Cathy Giessel

Moved and voted yes on the motion to enact HB 195, renaming physician assistants as physician associates and broadening pharmacist prescribing and collaborative practice, over Governor Dunleavy's veto; the joint session overrode the veto 43-17.

June 19, 2026Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored, by request, Senate Bill 44 permitting a physician assistant to prescribe drugs without a physical examination and addressing prescription drugs under Medicaid, expanding telehealth practice; it was enacted as Chapter 18, Session Laws of Alaska 2019.

August 8, 2019Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Bill 169 redefining "direct supervision" for Medicaid coverage of behavioral health clinic services; it was enacted as Chapter 97, Session Laws of Alaska 2018.

August 29, 2018Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Bill 72, Alaska's designated-caregiver law governing the discharge of patients from hospitals and the caregivers who assist them afterward; it was enacted as Chapter 47, Session Laws of Alaska 2016.

July 20, 2016Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Bill 142 requiring insurance coverage for orally administered anti-cancer medications on terms no less favorable than intravenous chemotherapy; it was enacted as Chapter 34, Session Laws of Alaska 2016.

July 6, 2016Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Bill 53 on advanced practice registered nursing and certified direct-entry midwifery; it was enacted as Chapter 33, Session Laws of Alaska 2016.

July 6, 2016Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Bill 37 renewing Alaska's statewide immunization program; it was enacted as Chapter 17, Session Laws of Alaska 2019.

August 8, 2019Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored, by request, a law that reshaped the state Board of Pharmacy, added drug supply chain security rules, and licensed out-of-state facilities. It also cut the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission to two members (Senate Bill 37, Chapter 66, 2018).

July 24, 2018Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored, by request, Senate Bill 71 authorizing pharmacists to administer vaccines and related emergency medications; it was enacted as Chapter 16, Session Laws of Alaska 2015.

May 11, 2015Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Bill 169, which created Alaska's statewide immunization program and the State Vaccine Assessment Council and established a vaccine assessment account funded by assessable entities; it was enacted as Chapter 30, Session Laws of Alaska 2014.

June 18, 2014Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Voted yes on the motion to enact SB 183, expanding the powers of the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee and legislative audit, over Governor Dunleavy's veto; the joint session overrode the veto 43-16 and the bill became Chapter 1, First Special Session Laws of Alaska 2025.

August 2, 2025Supports Government Efficiency

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored, by request, a law that reshaped the state Board of Pharmacy, added drug supply chain security rules, and licensed out-of-state facilities. It also cut the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission to two members (Senate Bill 37, Chapter 66, 2018).

July 24, 2018Supports Government Efficiency

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Voted yes on the motions to restore appropriations that Governor Dunleavy struck by line-item veto from HB 53, the state operating budget; the joint session overrode the line-item vetoes 45-14.

August 2, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Voted to override Governor Dunleavy's veto of $87 million in one-time public school funding. The override drew 33 votes of the 45 needed, so the veto stood.

January 18, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Presided as Senate President over the joint session called to consider Governor Dunleavy's line-item vetoes and voted yes on the motion to enact the operating budget appropriations in HB 39 over those vetoes; with 18 legislators absent from the Juneau session the motion drew 37 of the 45 votes required and the vetoes stood.

July 10, 2019Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Bill 7, which changed how corporate taxable income derived from sources within Alaska is computed and narrowed eligibility for the film production tax credit; it became Chapter 21, Session Laws of Alaska 2013.

May 28, 2013Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored, by request, a law creating an alternative to arrest for people in a severe mental health crisis and licensing crisis stabilization centers (Senate Bill 120, Chapter 28, Session Laws of Alaska 2020).

April 29, 2020Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Co-sponsored Senate Bill 140 with Senators Meyer and Olson, classifying synthetic cathinone "bath salts" as schedule IIA controlled substances and setting penalties; the bill was enacted as Chapter 57, Session Laws of Alaska 2012.

June 6, 2012Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Moved and voted yes on the motion to enact SB 21, the Alaska Work and Save retirement program and permanent fund dividend investment accounts, over Governor Dunleavy's veto; the joint session recorded 39 votes for the override and the veto stood.

June 19, 2026Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Moved and voted yes on the motion to enact HB 78, reopening a defined benefit retirement option for public employees, over Governor Dunleavy's veto; the joint session recorded 33 votes for the override and the veto stood.

May 19, 2026Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored a bill proposing to reopen a traditional pension option for public employees and teachers, and to let current defined-contribution workers switch into it. The Alaska Senate passed it, but the House never voted (Senate Bill 88).

January 31, 2024Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: alaskasenate.org · researched July 31, 2026

Voted yes on the motion to enact the mental health budget appropriations in HB 40 notwithstanding Governor Dunleavy's line-item vetoes; the motion received 37 votes against the 45 required and the vetoes stood.

July 10, 2019Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Bill 180 allowing a parent or guardian to temporarily delegate powers over a child and addressing adoption and family-support information in child protection situations; it was enacted as Chapter 28, Session Laws of Alaska 2016.

June 22, 2016Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Moved and voted yes on the motion to enact SB 41, the public school mental health education bill, over Governor Dunleavy's veto; the joint session recorded 38 votes for the override against the 40 required and the veto stood.

June 19, 2026Supports Public Education Quality

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Moved and voted yes on the motion to enact HB 57, the school funding, class-size and classroom cellphone bill, over Governor Dunleavy's veto; the joint session overrode the veto 46-14 and the measure became Chapter 5, Session Laws of Alaska 2025.

