Alaska Legislature: Senate Floor Session, 4/10/26, 10:30am

for almost 10 years and after living in Alaska for 45 years I have a close member of my family from back home on the East Coast come to visit me here in Juneau and it's really a sweet thing.

If Mary Rauscher is my sister and she's my youngest sister and a dear friend after she spent 39 years working

as an engineer for AT&T and then their spin-off company Lucent Technologies and then its spin again Lucent Government Solutions and the like she's choosing today through me on her second visit to Alaska to make her formal announcement that she's decided to retire May 4th of this year I guess Alaska has that effect on people right so but

It's a well-deserved retirement and basically the same company for close to 40 years now.

She enjoys gardening,

landscaping and working with the elderly. If you'd please welcome her into the gallery.

Thank you, Senator Rauscher. Further guests for introduction?

Seeing none,

Madam Secretary,

are there messages from the governor?

A message dated April 2 stating,

I have signed the following bill and I am transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor's Office for permanent filing.

Conference Committee substitute for House Bill 289,

budget reserve fund, super majority failed house.

Appropriation supplemental.

Chapter 1,

SLA 2026.

A message dated April 2 stating,

I have noted the following resolution passed by the 34th Legislature and I am transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copy.

copies to the lieutenant governor's office for permanent filing senate committee substitute for committee substitute for house joint resolution number 29 resources ban on russian seafood legislative resolve number 25 those are the messages from the governor this morning mr president a

Thank you, Madam Secretary.

Are there messages from the House?

message dated april 8 stating the house has passed and is transmitting for consideration cs for house bill number 280 finance by the house finance committee

An act relating to the Multi-State Tax Compact relating to apportionment of income to the state,

including the apportionment of income of broadcasters, financial institutions and telecommunications service providers,

and providing for an effective date.

Referred to the Finance Committee.

Those are all the messages from the House this morning, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Madam Secretary. Are there communications?

I have no communications today.

Thank you. Are there standing committee reports?

Report dated April 8,

stating in accordance with AS 3905.080,

the Labor and Commerce Committee held a hearing on the following appointee. A signature on this report does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individual during any further sessions.

Regulatory Commission of Alaska,

Julie Vogler, signing the report.

Senator Bjorkman, Chair.

Senators Gray Jackson,

Yunt,

Dunbar,

Merrick.

A report dated April 8 stating in accordance with AS 3905080 the resources committee held a hearing on the following appointee. A signature on this report does not reflect intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individual during any further sessions.

Regulatory Commission of Alaska,

Julie Vogler signing the report,

Senator Geisel, Chair,

Senators Klayman,

Dunbar,

Rauscher,

Kawasaki,

Myers,

Wilkowski.

The Education Committee considered Senate Bill No.

204,

Teaching School Board Eligibility, and recommended it be replaced with an Education Committee substitute. New zero fiscal note,

signing no recommendation,

Senator Tobin, Chair,

Senators Kiel,

Stevens,

Bjorkman signing do pass,

Senator Junt. The bill has a further referral to the State Affairs Committee.

The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered Senate Bill Number 247, generated obscene child sex abuse material and recommended it be replaced with the Community and Regional Affairs Committee substitute.

New zero fiscal notes,

signing due pass, Senator Dunbar,

Vice Chair,

Senators Gray Jackson,

Yunt. The bill has a further referral to the Judiciary Committee.

The Labor and Commerce Committee considered Senate Bill Number 258, contract licensing software applications.

previous zero fiscal notes signing no recommendation senator Bjorkman chair senators Merrick Yunt signing do pass senators Dunbar gray Jackson the bill has no further referral it is in the rules committee the community and regional affairs committee considered CS for House bill number 47 judiciary amended generated obscene child sex abuse material and recommended to be replaced with a community and regional affairs Senate committee substitute new title SCR

our forthcoming previous zero fiscal notes signing do pass senator Dunbar vice chair senators Grey Jackson yunt the bill has a further referral to the Judiciary Committee

The Education Committee considered House Bill No. 176,

University of Alaska fees,

and recommended it be replaced with an Education Senate Committee substitute.

