HB 373 requires the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation to invest at least 25% of fund assets in a U.S. stock market index tracking 500 companies. It also directs the Corporation to prioritize in-state investments when they offer comparable risk and return to other options. The bill repeals outdated investment rules (sections 37.13.120(a) and 37.13.120(e)) and removes administrative procedure requirements for the Corporation’s regulations. The changes take effect July 1, 2027, directly affecting how the Permanent Fund manages its $60+ billion portfolio.
SB 210 requires Alaska public schools to incorporate Alaska Native and American Indian cultural heritage into education. It mandates schools to collaborate with local tribes when developing curriculum, policies, or educational goals, and to provide staff training through tribal consultations. The bill directly affects all public school districts and tribal entities across Alaska. Key provisions include requiring cooperative tribal engagement and staff cultural awareness training to ensure education is culturally responsive.
SB 284 updates Alaska laws to strictly prohibit licensed businesses from knowingly selling alcohol to or allowing drunken people on their premises. The bill also clarifies that intoxicated individuals cannot sue for injuries caused by their own drinking and are primarily responsible for any harm they cause. These rules apply to bar owners, employees, and anyone who permits alcohol sales within their establishment.
Senate Bill 285 establishes the Alaska affordable energy fund to finance energy infrastructure projects in unorganized borough communities that currently lack direct access to the North Slope natural gas pipeline. The bill also amends the Alaska Energy Authority by increasing its board of directors from six to seven members and adding specific expertise requirements for new appointees, such as experience in rural energy development and off-grid utilities. Additionally, the legislation grants the authority expanded powers to issue bonds and manage various energy facilities, including waste energy recovery and alternative energy systems.
HB 305 requires transportation network companies (like Uber or Lyft) to pay drivers at least 90% of the fare charged to riders for scheduled rides. For trips exceeding 10 miles from the pickup point, companies must pay drivers for travel distance at the IRS business mileage rate and for travel time at Alaska's minimum wage rate. The bill also prohibits companies from counting rider tips toward this required compensation. This directly affects drivers who work for these companies in Alaska, setting new minimum pay standards for their earnings.
HB 308 lowers Alaska's legal blood alcohol limit for driving under the influence (DUI) from 0.08% to 0.04% for blood, breath, and blood tests. It establishes new evidentiary rules: below 0.04% presumes no impairment, between 0.04%-0.08% is considered evidence but not proof of impairment, and 0.04% or higher presumes impairment. The bill affects drivers charged with DUI or driving under the influence, including those with prior convictions at or above the new 0.04% threshold. It also requires breath tests for intoxicated individuals at release from custody and sets an effective date of January 1, 2027.
SB 247 creates new criminal offenses for distributing and possessing "generated obscene child sexual abuse material," defined as computer-generated images or videos that appear to depict children engaged in sexual acts but were created without real children. The bill specifies that possessing 100 or more such items is prima facie evidence of intent to distribute, with distribution classified as a class B felony (or class A felony for repeat offenders). It establishes a legal standard requiring such material to appeal to a prurient interest, depict a child (via manipulation) in a patently offensive way, and lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. The bill does not address the other provisions mentioned in its title (teaching certificates, school bus drivers), as the provided text focuses solely on the criminal provisions.
HB 194 approves and ratifies an existing agreement for the State of Alaska to sell royalty oil to Marathon Petroleum Supply and Trading Company LLC. The bill directly affects the state (as seller) and Marathon Petroleum (as buyer), confirming a specific transaction for royalty oil from Alaska North Slope production. It does not create new policy but formally endorses a pre-existing contract dated April 14, 2025, as required by law. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.
SB 126 gives Alaska's Corrections Commissioner new authority to reduce costs by consolidating prison facilities or placing long-term inmates (over 7 years remaining) in out-of-state facilities. It requires that such out-of-state placements keep Alaska inmates separate from non-resident prisoners. The Department of Corrections must annually calculate and report savings from these cost-cutting actions, with the legislature potentially using those savings for education funding. The bill directly affects state prison operations and inmates with lengthy sentences.
HB 12 requires Alaska public school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to any student who requests these meals, with no cost to the student. The state department of education must fund this through state appropriations and maximize federal funding available for school meals. This policy directly affects all Alaska public school students who request breakfast or lunch, ensuring meal access regardless of family income. The bill does not change eligibility criteria but mandates that districts offer these meals at no cost to students who ask for them.
SB 121 establishes rules for how health insurance companies in Alaska set reimbursement rates for healthcare providers when no specific contract exists. It requires the state insurance director to set standards based on the 75th percentile of actual provider charges in the state (or higher), with primary care rates also needing to be at least 450% of Medicare's rates. Insurers must use statistically valid methods, apply rates uniformly, and undergo regular audits to ensure compliance. This directly affects health insurers and healthcare providers by standardizing payment calculations and preventing inconsistent or unfairly low reimbursements. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.
SB 195 amends Alaska's Disaster Act to specifically address "slow onset disasters," such as gradual climate impacts (e.g., coastal erosion, permafrost thaw). It requires the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to include climate-related slow disasters in the state emergency plan and identify mitigation strategies for them. The bill directs the agency to seek input from climate scientists and community leaders when developing these plans. It affects state agencies, local governments, and communities vulnerable to long-term climate-related hazards, updating existing disaster planning to better address evolving climate risks.
