Alaska Legislature: Senate Floor, 4/8/26, 11am

And will the Senate please come to order,

and will members please signify your presence by voting.

There are 20 members present.

And here with 20 members shown as present, we have a quorum to conduct business.

The invocation this morning will be given by Senior Pastor Tim Harrison from Chapel by the Lake. Members, please rise.

Mr. President and honored senators and all of the staff who serve our state so well,

respecting the faith and traditions of the many gathered,

I invite you to a time of reflection and prayer.

Let us pray.

Gracious God,

once again we are in awe of the power of your creation.

As winter fades into spring,

and so we anticipate new birth and a new season of fruitful times here in Southeast Alaska.

May when we celebrate that humankind has gone farther into space than ever before,

we praise you for the ingenuity and creativity of humankind.

And yet it also seems that peace here on earth continues to elude us.

On this day we pray that you would extend the peace that has been brokered with Iran so that it might turn into a lasting peace.

and fruitful future for all of humankind all over the globe.

I thank you for the willingness of these men and women to serve our nation and our state.

I pray that you would bless them with extraordinary wisdom and patience,

and that all who witness the work of this Senate would give thanks for our system of democracy.

I offer these prayers in Jesus'

name.

Amen.

Amen.

Thank you, Pastor Harrison.

Senator Kronk, would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

I

I

pledge

pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands,

one nation under God,

indivisible,

with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, Senator Kronk.

Will the Secretary please certify the journal?

I certify as to the correctness of the journal for the 78th legislative day.

Thank you, Madam Majority Leader.

Mr. President,

I move and ask unanimous consent that the journal be approved as certified by the Senate Secretary.

I hear no objection.

Thank you.

The journal has been approved.

Senator Hoffman.

Good morning, Mr. President.

I move and ask unanimous consent that the prayer be spread on the journal.

I see no objection.

The prayer has been spread upon the journal.

At this time, are there guests for introduction?

Senator Ray Jackson.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I'd like to introduce my constituent in the Grove Alley behind me.

It is Jenny Amison de Grappa, and she's a lifelong Alaskan who grew up dog-mushing in Fairbanks, supporting her mother as she competed in four UConn Quest races and two Iditarods.

She spent 20 years working and volunteering in a non-profit sector,

including serving as chief of philanthropy and community relations at the Food Bank of Alaska. She is now president.

and an owner of Northern Lights Nonprofit Consulting. Jenny currently serves on the boards of Anchorage School Business Partnerships, Thread and the UAA Alumni Association and is co-director of Alaska Ski for Women.

She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage and her graduate degree from the University of Alaska Southeast Juneau. Please join me in welcoming her to the Senate floor.

Thank you, Senator Ray Jackson.

Senator Dunbar.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I have three guests this morning.

First is Mary Grace McManus, and I'm poaching here from District I.

Mary Grace lives in Fairview.

She works at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.

She's here in town to go to the Folk Fest,

as many folks are.

Just Folk Fest,

not the Folk Fest.

And she's also the pivot for the Raid City Roller Derby team.

So if...

So please join me in giving her a warm Senate welcome.

Next, someone I've introduced before,

my wife, Tasha Boyer Dunbar.

Tasha has had a very busy and challenging year.

She not only continued her in her own career,

she not only moved into our new home,

she not only, as you see, produced a child,

she did so while I was gone with my deployment for six months. And so I'm so thankful for her strength.

and her support.

And with her for the first time is Lane Molokai Dunbar,

my son who is about seven weeks old.

He was born in February of this year with his eyes wide open and I ask you to please give them both a warm Senate welcome.

Thank you, Senator Dunbar.

Senator Giesel.

Thank you, Mr.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I have 3 guests to introduce.

I'm going to start with the guest that is in your district,

and that is Cassie Warner.

Cassie, if you'd stand up. Great.

Cassie is a lifelong Seward resident,

and she is a small business owner.

She's on the Seward City Council,

and she is also the director of HYPER,

which is under the Seward Prevention Coalition that works on childcare capacity,

supporting workforce stability and sustainable early childhood systems. She's here learning how the legislative system works and supporting policies for families, local economies and access

to essential services. So please join me in welcoming your constituent.

Senator Stevens.

then I have two of my own constituents mr.

president April O'Connor if she could stand April is a licensed genetic counselor and she works in the oncology

a facility at the Providence Cancer Center in Anchorage.