New zero fiscal note. Signing a recommendation,

Senator Tobin,

Chair.

Senators Kiel, Junt,

Bjorkman,

Stevens.

The bill has a further referral to the State Affairs Committee.

The Labor and Commerce Committee considered Senate Joint Resolution No.

28,

supporting J-1 and H-1B visa programs.

and recommended it be replaced with the Labor and Commerce Committee substitute new zero fiscal note.

Signing due pass,

Senator Bjorkman, Chair.

Senators Dunbar,

Merrick, Gray Jackson,

Yunt.

The resolution has no further referral.

It is in the Rules Committee.

The Resources Committee considered CS for House Joint Resolution number 18,

Resources Amended, urging support for AK LNG,

and recommended it be replaced with a Resources Senate Committee substitute new title with SCR.

CR 18.

New zero fiscal note.

Signing due pass.

Senator Giesel, chair.

Senators Dunbar,

Klayman.

Signing no recommendation,

Senator Myers.

Signing amend,

Senators Raucher,

Kawasaki,

Willikowski.

The resolution has no further referral.

It is in the Rules Committee.

Those are all the standing committee reports this morning,

Mr.

President.

Thank you, Madam Secretary.

Are there reports of special committees?

I have no special committee reports today.

Thank you. Are there Senate resolutions for introduction?

Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 17 by the Senate Education Committee,

recognizing the 50th anniversary of the state's regional educational attendance areas and celebrating the enduring contributions of the state's regional educational attendance areas to public education,

local leadership and community life in rural areas of the state.

Refer to the Education Committee.

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 18 by the Senate Resources Committee.

Suspending Rules 24C,

35,

41B,

and 42E, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Joint Resolution No.

18,

supporting the continued development of the Alaska liquefied natural gas project,

recognizing the importance of the Alaska liquefied natural gas project to the economy of the state, energy independence,

and national security,

and urging the United States Congress,

President Donald J. Trump,

Secretary of the Interior,

Air Douglas Burgum and relevant federal agencies to take all necessary actions to expedite the success of the Alaska liquefied natural gas project.

Thank you. Senate current resolution number 18 will lay on the secretary's desk.

Senate Concurrent No.

19 by the Senate Rules Committee extending the Governor's October 9,

2025 Declaration of a Disaster Emergency in response to the 2025 West Coast storm.

This resolution is before the Senate on final passage.

Thank you. Senator Hoffland.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Again,

because we are in session,

legislative legal services has advised that any further extension and the associated financing plan must be approved by the full legislature under statute.

That is why this resolution is before us again.

The original disaster was declared on October 9,

2025,

following the West Coast storm.

While progress has been made,

the impact remains severe.

Infrastructure damage continued,

and ongoing emergency actions are still required in affected communities. This resolution extends the disaster declaration through May.

7th, 2026 retroactive to May 7th to ensure that there is no gap in response authority.

It also approves the Governor's revised fiscal plan submitted January 28th totaling $29.25 million.

18 and 3 quarter million in federal authority and 20.5 million in state funds.

This is an increase of 5.5 million over the previous approved plan.

This is a necessary step to allow the agencies to continue to respond and recovery work and to ensure the affected communities can complete the recovery process without interruption and I would encourage a yes vote.

Thank you Senator Hoffman.

Is there further discussion?

If you are ready for the question,

question being,

Shall Senate Concurrent Resolution 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,

Senate Concurrent Resolution 19 has passed the Senate.

I have no further Senate.

Resolutions for introduction this morning, Mr. President.

Thank you, Madam Secretary.

Are there Senate bills for introduction?

There are no Senate bills for introduction today.

I think we should please read the first item on today's calendar.

Senate Bill No.

