Alaska Bills

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 297: An Act establishing a preference for the taking of fishery resources by residents for personal and family consumption; adding to the factors the Board of Fisheries may consider in allocating certain fishery resources; and providing for an effective date.

HB 297 establishes that Alaska residents have priority when taking fish for personal or family consumption over commercial and sport fishing. It requires the Board of Fisheries to consider specific factors like historical resident participation in fisheries, the importance of fisheries for local food access, and whether residents have a fair opportunity to fish. The bill changes current allocation rules to ensure resident subsistence needs are addressed before other uses. This directly affects how fishery resources are distributed across Alaska's commercial, sport, and resident fishing sectors.

in committee · Alaska · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 216: An Act relating to the transfer of big game hunting permits; and providing for an effective date.

SB 216 amends Alaska's hunting permit law to allow holders of big game permits (obtained via drawing) to transfer them to others before the hunt season begins. It requires the original permit holder to notify the Department of Fish and Game of the transfer, providing the recipient's name and license number. Transfers must be for the same hunt type and species, and recipients inherit all original permit conditions, including restrictions or closures. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and permits transfers with or without payment, but limits individuals to one permit per species.

in committee · Alaska · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 254: An Act relating to a summary on individual permanent fund dividend disbursement advice stubs; and providing for an effective date.

SB 254 requires the Alaska Permanent Fund Commissioner to include specific details on individual dividend disbursement advice stubs. It mandates that each stub must break down the dividend amount by source (e.g., income from fund deposits or inflation offsets), explain reductions due to appropriations, and state why certain individuals (like those convicted of felonies or incarcerated) are ineligible. The bill also requires disclosing how funds are allocated - such as to crime victim services, domestic violence programs, and corrections costs - and shows the total amount withheld from ineligible recipients. This provides transparency about how permanent fund dividends are calculated and where related funding is directed.

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 312: An Act relating to a state energy policy; relating to the green energy grant fund; and providing for an effective date.

HB 312 establishes a green energy grant fund in Alaska by directing 20% of revenue from the state's carbon offset program into it. The fund finances new renewable energy projects, including hydroelectric facilities, direct renewable energy use, and hydrogen fuel cell projects powered by renewable resources, with priority given to projects in areas where average energy costs exceed the state average. It also sets loan terms for eligible projects (up to 50 years) and requires interest rates to be at least 3% below standard rates (but not below 1%). The fund must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing grant applications and recommendations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 319: An Act relating to municipal educational service areas; relating to municipal bonds; and providing for an effective date.

HB 319 clarifies rules for municipal educational service areas and bond elections in Alaska. It requires municipalities to publish detailed debt information - including current bonded indebtedness, debt service costs, and property values - before bond votes, with separate figures for the municipality and any educational service area. The bill also establishes that educational service areas (geographic zones for school funding) must cover at least 25% of a municipality’s residents, set debt limits, and specify allowable taxes or assessments. Additionally, it ensures that debt incurred by an educational service area remains the responsibility of that area’s property owners, even if the area’s formation is later challenged.

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 320: An Act relating to voter registration and application for a permanent fund dividend.

HB 320 allows Alaskans to register to vote by completing their Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) application form. The bill amends election laws to require the Department of Revenue to forward PFD application details - including address and identification - to election officials for voter registration processing. Applicants must provide standard registration information (like address) or acceptable ID (e.g., driver’s license, birth certificate) if they lack required state numbers. This directly affects PFD applicants who wish to register to vote through the same form they use for the annual dividend. The law creates a streamlined pathway for voter registration tied to the state’s PFD program.

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 313: An Act relating to professional employee organizations in public schools; and providing for an effective date.

HB 313 requires Alaska public school districts to provide equal access to school facilities and communication systems for all professional employee organizations (PEOs), such as teacher unions, upon request. It prohibits school districts from using a PEO's name on school calendars for special days or holidays, and bans granting exclusive access to facilities or communication systems to any single PEO. The bill defines "professional employee organization" as groups focused on improving instruction and professional standards for educators. It takes effect on July 1, 2026, applying to all public school districts in Alaska.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Alaska · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 218: An Act relating to the taxation of electric cooperatives; relating to the taxation of electricity generation and electricity storage facilities; and providing for an effective date.

SB 218 exempts electric cooperatives from state and local ad valorem, income, and excise taxes. It also creates tax exemptions for new electricity generation and storage facilities (constructed on or after July 1, 2024) if operated by a public utility or joint action agency, or if they sell exclusively to public utilities or to end users not previously served by a public utility as of July 1, 2026. The bill repeals existing tax provisions for electric cooperatives and related facilities, effective July 1, 2026. This directly affects electric cooperatives and qualifying new energy infrastructure projects meeting the specified conditions.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 16, 2026

HB 311: An Act relating to special registration plates commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America; and providing for an effective date.

HB 311 would allow Alaska's Department of Motor Vehicles to issue special license plates commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America upon application by vehicle owners. The commissioner would determine the plate design and color, and the department may deny requests that duplicate existing plate designs. The bill takes effect immediately and does not impose new fees or obligations beyond standard plate application processes.

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 16, 2026

HB 310: An Act establishing a bed tax; and providing for an effective date.

HB 310 establishes a 3% tax on short-term lodging rentals in Alaska, applying to hotel, motel, and similar temporary stays. The tax is collected by property owners or online rental platforms (like Airbnb) at the time of payment and does not apply to stays exceeding 30 days, government employees on official travel, or foreign officials where prohibited by treaty. It is in addition to any existing local lodging taxes and takes effect January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects businesses providing temporary lodging, including short-term rental platforms and traditional lodging providers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Alaska · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 6: An Act requiring education in the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

This bill requires all Alaska public school districts to create and implement K-12 educational programs approved by the state department. The programs must include instruction on the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S., as well as materials showcasing their cultural and economic diversity. School districts must develop these programs by the specified timeline, with the state department overseeing approval. The bill directly affects every K-12 student and school district in Alaska.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 241: An Act relating to a psychology interjurisdictional compact; and relating to the practice of psychology.

HB 241 adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PIC) into Alaska law, allowing psychologists licensed in other participating states to practice in Alaska more easily. It amends licensing rules (AS 08.86.070, AS 08.86.150) to establish "license by credentials" for out-of-state psychologists who meet Alaska's standards, such as holding a doctoral degree in psychology and demonstrating comparable qualifications. This directly affects licensed psychologists seeking to practice across state lines without retaking exams or completing full Alaska licensure. The bill streamlines cross-state practice while maintaining Alaska's licensing requirements for safety and competency.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results