Greetings and Salutations Friends, Neighbors, and Alaskans!
Today is day 60 of the second regular session of the 32nd legislature which is, unfortunately, the true “halfway” point of the session. While there has been little progress towards solving our state's continual and cyclical fiscal crisis there have been some minor positive developments. The Democrat lead House Coalition has appeared to come around to the idea for a supplemental PFD in the form of their $1,300 “Energy Relief Check”. If this supplemental dividend amount survives the House budget process, then the Senate must rectify their budgeting error and make sure that it comes from the correct source budgeting source, the Permanent Fund, and is correctly classified as the rest of the dividend.
As we move forward in the session and begin a deeper dive into the budget process, I remain committed to fighting for the same principles: limiting institutional government growth and providing an amendatory and meaningful PFD.
While limited progress has been made towards a state fiscal plan, we have seen a number of good bills leave the Senate relating to the protection of individual rights. One such bill is my SB 136 which establishes that during a declaration of a disaster emergency, neither the state nor a municipal agency may forbid the possession, use, or transfer of a firearm, firearm accessory, ammunition, or another weapon for personal use. My office also has several other pieces of legislation that are currently moving through the legislature at breakneck speed (read more on my other bills below).
I just want to say that while we may be half done with the session there is still plenty of work to be completed, and I remain committed to working to form a solution that sets the state on the right fiscal path.
In closing, I would be remised to not mention that Congressman Don Young, the Dean of the House and revered champion for Alaska, passed away yesterday. In his 25 terms in the United States House of Representatives Don served as a fierce and dogged defender of our state and will be dearly missed. We are praying for Don's wife Anne and his family.
Always advocating on your behalf,
Robb
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SB 129 ELECTION PAMPHLET INFORMATION RE: JUDGES - SB 129 will require the election pamphlet to include additional information for judicial elections concerning judicial officers’ education, area of primary practice, elected or political offices held by the justice, organization membership, and clients and employers of members of the judicial officers’ household. SB 129 was moved from the Senate Judiciary Committee on 2/11/22 and received a first hearing in the Senate State Affairs Committee on 3/17/22. We look forward to a future hearing on SB 129 this Thursday.
SB 136 LIMITATIONS ON FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS - SB 136 is a bill that my office worked on in collaboration with House Republicans and trade associations to establish that during a declaration of a disaster emergency, neither the state nor a municipal agency may not forbid the possession, use, or transfer of a firearm, firearm accessory, ammunition, or another weapon for personal use. SB 136 was amended last year in the Senate Community & Regional Affairs to clarify language regarding the scope and purpose of the bill. On 3/16/22 the Senate passed SB 136 unanimously and now the bill is in House Community & Regional Affairs committee where we look forward to a future hearing soon.
SB 146 UNIVERSITY: TEXTBOOKS/MATERIALS COST - SB 146 is aimed at providing students with as much information regarding cost as early as possible in the registration process integrated into the University of Alaska’s shared online course catalog (UAOnline). SB 146 was heard before the Senate Education Committee on 2/25/22 and 3/11/22. While the bill was moved from the committee it, unfortunately, gained a disproportionate fiscal note that does not seem reflective of the current realities of the university’s systems capabilities to provide students vital cost information. While the University System was forced by the committee to correct erroneous errors in their original fiscal note some costs still remained which has led SB 146 to receive a Finance Committee referral.
SB 150 TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY - SB 150 Truck Driver Appreciation Day, was inspired by the outpouring of support our communities have shown for Alaskan truck drivers, was passed without opposition by the Senate on 2/23/22. The bill is now in the House Transportation Committee, and we look forward to a first hearing soon.
SB 168 DONATIONS/GIFTS FOR DOT&PF SIGNAGE - SB 168 provides receipt authority to the Department of Transportation that it needs to be able to collect donations for signage. The bill was moved out of the Senate Transportation Committee on 2/1/22 and moved out of the Senate Finance Committee on 3/14/22. SB 168 is now scheduled for the floor this coming Monday and we hope to pass it from the Senate and see it meet its companion HB 296 in House Finance Committee.
SB 170 MARINE HIGHWAY CORPORATION - SB 170, sponsored by the Senate Transportation Committee, would transition the AMHS into a public corporation to stabilize the management structure, foster greater alignment between management and labor, limit exposure to political influence, and stabilize the finances of the system. We have so far held three committee meetings on SB 170 and have two more meetings scheduled for this coming week. Understanding the size and gravity of this legislation, we plan to hold more meetings on this bill in order to produce the best legislation possible to introduce in future legislatures.
SJR 19 CONST. AM: APPROP LIMIT - SJR 19 is a proposed amendment to the constitution that establishes and defines annual appropriation limits on state government was moved from the Senate Judiciary Committee on 1/31/22 and has been awaiting a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee ever since. We hope that the committee will take up this vital legislation to address our state's long-term fiscal issues soon.
**New Legislation**
SB 190 EXTEND REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA - SB 190 is a simple bill that extends the termination date of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) in accordance with the recommendation of the Legislative Auditor. The bill passed the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee on 3/14/22 with minor changes and is now scheduled to be heard before the Senate Finance Committee this coming Monday.
SB 223 CONFIDENTIALITY OF ANIMAL RECORDS - SB 223 would make selected information that livestock producers must disclose to the State of Alaska confidential and not subject to public disclosure (except in case of an outbreak) resulting in protection for livestock producers’ proprietary business interests. The bill was heard by the Senate Resources Committee on 3/9/22 and now awaits it's House companion, HB 347.
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Staff Highlight
In this edition of Robb’s report, I wanted to spotlight my Chief of Staff Michaella Anderson. Michaella is a lifelong Farbankskan. When she’s not in Juneau, she spends her time being a 4-H leader and running her farm with her husband John. She has a passion for public service, but her other hobbies include bowling, baking, and playing board games.
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Meet My Awesome Staff!
For further information, responses and feedback please contact my office anytime. Below you can find contact info and committee/bill assignments for each member of team Myers.
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About Me
Senator Robert Myers was born in Fairbanks, Alaska. He spent much of his young childhood at the Salchaket Roadhouse which his parents owned. Growing up, Robb developed a passion for Alaska. He attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks where he studied philosophy, political science, and history. During college he drove for a tour company where he was able to share Alaska with countless people. He currently drives truck and travels the Haul Road frequently. He ran for office because he wants an Alaska his children will choose to make their home down the road. When Robb isn’t working, he enjoys reading, history, board games, and spending time with his wife Dawna and his five kids.
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