35 by Senator Bjorkman,

an act relating to transportation network and delivery network companies.

The state affairs committee considered the bill new zero fiscal note signing amend Senator Kawasaki chair signing do pass Senator Bjorkman signing no recommendation Senators Wilikowski Gray Jackson yunt

The Labor and Commerce Committee considered the bill and recommended it be replaced with a Labor and Commerce Committee substitute, new zero fiscal note, signing do pass. Senator Bjorkman, chair, signing no recommendation. Senators Dunbar,

Gray Jackson,

yunt. There is a Labor and Commerce Committee substitute.

Thank you. Senator Bjorkman,

thank

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee substitute for Senate Bill 35 be adopted in lieu of the original bill.

you. Senator, would you explain the changes?

Yes, sir.

While being heard in the Labor and Commerce Committee,

the bill was heavily amended by making the following changes.

First,

we amended Section 1, allowing the insurer to issue group or blanket occupational and accident insurance to these delivery network drivers.

Section 2 was amended to allow personal lines insurers to exclude certain coverage while the driver and couriers are working.

Section 3 was amended to make conforming changes regarding personal lines insurance.

Section 4 makes conforming changes referring to the definitions in AS 28.23.180.

Section 6 was amended to require a delivery network company to maintain primary automobile insurance on behalf of a courier while they provide delivery services.

Section 7 was amended to make conforming changes and disallow a transportation network company from waiving underinsured or uninsured vehicle coverage.

Section 8 was amended to require a delivery network company to provide primary automobile liability insurance to a courier providing delivery services.

Sections 9 through 12 made conforming changes.

Section 13 was amended to require companies to maintain group or blanket occupational insurance.

occupational accident insurance,

while a transportation network driver is engaged in a pre-arranged ride,

or while delivery network courier is providing delivery services.

This section also requires a combined single limit of $1 million for each accident.

Benefits include medical expenses covered for disability,

accidental death insurance,

and burial expenses.

Section 14 was amended to make conforming changes and requires

require that occupational accident insurance policies be included in the certificate of insurance filed with the director of the division of insurance.

Section 17 was amended to explain the definition of delivery services.

And finally, Mr.

President,

Section 18 was amended to repeal AS 28.23.050d.

Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Bjorkman.

Hearing no objection.

The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee substitute has been adopted.

This bill will advance to the third reading on our next legislative calendar.

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

Senate bill number 167 by Senators Kawasaki,

Myers,

Gray Jackson,

Yunt,

an act relating to a permanent fund dividend for an individual whose conviction has been vacated, reversed,

or dismissed,

and relating to the calculation of the value of the permanent fund dividend by including payment to individuals eligible for a permanent fund dividend because of a conviction that has been vacated, reversed,

or dismissed.

The State Affairs Committee considered the bill and recommended it be replaced with a State Affairs Committee substitute,

new indeterminate fiscal note,

signing due pass.

Senator Kawasaki,

Chair.

Senator Gray-Jackson signing no recommendation.

Senators Willikowski,

Bjorkman.

The Judiciary Committee considered the bill and recommended the adoption of the previous State Affairs Committee substitute,

new indeterminate fiscal note,

signing due pass. Senator Klayman,

Chair.

Senators Tobin, Myers.

There's Kiel.

The Finance Committee considered the bill and recommended the adoption of a Finance Committee substitute.

New indeterminate fiscal note,

signing due pass.

Senators Olson,

Hoffman,

co-chairs.

Signing no recommendation.

Senator Stedman,

co-chair.

Senators Kaufman, Kronk, Merrick.

Signing amend.

Senator Kiel.

There are two committee substitutes.

Thank you.

Senator Hoffman.

Mr. President,

I move unanimous consent that the Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 167 be adopted in lieu of the original bill.

Thank you.

Could you explain the changes,

please,

Senator?

Yes, Mr.

President.

The committee substitute for Senate Bill 167 finance makes the following changes.

