Alaska Bills

vetoed · Alaska · Senate Jul 30, 2025

SB 39: An Act relating to loans in an amount of $25,000 or less; relating to financial institutions; relating to the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry; relating to pawnbroker licensing exemptions; relating to deferred deposit advances; relating to computing interest; and providing for an effective date.

SB 39 clarifies regulations for loans of $25,000 or less by defining when a person is considered a lender (such as holding the main financial interest in a loan or disguising loans as property sales) and expands the definition of "financial institution" to include deferred deposit advance providers and pawnbrokers. The bill requires Alaska's Department of Commerce to participate in the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry, including establishing processes for licensees to challenge information and mandating that licensees register with the system. It also changes application fees, requiring $1,000 upfront payment for investigation expenses related to licensure. These provisions standardize oversight of small loans and ensure consistent regulation for financial institutions across Alaska.

passed both · Alaska · Senate Jul 30, 2025

SJR 8: Relating to strengthening international relations with Taiwan.

This is a non-binding resolution (SJR 8), not a legislative bill. It expresses Alaska's support for strengthening ties with Taiwan through four specific actions: (1) resuming an Alaska Trade Office in Taiwan to boost trade, (2) expanding educational exchanges, (3) advocating for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations like the WHO, and (4) endorsing closer U.S.-Taiwan economic partnerships, including potential trade agreements. The resolution reaffirms Alaska's existing sister-state relationship with Taiwan and its economic ties, noting Taiwan as Alaska's eighth-largest export market in 2023. It has no legal effect but serves as a symbolic statement of support.

Topics ✓ Education

passed both · Alaska · Senate Jul 30, 2025

SJR 19: Urging the United States Congress to honor the terms of the Mineral Leasing Act and the Alaska Statehood Act and provide the state with a 90 percent share of all bonuses, royalties, and rentals received by the federal government from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.

SJR 19 is a non-binding resolution passed by the Alaska Legislature urging the U.S. Congress to honor historical agreements requiring Alaska to receive 90% of federal revenue from oil and gas leases on two specific federal lands: the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. It references the 1958 Alaska Statehood Act and a 1957 amendment to the Mineral Leasing Act, which established Alaska's right to this 90% share as part of statehood negotiations. The resolution does not change current law but requests Congress fulfill this long-standing commitment, particularly as federal energy development expands in these areas. It is a statement of policy position, not a legislative proposal with immediate effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✗ Environment

Jesse Bjorkman (R) · 19 co-sponsors

signed · Alaska · House Jul 30, 2025

HB 55: 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.

HB 55 is an appropriations bill that allocates funding for Alaska's integrated comprehensive mental health program for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides specific funding amounts for services including the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, community residential centers, substance abuse treatment, and children's mental health programs under the Department of Health, Department of Family and Community Services, and Department of Corrections. The bill directly affects state mental health service providers by covering their operating and capital expenses through designated budget line items. The funding becomes effective July 1, 2025, supporting existing mental health care delivery across the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

signed · Alaska · Senate Jul 30, 2025

SB 57: An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; amending appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; and repealing appropriations.

SB 57 is an appropriations bill that allocates funding for specific state projects and services from the general fund. It provides $42.45 million for solar energy projects, $13.9 million for grid resilience, $4.4 million for port electrification, and funds for corrections facilities, cemetery purchases, and highway upgrades. The bill directs these funds to state agencies like the Alaska Energy Authority, Department of Corrections, and municipal projects. As a funding measure, it does not create new laws but authorizes spending for existing programs and capital projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

in committee · Alaska · House May 18, 2025

HB 230: An Act relating to mobile home parks; and relating to limiting mobile home park rent increases.

