Rep. Julie Coulombe

Maddy summaryHB 120 requires the Alaska governor to sell the state-owned Alaska Railroad by February 2027, mandating a request for proposals by June 2026. The buyer must commit to operating the railroad for at least 50 years, accept all existing contracts (including labor agreements), and pay a price exceeding the railroad's fair market value or the state's total investment. The legislature must approve the sale agreement during its next session, and the state retains an easement for transportation use along the railroad's right-of-way. Upon sale, the Alaska Railroad Corporation will dissolve, and non-operational property will transfer to the Department of Natural Resources.

Maddy summaryHB 84 updates Alaska's compensation review process for state officials. It requires the State Officers Compensation Commission to review legislative and executive branch pay every two years, submit separate reports for legislators and top officials (like the governor), and meet specific deadlines for public notice and submission. The bill also directs the Alaska Legislative Council to establish policies for moving expense reimbursements and annual allowances for legislators. These changes affect state legislators, the governor, lieutenant governor, and department heads by formalizing how their compensation and related expenses are reviewed and approved. The bill does not change current pay rates but sets new procedural requirements for future reviews.

Maddy summaryHB 83 rejects all recommendations from Alaska's State Officers Compensation Commission regarding state officer pay for 2025. The bill directly blocks the commission's proposed changes to compensation levels without creating new salary rules. It takes immediate effect under existing law, preventing the recommended salary adjustments from being implemented. This is a procedural disapproval of the commission's report, not a new policy change.

Maddy summaryHJR 7 is a symbolic resolution expressing Alaska's gratitude to President Trump for his 2020 executive order "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential." The resolution specifically commends the executive order's directives to restart oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, rescind environmental reviews of past projects, and prioritize resource development on federal lands. It does not create new laws or alter regulations but formally supports the executive order's policy goals. The resolution directly affects Alaska's legislative body, which is expressing this stance to the federal government. This is a non-binding gesture, not a legislative change.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts in Alaska to have trained staff and at least two doses of opioid overdose medication available at their main buildings during all times students or staff are present, including before and after school hours and on weekends. It also mandates that one dose be available during any school-sponsored events held on school grounds, with the state Department of Health responsible for supplying the drugs and providing training videos for administration. To encourage participation, the legislation grants immunity from civil lawsuits to schools and individuals who fail to maintain these supplies due to good-faith efforts. Additionally, the bill updates rules for homeschool and correspondence study programs by requiring annual individual learning plans developed collaboratively with students, parents, and teachers. These plans must include state standards, ongoing assessments, and provisions for modifying the curriculum if a student struggles in core subjects.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Alaska Military Affairs Commission and updates the composition of the Joint Armed Services Committee to include representatives from military organizations and local mayors. It creates a new role for an assistant adjutant general within the Alaska National Guard, requiring the appointee to have at least five years of service in the state's Army or Air National Guard. Additionally, the legislation sets specific eligibility requirements for judge advocates, mandating that they be commissioned officers in good standing with a state militia or federal armed forces. These changes aim to broaden community representation in military advisory bodies and standardize leadership qualifications within the state's military structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Alaska Department of Natural Resources to provide seismic survey data related to the Cook Inlet sedimentary basin to qualified individuals without charge. The law defines "qualified persons" as accredited research institutions, active oil, gas, or mineral explorers, or other entities where sharing the data serves the state's best interests. The department must make this data available unless it is legally confidential or comes from a private well owner who has not granted permission for public release. The provision also mandates that the department continue its existing duties to collect, evaluate, and distribute geologic data on seismic events and potential hazards.

Maddy summarySB 179 prevents both the state and local municipalities in Alaska from imposing sales or use taxes on the transfer of real property. This prohibition applies to all types of municipalities, including home rule and general law entities. The bill also clarifies the rules for boroughs and cities regarding their ability to levy sales taxes on other sources like services and rents. By removing the authority to tax property transfers, the legislation aims to eliminate a specific layer of taxation on real estate transactions.

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution urges the federal Bureau of Land Management to withdraw proposed regulations that would restrict oil and gas development within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. The bill calls for meaningful consultation with local tribes, municipal governments, and affected communities before any new rules are finalized. It highlights the potential economic benefits of resource development, including job creation and revenue that supports local infrastructure and services. The resolution emphasizes the importance of honoring tribal self-determination and ensuring that policy decisions include the voices of Indigenous nations and Alaska Native corporations.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the operating date of the Alaska Commission on Aging until June 30, 2032. It also updates the effective date for related statutes to align with this extension. The legislation applies directly to the commission and the state agencies responsible for aging services.