The language, bill language change amends the PFD eligibility.

statutes to disqualify someone who has been convicted of murder in the first or second degree but is not incarcerated.

There are no fiscal changes.

Thank you, Senator Huffin. Seeing no objection,

the Senate Finance Committee substitute has been adopted, and this bill will advance to third reading on our next legislative calendar.

Madam Secretary.

Senate Bill number 252 by Senator Klayman,

an act relating to the Uniform Commercial Code relating to secured transactions relating to controllable accounts controllable electronic records and controllable payment intangibles relating to sales relating to negotiable instruments relating to letters of credit relating to warehouse receipts bills of lading and other documents of title relating to investment securities relating to leases of goods

and relating to fund transfers.

The Labor and Commerce Committee considered the bill,

new zero fiscal note,

signing due pass.

Senator Bjorkman,

Chair.

Senators Dunbar,

Gray-Jackson signing no recommendation.

Senator Yundt. The Judiciary Committee considered the bill,

previous zero fiscal note,

signing due pass.

Senator Klayman,

Chair,

signing no recommendation.

Senators Tobin, Kiel,

I have no amendments.

Senate Bill 252 will advance a third reading of our next legislative session.

My name is Calendar.

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

Senate Bill number 230 by Senators Rauscher, Clamon, an act relating to the boundaries of the Jonesville public use area and providing for an effective date.

Senate

The

Bill 230,

community

please go ahead,

Madam Secretary.

regional affairs committee considered the bill New Zero Fiscal Note signing due pass Senator Merrick, Chair,

Senators Olson,

Gray-Jackson,

Yunt. The resources committee considered the bill and recommended it be replaced with a resources committee substitute.

Previous zero fiscal note signing due pass Senator Giesel, Chair,

Senators Klayman, Dunbar,

Rauscher,

Myers,

Willekowski signing no recommendation,

Senator Kawasaki.

Saki,

there is a Resources Committee substitute.

Thank you. This bill,

Senate Bill 230, will advance the third reading in our next legislative calendar.

Madam Secretary,

the next item on our calendar.

Senate Bill number 41 by Senators Gray Jackson,

Klayman,

Giesel,

Dunbar,

Tobin, Kawasaki,

an act relating to mental health education before the Senate in third reading on final passage.

Thank you. Senator Gray Jackson to carry the resolution.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Mr.

President, I'm so honored to have this bill on the Senate floor once again.

This legislation is meaningful not only to me,

but to mental health organizations and especially our kids,

Mr.

President.

This bill represents more than six years of dedicated work and collaboration.

It began when the member from District H, while serving in the other body,

asked me to carry the companion bill and I'm grateful.

for that partnership.

Senate Bill 41 is a meaningful step toward enhancing mental health support for Alaska students and recognizing that mental health is just as important as physical health.

This bill adds the integration of mental health education into our K through 12 system by directing the development of age appropriate guidelines in collaboration with state and national health experts as well as tribal health organizations.

The need for this work is clear, Mr.

President. Alas.

Alaska's youth face the highest suicide rate in the nation.

In 2023,

the suicide rate among Alaskans aged 10 to 24 was 42.3 deaths per 100,000, nearly double the national average.

The challenge is even more severe in our rural communities,

where rates are two to three times higher than in urban areas.

These realities underscore the importance of providing students with early education, awareness,

and support around their mental health.

health. As legislators,

we often say we're here to serve all Alaskans and that includes our children.

We owe the youth of this state the same level of care,

commitment and dedication that we give to our children and we share the responsibility to ensure that every young person in Alaska has the support that they need to strive. Importantly,

Senate Bill 41 also preserves and respects parental rights.

Schools are required to provide parents with at least two weeks notice before any mental health instruction,

ensuring transparency and the opportunity for involvement.

To further promote accountability,

the State Board of Education will submit a report to the legislature within two years outlining the guidelines developed and the process used to create them.

Before I close, Mr.