She's lived in Anchorage for four years.

She's here to learn more about the legislative process and she is in support of House Bill 293 and Senate Bill 248, which supports licensure for genetic counselors in the state of Alaska.

She's been a genetic counselor for 21 years and this is the 10th state she's lived in, Mr. President.

With her is Monty Worthington. He also has a master's degree as a genetic counselor working at Providence Cancer Center.

He has lived in Alaska for 50 years and he is also here to support the bills which establish licensure for genetic counselors.

He and his family are very adventurous. They took a two-week trip along the lost coast between Yakutat and Cordova with two-year-old and four-year-old boys. Mr. President.

Mr. President,

that's pretty adventurous.

Please join me in welcoming April and Monty.

Thank you, Senator Giesel.

Senator Yunt.

Good morning, Mr. President. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to introduce a friend of mine from Wasilla, the great city of Wasilla. That, uh Melanie, if you could please stand up. Um Melanie Hooper, she's the President and CEO of Campfire Alaska. Um Campfire Alaska is headquartered in Anchorage but serves many locations in Alaska. It uh um

communities, both urban and rural.

Melanie is deeply passionate about the role that youth programs play in fostering a thriving community,

and she is eager to meet with policy makers to share more about the importance of child care sector in Alaska,

small businesses, and the overall economy and how they affect it.

As someone with a deep connection to nature,

Melanie enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends.

It's fishing, gardening,

hiking,

and beekeeping.

So if everybody could please give Melanie a great send-off.

Thank you, Senator Yud.

Senator Murkowski.

Thank you and good morning,

Mr. President. Behind me in the Ziegler's Gallery I'd like to welcome Melissa Weber Williams,

who is the Senior Director of Development for Campfire Alaska,

one of the largest youth development organizations in the state providing youth with opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.

As a mom to a bright,

kind and funny four-year-old named Poppy,

Melissa knows the value of quality,

safe and affordable child care.

In her role at Campfire Alaska,

Melissa works to bring in support.

support through philanthropy for the mission and helps working families as they access quality care for their children.

She also serves on the boards of Best Beginnings and Tanaina Child Development Center. When Melissa isn't chasing her daughter around,

she spends her time reading,

visiting local coffee shops, and cooking.

Would you please help me welcome Melissa Weber-Williams.

Thank you, Senator Murkowski. Senator Craig.

Thank you, Mr.

President. I have a guest in the Grove Valley,

Tracy Adams.

Thank you, Tracy.

Tracy is the Community Service Manager at Thread,

Alaska's statewide child care resource and referral organization.

She was born and raised in Nome and has always had a strong passion for supporting and advocating for children and families across the state,

especially in rural and remote Alaska,

with a bachelor's degree in child development and family studies from the University of Alaska.

Alaska Fairbanks.

Tracy started her early education career as a preschool teacher in Fairbanks and has lived there for the last 24 years.

She has three amazing daughters.

When she is not at a hockey rink supporting girls hockey,

she enjoys beating,

crafting,

swimming,

and golfing with her husband.

Tracy is here this week to advocate for child care and early education,

so please join me in welcoming her to the Senate.

Thank you, Senator Cronk. Brief at ease.

I want to send him back to order, please.

Senator Clement.

Thank you, Mr.

President. I would like to introduce a constituent who is visiting Juneau to advocate for Alaska's child care system from my district.

I'm Mildred Parker,

if you would please stand.

Mildred is from Anchorage and has been in early childhood field for 27 years.

She currently works at threat as the manager of the Alaska system for early education development.

She's also an ordained minister and serves as the child and youth director at Child Missionary Baptist Church in Anchorage where her husband,

the Reverend Andre Parker,

is the pastor.

Mildred is here at Juno to talk to legislators about improving Alaska's child care system.

If you would please join me in welcoming Mildred to the Senate.

Thank you, Senator Claiborne.

Seeing no additional guests for introduction,

Madam Secretary,

are there messages from the Governor?

I have no messages from the governor this morning,

Mr. President.

Thank you. Are there messages from the House?

There are no messages from the House today.

Are there communications?

I have no communications.

Reports of standing committees?

There are no reports of standing committees today.

Reports of special committees?

I have no special committee reports.

Are there Senate resolutions for introduction?

Thank you.

There are no Senate resolutions for introduction today.

