Alaska Bills

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 377: An Act relating to public records; relating to managing and preserving audio and video recordings; and relating to fees for the inspection and copying of public records under the Alaska Public Records Act.

This bill updates Alaska's public records laws to clarify what counts as a public record and how municipalities can charge for handling record requests. It expands the definition of public records to include audio and video recordings while excluding library materials and proprietary software. The bill also allows municipalities to charge requesters for the actual personnel costs of searching for and copying records, requiring payment before the search begins. These changes aim to modernize how public agencies manage digital and multimedia records while ensuring transparency in record access fees.

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 232: An Act relating to personal use collection of certain fossils.

SB 232 allows Alaskans to collect certain fossils for personal use on state lands managed by the department (excluding state parks and game refuges). Daily limits are set at 25 pounds of fossils, 50 pounds of rock or soil containing fossils, or one large invertebrate fossil. Collectors must use only non-electric hand tools, cause minimal surface disturbance, and cannot sell the fossils or use them for research or public display. The bill does not change permit requirements for research or commercial fossil collection, which still require commissioner approval.

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 270: An Act relating to the prescription of opioid overdose drugs.

HB 270 requires healthcare providers (including pharmacists, doctors, and advanced practice nurses) to offer a prescription for an opioid overdose drug (like naloxone) when prescribing opioids under specific conditions. It applies directly to patients receiving opioid prescriptions that exceed a three-day supply, exceed 50 milligrams morphine equivalent daily, involve concurrent benzodiazepines, or involve a history of overdose or substance use disorder. The bill mandates this offer as a standard step in prescribing, aiming to increase access to life-saving overdose reversal medication. It does not require patients to accept the offer but ensures providers proactively discuss it during high-risk opioid prescriptions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 338: An Act establishing the Alaska Work and Save Program for employees who do not have access to a qualified retirement savings plan at work; relating to the duties of the commissioner of labor and workforce development; and providing for an effective date.

HB 338 establishes the Alaska Work and Save Program, allowing employees without access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan to voluntarily contribute to retirement savings using their Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) payments. The bill modifies the PFD application process to let eligible Alaskans direct $25-$100+ (in $50 increments) from their PFD toward the program, with automatic enrollment at a default contribution rate. The Department of Revenue will administer the program, handle contributions, and charge a 7% administrative fee (not deducted from PFD payments). This applies to all Alaska workers who earn compensation in the state and lack workplace retirement plans, using existing PFD funds rather than creating new government spending.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 237: An Act relating to mathematics education; relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development; and relating to the duties of school districts.

HB 237 requires all Alaska public schools to provide 60 minutes daily (or 300 weekly) of mathematics instruction for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It mandates school districts to use evidence-based instructional materials and assessments to monitor student progress, identify those needing intervention, and automatically enroll eligible students in advanced math courses. The Department of Education must provide districts with approved materials and assessments, while districts must implement teacher training programs focused on data-driven instruction and intervention strategies. This bill directly affects K-8 students, school districts, and math teachers across Alaska by establishing specific requirements for curriculum, assessment, and educator support.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 228: An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development; relating to public education; and relating to opioid abuse awareness and prevention.

SB 228 requires Alaska public schools to implement an opioid awareness curriculum for students in grades 6-12. The bill mandates at least 60 minutes of annual instruction covering fentanyl dangers, candy-like opioid pills targeting children, safe prescription use, and early warning signs of addiction. Schools must teach this curriculum during the last week of October each year. The Department of Education must develop the curriculum with input from health officials and families impacted by opioid overdoses.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 66: An Act relating to demonstration state-tribal education compacts; relating to demonstration state-tribal education compact schools; and providing for an effective date.

SB 66 authorizes Alaska’s Department of Education to create formal agreements (called "demonstration state-tribal education compacts") with federally recognized Alaska tribes. These compacts would establish tribal-operated schools that operate under the agreements instead of standard state school laws, while still following specific education requirements like attendance rules and safety standards. Key provisions include a 5-year compact term, mandatory participation in state retirement systems, and a limited waiver of tribal sovereign immunity for services under the agreement. The bill directly affects Alaska tribes that participated in 2022 negotiations and their students in designated compact schools. It takes effect by June 30, 2028, with a legislative review required after seven years.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 24, 2026

HB 307: An Act relating to court-ordered compensatory visitation with a child; and providing for an effective date.

HB 307 requires courts to order compensatory visitation between a child and a parent or guardian when scheduled visitation was missed due to an unsubstantiated investigation by Alaska's Department of Family and Community Services (under AS 47.10.011). It applies only if the original court order specified visitation times, the investigation was found unsubstantiated, and the custodian provided no valid reason for missing the visit. The court must order makeup visitation matching the original schedule’s type and duration, to occur within two years, with conditions to protect the child’s best interests. This bill directly affects parents in custody cases where visitation was blocked during an unsubstantiated child welfare investigation.

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 24, 2026

HB 335: An Act relating to veterinarians and veterinarian technicians; establishing a pet and service animal disaster emergency plan; relating to the Alaska State Emergency Response Commission; and relating to local emergency planning committees.

HB 335 requires Alaska's emergency management agency to create a statewide plan for handling pets and service animals during disasters. The plan must establish procedures for evacuating, sheltering, and reuniting owners with their animals; identify pet-friendly shelters; provide public resources like evacuation guides and emergency checklists; and allow pets in carriers on public transportation during emergencies. It specifically permits out-of-state veterinarians and technicians to assist under this plan during disasters. The bill directly affects pet owners, emergency responders, and veterinary professionals during crisis situations.

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 24, 2026

HB 285: An Act relating to the electronic health information exchange system; and providing for an effective date.

HB 285 requires Alaska's health department to create a statewide system for securely sharing electronic health records between healthcare providers. It designates a private or nonprofit organization to manage the system, mandating an advisory board with representation from hospitals, clinics, tribal health organizations, insurers, patients, and other key stakeholders. The designated entity must develop a program including provider training, strategies to encourage long-term system use, and strict privacy protections to comply with health data laws. This system aims to improve care coordination by making patient health information more accessible to authorized providers across the state.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 24, 2026

HB 229: An Act exempting the state from daylight saving time; and providing for an effective date.

HB 229 would exempt Alaska from observing daylight saving time, meaning the entire state would permanently stay on standard time year-round instead of changing clocks twice annually. The bill amends Alaska Statutes to state that during the federal daylight saving period (defined under 15 U.S.C. 260a), the state will not advance clocks and will instead maintain standard time. This change would affect all Alaskans by eliminating the biannual clock changes, with the policy taking effect on November 3, 2026.

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 300: An Act relating to a meals and incidental expense allowance for state officials and employees; and providing for an effective date.

HB 300 establishes a new daily meal and incidental expense allowance for Alaska state officials and employees on official travel. It sets a $82 daily rate for the first 30 days of travel and reduces it to $45 per day after the 30th day. The allowance will automatically adjust every three years starting July 2029 based on changes to Alaska's Consumer Price Index. This policy directly affects state workers traveling for official business, covering costs for meals and minor expenses during trips.

Bill results