Rep. Mia Costello

Maddy summaryHB 75 requires national criminal history background checks for certain employees and contractors working with Alaska's permanent fund dividend program, including those handling eligibility or administration. It expands eligibility for the permanent fund dividend by allowing residents to be absent from Alaska for specific reasons - such as full-time education, military service, medical treatment, or caring for a critically ill family member - without losing their dividend eligibility. The bill also mandates electronic notice for debt collection actions against permanent fund dividends, replacing paper notices. These changes affect Department of Revenue staff, dividend applicants, and individuals receiving or owing dividend payments. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 121 updates Alaska's accounting licensing requirements, primarily requiring accountants to complete 150 semester hours of education (including a bachelor's degree with accounting focus) and two years of experience. It also establishes a practice privilege for accountants licensed in other states that meet equivalent standards (150 hours, CPA exam, one year experience). The bill affects certified public accountants, accounting firms, and out-of-state practitioners seeking to practice in Alaska under reciprocity. Key provisions clarify permit renewals, continuing education requirements, and simplify documentation for out-of-state accountants engaging in services via mail, phone, or electronic means.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (HCR 6) passed by Alaska's legislature to honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps' founding on November 10, 2025. It expresses the legislature's recognition of the Marine Corps' historical role, values, and sacrifices, including honoring fallen service members. The resolution calls on Alaskans to participate in commemorative activities and encourages local communities to recognize area Marines. It has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely a ceremonial expression of support.

Maddy summaryHCR 3 establishes a temporary Joint Legislative Task Force on Artificial Intelligence to examine how AI affects Alaska. The task force, composed of seven legislators (three from the Senate and four from the House), will study AI applications in state government, economic opportunities like data centers, ethical concerns (including privacy and bias), and workforce needs. It must make recommendations for responsible AI use and submit a final report by January 31, 2026. This resolution does not create new laws but directs the task force to analyze AI’s impacts and propose policy changes. The task force expires on February 2, 2026.

Maddy summaryHJR 21 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Alaska Legislature urging the U.S. Congress to designate 2025 as the "Year of the Soldier." It highlights the U.S. Army's 250-year history of service, including its role in Alaska (e.g., Fort Wainwright and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson) and contributions to national defense from the Revolutionary War to modern conflicts. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal request to Congress to recognize the Army's legacy. It directly addresses the U.S. Congress, with no direct impact on citizens, veterans, or other entities.

Maddy summaryHJR 19 proposes constitutional amendments to Alaska's voting rules, affecting all voters in state and local elections. It revises voter eligibility to clarify that only "a" U.S. citizen (replacing "every"), aged 18+, meeting residency requirements (30 days in the district for most elections), may vote. The bill also specifies disqualifications: non-citizens, felons convicted of moral turpitude (without restored rights), and those judicially deemed mentally incompetent (without removed disability) cannot vote. These changes require voter approval at the next general election, as the resolution is pending committee referral.

Maddy summaryHB 219 creates a state income tax credit for businesses that invest in career and technical education (CTE) infrastructure and programs. It directly affects businesses that fund qualifying CTE activities, including constructing training facilities, paying instructors, developing curricula, or providing student housing. The credit allows businesses to reduce their state tax liability by up to the full amount of eligible investments, with unused portions transferable at 80% value to other tax years or entities. The bill explicitly prohibits claiming this credit for expenses already covered under existing education tax credits. It applies to corporations subject to Alaska’s income tax for tax years beginning after its effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 29 clarifies that school districts, the University of Alaska, and other Alaska government units must budget for group or self-insurance coverage for their employees. It amends statutes to require school boards to specifically allocate funds for insurance participation in their annual budgets (under AS 14.14.090(1)) and explicitly authorizes boards to maintain such coverage (under AS 14.08.101(12)). This change ensures insurance costs are formally included in budget planning for these public employees, without creating new coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 51 establishes a new state spending limit requiring annual appropriations to not exceed 12% of Alaska's average real gross domestic product (GDP) over the previous five years, adjusted for population growth and inflation. This directly affects the governor's budget process, as it mandates that all state spending (excluding certain bond proceeds, disaster funds, and specific trust accounts) must comply with this GDP-based cap. The bill also requires the governor to submit annual reports calculating how budget appropriations align with this limit and to update these reports with supplemental budget requests. The law is conditional on a future constitutional amendment that would exclude certain spending types (like bond proceeds) from the calculation, and it takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 15 establishes new royalty rates for oil and gas production in Alaska. For new oil and gas projects beginning commercial production after July 2025 and before January 2036 in areas south of 68°N latitude, companies must pay 6.25% for oil and 3% for gas. For gas produced north of 68°N that is liquefied and sold to public utilities at a discounted rate, a 1% royalty applies under similar terms. The bill defines "qualified new" production to include fields without prior commercial production or new wells not previously feasible, with these rates expiring on January 1, 2046.