And are there Senate bills for introduction?

I have no Senate bills for introduction.

Thank you, Madam Secretary.

Would you please read the first item on today's calendar?

Senate Bill No.

41 by Senators Greg Jackson,

Klayman,

Giesel, Dunbar,

an act relating to mental health education.

The Education Committee considered the bill, new fiscal and zero fiscal notes,

signing do pass.

Senator Tobin, Chair; Senators Cronk, Stevens,

Keel.

Signing no recommendation,

Senator Bjorkman.

The Finance Committee considered the bill,

new fiscal and zero fiscal notes, signing do pass.

Senators Olson, Hoffman,

co-chairs; Senator Keel,

signing no recommendation; Senator Stedman,

co-chair; Senators Kaufman.

Kronk Merrick. I have no amendments.

Thank you. Senate Bill 41 will advance a third reading on our next legislative calendar.

Madam Secretary, please read the next item on our calendar.

CS for Senate Joint Resolution No. 30,

State Affairs,

expressing gratitude for the United States military and supporting increased defense readiness through infrastructure development and public military partnerships, before the Senate in third reading on final passage.

Thank you. Is Senator Kawasaki to carry the bill?

Thank you, Mr. President.

I carry Senate Joint Resolution on behalf of the Senate State Affairs Committee.

Alaska is vital to the national defense.

And the military is Alaska's and.

As the military is to Alaska's economy and defense communities,

the state is home to the second greatest proportion of active duty military members and military presence across multiple branches is expanding.

Infrastructure shortages contribute to the high cost for Alaskans and also can affect defense readiness.

So already Alaskans do face some of the highest costs for housing,

and those pressures will likely increase as military expansion comes to the state.

the state of Alaska.

Senate Joint Resolution supports partnerships that benefit both the military and civilian communities.

Enhanced use leases or EULs would enable military installations to lease out land that's not being used currently or underutilized land to relieve pressure in the tightening housing market.

Dual use facilities will increase efficiency by meeting both military and civilian infrastructure and as we discussed

As the Federal government discusses the National Defense Authorization Act right now,

this is particularly important that we send a message that we support enhanced use leases.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Senator Kawasaki. Is there additional discussion?

If you are ready for the question,

the question being, shall CS for Senate Joint Resolution 30 state 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 Senate Joint Resolution 30,

state affairs,

has passed the Senate.

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

There is a special order of business citation calendar on members desks

Thank you. Madam Majority Leader.

Mr.

President,

I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate take up the special order of business citation calendar.

Hearing no objection,

the special order of business citation calendar is before the Senate.

Madam Majority Leader.

Mr.

President,

I move and ask unanimous consent that the special order of business citation calendar be approved.

Thank you. Hearing no objection,

the special order of business citation calendar is approved.

Madam Secretary.

There are no further items for consideration on today's daily calendar.

We are now under unfinished business.

Senator Tobin.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President.

I move in as unanimous consent to be listed as a co-sponsor for Senate Bill 41,

mental health education.

Without objection,

Without objection, so ordered.

Senator Kawasaki will be added to that.

Senator Giesel.

Mr. President,

I move and ask unanimous consent that the 34th Alaska State Legislature delegate to the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee the full authority to initiate,

appeal,

and take all action necessary to direct litigation regarding the veto of Section 51.

in Chapter 10,

SLA 2025,

and that the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee be authorized to make all decisions concerning the objectives,

scope,

and means of pursuing this litigation,

including settlement,

compromise,

and appeal.

Thank you, Senator Giesel. Hearing no objection,

so ordered.

Additional unfinished business,

Senator Claman.

Thank you, Mr.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I move and ask unanimous consent to be excused from the call of the Senate on Thursday,

April 9th, and Friday,

April 10th for state and personal business.

Without objection,

so ordered.

Senator Klayman, additional unfinished business?

Seeing none.

Oh, I'm sorry,

Senator Gisle.

Under unfinished business?

Yes.

Mr.

President,

I move and ask unanimous consent to be shown as a cross-sponsor for House Bill 26,

short title statewide public and community transportation.

Without objection,

Without objection, so ordered,

Senator Giesel.

Additional unfinished business?

Seeing none,

are there committee announcements?

How about other announcements,

Senator,

we'll go back to Senator Stedman.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye. There's an important announcement to be made.

First time in a very,

very long time since we were a possession.