President,

I want to extend sincere thanks to the member from District H for helping to initiate this effort,

and to the member from District 14 in the House who, while serving in the House,

she's carrying the companion bill along with me and others and is advocating for mental health education. Their leadership and commitment have been instrumental in bringing this bill forward again.

Ultimately, Senate Bill 41,

it's about equipping our students with the tools that they need to support their well-being and success long term, Mr.

President.

Thank you for this opportunity,

and I respectfully ask for everyone's support of this very, very important bill.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Senator Kerry Jackson.

Under discussion,

Senator Myers.

Yes, thank you, Mr.

President.

It's been a little while since I was in school, but back when I was in high school, I do remember that the required health class included a few weeks of mental health education mixed in with the physical education.

And so I just have a question for the sponsor if...

Well, while I understand that the bill is is going to be codifying and standardising the the mental health education across the state, I'm just curious if she's aware if if other districts have already been using the required physical health education requirement in statute and construing that to mean mental health education as well. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Senator Meyer. Senator Klayman.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I just want to say a few more words in support of this legislation.

Sometimes we get ideas for legislation from constituents,

sometimes different folks.

And several years ago, there was a recent high school graduate from the East Coast that was visiting Alaska,

and for some reason this summer,

he'd requested to come to my office and talk with me about legislation. I'm thinking, well, he's in high school.

We should certainly hear from him. He probably has better ideas than I have at my age.

He came in with the suggestion that we should pass, he also said that we would treat mental health education and physical education the same for purposes of high school health classes and school health classes.

And this seemed like a good idea.

And he said,

well, in Virginia, where I came from, we had about 10 high school students and we went to the legislature. We got this passed in a year.

I said, wow,

that's pretty impressive.

You got the legislature in line.

And so I started legislation. I worked with our representative from midtown or senator from midtown Anchorage. I was in the other body at the time, and she took the Senate version of the bill.

And we are a few years later, we're not quite on the same speed of the youth from Virginia.

But what has really struck me about this is, as I think you all know, I sometimes get very interested in.

in distance athletics biking and skiing and running and some of these different things and what's very interesting to me today is that if you're one of these elite athletes like the folks on the U.S. ski team that did very well in the Olympics this year on their team they have physical therapists they have physicians they have sports psychologists they have chiropractors they have this whole team of people that are working in a very interdisciplinary

interdisciplinary approach to get them to perform their best but mental health is always part of it and when you talk to athletes about what do they really need to put together to succeed they really have a big part is that mental health component that's very much part of how we how we deal with health matters I mean it used to be we just thought well what's the medicine I take but now you talk to the doctors and the doctors say well how are you feeling today and how are you feeling about this not even though they're not a mental health

health provider.

Mental health is very much part of physical health and we really know that each day and every day and so I'm I'm really appreciative of the work that that my colleague has done to keep this bill moving forward.

I encourage everyone to vote yes. Thank you Mr.

Thank

President.

you, Senator Clayman.

Senator Hoffman.

Thank you, Mr. President. May I be listed as a co-sponsor on this legislation,

Senate Bill 41.

Without objection,

so ordered along with Senator Cron.

Prompt for

the discussion Senate Gray Jackson and wrap-up.

Thank you, Mr. President.

In wrap-up, first I want to address the question that the member from District Q had,

my friend.

You know, and I'm really glad that he was able to have mental health education in school.

And right now there are some school districts that do incorporate brief mental health education along with their health classes, but this bill will establish consistent statewide guidelines.

That's led by the State Board of Education along with many other agencies so that everybody's on the same page when this mental health education is taught within the school district. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Senator Gray-Jackson. If you are ready for the question,

the question being,

shall Senate Bill 41 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.

19 yeas, one nay.

In sum of a vote of 19 yeas to one nay,

Senate Bill 41 has passed the Senate.

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

There is a special order of business citation honoring Julie Verrie on members'

desks.

Thank you, Madam Majority Leader.

