Alaska 34th Alaska State Legislature Status: To Executive 1 D cosponsors

SJR 12 — Urging the United States Congress and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to address outages of National Data Buoy Center stations.

Last action — (S) PERMANENTLY FILED 7/16 LEGIS RESOLVE 6

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 26, 2025. It awaits signature.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 64% · moderate confidence

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

101 added · 110 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to SJR 12 added a statement emphasizing the importance of having a reliable network of National Data Buoy Center stations in Alaska due to the state's unique challenges, such as its extreme weather and remote areas. This change highlights the crucial role these stations play in supporting Alaska's vital fishing, tourism, and maritime industries. By urging Congress and NOAA to address outages, the resolution aims to ensure the safety and well-being of Alaskans who depend on accurate marine data.

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34-LS0449\I SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO.
S T A T E O F A L A S K A THE LEGISLATURE Legislative Source Resolve No.
12 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION BY SENATOR DUNBAR Introduced:
CSSJR 12(TRA) 6 Urging the United States Congress and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to address outages of National Data Buoy Center stations.
2/26/25 Referred:
_______________ BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
Transportation A RESOLUTION Urging the United States Congress and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to address outages of National Data Buoy Center stations.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
and WHEREAS, because of the state's extensive coastline, vital fishing and tourism industries, dependence on marine commerce, and reliance on oil exported by sea, the performance of National Data Buoy Center meteorological/ocean stations is critical to the citizens and economy of the state;
and WHEREAS, because of the state's extensive coastline, vital fishing and tourism industries, dependence on marine commerce, and reliance on oil exported by sea, the performance of National Data Buoy Center meteorological/ocean stations is critical to the -1- Enrolled SJR 12 citizens and economy of the state;
and SJR012A -1- SJR 12 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0449\I WHEREAS the extreme weather and remote nature of the state necessitate a robust maritime infrastructure that incorporates redundancies to reduce the frequency and functional effects of outages;
and WHEREAS the extreme weather and remote nature of the state necessitate a robust maritime infrastructure that incorporates redundancies to reduce the frequency and functional effects of outages;
and WHEREAS the Seal Rocks Buoy broke free in October of 2023 and, when the buoy was reestablished in the spring of 2024, the wave sensor was faulty;
and WHEREAS the Seal Rocks Buoy broke free in October of 2023, and, when the buoy was reestablished in the spring of 2024, the wave sensor was faulty;
and WHEREAS the National Data Buoy Center has not provided an estimated time for the repair or replacement of the Seal Rocks Buoy;
and WHEREAS the Vessel Traffic Service relies on other nearby National Data Buoy Center meteorological/ocean stations at Cape Suckling and Cape Cleare as imperfect backups to the Seal Rocks Buoy, and those stations have also been recently plagued by extended SJR 12 -2- SJR012A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0449\I periods of inoperability;
and WHEREAS the Vessel Traffic Service relies on other nearby National Data Buoy Center meteorological/ocean stations at Cape Suckling and Cape Cleare as imperfect backups to the Seal Rocks Buoy, and those stations have also been recently plagued by extended periods of inoperability;
and WHEREAS, in the absence of National Data Buoy Center meteorological/ocean station data, the Vessel Traffic Service must sometimes rely on subjective wave height reports made by crew members of commercial ships, putting the ship and crew members at risk;
and Enrolled SJR 12 -2- WHEREAS, in the absence of National Data Buoy Center meteorological/ocean station data, the Vessel Traffic Service must sometimes rely on subjective wave height reports made by crew members of commercial ships, putting the ship and crew members at risk;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature calls on the United States Congress to include language in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2025, to address National Data Buoy Center meteorological/ocean station outages occurring in the state and specifically to require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to ensure the reliability of National Data Buoy Center meteorological/ocean stations and take actions necessary to restore the full functionality of National Data Buoy Center meteorological/ocean station equipment;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature calls on the United States Congress to include language in annual appropriations legislation to address National Data Buoy Center meteorological/ocean station outages occurring in the state and specifically to require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to ensure the reliability of National Data Buoy Center meteorological/ocean stations and take actions necessary to restore the full functionality of National Data Buoy Center meteorological/ocean station equipment;
and be it FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature urges the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to work with Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Representative Nicholas Begich to address, in the Commerce, Justice, Science, SJR012A -3- SJR 12 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0449\I and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025, the National Data Buoy Center meteorological/ocean station outages occurring in the state;
and be it FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature urges the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to work with Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Representative Nicholas Begich to address, in appropriations legislation for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, the National Data Buoy Center -3- Enrolled SJR 12 meteorological/ocean station outages occurring in the state;
William Burnett, Director of the National Data Buoy Center;
William Burnett, Director of the National Data Buoy Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
Commander Sarah Rousseau, United States Coast Guard, Marine Safety Unit Valdez;
Commander Sarah Rousseau, Marine Safety Unit Valdez, United States Coast Guard;
David Seris, United States Coast Guard, District 17 Waterways Management;
David Seris, Waterways Management Branch, United States Seventeenth Coast Guard District;
SJR 12 -4- SJR012A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
Enrolled SJR 12 -4-
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Action History