I think we're a possession in a district or maybe we're just a district, then a territory, then a state.

After 80 years of working as elected officials,

two of our legislators are going to retire.

This is very unique as the time served in the Capitol is many,

many years and there's going to be a special event to honor these two characters,

honoring the retirement of the senator from District C that is not his grades in school,

by the way.

And, of the Senate from District S,

better known as the Stevens-Hoffman Retirement Roast and Toast Dinner,

will be held Sunday,

April 26th, Centennial Hall at 4 o'clock,

starting at 4 o'clock.

Please, Senators, be on time.

Don't show like you are here on the floor,

showing up late.

They may be spared from excessive exposure during the skits show the prior night,

which is largely for the rank and file and their seniority. They get special privileges waived so they're not in the skits very much when they make a blunder.

There will instead be a follow-up on the second evening. That's the night after the skits for those that are mathematically challenged.

Focusing primarily on two distinguished gentlemen,

and there will be two distinguished gentlemen in what a few short hours could only be summarized.

There will be offered a scored assessment of their legislative accomplishments.

There will be PCE,

which we've heard many,

many times from both of them on the floor,

particularly one.

That's been here for forty years,

profusely chastising entertainment.

That PCE.

There will be an acknowledgement of what they leave for the rest of us to admire,

ponder,

and sort out as they head out the door onto their future.

Proceeds for this event,

it's going to be divided

between the Food Bank of Alaska,

the Kodiak Women's Resource Crisis Center,

and the Tundra

coalition in Bethel so the monies will be well spent and well positioned so I encourage all senators to show up Sunday April 26th at the Centennial and you can see room 127 in the Capitol for ticketing information this is a once in a millennium opportunity never to be repeated again

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Senator. I don't remember agreeing to a roast.

Did you, Senator Hoffman?

Senator Rauscher?

Thank you, Mr.

Thank you, Mr. President.

The Legislative Prayer Caucus will be held tomorrow, 7 AM, the Botervis Room,

205. All legislators,

staff and administration are invited, and all faiths and denominations are welcome as well.

And the Legislative Prison Ministry will be held April 13th at 5:30 PM at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center.

If you're interested in attending, please contact my office and staff

before, uh, tomorrow, March 9th.

Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Rauscher. Any other announcements? Senator Bjorkman.

Thank you very much, Mr.

President.

I would like to announce and make a reminder that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Friday,

April 10th is Wear Blue Day in honor of that month.

So wear blue on Friday to honor Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Bjorn. Any other announcements?

Moving on to special orders.

Are there special orders?

Please,

Senator Jamin,

sorry, Senator Klaman.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Permission to speak on the topic of Donate Life Month.

Without objection,

so ordered.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Donate Life Month,

National Donate Life Month is celebrated every April.

It's a time to honor the generosity of organ,

eye and tissue donors and their families,

raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and encourage Americans to register as donors.

I know we can do that on our driver's license.

Currently there are more than 100,000 Americans waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and 163 of those individuals are Alaskans.

Nationally in 2025,

16,551 deceased donors selflessly gave the gift of life.

Their generosity made 46,129 transplants possible nationwide,

a two percent increase from 2024.

On average, 134 transplants were performed every single day highlighting the ongoing impact of organ donation on countless families and communities.

Last year, 26 organ donors from Alaska gave 68 life saving organs for transplant.

Over the past decade,

1,031 lives have been saved from the generosity of Alaska donors.

The example set by those who choose to be life-saving organ donors reflect the character and compassion of Alaskans.

There are two opportunities for legislators and staff to learn about Donate Life Month and organ donation.

First,

I'd like to warmly invite you to attend a lunch and learn today at noon in Butrovich 205 to recognize Donate Life Month,

featuring a presentation from Life Center Northwest,

the organ procurement organization serving Alaska.

This gathering is a chance to learn more about organ and tissue donation and understand the life-saving and life-healing impact it has on individuals and families across Alaska and the Northwest.

And the second is an invitation to the Governor's Gift of Life ceremony scheduled for Friday, May 29th. Hopefully we will not be meeting on that day at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. All are invited to attend and help recognize the families whose loved ones gave the ultimate gift through organ donation.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Senator Klayman.

Additional special orders?

Madam Majority Leader.

Mr. President,

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m. Friday,

April 10th,

2026.

Hearing no objection,

the Senate is adjourned.