Veterans in Alaska | MyRepTracker

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 27, 2025

SB 77: An Act relating to national criminal history record checks for certain employees of the Department of Revenue; relating to allowable absences for eligibility for a permanent fund dividend; relating to the confidentiality of certain information provided on a permanent fund dividend application; relating to the duties of the Department of Revenue; and providing for an effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 145: An Act relating to professional licensing; relating to temporary licenses for certain professions; and providing for an effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Tags Licensing

signed · Alaska · House Jul 30, 2025

HB 75: An Act relating to national criminal history record checks for certain employees of the Department of Revenue; relating to allowable absences for eligibility for a permanent fund dividend; relating to electronic notice of debt collection executed on a permanent fund dividend; and providing for an effective date.

HB 75 requires national criminal history background checks for certain employees and contractors working with Alaska's permanent fund dividend program, including those handling eligibility or administration. It expands eligibility for the permanent fund dividend by allowing residents to be absent from Alaska for specific reasons - such as full-time education, military service, medical treatment, or caring for a critically ill family member - without losing their dividend eligibility. The bill also mandates electronic notice for debt collection actions against permanent fund dividends, replacing paper notices. These changes affect Department of Revenue staff, dividend applicants, and individuals receiving or owing dividend payments. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Alaska · House May 15, 2025

HB 158: An Act relating to professional licensing; relating to temporary licenses for certain professions; and providing for an effective date.

HB 158 creates a new process for issuing temporary professional licenses in Alaska to qualified individuals. It allows the state to grant temporary licenses to professionals already licensed in other states with equivalent requirements, military members with relevant service credentials, and their spouses, without requiring full state licensing. Temporary licenses are valid for up to 180 days with one possible extension, subject to conditions like clean disciplinary records and payment of fees. The bill specifically excludes certain occupations regulated under other statutes (AS 08.54 or AS 08.62) from these provisions. This directly affects licensed professionals seeking short-term work in Alaska, military personnel relocating with their families, and their employers.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Tags Licensing

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

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Education

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 2, 2025

HB 169: An Act relating to a municipal property tax exemption for real property owned and occupied as the primary residence and permanent place of abode by a resident 65 years of age or older, a disabled veteran, or the widow or widower of a resident 65 years of age or older or a disabled veteran; and providing for an effective date.

HB 169 would create a property tax exemption for Alaska homeowners aged 65+ who live in their homes as their primary residence, disabled veterans, or surviving spouses (widows/widowers) of qualifying individuals. The bill exempts the first $250,000 of a home’s assessed value from municipal property taxes, increasing the prior $150,000 limit. Municipalities may implement this exemption and provide additional relief in hardship cases or for surviving spouses under 60 who lost a spouse due to service-connected causes. The exemption applies only to the primary residence, requires proof the home wasn’t bought solely for tax benefits, and limits one exemption per property. (Bill: HB 169, *An Act relating to a municipal property tax exemption...*)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 173: An Act relating to the use of apprentice labor in public construction projects; relating to the use of veteran apprentice labor in public construction projects; and relating to an annual report on the use of apprentice labor in public construction projects.

SB 173 requires public construction projects in Alaska valued at $2.5 million or more - managed by the Department of Transportation/Public Facilities or Department of Administration - to allocate at least 15% of labor hours to apprentices in 23 specific trades (e.g., carpenters, electricians, plumbers). It further mandates that at least 20% of these apprentice positions must be filled by veterans. Contractors must submit detailed project data - including veteran apprentice counts and occupational breakdowns - to the state labor commissioner, who will compile an annual report for the legislature. This law aims to increase apprenticeship opportunities while prioritizing veteran employment in state-funded construction work.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Veteran Employment

passed · Alaska · House Jul 30, 2025

HR 4: Establishing a House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.

HR 4 establishes a temporary House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs in the Alaska State Legislature. The committee will study military and veterans' issues, review existing laws, and propose new legislation, with members appointed by the Speaker and a chair designated by the Speaker. It operates until the convening of the Thirty-Fifth Alaska State Legislature's first regular session. This resolution does not create new policy but organizes a dedicated body to address military and veterans' concerns within the legislative process.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

passed · Alaska · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 17: An Act relating to retirement benefits and military service.

HB 17 amends Alaska's retirement law to allow state employees who are veterans with a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs rating of permanent and total disability for a service-connected condition to retire early without waiting until age 60. Previously, these veterans needed to be age 60 or older to qualify for retirement benefits, but this bill removes that age requirement. The change directly affects Alaska state employees who are veterans with qualifying VA disability ratings, enabling them to access retirement benefits sooner. The bill also repeals three existing sections of the retirement code, though the specific provisions of those repealed sections are not detailed in the text.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 5, 2025

HJR 8: Encouraging the United States Congress to award the Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War the Congressional Gold Medal.

This Alaska legislative resolution urges the U.S. Congress to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Hmong veterans who served with U.S. forces in Laos during the Vietnam War. It recognizes their service as Special Guerrilla Units, including intercepting enemy forces along the Ho Chi Minh Trail and supporting U.S. military operations. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests this honor from federal lawmakers. It directly affects Hmong veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces but have not yet received this congressional recognition.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

All veterans bills