Alaska Congressional Bills

in committee · Alaska · Senate May 12, 2026

S 4503: Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act

The Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act directs the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services to expand research, education, and clinical training focused on menopause and mid-life women’s health. It authorizes funding to create Centers of Excellence, launch public awareness campaigns, and develop training programs for health care providers to better diagnose and treat menopausal symptoms. The bill also requires the government to collect data on health disparities and report progress annually to Congress, with a specific focus on improving care for women in rural and underserved areas.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Patty Murray (D) · 17 co-sponsors

passed · Alaska · Senate May 11, 2026

SRES 723: A resolution honoring the life of Dirk Arthur Kempthorne, former United States Senator for the State of Idaho.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of Dirk Kempthorne, a former U.S. Senator, Governor of Idaho, and Secretary of the Interior. It formally acknowledges his public service across various roles, including his work on environmental conservation, veterans' support, and economic development in Idaho. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to his family. Additionally, the Senate stands in adjournment as a final mark of respect to his memory.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Mike Crapo (R) · 99 co-sponsors

in committee · Alaska · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4480: Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2026

The Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2026 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pelvic health services, such as pelvic floor exams and physical therapy, during the postpartum period. This guidance will outline best practices for payment models, financing options, and technical assistance for state agencies to improve access to these care services. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to study gaps in coverage for these services and defines the postpartum period as lasting at least six months or as long as lactation continues. Additionally, the Act authorizes $2 million annually from 2027 to 2031 to fund a national education campaign that trains health professionals and informs postpartum women about the importance and availability of pelvic health care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · Senate May 11, 2026

S 2126: Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System through 2030, updating the 2009 law to replace "Council" with "Committee" (specifically the Ocean Policy Committee) throughout. It expands the system's scope to include meteorological observations and data management systems, requiring collaboration between regional observing systems and federal agencies. The bill authorizes $56 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030, mandating at least 7.5% of funds support existing regional coastal observing systems. It directly affects federal agencies, regional observing networks, and coastal states by updating governance and funding mechanisms for ocean and weather data collection.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

signed · Alaska · Senate May 11, 2026

S 1020: A bill to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.

This bill allows hydropower project license holders to request up to 6 additional years to begin construction on projects that received licenses before March 13, 2020. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) may grant extensions in two-year increments, but the total extension cannot exceed six years. For licenses expiring after December 31, 2023, FERC can reinstate them to immediately apply the extension.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 4467: Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act

Ensuring Seniors' Access to Quality Care Act This bill repeals certain restrictions under Medicare and Medicaid that prohibit the approval of nurse-aide training and competency evaluation programs in skilled nursing facilities that have been subject to specified regulatory actions (e.g., civil penalties) for substandard quality of care. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must still disapprove such programs for up to two years; however, the CMS must rescind the disapproval upon completion of corrective action and may require additional oversight of the program for purposes of rescission. The bill also allows Medicaid and Medicare providers (e.g., skilled nursing facilities) to access, through the National Practitioner Data Bank, disciplinary information for affiliated physicians and other health care practitioners, as reported by state licensing authorities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8598: North Pacific Fishery Management Council Representation Enhancement Act of 2026

This bill requires the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to include at least one voting member representing each of four specific groups: non-industrial commercial fishers, recreational anglers, rural subsistence users, and urban subsistence users. To achieve this, it mandates that the Alaska Governor explicitly categorize individuals on their appointment lists by these four categories before the Secretary of Commerce makes selections. The legislation defines each group by specific criteria, such as vessel size for commercial fishers and location for subsistence users, to ensure balanced representation in council decisions. These changes will take effect for any council appointments made one year after the bill is enacted.

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8597: Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act

This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration to equip specific contract air traffic control towers with advanced situational awareness tools within one year of enactment. It mandates the installation of Airborne Position Reference Tools at towers lacking these systems and ensures that towers without Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems receive necessary equipment and maintenance support. The legislation also updates funding rules to cover the costs of acquiring and operating these new tools and establishes training programs to help controllers effectively use the technology. Additionally, the bill provides financial reimbursement to airports that have already purchased similar systems before the federal government installs them.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 3992: Joint Medical Facilities Fund Act of 2026

This bill establishes a new Joint Medical Facility Fund to support shared healthcare facilities operated by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The fund allows both departments to transfer money from their existing budgets and medical collections into a single pool, which can then be used for facility operations, equipment, maintenance, and minor construction projects at designated combined medical sites. The bill requires the two departments to create a joint methodology for determining transfer amounts and to administer the fund through an executive agreement that includes independent review of financial processes. Additionally, the legislation repeals an outdated provision and mandates that the departments submit a report within 180 days identifying which facilities should be designated as combined medical facilities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 3993: Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act of 2026, changes how veterans receive educational assistance when they choose apprenticeships or on-the-job training instead of traditional four-year college programs. It directly affects veterans eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, the All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program, and Selected Reserve educational benefits. The bill increases monthly housing stipends for apprenticeship participants and removes minimum attendance requirements for those working in construction-related occupations. These changes aim to make non-college training pathways more financially viable for veterans seeking to build careers through hands-on experience.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 3653: Veterans’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to clearly inform veterans about their rights regarding healthcare, benefits, and services. It directly affects veterans using VA services and VA employees, mandating that the VA integrate 10 specific rights into all policies, training, and communications. Key provisions include ensuring veterans receive respectful treatment, transparent claim updates, access to community care, protection from retaliation for seeking care, and clear grievance processes. The VA must display these rights prominently at facilities, in its mobile app, and during military transition programs, with annual staff training and facility audits. The bill does not create new legal rights but codifies existing expectations for VA accountability and veteran communication.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 749: Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2025

This bill extends increased dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It directly affects the spouses of veterans whose death was caused by ALS, specifically those who died on or after October 1, 2022. The key provision amends a law to treat veterans who died from ALS as if they had the disease for the required period before death, removing a prior time requirement for compensation eligibility. This change ensures surviving spouses qualify for the same benefits previously available only to veterans with longer ALS diagnoses.

Topics ✓ Veterans