May 20, 2025Supports Public Education Quality

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Moved and voted yes on the motion to enact HB 69, the public school funding increase, over Governor Dunleavy's veto; the joint session recorded 33 votes for the override against the 40 required and the veto stood.

April 22, 2025Supports Public Education Quality

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Moved and voted yes on the motion to enact SB 140, the broadband and education funding package, over Governor Dunleavy's veto; the joint session recorded 39 votes for the override against the 40 required and the veto stood.

March 18, 2024Supports Public Education Quality

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Voted yes on the motion to enact SB 64, the elections administration bill, over Governor Dunleavy's veto; the joint session recorded 38 votes for the override against the 40 required and the veto stood.

May 4, 2026Supports Election Integrity

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 22 opposing the warrantless collection of telephone call data by the National Security Agency; the Legislature adopted it as Legislative Resolve 51.

August 11, 2014Supports Data Privacy

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Moved and voted yes on the motion to enact HB 52, setting rights and limits on seclusion and restraint for minors in psychiatric hospitals, over Governor Dunleavy's veto; the joint session recorded 36 votes for the override and the veto stood.

June 19, 2026Supports Civil Rights

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Moved and voted yes on the motion to enact SB 113, applying the Alaska Net Income Tax Act's apportionment rules to highly digitized businesses, over Governor Dunleavy's veto; the joint session recorded 35 votes for the override and the veto stood.

January 22, 2026Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Bill 47 addressing public easements in Chugach State Park; it was enacted as Chapter 6, Session Laws of Alaska 2025.

June 7, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Voted to override Governor Dunleavy's line-item vetoes of ferry service, school construction debt payments and rural school funds, and voted against splitting that question. The override drew 37 votes, short of the 45 required, so the vetoes stood.

January 24, 2020Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Moved and voted yes on the motion to enact HB 314, registering interior designers and extending the State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors, over Governor Dunleavy's veto; the joint session overrode the veto 45-15.

June 19, 2026

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Resolution 1 establishing a Senate Special Committee on Arctic Affairs for the 34th Alaska Legislature; the Senate adopted it as Senate Resolve 1.

July 11, 2025

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Served as Senate Majority Leader and chair of the Senate Resources Committee in the bipartisan Senate Majority organizing the 34th Alaska Legislature, and took seats on the Special Committee on World Trade and the Special Committee on Arctic Affairs.

November 26, 2024

Source: alaskasenate.org · researched July 31, 2026

Co-organized the bipartisan, bicameral Alaska Children's Caucus with Senator Loki Tobin and served as one of its Senate co-chairs, convening legislators on children's health, early education and family wellbeing.

February 21, 2024

Source: alaskasenate.org · researched July 31, 2026

Served as Senate Majority Leader and co-chair of the Senate Resources Committee in the bipartisan Senate Majority that organized the 33rd Alaska Legislature, as set out in the coalition's announcement of committee chairs and priorities.

January 11, 2023

Source: alaskasenate.org · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Bill 36 extending the termination date of the Alaska Board of Nursing; it was enacted as Chapter 16, Session Laws of Alaska 2019.

August 8, 2019

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Resolution 1 establishing a Senate Special Committee on the Railbelt Electric System; the Senate adopted it as Senate Resolve 1.

June 17, 2019

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Elected President of the Alaska Senate for the Thirty-First Legislature on the Senate's organizational day, becoming the presiding officer of the chamber.

January 15, 2019

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Resolution 7 dedicating the fourth-floor Senate conference room of the Alaska State Capitol to the late Senate President Jan Faiks; the Senate adopted it as Senate Resolve 8.

October 8, 2018

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Resolution 4 supporting the Alaska congressional delegation in protecting the state's authority to manage wildlife within its borders; the Senate adopted it as Senate Resolve 3.

November 13, 2017

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Resolution 201 backing the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee's review of Alaska's oil and gas fiscal policy and committing the Senate to evaluate and act on the retained experts' recommendations; the Senate adopted it as Senate Resolve 7.

November 13, 2017

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Bill 170 authorizing the Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys to charge fees for facilities, equipment, products and services; it was enacted as Chapter 27, Session Laws of Alaska 2016.

June 22, 2016

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 15 opposing any international designation of Alaska land or water as an international park, world heritage site, biosphere reserve or Ramsar site without approval by Congress and the Alaska Legislature; the Legislature adopted it as Legislative Resolve 35.

August 11, 2014

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored, by request, Senate Bill 166 revising Alaska's nursing statutes and the Board of Nursing; it was enacted as Chapter 29, Session Laws of Alaska 2014.

June 18, 2014

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 10 on Alaska's and the nation's Arctic interests, seeking a state representative on the Arctic Council and expanded United States Coast Guard icebreaker capacity and Arctic facilities; the Legislature adopted it as Legislative Resolve 7.

June 26, 2013

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored a law giving the state board that licenses architects, engineers, and land surveyors its own full-time investigator, instead of sharing one part-time investigator with six other licensing boards. The law also let licensing exams be given electronically rather than only in writing. She introduced the bill at the board's request, and it became law in 2013 (Senate Bill 16, Chapter 36).

June 3, 2013

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Bill 2, which enacted the Interstate Mining Compact in Alaska and joined the state to the Interstate Mining Commission; it became Chapter 7, Session Laws of Alaska 2013.

April 15, 2013

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026

Sponsored Senate Bill 1, which established May 10 of each year as Alaska Mining Day; it was enacted as Chapter 6, Session Laws of Alaska 2013.

April 12, 2013

Source: akleg.gov · researched July 31, 2026