clerk please announce the vote? 22 Yeas, 18 nays. Thank you, Madam Secretary.

Please announce the combined vote.

38 Yeas, 22 nays. And so by a vote of 38 yeas and 22 nays, the joint legislative session has failed to override Senate Bill 41. Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move that the legislature override the governor's veto. Of House Bill 314.

Thank you. House Bill 314. Is there discussion?

Representative Mears.

Thank you, Mr. President, Mr. Speaker. I will be voting to override this veto today. Uh, one of the components of this bill is the extension of the AELS board— Architects Engineers and land surveyors.

I am a licensed professional civil and environmental engineer, and therefore am— have professional oversight from this board. What really brings us into this building this week is contemplating a very large infrastructure project, and I assure you that architects, engineers, and land surveyors will be a very important part of this process. Having these professional oversight boards is really important and allowing this board to sunset, I think, is a problem moving forward as we're contemplating our development. So again, I'll be supporting the override of this veto and hope you all join me. Thank you.

Thank you, Representative Miller. Senator Clayman. Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of the override. I want to be very brief.

There's an architect who I shall not name, but I've had a lot of communication with him over the last few years because this is a subject upon which I have some familiarity and have done some work. And in recent days, he wrote in very unhappy about kind of the process that happens in the legislature, which is we periodically do hear criticisms or comments. And I would say lightly that some of his comments would have suggested that my dog Lucy is considerably smarter than I am. And those thoughts are not lost on me. And I will— permission to read?

I want to read the last comment from the architect. Without objection. I think this speaks to why we should override. And this is a person who is regulated by this very board. Alaska is going to be a joke because we will be the first and only state in the country to not have a board for architects and engineers.

We are considering a pipeline, Mr. President, We need engineers and we need to regulate our own engineers and we need to override this veto. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Klayman. Representative Prox.

Thank you, Mr. President and Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of overriding the veto of House Bill 314. It was pointed out that if this bill is not overridden, the AELS board will not exist, and that is going to create some confusion at the very least. If they can sort it out, who knows? But this bill would— or this board would cease to exist, and that would put some additional burden on the administration, Department of Community and Economic Development.

And then the other to speak to I think it does speak to the need. The governor argued that the desires of the registered professional engineers could be taken care of by regulation. I don't argue that. But the fact is it hasn't. And so this just simply directs the administration to do something they could do in the first place.

So for both those reasons, I think it would be appropriate to override the Governor's veto. Thank you. Thank you, Representative Prox. Is there further discussion? Seeing none, Madam Majority Leader, would you please describe what we will be voting on?

Thank you, Mr. President. The vote is on the override of the Governor's veto for House Bill 314. A yes vote will override the veto. A no vote will maintain the Governor's veto.

Typically, the vote requires 40 in the affirmative to override. There could be question because there is a fee connected with this Board. It is a licensing fee. It's considered designated funds in our budget system. We do not believe this is an appropriation bill.

This is is simply a fee for the licensing. So, Mr. President, I would assert that 40 votes are needed in the affirmative to override this veto. Mr. President? Thank you, Senator Giesel. If you are ready for the question, the question being, shall the legislature override the governor's veto of Senate— of House Bill 314 amended in the Senate?

Mr. Speaker. House members may proceed to vote.

Will the clerk please lock the roll? Does any member wish to change his or her vote? Representative Bynum. From nay to yay. From nay to yay.

Will the clerk please announce the vote? 29 Yeas, 11 nays.

Thank you. Madam Secretary, please call the roll of the Senate. Senator Olson. Yes. Senator Rauscher.

Nay.

Senator Rauscher.

No.

Senator Steadman. Yes. Senator Tilton? No. Senator Tobin?

Yes. Senator Wilkowski? Yeah. Senator Yunt? No.

Senator Bjorkman? Yes. Senator Clayman? Yes. Senator Cronk?

Yes. Senator Dunbar? Yes. Senator Giesel? Yes!

Senator Gray Jackson? Senator Hoffman. Yes. Senator Kaufman. Yes.

Senator Kawasaki. Yes. Senator Keele. Yes. Senator Merrick.

Yes. Senator Myers. No. President Stevens. Yes.

Do any senators wish to change their vote? The secretary will please lock the roll, and the secretary will please announce the vote. 16 Yeas, 4 nays. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Please announce the combined vote.

45 Yeas, 15 nays. Thank you. So by a vote of 45 yeas and 15 nays, the joint legislative session has overridden the governor's veto to House Bill 314, amended in the Senate.

Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move that the legislature override the governor's veto on Senate Bill 21. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Please read the title.

Alaska Work and Save Program PFD Investment Account. Thank you. Is there discussion?

Senator Wilkowski. Thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank many of you for your previous support of this bipartisan bill. It's modeled after a concept championed by states all across the political spectrum in the United States, as well as President Trump in his State of the Union.

We know that 64% of small businesses in Alaska don't offer retirement of any kind, with cost being the biggest reason They do not have an established program. A study done by AARP shows that 70% of these businesses would support a savings plan if it were an option. However, for small businesses to stand up a retirement program, the provider fees can vary from $4,800 to $17,000 per year. The Work and Save program fixes this problem that small businesses face. It establishes an auto IRA program.