  1. (S) PERMANENTLY FILED 7/16 LEGIS RESOLVE 6

  2. (S) MANIFEST ERROR(S)

  3. (S) 12:05 P.M. 6/26/25 Transmitted to Governor

  4. (H) VERSION: CSSJR 12(TRA)

  5. (H) RETURN TO (S), TRANSMIT TO GOV NEXT

  6. (H) PASSED Y38 E2

  7. (H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSSJR 12(TRA)

  8. (H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/9 CALENDAR

  9. (H) READ THE SECOND TIME

  10. (H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/7/2025

  11. (H) FN1: ZERO(LEG)

  12. (H) AM: MCCABE, MOORE

  13. (H) NR: MINA

  14. (H) DP: STUTES, EISCHEID, CARRICK

  15. (H) TRA RPT 3DP 1NR 2AM

  16. (H) Minutes (HTRA)

  17. (H) Moved CSSJR 12(TRA) Out of Committee

  18. (H) TRANSPORTATION at 01:00 PM BARNES 124

  19. (H) Minutes (HTRA)

  20. (H) Heard & Held

  21. (H) TRANSPORTATION at 01:00 PM BARNES 124

  22. (H) -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- MEETING CANCELED --

  23. (H) TRANSPORTATION at 01:00 PM BARNES 124

  24. (H) TRA

  25. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  26. (S) VERSION: CSSJR 12(TRA)

  27. (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)

  28. (S) PASSED Y20 N-

  29. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME CSSJR 12(TRA)

  30. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 4/4 CAL

  31. (S) TRA CS ADOPTED UC

  32. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME

  33. (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 4/2/2025

  34. (S) FN1: ZERO(LEG)

  35. (S) DP: BJORKMAN, KIEHL, TOBIN

  36. (S) TRA RPT CS 3DP SAME TITLE

  37. (S) Minutes (STRA)

  38. (S) Moved CSSJR 12(TRA) Out of Committee

  39. (S) TRANSPORTATION at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  40. (S) Minutes (STRA)

  41. (S) Heard & Held

  42. (S) TRANSPORTATION at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  43. (S) TRA

  44. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 64 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (64)

64 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 64 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Third Reading — Final Passage

Passed 38 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
R 19002
Unaffiliated 1000
D 13000
N 5000
Total 38002
% of votes cast 95%0%0%5%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Robyn Niayuq Burke — Yea
Andi Story D Yea
Andrew Gray D Yea
Andy Josephson D Yea
Ashley Carrick D Yea
Carolyn Hall D Yea
Donna Mears D Yea
Genevieve Mina D Yea
Maxine Dibert D Yea
Neal Foster D Yea
Nellie Unangiq Jimmie D Yea
Sara Hannan D Yea
Ted Eischeid D Yea
Zack Fields D Yea
Alyse Galvin N Yea
Bryce Edgmon N Yea
Calvin Schrage N Yea
Ky Holland N Yea
Rebecca Himschoot N Yea
Bill Elam R Yea
Cathy Tilton R Yea
Chuck Kopp R Yea
Dan Saddler R Yea
David Nelson R Not Voting
DeLena Johnson R Yea
Elexie Moore R Yea
Frank Tomaszewski R Yea
George Rauscher R Yea
Jamie Allard R Not Voting
Jeremy Bynum R Yea
Jubilee Underwood R Yea
Julie Coulombe R Yea
Justin Ruffridge R Yea
Kevin McCabe R Yea
Louise Stutes R Yea
Mia Costello R Yea
Mike Prax R Yea
Rebecca Schwanke R Yea
Sarah Vance R Yea
Will Stapp R Yea

Official roll call →

Third Reading - Final Passage

Passed 20 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
R 9000
D 9000
Unaffiliated 2000
Total 20000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (20)
Member Party Vote
Shelley Hughes — Yea
Mike Shower — Yea
Bill Wielechowski D Yea
Donald Olson D Yea
Elvi Gray-Jackson D Yea
Forrest Dunbar D Yea
Jesse Kiehl D Yea
Lyman Hoffman D Yea
Löki Tobin D Yea
Matt Claman D Yea
Scott Kawasaki D Yea
Bert Stedman R Yea
Cathy Giessel R Yea
Gary Stevens R Yea
James Kaufman R Yea
Jesse Bjorkman R Yea
Kelly Merrick R Yea
Mike Cronk R Yea
Robert Myers R Yea
Robert Yundt R Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety environment technology
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SJR 12?
SJR 12 is sponsored by Forrest Dunbar (D).
What is the current status of SJR 12?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 26, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track SJR 12?
Track SJR 12 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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