SB 28 allows certain teachers and public employees in Alaska to choose between the traditional defined benefit retirement plan (a guaranteed pension) and a defined contribution plan (similar to a 401(k)) under the state's retirement systems. It specifically applies to teachers who joined after June 30, 2006, but before July 1, 2025, or those who previously elected into the defined contribution plan. To switch, employees must provide written notice to administrators and ensure employer/employee contributions are adjusted to match the defined benefit plan requirements. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, with provisions detailing how contributions and service credit would be handled.
HB 163 changes term lengths and election rules for school boards in Alaska. It modifies school board terms to four years (replacing staggered three-year terms) and requires initial terms for newly created boards to be assigned by lot (e.g., for a 5-member board, three members serve four-year terms and two serve two-year terms). The bill also adjusts election timing to occur on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years, instead of October. These changes apply specifically to regional school boards and borough/city school boards, as detailed in amended statutes.
HB 129 modifies Alaska's fisheries product development tax credit program. It affects Alaska-based fisheries businesses that invest in equipment to process eligible fish (like salmon, herring, or pollock) into higher-value products. Key provisions include changing the effective date for credit claims from 2026 to 2029, defining "qualified investment" to cover specific processing equipment (e.g., canning machines for non-standard can sizes, ice-making systems, and byproduct conversion tools), and excluding general supplies or transport equipment from the credit. The bill clarifies eligibility and timing for businesses seeking tax credits on qualifying investments.
HB 98 sets maximum class sizes in Alaska public schools: no more than 24 students per teacher in kindergarten through third grade, 26 for fourth through eighth grade, and 28 for ninth through twelfth grade. School districts must annually report and publicly post their average class sizes by grade level on their websites by February 1 each year. Exceptions allow districts to exceed these limits if they lack sufficient funding, if compliance would hinder education, or if the district serves 40,000 or fewer students on average. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, with a transition period until 2028 permitting higher ratios in classrooms with declining enrollment.
HB 135 amends Alaska law to clarify the duties of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) and define "seafood" for marketing assessments. The bill requires ASMI to develop quality specifications for Alaska seafood, prepare market research, and use "inspection" and "premium quality" seals in promotional efforts. It explicitly defines "seafood" to include species like salmon and halibut but excludes aquaculture products. This bill directly affects Alaska's commercial seafood industry, including fishermen and processors who rely on ASMI's marketing programs and assessment funding. The proposed changes aim to standardize marketing efforts and clarify which products are covered under the industry's assessment system.
SB 77 updates Alaska's permanent fund dividend program and related processes. It expands the list of allowable absences from Alaska for dividend eligibility, including full-time education (secondary, postsecondary, or vocational training), military service, medical treatment, and care for critically ill family members. The bill also requires national criminal history checks for certain Department of Revenue employees and contractors using fingerprint submissions, and strengthens confidentiality rules for information provided on dividend applications. These changes directly affect Alaska residents applying for permanent fund dividends and Department of Revenue staff handling these programs.
SB 61 creates a statewide electronic product stewardship program requiring electronics manufacturers to manage the collection, recycling, and disposal of electronic devices. The bill establishes an Electronics Recycling Advisory Council to oversee the program and provides immunity from federal antitrust laws for collaborative efforts among manufacturers and recycling organizations. This initiative aims to ensure safe, effective handling of electronic waste through manufacturer responsibility, overseen by Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation.
SB 30 allows disabled veterans who served in the U.S. military to receive a lifetime permit for free access to state park developed campgrounds, parking, and restrooms in Alaska. The bill replaces the previous annual permit system with a permanent permit that automatically renews every five years upon address confirmation. It directly affects eligible disabled veterans by removing annual fees for these recreational facilities. The permit becomes effective January 1, 2026, and requires the department to report annual permit usage to the legislature.
SB 144 increases occupational disability benefits for Alaska peace officers and firefighters. After the first 12 months of disability, their monthly benefit rises from 40% to 75% of their pre-disability gross monthly salary. The bill also ensures these workers become fully vested in retirement contributions immediately upon disability and prohibits withdrawals from their retirement accounts while receiving benefits. Employers must continue making retirement contributions on their behalf during disability. The bill takes effect immediately.
SB 145 allows Alaska's licensing department to issue temporary licenses to professionals moving to Alaska from other states or territories with similar licensing standards, or to military personnel meeting specific criteria. It requires applicants to be licensed elsewhere with equivalent requirements, have no recent disciplinary actions, and meet criminal history standards, with licenses valid for up to 180 days (extendable once). The bill does not apply to certain regulated professions like those under AS 08.54 or AS 08.62. This directly affects healthcare workers, engineers, and other licensed professionals seeking temporary practice authorization while pursuing full state licensure.
SB 68 updates Alaska's employment laws to regulate flexible work hour plans and the employment of minors under 16. It requires written agreements and state department approval for flexible schedules, limiting them to 40 hours weekly and 10 hours daily, with overtime pay at 1.5x for exceeding these limits. For minors, the bill mandates written state authorization for most employers (except in family-owned businesses under direct family supervision), and sets daily limits of 10 hours combined school/work, plus weekly limits of 23 hours during school or 40 hours when school is out. The bill also reduces the age limit for minor employment from 17 to 16 and adjusts the law's language to reflect this change.
SB 59 allocates $50 million from Alaska's general fund to reimburse the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority for front-end engineering costs related to the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) pipeline project, covering fiscal years ending in 2025, 2026, and 2027. It also provides $15 million to capitalize the state's disaster relief fund, which does not expire. The LNG funding lapses back into the general fund by June 30, 2027, while the disaster fund capitalization is permanent. If enacted after June 30, 2025, the bill applies retroactively to July 1, 2024.
