HB 79 Alaska House · 34th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act renaming the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska as the Vic Fischer Institute of Social and Economic Research; and naming the Vic Fischer Shoup Bay State Marine Park.

HB 79 is a procedural bill that names a specific marine park unit within Alaska's state park system as "Vic Fischer Shoup Bay State Marine Park." It directly affects the official designation of this protected coastal area, which is part of Alaska's state park system. The bill amends Alaska Statutes to formally adopt this name for the marine park unit previously designated under section (a)(4) of AS 41.21.304. This change has no policy impact beyond the park's official naming.
Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
May 2026
Vetoed
Jul 2026
Introduced Jan 31, 2025 Vetoed Jul 3, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB 79 Enrolled HB 79 · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was formatted into its final enrolled version, adding a new section to the uncodified laws that explicitly directs the University of Alaska not to spend money on signage for the renamed institute. It also updated the specific statute to formally establish the new name for the research institute and confirmed the name of the state marine park.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include a specific legislative intent regarding funding restrictions for the institute's renaming, whereas the original draft did not contain this provision.
FISCAL

Added a new section stating that the University of Alaska cannot use funds to pay for signage or materials solely to update the institute's name.

DEFINITION

Amended the statute establishing the research program to explicitly name it the 'Vic Fischer Institute of Social and Economic Research'.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document header from a draft bill to the final 'Enrolled' version and reorganized the text layout.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
66
Key actions
9
Committee
3
Jul 3, 2026
Vetoed
(H) VETOED BY GOVERNOR 6/24/26
lower
May 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
(S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) AS AMENDED
upper
May 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
(S) PASSED Y19 N1
upper
May 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
(S) RES SCS ADOPTED UC
upper
May 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
(S) Moved SCS HB 79(RES) Out of Committee -- Please Note Time Change --
upper
May 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Moved HB 79 Out of Committee
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) PASSED ON RECONSIDERATION Y37 N3
lower
Apr 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) PASSED Y35 N2 E3
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Moved HB 79 Out of Committee
lower
1 primary · 10 co-sponsors

Sponsors