Fairbanks: Last 5 days of Session! Omnibussing, Appointees, Mothers Day and More!

May 10, 2024

Dear Neighbors,

The legislative session is in the final days and it has been hectic although the focus is now only on a few pieces of legislation that are in their final bit of polishing. A crime bill, energy and transmission and a carbon capture and sequestration bill have become primary bills that will be the focus of the final week in Juneau-but there are plenty of riders, amendments and minor changes that will happen very quickly and without much notice. Committees have also winded down and will not meet though some bills remain trapped in the Finance Committees of the House and Senate-including the state budgets. As always, please contact the office if you have any questions directly at 907.456.7423. Emails may be held up during the last remaining days of session and the mailroom is essentially closed!

'Omnibussing' -- It is a Word!

In the last few days of session, the floor calendar is HUGE!

The first chancellor of the German Empire, Otto von Bismarck is known for the quote: ‘laws are like sausages-it is best not to see them being made’. Lawmaking is a generally messy operation that involves a culmination of needs and wants-sometimes sloppily put together into bills with ‘open’ titles -which is something happening a lot these days. An omnibus bill is a large bill that is often made up of many smaller bills on broader topics and they can be useful as bills morph and are refined by a committee process. Omnibus bills can also lead to hard feelings, confusion about what is actually in the final product and massive indigestion.

A recent Alaska Beacon correspondent asked whether Senators felt there were more bills slammed into bills in a process of creating an omnibus bill. While the practice existed before I was a member, there certainly is a feeling that legislation that was formerly stalled in a committee is now finding a way to reemerge in some of these omnibus bills that will be finalized in under a week. Bills relating to energy, a priority of the Governor and the Interior and bills relating to crime and justice are now being packed with smaller bills. In the end of the session, the term “omnibussing” shall forever be known and defined as ‘semi-orderly amending of bills into a big bill with a broad title that is unlikely to be vetoed by the Governor’.

Ahoy, Matey! Safe Travels to the DDG110

Sen. Kawasaki on the USS William P. Lawrence in Juneau

One of the many hats I wear is chairing the Joint Armed Services Committee (JASC). JASC works closely with the active-duty armed services around Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. This week, the USS William P. Lawrence DDG110, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, was docked in the Gastineau Channel. Legislators and many of the community of Juneau were lucky enough to tour the ship, meet with some of the 350 naval seamen and learn about their mission as they travel back to their home port at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Dunleavy Appointees Approved!

Sen. Kawasaki in Joint Session to consider the Governors Appointees

Legislative Confirmations occurred this last week as part of our regular Constitutional duty. Lawmakers have been receiving appointments to consider in committee meetings during the entire session and it culminates in a final Joint Legislative Session in which we vote to confirm or reject an appointment to particular Board or Commission. The Governor also is able to appoint his top Commissioners and the Lt. Governor designee should the Governor be otherwise unavailable to serve the remainder of his term of office. It is important the appointees to some of these very important policy-making, rules-making and governance bodies are the right people for the job.

Only three of the hundred or so confirmations were rejected as they only take 31 of 60 legislators to confirm. Of the most important confirmations for Fairbanks, Seth Church was confirmed to the University of Alaska Board of Regents and Barbara Tyndall was confirmed to the State Board of Education. Each board and commission play a big role in governing the state and every Alaskan has a chance to be involved. My office submits names for consideration by the Governor and would be happy to invite any constituent to apply to a vacancy.

Your Voice Matters, Use it for Good

Sen. Kawasaki Speaking on the Phone, as You Should While Testifying!

With session winding down, there are a few crucial pieces of legislation that need a helping hand to the finish line. Public testimony is an integral part of the legislative process and continues to be one of the best ways to get a read on what people all over the state think about bills. This week, important issues like Extending Senior Benefits, Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Reporting and Extending the Commission on Aging are all up for public testimony. My office will also take email to submit on your behalf to each committee of jurisdiction.

Friday May 10:

SB 170: Extending Senior Benefits at 1:30pm

SB 151 Missing/Murdered Indigenous People; Report at 1:30pm

SB 189 Extend the Alaska Commission on Aging at 1:30pm

Calling in from a Juneau prefix: 907-586-9085

Calling in from an Anchorage prefix: 907-563-9085

All other callers / Toll Free: 844-586-9085

Happy Mothers Day to All the Mothers

Sen. Kawasaki's Mother!

Mothers Day is an unofficial holiday in the Alaska Legislature as nearly half of our legislators are women and mothers. The past few years, since COVID, I have been lucky to bring my mother down to Juneau for the entire session. It makes celebrating Mothers Day a little bit easier that she is here. Her and I will remain here for the remaining week of session!

My Staff and I are Here for You

As always, I and my staff are are still working for you. Feel free to contact my office and we will assist you with issues important to you and your family.

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,