Mr. President, I move the Senate take up the special order of business citation on today's calendar.

Thank you. Hearing no objection,

Thank you.

the special order of business citation is before the Senate.

Madam Majority Leader.

Mr. President,

Mr.

I move the Senate take up the special order of business citation be approved.

Now you hear no objection.

Thank you.

The special order of business has, a citation has been approved.

Madam Secretary.

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

Thank you. We are now under unfinished business.

Is there unfinished business at this time?

Senator Bjorkman.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I move in asking unanimous consent to be excused from the call of the Senate on Friday,

April 17th.

There are no objections.

So ordered Senator Bjorkman.

Senator Merritt.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I move and ask unanimous consent that Senate Bill 282 regarding the Joint Armed Services Committee be waived from the Community and Regional Affairs Committee.

The bill has a further referral to the State Affairs Committee.

Senate Bill 282 without objection.

Is there an objection,

Senator Hoffman?

Okay, without objection then so ordered and moving on Senator Hoffman,

okay

Thank you, Mr. President.

I move an asking unanimous consent that I also be excused and not subject to the call of the Senate on April 17th for state and personal business.

without objection so ordered Senator Hoffman, Senator Kawasaki.

Thank you, Mr President. I move and ask unanimous consent that I be shown as excused and not subject to a call on Friday, April 10th this afternoon after noon. Thank you, Mr President.

Thank you, Senator Tomasik. Without objection, so ordered.

Thank you, Senator Kawasaki. Without objection.

So ordered. Senator Likowski.

Thank you, Mr President. I move and ask unanimous consent to be excused and not subject to the call of Senate on Friday, April 17th.

And with objection,

so ordered, Senator Wilkowski.

Senator, yet.

Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for unanimous consent to be shown as excused Friday,

April 17th, for state business.

Without objection,

so ordered.

Senator Yount. Senator Tobin.

I'm going to join the chorus.

I move and ask unanimous consent to also be excused from a call of the Senate on Friday, April 17th.

Well, that's just too much. I mean, really.

Okay,

Senator Tobin, without objection, so ordered.

Additional unfinished business at this time?

Moving on to committee announcements.

How about under committee announcements, Senator Bjorkman.

Mr.

President, I move and ask unanimous consent that rule 23 be waived for Labor and Commerce Committee meeting to hear Senate Bill 259 on Wednesday,

April 15th at 1.30 p.m.

Without objection,

so ordered,

Senator Bjorkman.

Additional unfinished business,

committee announcements,

we've gone to that. How about other announcements?

Are there special orders?

Please go ahead,

Senator Hilton.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I move and ask unanimous consent to be allowed to speak on the subject of celebrating one of our young athletes.

Without objection, so ordered,

Senator Tillman.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Today it's with great pride that I recognize a remarkable young athlete from District 26,

Finley McPeck.

Finley is a dedicated member of the MatSuMatman Wrestling Club,

and at just a young age,

she has already established herself as one of the brightest stars in youth wrestling.

Competing in freestyle,

folk style,

and Greco-Roman,

Finley has earned multiple Alaskan state champions and has represented our state with distinction at the national championships.

Her record shows not just talent,

but heart. With over 90 career wins,

podium finishes at USA Wrestling events,

and a never quit attitude that inspires everyone who watches her compete.

Whether she's on the mat in Alaska or traveling to face the best

wrestlers in the country,

Finley embodies the values we cherish here in our state,

discipline,

resilience,

sportsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence.

Wrestling, as we all know, is a tough sport.

It demands strength,

strategy,

and mental toughness, and Finley has shown all of these qualities time and time again. Her success brings honor not only to her family and her coaches,

but to the entire Matt Sue community and to Alaska.

As a matter of fact,

Mr.

President,

right now at this time she is in Spokane, Washington competing in the USA National Women's Championships.

She has just won the Alaska Middle School title this year in sixth grade.

