Rep. Zack Fields

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution from the Alaska State Legislature that urges the United States Congress to pass the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act. The resolution highlights the historical harm caused by federal boarding schools, which forcibly removed American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children from their families to assimilate them, often resulting in abuse and death. It specifically notes that over 100 such schools existed in Alaska, many of which remain unidentified due to a lack of accessible records. The Alaska Legislature expresses its full support for the federal legislation, which aims to establish a commission to address the intergenerational trauma stemming from these policies. Copies of the resolution were sent to federal officials, including the President, Vice President, and members of Congress representing Alaska.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution urges the U.S. Congress and the President to pass and sign the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2023. The proposed legislation would amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to return approximately 11,500 acres of land currently held in trust by the state back to the affected Alaska Native village corporations. This change would allow these corporations to decide how to use the land for economic development rather than waiting for future municipalities to incorporate. The bill specifically targets the 93 villages that have not yet incorporated, aiming to remove a requirement established in 1971 that mandated holding land in trust for potential future cities.

Maddy summaryHB 219 repeals the Alaska statute that established a loan guarantee and interest subsidy program for assistive technology. The bill includes a conditional provision stating that the law will only take effect if the legislature reappropriates funds from the assistive technology loan guarantee fund to improve access to these devices. This measure directly impacts the availability of financial support for individuals seeking assistive technology by removing the existing loan program unless specific funding conditions are met.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Alaska to cover prescription contraceptives and related medical services without cost sharing for most enrollees. It mandates that insurers reimburse providers for a 12-month supply of contraceptives in a single payment and prohibits denying coverage if a patient switches methods within that year. The law includes specific exemptions for religious employers who oppose such coverage and requires insurers to offer simple exception procedures when using prior authorization or step therapy. Additionally, the bill extends these coverage requirements to municipal health insurance plans for employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for employers operating large warehouse distribution centers in Alaska, specifically targeting those with 100 or more employees at a single location or 1,000 or more across the state. It requires these employers to provide written details of any work quotas, including the time period, specific tasks required, and potential penalties for not meeting them, while also granting employees the right to request their recent work speed data. The legislation prohibits quotas that would force workers to skip bathroom breaks or violate safety laws and allows employees to seek court injunctions if their employer violates these standards. Although the bill was passed by the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

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 Alaska bill establishes civil liability for defamation claims arising from the use of synthetic media, such as deepfakes, and specifically prohibits their use in electioneering communications. It allows harmed individuals to sue creators, disseminators, or those who remove required warnings for damages and attorney fees, while also permitting courts to issue injunctions to stop the publication of such content. To protect free speech, the law includes a defense for content that clearly discloses it has been manipulated or is satire or parody, and it shields internet service providers and broadcasters from liability unless they actively remove these disclosures.

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.