Last week, Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Board gave President Frank Richards the authority to negotiate and sign agreements that make Glenfarne the 75 percent owner, lead developer, and operator of the AKLNG project. I am cautiously optimistic about this long-awaited opportunity finally coming to fruition. I am eager to see publication of the contract between AGDC and Glenfarne and learning more about how the gas line project will affect our lives on the Kenai Peninsula.

Preventing lice

When a child gets lice, it creates an immense amount of work for parents to treat their child’s hair and the surfaces in a home where lice can live. This extra work and stress on families is preventable. If you’ve ever bent down to help a student with their work and seen lice crawling through hair inches from your face, you may understand the primal reptilian reaction about lice and why feelings about this issue are rather … touchy. It is past time for schools to revert to the standard of no live lice at school. Schools should take responsible measures to keep kids from getting lice.

I introduced Senate Bill 151 last week to prevent lice in Alaska’s schools and eradicate them when they occur. Having school nurses present with students at school is an important piece of lice prevention. School nurses also educate students and families about how to treat lice infestations.

This bill will make it the practice of public schools in Alaska that students cannot attend school with live lice. It will also facilitate lice prevention and assist in treating lice. SB 151 will encourage school districts to check a vast majority of students who attend brick-and-mortar public schools for lice by Oct. 15 in a manner that protects the student’s privacy. When a school district submits a report to the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) describing their lice education, prevention, eradication protocol, and number of students that were found to have live lice, DEED will reimburse districts for 20% of the cost to employ a nurse at a school that includes grade K-8.

Supporting hunting guide licensing

Senate Bill 29, which I introduced to create an executive administrator position for the Big Game Commercial Services Board, had a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee this week. The complexity of the hunting guide regulations requires a position solely focused on this work to ensure timely licensing reviews and thorough, accurate investigations. The new position would be paid for with big game guide licensing fees, so it does not impact the State’s bottom line.

I am honored to be your state senator. I want to hear from you. You’re welcome to call my office at 907-283-7996 or email me at Sen.Jesse.Bjorkman@akleg.gov. I hope you’ll take the time to share your questions and ideas.