Alaska Bills

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 253: An Act relating to the fisheries enhancement loan program; and providing for an effective date.

HB 253 amends Alaska's fisheries loan program to expand eligibility and clarify loan terms. It allows low-interest loans (capped at 9.5% annually) for regional fishing associations and federally recognized tribal organizations to fund hatchery construction/operation, habitat improvement, and lake fertilization. The bill specifies that loans can cover preconstruction planning, enhancement activities, and refinancing, with repayment terms up to 30 years. It directly affects tribal groups operating hatcheries on reservations or under federal permits, as well as qualified regional fishing associations. The legislation updates existing statutes (AS 16.10.500 and 16.10.510) without creating new funding.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 209: An Act relating to high school graduation requirements and proficiency confirmation tools.

SB 209 establishes new assessment requirements for Alaska high school students to earn diplomas with "certified proficiency." It requires schools to administer proficiency confirmation tools in economics, science, social studies, language arts, and math for students in grades 8, 10, and 12, with the grade 12 assessment determining diploma eligibility. Students must achieve a "proficient" score in all subjects to receive a sealed diploma; districts must offer reassessment upon request for those who don't meet the standard. The law applies to students graduating on or after January 1, 2030, and updates graduation credit requirements (e.g., 21 units total, including specific social studies and economics credits).

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 161: An Act relating to the use of certain trawl or dredge fishing gear in state water; and providing for an effective date.

SB 161 prohibits commercial fishing operations in Alaska state waters from using trawl or dredge gear that causes substantial contact with the seafloor, effective January 1, 2028. It requires the Department of Fish and Game to study seafloor ecosystem health and bycatch data from the past decade, then report findings to the legislature by January 2027. The report must analyze impacts on fish habitats and recommend whether such gear should be banned or limited for sustainable fisheries and public benefit. This bill directly affects commercial fishermen using bottom-contact fishing gear in Alaska's waters.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 191: An Act approving the transfer of land owned by the Alaska Railroad Corporation to the City of Whittier; and providing for an effective date.

SB 191 approves the transfer of approximately 84.8 acres of land owned by the Alaska Railroad Corporation to the City of Whittier for fair market value. The bill authorizes the railroad to convey five specific land parcels within Whittier, subject to existing rights, and includes provisions for necessary surveying and platting to establish discrete property boundaries. The legislation takes immediate effect and serves as the required legislative approval under Alaska law for this transfer.

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 267: An Act relating to employer contributions to the unemployment compensation fund; establishing an employer contribution for the state training and employment program; and providing for an effective date.

HB 267 requires Alaska employers to pay an additional 0.4% contribution on wages subject to unemployment insurance, collected by the Department of Labor and remitted to the Department of Revenue. This new fee directly affects all employers contributing to Alaska's unemployment compensation system, with credits applied against existing contributions. The revenue collected must be appropriated to the state's employment assistance and training program account. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not alter existing unemployment contribution rate structures.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Alaska · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 124: An Act relating to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority; and providing for an effective date.

HB 124 amends Alaska's Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) governance structure and regulatory processes. It reduces the number of public members on AIDEA's board from five to four, adds a dedicated environmental advocacy representative, and changes public members' terms to fixed two-year appointments (instead of staggered three-year terms). The bill also increases public notice requirements for regulations from 15 to 30 days and mandates written responses to public comments. These changes directly affect AIDEA's operations, its board composition, and public engagement with its regulatory decisions. The bill is titled the "AIDEA Accountability Act," reflecting its focus on procedural transparency.

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 304: An Act relating to the duties of the commissioner of fish and game; establishing the sport fishing angler access account; establishing the sport fishing angler access surcharge; and providing for an effective date.

HB 304 imposes a $1 surcharge on all sport fishing licenses in Alaska, except for holders of $5 resident licenses or free licenses. The revenue funds a dedicated "sport fishing angler access account" to produce biennial reports on the economic impacts of sport fishing in the state. These reports must follow a specific format modeled after a 2007 Department of Fish and Game publication. The bill affects all sport fishing license buyers (with limited exemptions) and requires the commissioner to distribute these reports publicly every two years.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Alaska · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 273: An Act relating to certain municipal fees and disabled veterans; and providing for an effective date.

SB 273 requires Alaskan municipalities to waive specific fees (like building permits, plan reviews, or inspections) for home modifications needed to accommodate a disabled veteran's disability. It directly affects disabled veterans who need home modifications and all home rule and general law municipalities in Alaska. To qualify, veterans or their caretakers must provide proof of veteran status and attest that modifications are disability-related, with municipalities determining acceptable proof. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

in committee · Alaska · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 215: An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date.

SB 215 is a funding bill that allocates $22.2 million from the general fund to support Alaska’s mental health programs for fiscal year 2026-2027. It directly affects state mental health services, including the Alaska Psychiatric Institute ($22.2M), community residential centers ($6.97M), and juvenile justice health care ($100,000). The bill provides specific funding for operating expenses, facility maintenance, and services like behavioral health care and foster care support. It does not create new policies but ensures financial resources for existing mental health programs across multiple state departments. The bill requires the Governor’s approval and has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 213: An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date.

SB 213 is Alaska's fiscal year 2027 operating budget bill, allocating funds for state government operations from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. It provides funding for all state agencies (including the Department of Administration, Office of Information Technology, and public services) through general fund appropriations and carryover balances from previous years. The bill specifies exact dollar amounts for each agency's operations, salaries, technology systems, and facilities maintenance, with some funds designated for specific purposes like retirement benefits or debt collection. This budget bill directly affects all state agencies receiving these allocations and ensures continued funding for existing state programs without introducing new policies or regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 161: An Act relating to minimum paid sick leave requirements; and providing for an effective date.

HB 161 requires most Alaska employers to provide paid sick leave: businesses with 50+ employees must offer 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked (capped at 56 hours yearly), while smaller businesses (fewer than 15 employees) must offer 1 hour per 30 hours (capped at 40 hours yearly). Employees can use this leave for their own medical care, family health needs, or domestic violence situations, with accrual starting at hire or July 1, 2025. Unused leave carries over annually but cannot exceed the yearly caps. The law applies to private sector workers and allows cashing out accrued leave upon request.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 145: An Act authorizing mobile sports wagering; relating to the regulation of mobile sports wagering; imposing a tax on mobile sports wagering revenue; relating to criminal history record checks for licensure to operate mobile sports wagering; and providing for an effective date.

HB 145 authorizes mobile sports wagering in Alaska by creating a new regulatory framework for operators. It requires businesses to obtain a state license (including proof of operating in three other states), undergo criminal history checks for owners and key staff, and pay a tax on wagering revenue. The bill directly affects potential mobile betting operators, the Alaska Department of Revenue (for tax collection), and state agencies overseeing licensing and background checks. Key provisions include mandatory criminal record screenings, detailed ownership disclosure requirements, and rules for license renewal or suspension under state gambling laws. The bill does not specify tax rates but sets an effective date for implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results