Rep. Andy Josephson

Maddy summarySB 164 eliminates deductions that businesses could retain to cover accounting costs when paying motor fuel tax, tobacco taxes, and tire fees. It removes a 1% deduction (capped at $100) for fuel tax remittances and a 0.4% deduction for tobacco tax returns. The bill also repeals provisions allowing tobacco licensees to receive discounts on cigarette stamps based on purchase volume. These changes take effect July 1, 2025, requiring businesses to pay the full tax amount without these deductions.

Maddy summarySB 187 prohibits Alaska public schools from serving meals containing seven specific artificial food dyes (including red dye 40, yellow dye 5, and blue dye 1) in school nutrition programs. The bill directly affects all public schools operating meal programs in Alaska, banning these dyes from any food or beverage served as part of those meals. Key provisions require schools to remove these certified FDA dyes from their menus by July 1, 2025, with the effective date specified in Section 2. The bill focuses solely on removing these dyes from school meals without addressing other food additives or nutritional standards.

Maddy summarySJR 20 is a non-binding resolution urging federal agencies and Alaska's congressional delegation to increase support for marine debris cleanup. It specifically asks the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide more funding and remove barriers preventing tribes and rural communities from accessing cleanup resources. The resolution also calls on Alaska's U.S. Senators and Representative to advocate for greater federal funding for marine debris prevention, cleanup, removal, and education efforts. This resolution directly addresses Alaska's unique challenges, including its over 30,000 miles of shoreline and remote coastal communities struggling with debris removal logistics.

Maddy summarySB 21 establishes Alaska's Work and Save Program, allowing residents receiving the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) to automatically contribute portions of their PFD payment to retirement savings. The bill creates the Alaska Retirement Savings Board to oversee the program and requires employers without retirement plans to facilitate employee enrollment. Key provisions include automatic enrollment at a default contribution rate, optional annual increases, and a 7% administrative fee (not deducted from PFD payments). The program directly affects PFD recipients and private-sector employees in Alaska who lack employer-sponsored retirement plans.

Maddy summarySB 104 allows Alaska boat and vehicle owners to designate a beneficiary to automatically inherit the title upon their death through a "transfer on death" (TOD) title. Owners must apply to the Department of Administration with 1-2 beneficiary names and pay a fee to set up the TOD. The transfer occurs automatically at death without requiring the beneficiary's acceptance, payment, or probate. Owners can change or revoke the designation anytime during their life without the beneficiary's consent.

Maddy summarySB 41 requires Alaska public schools (K-12) to include mental health education in health curricula, mandating that school districts notify parents at least two weeks before any mental health instruction begins. It directs the state Board of Education to develop guidelines for age-appropriate mental health education in collaboration with health departments, tribal organizations, and mental health groups. The bill also expands existing health education requirements to explicitly include mental health topics and creates a state school health specialist position to coordinate curriculum development and teacher training. This directly affects all public school students, parents (who gain notification rights), and school districts tasked with implementing the new requirements.

Maddy summarySB 23 requires Alaska public high schools to implement a standardized civics curriculum covering U.S. and Alaska government, founding documents, citizenship rights, and global governance systems. Students must complete a semester-long civics course and pass two assessments: a 100-question test based on the U.S. citizenship exam and a civics project-based assessment to earn a high school diploma. The bill directly affects all Alaska public high school students, with exemptions for transfers after 10th grade, students with prior history credits, or those with disability waivers. Schools must document passing scores on transcripts and may allow retakes for the assessment.

Maddy summaryHJR 39 is a resolution passed by the Alaska State Legislature urging the federal government to waive a $100,000 annual H-1B visa fee for international educators hired by Alaska schools. It directly affects Alaska school districts - particularly rural and remote ones facing teacher shortages in subjects like math, science, and special education - who currently employ nearly 500 international educators. The resolution cites that the fee increase threatens to force schools to pay millions or lose needed teachers, impacting over 5,000 students currently without adequate staffing. This is a non-binding request to federal officials (including the President, Education Secretary, and Homeland Security Secretary), not a law that would change visa fees itself.

Maddy summaryHJR 28 is a resolution passed by the Alaska State Legislature calling on the U.S. Congress to enact the Kids Online Safety Act (S. 1748). It does not create new laws but urges federal action to protect minors under 17 from online risks like harmful content, addictive design, and excessive data collection. The resolution highlights that S. 1748 would require online platforms to implement default privacy settings, parental controls, and restrictions on targeting children with ads or data tracking. Alaska’s resolution directly affects children and teens using websites, apps, and social media by advocating for federal safeguards. This is a procedural resolution, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution from Alaska's legislature honors the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence signing (July 4, 1776) and encourages Alaskan residents to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States in 2026. It commemorates the founding principles and historical significance of the Declaration without creating new laws or affecting specific groups.