Alaska Bills

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 142: An Act relating to municipal and state group health insurance plans and policies, including self-insured plans and policies, and the administration and management of pharmacy benefits; and providing for an effective date.

SB 142 updates regulations for group health insurance plans used by Alaska municipalities and the state government, including how pharmacy benefits are managed. It requires municipal plans (including self-insured ones) and their pharmacy benefits managers to follow specific state laws (AS 21.27.901-21.27.975 and AS 21.36.520), unless covered by federal ERISA. For the state, it clarifies procurement rules, mandating that the Department of Administration must follow dual choice requirements, obtain bids from authorized insurers, and select the lowest responsible bid for group health insurance. This bill directly affects municipal and state employee health coverage, pharmacy benefit administration, and the process for selecting insurance providers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 141: An Act relating to automated external defibrillators in buildings open to the public; relating to opioid overdose response kits in buildings open to the public; relating to civil liability for providing opioid overdose drugs; and providing for an effective date.

SB 141 requires all state-owned buildings and public buildings open to the public to provide and maintain an automated external defibrillator (AED) and an opioid overdose response kit on every floor, placed in a central location with clear signage. The bill also grants legal protection to anyone who administers opioid overdose drugs during an emergency or maintains such kits in public spaces, shielding them from civil liability. It mandates the state health department to seek federal funding for costs and adopt regulations to enforce these requirements, with the law taking effect January 1, 2026. This directly affects public building owners, state facilities, and emergency responders by standardizing lifesaving equipment access.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SJR 6: Supporting the admittance of Washington, D.C., into the Union as a state of the United States of America.

This Alaska Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 6) expresses the Alaska Legislature's support for admitting Washington, D.C., as the 51st state of the United States. It does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals, as it is a symbolic resolution acknowledging D.C.'s historical lack of full representation and affirming support for statehood. The resolution cites D.C. residents' payment of federal taxes without voting rights in Congress, past legislative efforts like the 23rd Amendment, and recent voter approvals of statehood initiatives.

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 21, 2025

HB 88: An Act relating to tuition waivers for spouses and dependents of certain peace officers, firefighters, and members of the armed services; and providing for an effective date.

HB 88 expands tuition waiver eligibility for spouses and dependent children of Alaska peace officers, firefighters, and military members who died or became permanently disabled while on duty. It adds these groups to existing programs covering undergraduate tuition and fees at Alaska's state-supported colleges. The waiver applies when death/disability resulted from duty-related incidents, with clarified definitions for "spouse" and "dependent child" in the law. The policy change takes effect immediately for tuition accrued in academic terms starting after the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 21, 2025

SB 125: An Act establishing the Alaska Gasline Finance Corporation; and relating to contributions from permanent fund dividends for the financing of a natural gas pipeline.

SB 125 establishes the Alaska Gasline Finance Corporation within the Department of Revenue to finance a natural gas pipeline project. The corporation will issue shares to the public (minimum $2,500 investment, except for initial offering with no min/max) and allow Alaska permanent fund dividend recipients to voluntarily direct their full annual dividend payment toward purchasing these shares. This directly affects Alaska residents who receive permanent fund dividends, as it creates a new mechanism for them to fund the pipeline through their dividend payments. The bill also authorizes the corporation to contract with financial advisors and invest funds similarly to state treasury funds. The legislation requires the governor to appoint board members with expertise in natural gas pipeline financing.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 21, 2025

HB 87: An Act establishing the month of March as Women's History Month.

HB 87 designates March each year as Women's History Month in Alaska. The bill requires state schools, community groups, and other public or private entities to observe this month through appropriate activities honoring women's historical contributions to the state and nation. It does not create new programs, funding, or mandates - only establishes the month for voluntary recognition. The bill is procedural and commemorative, with no direct regulatory or financial impact on specific groups.

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 21, 2025

HB 2: An Act establishing the driving while under the influence diversion program for eligible persons charged with driving while under the influence or refusal to submit to a chemical test; relating to judgment for restitution; relating to suspended imposition of sentence; relating to records kept by the Department of Administration; relating to operating a vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, inhalant, or controlled substance; relating to refusal to submit to a chemical test; amending Rule 9, Alaska Rules of Administration, and Rule 39, Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; and providing for an effective date.