For all Alaskan employees. It's aimed at helping small businesses offer retirement programs and expanding retirement savings across— for Alaskans. We know that over half of American households have no retirement savings at all. In fact, in Alaska, there are 105,000 workers. 47% Of our workforce has no access to retirement savings.

This will change that. This bill will impact the lives and the retirement savings futures of 105,000 Alaskans if we pass it. It also creates an option for workers to allow their PFD checks to go towards retirement. 17 Other states across the political spectrum have passed similar legislation. It's a top priority of AARP.

The Alaska— it's supported by the Alaska Commission on Aging, TIAA, the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association, Food Bank of Alaska, American Red Cross of Alaska, HNet, and dozens of small businesses across the state. I urge your body's support. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Bullockowski. Is there further discussion?

Representative Holland. Thank you, Mr. President. I rise briefly to support this veto override. Alaska's future depends upon our ability to attract and support startups and new ventures. We know that 89% of net new job creation in this state over 10 years occurs from businesses less than 5 years old.

These businesses can't all offer retirement and create the career opportunities necessary. This is vital for our state's economic future. I urge an override of this veto. Thank you. Thank you, Representative Holland.

Is there further discussion? Seeing none, Madam Majority Leader, will you please describe what we will be voting on? Mr. President, we are voting on an override of the governor's veto of Senate Bill 21. A yes vote is in favor of overriding the veto. A no vote maintains the Governor's veto.

This vote requires 40 votes in the affirmative to override the veto. Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. If you are ready for the question, the question being, shall the Legislature override the Governor's veto on HCS for CS for Senate Bill 21, Labor and Commerce? We begin with the Senate. Madam Secretary, would you please call the roll of the Senate?

Senator Rauscher? No. Senator Steadman? Yes. Senator Tilton?

Yeah. Senator Tobin? Yes. Senator Wilkowski? Yes.

Senator Yunt? No. Senator Bjorkman? Yes. Senator Clayman?

Yes. Senator Cronk? Nope. Senator Dunbar? Yes!

Senator Giesel? Yes! Senator Gray Jackson? Yes! Senator Hoffman?

Yes! Senator Kaufman? Yes! Senator Kawasaki? Yes!

Senator Keele? Yes! Senator Merrick? Yes! Senator Myers?

No! Senator Olson? Yes! President Stevens—. Yes.

Do any Senators wish to change their vote? The Secretary will please lock the roll and the Secretary will please announce the vote. 15 Yeas, 5 nays. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

House members may proceed to vote.

Will the Clerk please lock the roll? Does any member wish to change his or her vote?

Will the clerk please announce the vote? 24 Yeas, 16 nays. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Would you please announce the combined vote?

39 Yeas, 21 nays. Thank you. And so by a vote of 39 yeas and 21 nays, the joint legislative session has failed to override the governor's veto on HCS/CS for Senate Bill 21, Labor and Commerce.

Mr. President, I move that the legislature override the governor's veto of House Bill 195. Thank you, Senator. Would you please read the title? Pharmacists Physician Associates. Thank you.

Is there discussion? Representative Mena. Thank you, Senate President and Mr. Speaker. I stand in strong support of a veto override on House Bill 195. This bill is about expanding healthcare access.

And when I read through the governor's veto message about concerns related to ambiguity, ambiguity on the bill, about disagreement and disalignment on the scope of the bill, ultimately, this is about trying to make sure we are ensuring that we are empowering the providers that are in our state. And what—. What broadly the healthcare world in Alaska has recognized the expertise, this training and the education that pharmacists currently have, but are restricted by law from being able to provide that healthcare expertise. The legislature recognized this when passing H.S.B. 145 A few years ago.

There's been broad letters of support on this bill. And the state recognized it when they included this bill in the Rural Health Transformation Program application. And so, we have this recognition within the executive administration as well as in the legislature and in the healthcare world. So going through the governor's veto message, the concerns about how there's too much authority in the bill, that it's not targeted, that it's not clear. This bill was carefully crafted with the Board of Pharmacy, with the Alaska Pharmacy Association, with many different healthcare stakeholders, with multiple meetings with the Alaska State Medical Association, with multiple hearings and feedback from the testimony, uh, from the public as well.

And what this bill does is create a standard of care model that other healthcare providers already follow. So why are we singling out pharmacists? I don't really understand that. Additionally, substantial disagreement. Once again, we have a limited letter of support from the State Medical Association.

And the reason why they don't support the entirety of the bill is because they have concerns about clinic-based pharmacists versus retail-based pharmacists. A pharmacist is a pharmacist. Wherever they are, whether they're in a clinic or in the community or in a clinic-based setting. And they provide different access to care, whether you're based in communities, which is wonderful because we need more providers in rural areas, or in a clinic-based setting where you can work closely with physicians as well. And finally, this bill is a part of the Rural Health Transformation Program.

