Rep. Jennie Armstrong

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the law governing the civil legal services fund in Alaska to clarify how money can be added to the account. It allows the legislature to fund the account using specific deposits from the general fund and up to 25 percent of court filing fees collected in the previous year. The money from this fund can only be given to organizations that offer legal help to low-income individuals, who are defined as those earning 125 percent or less of the federal poverty guidelines. By setting these funding sources and eligibility rules, the bill aims to ensure that financial support for civil legal aid is available to those with limited income.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public school districts in Alaska to create a state-approved curriculum for students from kindergarten through grade 12. The program must include lessons on the history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, as well as their contributions to the United States. Additionally, schools must use instructional materials that highlight the cultural and economic diversity within these communities. The legislation applies to every school district operating under the state's education code.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Alaska Board of Education and Early Development to create guidelines for teaching mental health in public schools from kindergarten through grade 12. The state board must develop these guidelines in consultation with health departments, tribal organizations, and mental health representatives, while also establishing a dedicated specialist position to coordinate the program and provide teacher training. Additionally, the legislation requires the board to submit a report to the legislature within two years detailing the developed guidelines and the process used to create them.

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 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 Alaska bill restricts the release of criminal records for individuals convicted of possessing less than one ounce of marijuana, provided they were 21 or older at the time of the offense and have no other charges in that case. Under the new rules, agencies must honor a request from the convicted person to keep these specific records confidential, effectively shielding them from public access. The legislation aims to reduce employment barriers for people facing low-level marijuana possession charges that will become legal by January 1, 2025.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 121 establishes a renewable portfolio standard requiring electric utilities in Alaska to source increasing percentages of their electricity from renewable energy resources, specifically targeting 25 percent by 2027, 55 percent by 2035, and 80 percent by 2040. The bill also clarifies that offering net metering to customers with distributed energy systems does not constitute rate discrimination and mandates that new large energy facilities must be cost-effective and not hinder utilities from meeting these renewable targets. Additionally, it requires electric reliability organizations to submit integrated resource plans that evaluate various options like new generation, transmission, and battery storage to meet customer needs while supporting the renewable standard. Although the legislation includes provisions related to the Alaska Energy Authority and power cost equalization, the bill was ultimately withdrawn by its sponsor in May 2024.