And last year she was a triple crown winner in the state of Alaska,

winning in Greco freestyle and folk style. So there's more than just Finley in Spokane right now. There are...

more other female athletes that are competing and I just want to say congratulations to all of them but to Finley and her family her siblings who also compete and to all the coaches and supporters of the Matsumet men thank you for investing in our young people you're building more than champions you're building strong confident Alaskans ready to lead in whatever path they choose it is my honor today to congratulate Finley McPeck on her many accomplishments

and to wish your continued success on and off the mat.

Alaska's future is brighter because of athletes like Finley.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Senator Shelton.

Under special orders,

Senator Bjarkman.

Thank you, Mr.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent to have the special privilege of the floor to talk about Blue Day.

Without objection,

so ordered.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month, and today, April 10th, is National Go Blue Day,

or Wear Blue.

As we may have seen, you all hopefully got a pinwheel in your mailbox,

and that pinwheel has come to represent an Alaska and a nation that we all would like to see for our children,

one that creates...

an ecosystem that cares for children and makes sure that they can grow up and live a life that is happy and safe and free from harm.

The National Child Abuse Prevention Day was begun in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan and extended by gubernatorial proclamations in our state as well.

And I encourage you all to remember this month of April and today especially as National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month and day to day.

Thank you for wearing your pinwheels, many of you, and thank you for wearing blue in recognition of this month.

Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Bjorkman. Senator Klaman.

Thank you, Mr. President. Permission to speak about business park wetlands?

Without objection,

so ordered.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

In a somewhat interesting dynamic procedurally when we were taking up Senate Bill 230,

we did not adopt the Resources Committee substitute,

and for those that were wondering about that,

I thought I would share the interesting history that I learned,

because in the Resources Committee we adopted a

a section about what is what is identified as the business park wetlands in midtown Anchorage and after that happened

I got some communications from people in my district,

one of whom is actually quite well known to all of us, Mr.

Whitekeys.

There was a day in which anyone in the legislature was potentially the subject of a satire or others at the fly-by-night club that Mr.

Whitekeys would say, and pretty much anybody in the legislature, depending on what you did, you were at risk.

from some humor from Mr. Whitekeys. So I I get this call from Mr. Whitekeys and a couple of other constituents who says said what are you doing in the Jonesville Road putting in this whole business park wetlands? Don't you know the history of the business park wetlands? And I said well, let let me start doing some research and before I got to the research I got about a thirty minute lecture about what was going on with the business park wetlands. And the business park wetlands was created by legislation in

name 1992 and I believe there's only one person in the legislature today that was here in 1992 that probably voted for the business park wetlands I'm not sure if he specifically remembers it but not only did it pass in 1980 1992 but it passed in 1991 and was vetoed by the governor

And a group of citizens in Anchorage raised over $300,000 to create the business park wetlands. It's got some signs and whatnot.

And so they were saying, I'm not sure you know the history about business park wetlands, and I'm not sure you know what you're doing by taking out the business park wetlands and legislation. So I went to research and got a bunch of documents. There's letters from the mayor of Anchorage at the time, Tom Fink.

There's there's all kinds of information about this effort to create the business park wetlands.

I learned this history of how it was created. They raised more money than they needed.

Several years later they actually used the extra money, getting it by court order to allow them to use it on another wetlands project in Anchorage.

And it made me realize that sometimes is really important to get the history behind things before we do things, or in this case, before we don't do things. And so the reason you didn't don't have the resources committee substitute is

is because there was very effective advocacy by constituents letting us know about a history that some of us never knew.

And so that's the reason why we don't have a resources committee substitute and that we're going forward as the bill was introduced by the the senator from the Matsui.

And with that thank you very much Mr. President.

Thank you, Senator Klaman, for clearing that whole matter up.

Additional special orders at this time?

Madam Majority Leader,

Mr. President,

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11 a.m. Monday,

April 13th,

2026.

And hearing no objection,

The Senate is adjourned.