Rep. Andy Josephson

Maddy summaryHB 58 amends Alaska statutes to clarify and expand the role of the Office of Public Advocacy. It allows the public advocate (replacing the Commissioner of Administration) to establish fee schedules for public guardian services based on a ward’s ability to pay, with waivers permitted if fees are deemed impractical or against public interest. The bill also grants the public advocate authority to approve legal service contracts without competitive bidding under specific circumstances, such as when the public defender or advocate is providing counsel. These changes directly affect vulnerable individuals receiving guardianship services and state agencies managing legal procurements.

Maddy summaryHB 224 establishes a volunteer program for labor compliance officers in Alaska who inspect construction sites to verify adherence to state labor laws. Volunteers must have five years of construction experience, complete an OSHA-approved safety course, and wear department-issued badges while conducting inspections. The program requires volunteers to report violations to the department, wear safety equipment at their own expense, and maintain confidentiality - though they cannot issue citations or enforce laws. This directly affects construction sites and workers by adding a volunteer-based compliance check, while ensuring volunteers remain independent of state employment and enforcement. The bill creates a framework for the department to manage the program through a roster, regulations, and orientation.

Maddy summaryHB 198 modifies Alaska's trapping law to create a legal defense for people who disable traps on public lands. It allows individuals to claim they were lawfully using public facilities (like trails or parks) and reasonably believed disabling a trap was necessary to protect safety or property. The bill also prevents lawsuits against such individuals if they successfully use this defense under amended law (AS 16.05.790(c)(2)). This directly affects trappers and public land users who might encounter traps while traveling or recreating. The changes take effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis Alaska bill (SB 15) amends licensing rules for businesses selling alcohol, directly affecting restaurants, theaters, and seasonal eateries. It requires these establishments to ensure adequate supervision to prevent underage access to alcohol, including specific rules for minors aged 16-20: they may only enter for dining (with parental consent for under-16s), and employees aged 16-20 must be supervised to prevent them from obtaining alcohol. The bill also shortens permitted alcohol service hours at theaters from two hours before events to one hour before and during intermissions. These changes apply to all licensed food-and-beverage venues operating under Alaska’s alcohol regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 205 updates Alaska's oil and gas regulations by redefining "waste" in the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Act to include operational inefficiencies like excessive gas venting, unnecessary surface oil loss, and improper well spacing. It also adjusts civil penalties for oil discharges, requiring stricter fines for large-scale pollution while allowing case-by-case penalty assessment for smaller spills. The bill directly affects oil and gas operators, mandating compliance with new waste definitions and tiered penalty structures to prevent environmental harm. Key provisions aim to protect Alaska's renewable resources - such as fisheries and tourism - by incentivizing safer oil handling practices through clear, enforceable standards.

Maddy summaryHB 69 would increase Alaska's base student allocation from $5,960 to $6,960 per student for public school funding. This change directly affects all Alaska public school districts by raising the state's per-pupil funding amount. The bill specifies that the new rate would take effect on July 1, 2025. The legislation is a straightforward funding adjustment with no additional provisions or mechanisms beyond the dollar amount change. (Note: The bill was vetoed by the governor on April 22, 2025, and the veto was sustained.)

Maddy summarySB 43 designates the month of March each year as Women's History Month in Alaska. This law directly affects schools, community groups, and public and private agencies across the state, requiring them to recognize and honor women's historical contributions. The key provision adds a new section to Alaska Statutes (AS 44.12.088), formally establishing March as Women's History Month for observance through appropriate activities. The bill enables consistent, statewide recognition of women's roles in Alaska and U.S. history without imposing new obligations or funding requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 89 creates a new type of protective order specifically targeting gun violence risks, allowing peace officers or household members to petition courts for orders preventing individuals deemed a danger from possessing firearms. It establishes a mandatory central registry for all protective orders (including domestic violence and gun-related orders), requiring law enforcement to enter orders into the system within 24 hours and maintaining records even after expiration. The bill clarifies that violating protective orders - especially those restricting firearm access - constitutes a criminal offense, with specific provisions detailing when violations occur. It directly affects individuals subject to such orders, law enforcement officers, and courts handling these petitions. The law amends Alaska’s civil procedure rules to implement these changes, effective upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 65 authorizes the Alaska Railroad Corporation to issue up to $135 million in revenue bonds to replace the passenger dock and terminal facility in Seward, Alaska. The project must accommodate marine highway vessels with side-loading doors, and bonds will be repaid solely from dock revenue, not state funds. This bill directly affects the Alaska Railroad Corporation and the Seward facility, enabling infrastructure upgrades without using general state credit. The bill was signed into law on March 6, 2025, and took effect March 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 44 updates Alaska's workers' compensation death benefits to clarify payment amounts for families who lose a wage-earner to a work-related injury. It sets a $12,000 cap on funeral expenses and specifies exact percentages of the deceased's weekly wages for different survivor groups (e.g., 80% to a widow without children, 50% to a widow with one child plus 40% to the child). The bill also adds an $8,000 lump sum for widows/widowers without children and clarifies payment rules for other dependents like parents or siblings. These changes take effect January 1, 2026.