Rep. Alyse Galvin

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 12 requires Alaska public school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to any student who requests these meals, with no cost to the student. The state department of education must fund this through state appropriations and maximize federal funding available for school meals. This policy directly affects all Alaska public school students who request breakfast or lunch, ensuring meal access regardless of family income. The bill does not change eligibility criteria but mandates that districts offer these meals at no cost to students who ask for them.

Maddy summaryHB 47 creates two new criminal offenses related to AI-generated or manipulated child sexual abuse material in Alaska. It makes distributing such material a class B felony (or class A felony with prior convictions), and possessing 100 or more items is presumed to indicate intent to distribute. The bill defines "generated obscene child sexual abuse material" as content depicting manipulated images of children engaged in sexual acts, lacking serious value, and appealing to prurient interest under community standards. It specifically excludes tech employees acting in their job duties to prevent or report such material. The law does not address the other topics listed in the bill's title (teaching certificates, school bus licensing).

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 summaryHB 236 prohibits the sale of weight-loss drugs and muscle-building supplements to minors in Alaska. Sellers must verify buyers are 18 or older through government ID in person, age verification services for online orders, or by confirming a prescription for minors. An exception allows in-person sales if sellers reasonably believe buyers appear 25 or older. The bill sets fines of $250 for first violations and $350 for subsequent violations, while reserving regulation authority to the state and preventing municipalities from enacting local rules.

Maddy summaryHB 21 allows Alaska residents aged 16 to 17 to preregister to vote. Instead of the standard requirement to be 18 within 90 days, applicants declare they will turn 18 within two years. The state automatically registers them as full voters 90 days before their 18th birthday. Crucially, the bill also requires that the address and phone number of any minor registering or preregistering remain confidential and not publicly accessible. This applies specifically to voter registration records for those under 18.

Maddy summaryHB 152 establishes a new 4% education tax on income exceeding $150,000 for single filers or $300,000 for joint filers, applying to Alaska residents and nonresidents with income connected to the state. It also imposes a $150 annual tax on individuals with wages or self-employment income in Alaska. The bill repeals certain tax credits under Alaska’s existing income tax law. It directly affects individuals, S corporation shareholders, trusts, and estates with taxable income in Alaska, shifting tax burden toward higher earners to fund education. The tax takes effect upon enactment, with specific rules for nonresidents and trusts.

Maddy summaryHB 105 requires Alaska public schools (K-12) to include mental health education in health curricula and mandates that schools provide parents with at least two weeks' notice before offering mental health instruction to their children. It directs the state Board of Education to develop age-appropriate mental health education guidelines in collaboration with health departments, tribal organizations, and mental health experts. The bill also expands existing health education requirements to explicitly include mental health, alongside topics like personal safety and substance abuse prevention. School districts must adopt policies allowing parents to withdraw children from mental health instruction or assessments, similar to existing provisions for other sensitive topics.

Maddy summaryHB 151 ensures children under six years old in Alaska who qualify for medical assistance (Medicaid) remain continuously eligible for coverage until their sixth birthday, eliminating the need for annual reapplications. This directly affects low-income children under six whose families currently face coverage gaps when transitioning between eligibility periods. The bill amends eligibility rules to extend coverage until age six (instead of requiring monthly renewal) and adds a similar 11-month extension for children aged six to 19. Federal approval of state plan amendments is required before implementation, but the policy change itself is a concrete modification to Medicaid eligibility duration.

Maddy summaryHB 248 requires Alaska school districts offering correspondence (online) learning programs to maintain student assessment participation rates equal to the district-wide rate for statewide tests. Districts failing to meet this standard risk having state education funding withheld until compliance is achieved. The bill defines key terms like "correspondence program student assessment participation rate" as the percentage of enrolled students taking required tests. This law takes effect on January 1, 2027, directly affecting school districts operating correspondence programs.