So if it doesn't pass, that is also tied to federal monies that we will have to pay back. This bill is ultimately about making sure that we can help provide better access to care when the state is in a natural disaster like Typhoon Halong, or making sure that a parent doesn't have to do multiple visits just to take care of their kid who has pink eye. We're making healthcare more efficient, we're helping to reduce the cost of healthcare, and we're making sure that the state doesn't get in the way of patients and providers who are trying to get basic healthcare I urge a veto override. Thank you. Thank you, Representative Mena.

Is there further discussion? Representative Ruffridge. Thank you, Mr. President. I just rise and ask unanimous consent to abstain from the vote as I have a conflict of interest as a licensed pharmacist in the state of Alaska. There has been objection.

You will be required to vote. Representative Ruffridge, is there further discussion? Representative Fields. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to give a really tangible example about how this bill will to save money for Alaska families.

If you have kids, every family know your kids tend to get sick after the pediatrician's office is closed during the week. Your kids get sick on a Saturday night or a Sunday when your pediatrician's not open. Costs hundreds of dollars to take your kid to an urgent care. It takes— costs thousands of dollars to take your kids to an ER. What's the most common thing you take your kids to the doctor for?

They have a sore throat, they're sick. This bill allows pharmacists to dispense medication for conditions that have very clear testing guidelines. Strep throat is actually number one. If you fail to identify strep throat, you can have heart valve conditions that can be deadly. You can have pediatric neuropsychological conditions that are permanently debilitating that cause lifelong disability.

We heard about these because the member from House District 11 introduced a really good bill on them. This bill allows a parent to take their child to a pharmacy. Those pharmacies are open every day of every weekend. They're open longer into the evening. This bill will save hundreds of dollars per visit for thousands of Alaska families per year just for strep throat tests.

We are going to avoid debilitating complications from strep throat. We have a growing number of families in Alaska that cannot afford health insurance. If they can't take their kid to a pharmacy, they're just not going to get treated. This bill is so important for children and hardworking families. Thank you, Representative Fields.

Representative Howard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So there was two times on separate occasions that I brought forward an amendment that wouldn't allow pharmacists to prescribe any abortion medication through collaborative practice agreements. Both times those amendments were shot down and one was actually tabled. Mr. Speaker, this— Mr.

President, this does not cover the unborn children. And for that reason, I encourage those on this floor today to vote no. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Representative Allen. Is there further discussion?

Representative Price. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in favor of vetoing— excuse me, of overriding the veto of House Bill 195. The concern raised by the previous speaker is addressed in another section of law. Abortions cannot be provided in an unlicensed facility, if you will.

They have to be provided in a licensed facility. And along with other experimental drugs, it does not apply to those— does not give permission to apply experimental medications. So that just simply isn't an issue, and therefore I think the benefits of this bill clearly outweigh any of the risks. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Representative Crocks.

Is there further discussion? Seeing none—. For a second. There is. I'm sorry, please go ahead, Representative Gray.

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that I be abstained from the vote as if this veto override happens, I will go from being a physician assistant to a physician associate. Thank you. Objection. There has been objection.

You'll be required to vote, Representative Gray. Further discussion? Seeing none, Madam Majority Leader, would you please explain, describe what we would be voting on today? Mr. President, we are voting to override the Governor's veto of House Bill 195. A yes vote is in favor of overriding the veto.

A no vote maintains the Governor's veto. It requires 40 votes in the affirmative to override the veto. Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. If you are ready for the question, question being, shall the legislature override the Governor's veto on CS for House Bill 195 Finance? We'll start with the House.

House members may proceed to vote.

Will the clerk please lock the roll? Does any member wish to change his or her vote? Will the clerk please announce the vote? 28 Yeas, 12 nays. Thank you, Madam Secretary.

Please call the roll of the Senate. Senator Steadman. Yes. Senator Tilton. Yes.

Senator Tobin. Yes. Senator Wilkowski. Senator Yunt? No!

Sen— nope man... Yes?! Senate Clayman? Yeah!!! Senator Cronk??

Nope!!!!! Dunbar??? Yaahhh!!!!!! Giesel???? Yeesssss!?

Sengt Gray Jackson???????? Lick my dick!!!!!!!! Senators Hoffman??? Yep........ Koffmann???

Yup....... Kawasaki??? Yes...... Senator Keel??? Noooooooooooo.....

Yes. Senator Merrick? Yes. Senator Myers? No.

Senator Olson? Yes. Senator Rauscher? No. President Stevens?

Yes. Do any senators wish to change their vote? The secretary will please lock the roll, and the secretary will please announce the vote. 15 Yeas, 5 nays. Thank you.

Will the secretary please combine the vote?

43 Yeas, 17 nays. Thank you. And so by a vote of 43 yeas and 17 nays, the joint legislative session has overridden the governor's veto of CSRA House Bill 195 Finance. Madam Majority Leader. Mr.

President, I move the joint session be adjourned. Let me first thank you all for being brief and respecting the fact that we have a lot yet to do today. Without objection, this joint session is adjourned. The House will stand at ease.