HB 69 would increase Alaska's base student allocation from $5,960 to $6,960 per student for public school funding. This change directly affects all Alaska public school districts by raising the state's per-pupil funding amount. The bill specifies that the new rate would take effect on July 1, 2025. The legislation is a straightforward funding adjustment with no additional provisions or mechanisms beyond the dollar amount change. (Note: The bill was vetoed by the governor on April 22, 2025, and the veto was sustained.)
HB 112 allocates $6,640 per student in base funding for Alaska public schools for the 2026 fiscal year, matching the amount previously set for 2025. It directs the Department of Education to distribute these funds to school districts based on each district's average daily student enrollment. The bill ensures consistent per-student funding levels for public education without changing the existing school finance formula. This special appropriation takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting all Alaska public school districts receiving state aid.
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 1 updates funding rules for Alaska's civil legal services fund, which provides legal aid to low-income Alaskans. It specifies that annual funding comes only from two sources: state general fund money (up to 25% of Alaska Court System filing fees from the previous year) and other designated state funds. The bill clarifies that funds must be used exclusively for organizations serving individuals with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. It explicitly states the fund is not a dedicated revenue source, maintaining its status as a flexible budget account within the state's general fund.
This constitutional amendment proposes a spending limit for Alaska's state government, capping annual appropriations at a percentage of the state's average real economic output (GDP) over the previous five years. It would require voter approval for any spending exceeding this limit, with specific exceptions for permanent fund dividends, bond proceeds, and disaster response. As a constitutional amendment, it must be approved by voters before taking effect.
SB 36 would limit annual state appropriations (spending) to 12% of Alaska's average real gross domestic product (GDP) over the previous five years, adjusted for population growth and inflation. It specifically excludes certain spending types from this limit, including bond proceeds, disaster relief funds, permanent fund dividends, and some trust fund allocations. The governor would be required to report annually on how the state budget complies with this spending cap. This bill requires a constitutional amendment to take effect and is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2025, if enacted.
HJR 23 proposes amending Alaska's Constitution to require the governor to submit a balanced budget to the legislature each year. Specifically, it would prevent the governor from proposing a budget or general appropriation bill where spending exceeds projected revenue for the next fiscal year, excluding funds in the budget reserve. The amendment must be approved by voters at the next general election before taking effect. This directly affects the governor's budget submission process and the legislature's review of state spending.
This Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 14) proposes constitutional amendments to Alaska's Permanent Fund. It would allow the legislature to annually transfer up to 5% of the fund's average market value (over the prior six years) to the general fund, plus funds for investment management costs. The amendment also requires that unencumbered earnings from the fund's reserve account be deposited into the permanent fund by June 30, 2027. These changes, if approved by voters, would alter how the legislature accesses Permanent Fund resources while maintaining the fund's core purpose. The resolution is procedural and requires voter approval at the next general election.
HB 51 establishes a new state spending limit requiring annual appropriations to not exceed 12% of Alaska's average real gross domestic product (GDP) over the previous five years, adjusted for population growth and inflation. This directly affects the governor's budget process, as it mandates that all state spending (excluding certain bond proceeds, disaster funds, and specific trust accounts) must comply with this GDP-based cap. The bill also requires the governor to submit annual reports calculating how budget appropriations align with this limit and to update these reports with supplemental budget requests. The law is conditional on a future constitutional amendment that would exclude certain spending types (like bond proceeds) from the calculation, and it takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 48 updates funding rules for Alaska's civil legal services fund, which provides legal aid to low-income residents. The bill limits annual appropriations to funds from the general state budget and up to 10% of court filing fees collected in the previous fiscal year (reducing the prior cap from 25%). It specifies that funds must support organizations serving individuals with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. The bill clarifies the fund remains part of the general state budget, not a dedicated account, and does not create new funding sources.
