Alaska Bills | MyRepTracker

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 203: An Act relating to the use of certain trawl or dredge fishing gear in state water; and providing for an effective date.

HB 203 prohibits the use of trawl or dredge fishing gear that causes substantial contact with the seafloor in Alaska state waters, directly affecting commercial fishermen using this gear. The bill requires the Department of Fish and Game to conduct a study on seafloor ecosystem health and bycatch (unintended catch) from such gear, reporting findings by January 2027. The study must assess impacts on fish habitats and recommend whether to ban or limit this gear for sustainable fisheries and public benefit. If adopted, the prohibition would take effect on January 1, 2028. The bill is currently under consideration by the Fisheries Committee.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Alaska · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 20: An Act relating to fees for paper documents; relating to unfair trade practices; and providing for an effective date.

HB 20 prohibits insurers and businesses from charging extra fees for providing paper statements, invoices, notices, or other documents. It directly affects insurance companies and general businesses operating in Alaska by requiring them to offer paper copies at the same cost as electronic versions. The bill allows fees only for duplicate paper copies of documents already provided. Key provisions clarify that this applies to standard documents and tie violations to unfair trade practices under existing law.

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 375: An Act relating to minimum paid sick leave requirements for individuals employed in seasonal seafood processing.

This bill exempts seasonal seafood processing workers from Alaska's general paid sick leave requirements. It defines these workers as employees hired for up to six months per year to perform tasks like filleting, canning, or preparing seafood for market. The change removes the obligation for employers in this specific industry to provide paid sick leave under the state's existing worker protection laws.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SJR 27: Expressing commitment to the rural health transformation program and articulating priorities for the program; acknowledging the critical health care challenges facing rural areas of the state; urging action by the Governor and the Alaska delegation in Congress to continue to advocate for the state's interests and advance the rural health transformation program; and expressing legislative intent to enact comprehensive legislation relating to the rural health transformation program and the state's medical care and critical health care needs.

SJR 27 is a legislative resolution expressing Alaska's commitment to the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, which awarded the state $272 million for health system improvements. It outlines six priority areas for using these funds: expanding rural health access, strengthening maternal care, building telehealth infrastructure, supporting health workforce development, modernizing technology, and promoting community wellness. The resolution urges the Governor and Alaska's congressional delegation to advocate for continued federal support and establishes a December 2027 deadline for the state to pass enabling legislation to maintain full funding. It directly affects rural Alaskans and Alaska Native communities facing health access challenges, particularly in remote areas. The resolution itself does not change policy but sets priorities for future legislation to implement the program.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 369: An Act relating to energy; relating to regulation of residential solar energy generation and portable solar generation devices; relating to generation of electricity from diversified energy resources; relating to a diversified portfolio standard; relating to costs incurred by certain electric utilities for renewable energy and battery energy storage; relating to preapproval for large energy facilities; relating to the renewable energy grant fund; relating to the duties of the Department of Environmental Conservation; relating to the state energy policy; and providing for an effective date.

HB 369 sets statewide energy goals, including achieving 40% renewable electricity by 2036 and reducing Alaska's average electricity costs to the national average by 2040. The bill directly affects residential solar users by exempting small portable solar devices (under 1,200 watts) from utility interconnection rules, provided they meet safety standards like National Electrical Code compliance and include outage safety features. Utilities cannot require approval, charge fees, or demand extra equipment for these devices, though simple registration is allowed. This provision aims to lower barriers for homeowners using portable solar to offset their electricity use.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 374: An Act relating to the base student allocation; and providing for an effective date.

This bill increases the base student allocation in Alaska from $6,660 to $7,290 per student. The change directly affects state funding for public education by adjusting the amount of money allocated to each student. The new funding level will take effect on July 1, 2026. This adjustment is intended to update the financial resources available to schools for each enrolled student.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 306: An Act relating to civil liability of persons providing alcoholic beverages.

