Rep. Andy Josephson

Maddy summaryThis bill updates regulations governing what prisoners in Alaska state correctional facilities can possess and how they can communicate. It directly affects inmates by restricting their access to certain electronic devices, such as computers and tablets, unless their use is approved for rehabilitation, education, or legal purposes. The legislation also limits the types of media prisoners can view, prohibits specific physical activities like martial arts, and sets standards for food quality and living conditions. Additionally, it establishes rules for fees charged by correctional facilities and outlines requirements for contracts with vendors that provide services to the Department of Corrections.

Maddy summaryHB 347 updates Alaska's property tax laws by expanding exemptions for senior citizens, disabled veterans, and widows, increasing the tax-free threshold for primary residences to $250,000. The bill also allows municipalities to adjust voter-authorized residential exemptions for inflation and grants local governments more flexibility to offer tax exemptions or payment deferrals for economic development projects. Additionally, the legislation modifies rules regarding land division approvals in certain boroughs and cities, enabling authorities to approve subdivisions that have not previously received formal platting approval.

Maddy summarySB 89 raises the minimum age in Alaska to 21 for purchasing, exchanging, or possessing tobacco, nicotine products, and electronic smoking devices, replacing the previous age limit of 19. The bill expands criminal penalties to include the negligent sale of these items to minors and prohibits individuals under 21 from knowingly possessing them. It also clarifies rules for tobacco vending machines, allowing them in specific licensed locations like marijuana dispensaries and private break rooms if they are supervised and placed away from main entrances. Additionally, the legislation updates regulations regarding the lawful operation and registration of retail marijuana establishments and adjusts taxes on electronic smoking products.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Alaska public school districts to provide parents of deaf or hard-of-hearing students with unbiased information about various communication methods, such as sign language, cued speech, and listening and spoken language. It mandates that districts allow parents to choose the communication method they believe is best for their child and ensures that services are delivered by professionals trained in that specific method. Additionally, the law updates definitions for terms like "bilingual approach" and "total communication" to clarify how schools should support these students. The legislation also directs the state department to support residential programs for deaf students and outlines how school districts must manage special education responsibilities when placing students in these programs.

Maddy summaryThis Alaska bill establishes civil liability for defamation claims arising from the use of synthetic media, such as deepfakes, and specifically prohibits their use in electioneering communications. It allows harmed individuals to sue creators, disseminators, or those who remove required warnings for damages and attorney fees, while also permitting courts to issue injunctions to stop the publication of such content. To protect free speech, the law includes a defense for content that clearly discloses it has been manipulated or is satire or parody, and it shields internet service providers and broadcasters from liability unless they actively remove these disclosures.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how money from Alaska's restorative justice account is distributed to various state programs and organizations. It establishes a specific order for funding, ensuring that between 10 and 13 percent goes to the crime victim compensation fund and two to six percent supports the office of victims' rights. The remaining funds are allocated to nonprofit groups providing services for crime victims and domestic violence survivors, as well as for mental health and substance abuse treatment for offenders. Additionally, the bill designates one to three percent for nonprofit grants related to offender treatment and one to three percent for the Department of Corrections to cover incarceration or probation costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Alaska's laws to regulate small loans of $25,000 or less by expanding the definition of who counts as a lender and setting new interest rate limits. It requires anyone holding a significant financial interest in these loans to follow specific state rules, including restrictions on disguising loans as sales or leases. The legislation also establishes a uniform monthly interest cap of three percent on the entire unpaid balance of these loans, replacing the previous tiered system that charged different rates based on loan size. Additionally, the bill clarifies that state-chartered financial institutions can operate with powers similar to federally insured banks if the state regulator determines it benefits the public and ensures fair competition.