HB 230 requires mobile home park owners in Alaska to provide residents with 90 days' notice before selling, leasing, or transferring the park. The notice must be delivered directly to each home and sent via certified mail to residents, the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, and local building inspectors. It also creates a "resident purchase opportunity," allowing homeowners to form a group and negotiate to buy the park if they secure support from over 50% of occupied homes. This bill directly affects mobile home park residents and owners by changing sale/transfer procedures and giving residents a formal path to purchase the park.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Alaska · House May 17, 2025

HJR 26: Requesting that the United States Congress appropriate authorized federal workforce development funds to train state residents for the development, construction, and operation of the Alaska liquefied natural gas project; and encouraging the hiring of residents and the use of state-based small businesses in the development, construction, and operation of the Alaska liquefied natural gas project.

HJR 26 is a resolution requesting the U.S. Congress appropriate $20 million in existing federal funds to train Alaskans for jobs in the Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) project. It specifically aims to support in-state training centers in preparing residents - especially rural Alaskans and Alaska Natives - for development, construction, and operation roles, while encouraging project sponsors to hire local workers and partner with Alaska-based small businesses. The resolution cites the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act (15 U.S.C. § 720) as authorizing the funding and emphasizes that without federal support, training programs cannot scale sufficiently. This seeks to ensure long-term economic benefits remain in Alaska by reducing reliance on outside labor after project completion.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Alaska · House May 17, 2025

HB 58: An Act relating to the office of public advocacy; and relating to the public advocate.

HB 58 amends Alaska statutes to clarify and expand the role of the Office of Public Advocacy. It allows the public advocate (replacing the Commissioner of Administration) to establish fee schedules for public guardian services based on a ward’s ability to pay, with waivers permitted if fees are deemed impractical or against public interest. The bill also grants the public advocate authority to approve legal service contracts without competitive bidding under specific circumstances, such as when the public defender or advocate is providing counsel. These changes directly affect vulnerable individuals receiving guardianship services and state agencies managing legal procurements.

in committee · Alaska · Senate May 17, 2025

SB 107: An Act establishing a violation for hindering the Alaska Sunset Commission; establishing the Alaska Sunset Commission to review, audit, and make recommendations on discontinuation of or changes to state entities; and relating to the powers and duties of the Alaska Sunset Commission.

SB 107 establishes the Alaska Sunset Commission to review state agencies, recommend discontinuing or changing them, and audit their operations. It makes intentionally blocking the commission’s work a violation punishable by up to $5,000 in fines, including for state employees who fail to cooperate. The bill also prohibits convicted violators from working for the state without a special waiver and requires public disclosure of employee disciplinary records related to non-cooperation. This directly affects state agencies, employees, and officials who must comply with the commission’s requests.

passed · Alaska · Senate May 17, 2025

SB 134: An Act relating to pharmacy benefits managers; relating to third-party administrators; and providing for an effective date.

SB 134 amends Alaska's insurance code to expand regulatory oversight of pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and third-party administrators. The bill requires the state insurance director to examine these entities whenever necessary, adding them to the list of entities subject to routine financial and operational reviews. It also clarifies that these entities must be licensed to operate in Alaska and establishes payment procedures for examination costs. The bill directly affects PBMs and third-party administrators providing pharmacy benefit services in the state, increasing their regulatory compliance obligations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · House May 17, 2025

HB 82: An Act designating a state dinosaur; and providing for an effective date.

HB 82 designates Nanuqsaurus as Alaska's official state dinosaur by amending Alaska Statutes to add this designation to state code. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment, as specified in Section 2. This ceremonial measure establishes a symbolic state identity without altering laws, regulations, or impacting any specific group or policy. It directly affects Alaskan state identity through official recognition of a locally significant dinosaur fossil.

in committee · Alaska · House May 17, 2025

HB 100: An Act establishing a tax on federal campaign spending in the state; and providing for an effective date.

HB 100 would impose a 5% tax on all campaign spending made in Alaska for federal political campaigns, including media, salaries, consultants, and expenses required to be reported to the Federal Election Commission. This tax must be collected by the federal campaign and paid at the time of expenditure, with remittance to the state department. The bill directly affects federal candidates, committees, and political action committees conducting campaign activities within Alaska. It takes effect January 1, 2026, and is in addition to any local municipal taxes. The tax applies only to spending occurring within the state for federal elections.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results