This bill changes when licensed bars and restaurants can be sued for injuries caused by patrons' intoxication. It generally protects establishments from civil liability unless they serve alcohol to someone under 21 without verifying age (via ID, liquor card, or driver's license) or knowingly serve drunk patrons after closing hours. The law specifically requires age verification for under-21 customers and sets clear limits on when serving drunk individuals or after hours constitutes negligence. These changes directly affect alcohol-serving businesses by reducing legal exposure for typical service scenarios.

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 246: An Act relating to registered interior designers and interior design; relating to project costs for the construction, enlargement, or improvement of airports; extending the termination date of the State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors; relating to the State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors; establishing requirements for the practice of registered interior design; relating to the practice of architecture, engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture, and registered interior design; relating to the scope of the certification requirements for architects, engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, and registered interior designers; relating to immunity for design professionals; relating to the cost of construction for recreation centers; relating to liens for labor or materials furnished; relating to the procurement of landscape architectural and interior design services; relating to the cost of construction of safe water and hygienic sewage disposal facilities in villages; and providing for an effective date.

SB 246 establishes licensing requirements for registered interior designers in Alaska and adds a registered interior designer position to the State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors. The bill extends the board's termination date to June 30, 2033, and clarifies that "project costs" include registered interior design services. It directly affects interior designers seeking licensure and the regulatory board overseeing multiple design professions. The law defines professional scope, adds a dedicated interior design seat to the board, and updates cost definitions for construction projects.

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 105: An Act relating to mental health education.

HB 105 requires Alaska public schools (K-12) to include mental health education in health curricula and mandates that schools provide parents with at least two weeks' notice before offering mental health instruction to their children. It directs the state Board of Education to develop age-appropriate mental health education guidelines in collaboration with health departments, tribal organizations, and mental health experts. The bill also expands existing health education requirements to explicitly include mental health, alongside topics like personal safety and substance abuse prevention. School districts must adopt policies allowing parents to withdraw children from mental health instruction or assessments, similar to existing provisions for other sensitive topics.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 347: An Act relating to occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants; relating to the practice of physical therapy; and relating to the practice of occupational therapy.

HB 347 clarifies and expands the scope of practice for occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Alaska. It allows OTs to provide services directly to patients without requiring a referral from another healthcare provider and defines specific services OTs may offer, including pain management, rehabilitation for daily activities, adaptive equipment training, and preventive care. The bill directly affects OTs, OTAs, and patients seeking these services by enabling more direct access to care. Key provisions (Section 08.84.095) detail how OTs can evaluate, treat, and support patients’ functional abilities across daily living, work, and community participation. The bill does not alter licensing or fees but streamlines service delivery within existing regulatory frameworks.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 282: An Act relating to municipal regulation of automated traffic safety cameras.

HB 282 reserves the state's authority to regulate automated traffic safety cameras, preventing municipalities from banning their use unless specifically permitted by statute. It directly affects all Alaska municipalities (both home rule and general law) by restricting their ability to prohibit these devices. The bill defines "automated traffic safety cameras" as systems that automatically photograph vehicles running red lights, failing to stop at railroad crossings, or exceeding speed limits. Key provisions require state-level regulation and clarify that local bans are prohibited without explicit statutory authorization. This policy change shifts regulatory control from municipalities to the state for these traffic enforcement tools.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 134: An Act relating to misconduct involving weapons in the fourth degree; and establishing the offense of misconduct involving weapons in the sixth degree.

HB 134 amends Alaska law to clarify and expand criminal offenses related to weapons. It defines "misconduct involving weapons in the fourth degree" as specific acts, including possessing a firearm while impaired, discharging a firearm on a highway, or selling weapons to minors without parental consent. The bill also establishes a new "misconduct involving weapons in the sixth degree" offense for keeping a firearm on premises without it being under the owner's control, when a minor could access it. This directly affects individuals who handle firearms in these ways, particularly focusing on preventing underage access and addressing unsafe storage practices. The law aims to standardize penalties for these specific behaviors without creating new rights or policies.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice