Rep. Chuck Kopp

Maddy summaryHB 77 amends Alaska's theft statute to specifically classify the theft of mail or items within mail as "theft in the second degree." This directly affects individuals who steal physical mail (letters, packages, or items inside mail) from post offices, mailboxes, or after delivery to authorized locations. The bill defines "mail" broadly to include USPS-delivered items with postage, placed in authorized depositories or given to postal employees. Key provisions include criminalizing the theft of mail from post offices, mail receptacles, or after delivery, and adding "mail" as a new category under second-degree theft. The law applies to all mail covered by USPS delivery standards, not just commercial parcels.

Maddy summaryHB 270 requires healthcare providers (including pharmacists, doctors, and advanced practice nurses) to offer a prescription for an opioid overdose drug (like naloxone) when prescribing opioids under specific conditions. It applies directly to patients receiving opioid prescriptions that exceed a three-day supply, exceed 50 milligrams morphine equivalent daily, involve concurrent benzodiazepines, or involve a history of overdose or substance use disorder. The bill mandates this offer as a standard step in prescribing, aiming to increase access to life-saving overdose reversal medication. It does not require patients to accept the offer but ensures providers proactively discuss it during high-risk opioid prescriptions.

Maddy summaryHB 125 changes how Alaska's Board of Fisheries members are appointed. It requires the governor to appoint seven members with specific representation: two for commercial fishing, two for sport fishing, two for subsistence fishing (selected from a list by the Alaska Federation of Natives), and one from the scientific community (selected from a list by NOAA). The governor must choose members based on knowledge and judgment, without regard to political affiliation or geographic location, while ensuring diverse viewpoints. The bill also includes a transition rule allowing current board members to finish their terms before new appointments follow these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 101 lowers the age threshold for minors to file civil claims against sexual abusers from 18 to 16 years old. It also amends Alaska's murder statutes to specify that killing a child under 16 during certain crimes - such as sexual offenses, kidnapping, or assault - elevates the murder charge. These changes update legal standards to better protect child victims and clarify penalties for crimes involving minors. The bill focuses on concrete policy adjustments to strengthen legal remedies and accountability.

Maddy summaryThis Alaska legislative resolution (HJR 22) requests two specific actions from the U.S. Congress: (1) to propose a constitutional amendment limiting U.S. House and Senate members to a set number of terms, and (2) to call a constitutional convention to draft such an amendment. It asks Congress to act on this request, or else states will independently pursue a convention under Article V of the Constitution. The resolution formally applies for a convention focused solely on term limits, seeking to aggregate Alaska’s application with those of other states that have similar requests. As a procedural resolution, it does not change law but aims to advance a constitutional amendment process.

Maddy summaryHB 64 in Alaska creates a legal process for parents to safely surrender newborns without facing criminal charges or future parental obligations. It allows parents to hand infants to authorized personnel (like hospital staff, police, or emergency medical workers) or place them in designated infant safety devices at approved locations (such as hospitals, fire stations, or clinics). Facilities receiving surrendered infants must immediately notify child welfare services, and parents lose all legal duty to support the child after a safe surrender. The bill also protects facilities from liability if they follow these procedures, and requires safety devices to be visible, climate-controlled, and clearly marked.

Maddy summaryHB 328 allows Alaska public utilities (like electricity or water providers) to request a special surcharge from the state utility commission to recover costs for strategic investments not covered by existing rates. Key provisions let utilities recover costs during construction (including return on work in progress) and after completion (return on capital costs), with strict rules for calculating costs using approved rate case data. Utilities must notify the commission, file annual updates on construction costs, and include non-capitalized construction expenses in the surcharge. The commission must approve or deny requests within 90 days and can order refunds if costs were not prudently spent.

Maddy summaryHB 213 amends Alaska law to clarify how the Department of Administration may share driver's license data. It limits data sharing to only what's required for REAL ID Act compliance (federal standards for driver's licenses) and adds a new provision allowing the department to share data with U.S. Social Security Administration-approved entities for driver's license verification. The bill restricts sharing beyond these specific purposes and takes effect immediately. It directly affects the Department of Administration and entities seeking to verify driver's license information.

Maddy summaryHB 136 amends Alaska law to clarify rules for railroad utility corridors and easements. It requires railroad corridors to be at least 100 feet wide on both sides of tracks (unless land ownership limits this) and specifies that railroads may lease or grant easements for transportation, communication, and related uses - without restricting other parallel corridor uses. The bill also adds a new provision requiring railroads to allow adjacent property owners to use their land in ways that don’t unreasonably interfere with railroad operations. These changes directly affect railroad corporations and landowners with easements in corridor areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill redefines the exact boundaries of Alaska's Jonesville Public Use Area by describing specific land parcels using standard survey terms (e.g., sections of townships east of Moose Creek). It designates these lands as public use area under state management, preserving existing rights while assigning control to the relevant department. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment, with no new policies or financial impacts. (Procedural boundary clarification; 2 sentences as permitted for such bills.)