HB 2 creates a diversion program for eligible individuals charged with driving under the influence (DUI) or refusing a chemical test, allowing them to avoid conviction by completing program requirements instead of facing standard sentencing. The bill modifies restitution rules to include diversion program agreements as enforceable judgments, waives surcharges for participants in the program, and permits deferred sentencing (probation without a conviction) for eligible DUI cases. It also updates administrative rules for record-keeping by the Department of Administration and clarifies definitions related to DUI offenses under Alaska law. This program directly affects first-time or low-risk DUI offenders who meet specific eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 20, 2025

HJR 1: Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to an appropriation limit.

HJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit Alaska's annual state spending to a percentage (capped at 15%) of the state's average real gross domestic product (GDP) over the previous five years. Certain spending, including permanent fund dividends, bond proceeds, disaster response, and specific public enterprise revenues, is exempt from this limit. To exceed the limit for capital projects or permanent fund appropriations, the legislature would need a three-fourths vote and voter approval, while regular spending beyond the limit would only be permitted for declared disasters. The amendment would apply to fiscal years starting in 2028 and requires voter approval at the next general election.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 20, 2025

SB 31: An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Administration; creating an address confidentiality program; and providing for an effective date.

SB 31 creates an address confidentiality program managed by Alaska's Department of Administration to protect the home addresses of specific vulnerable individuals. Eligible participants include victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault (with a protective order or meeting department standards), guardians of minors in such cases, peace officers, correctional officers, and their household members. The program assigns a substitute post office box for mail, which is then forwarded to the individual's actual address while keeping their real address confidential. Enrollment lasts five years and requires renewal to continue, with exclusions for individuals required to register under sex offender laws.

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 20, 2025

SB 25: An Act relating to information on judicial officers seeking retention in office.

SB 25 requires judicial candidates seeking retention in Alaska to submit specific information to the lieutenant governor by August 7 before an election, including a photo, residency details, military service, professional activities, and a supporting statement (max 300 words). It also mandates the judicial council to provide a detailed evaluation to voters, covering each judge’s professional philosophy (max 150 words), education, work history, affiliations, and performance metrics (all under 1,200 words total). The bill applies to all judges facing retention votes, including supreme court justices, appellate judges, and lower court judges. Key changes include standardized disclosure requirements for both candidates and the judicial council to inform voters about judicial qualifications and performance.

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 20, 2025

SJR 11: Urging the United States Congress to enact a Jones Act waiver to facilitate transportation of domestic liquefied natural gas between ports in the state.

Alaska's Senate Joint Resolution 11 urges Congress to waive the Jones Act, which requires U.S.-built vessels for domestic cargo transport, to enable shipping domestic liquefied natural gas (LNG) between Alaska ports. The resolution addresses an impending natural gas shortage in Southcentral Alaska (home to most residents and military bases) by seeking to move LNG from North Slope reserves to population centers. Currently, the Jones Act prevents using non-compliant tankers for this transport, despite Alaska having significant gas reserves and facing supply shortfalls starting in 2027. The resolution requests this waiver as a near-term solution, citing precedents where similar waivers were granted after natural disasters.

Topics ✗ Energy

passed · Alaska · House Mar 18, 2025

HJR 6: Urging the United States Congress to safeguard the Universal Service Fund to ensure continued funding for essential programs that support critical broadband and telecommunication infrastructure and services for low-income rural residents of the state.

HJR 6 is a non-binding resolution from the Alaska Legislature urging the U.S. Congress to protect the Universal Service Fund (USF). The USF provides critical funding for broadband and telecommunication services in rural Alaska, directly supporting low-income residents, schools, hospitals, and libraries. Without continued USF funding, rural communities would face significant losses, including $221 million annually for health clinics, loss of affordable broadband for 500 schools, and reduced communication access for 137,600 students. The resolution calls on Congress to safeguard the USF through legislative action to maintain these essential services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Bill results