Alaska Senate convenes with 18 members, introduces 23 bills and refers gubernatorial appointments and executive order

JUNEAU, Alaska — The Alaska Senate convened Jan. 23 in Juneau with a quorum of 18 members present, introduced 23 bills and numerous resolutions, received gubernatorial messages including two nominations to the University of Alaska Board of Regents and Executive Order No. 136 establishing a Department of Agriculture, and adopted a special citation honoring Dorothy Brownie Thompson.

The roll was announced by the secretary, who said, “The role shows 18 members present. Senator Tobin is excused from a call of the senate today.” The session opened with an invocation from the Reverend Gordon Blue of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and the Pledge of Allegiance recited by Senator Clayman.

Why it matters: the introductions and referrals set the Senate’s early-session work plan. Several measures introduced today were referred to committees that will schedule hearings, and messages from the governor will move through committee review; these steps determine which proposals are vetted for possible floor action later in the legislative session.

The Senate secretary read a message dated Jan. 23 from the governor nominating Karen Perdue of Fairbanks and Christine Ressler of Anchorage to the University of Alaska Board of Regents; the secretary said those nominations were referred to the Education Committee. The secretary also read Executive Order No. 136, described in the message as establishing a…