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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
