Rep. Genevieve Mina

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 250 makes it a class B misdemeanor for peace officers in Alaska to wear masks covering their face during public interactions while performing official duties, unless specific exceptions apply. These exceptions include undercover assignments, wearing face shields designed for protection, medical masks with a physician's certification, or masks for smoke exposure. The law directly affects police officers, sheriffs, and other peace officers who interact with the public in their official roles. It takes effect immediately upon enactment and does not apply to the exceptions listed in the bill text.

Maddy summaryHB 332 requires Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation to develop and implement a statewide plan for regularly testing water, soil, fish, wildlife, and other environmental media for microplastics (defined as plastic particles under 5 millimeters). The department must use scientifically sound methods and update the testing schedule annually before July 1 in even-numbered years. This bill directly affects state environmental agencies by establishing mandatory testing protocols and reporting requirements for microplastic pollution. It does not alter existing public assistance programs, despite an unrelated amendment to health department duties appearing in the bill text.

Maddy summaryHB 124 amends Alaska's Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) governance structure and regulatory processes. It reduces the number of public members on AIDEA's board from five to four, adds a dedicated environmental advocacy representative, and changes public members' terms to fixed two-year appointments (instead of staggered three-year terms). The bill also increases public notice requirements for regulations from 15 to 30 days and mandates written responses to public comments. These changes directly affect AIDEA's operations, its board composition, and public engagement with its regulatory decisions. The bill is titled the "AIDEA Accountability Act," reflecting its focus on procedural transparency.

Maddy summaryHB 24 expands the list of factors judges must consider when determining criminal sentences in Alaska, potentially leading to harsher punishments above standard ranges. It adds 18 specific aggravating circumstances, including cases where defendants caused physical injury, showed deliberate cruelty, led groups of three or more, used dangerous weapons, targeted vulnerable victims (like the elderly or disabled), or committed offenses against law enforcement. The bill directly affects defendants convicted of crimes where these factors apply, as courts must now weigh them during sentencing. This change modifies sentencing guidelines under Alaska Statute 12.55.155 to include these new considerations.

Maddy summaryHB 287 establishes a certification system for community health workers in Alaska, requiring the Department of Health to set standards for qualifications, training, scope of practice, and renewal. It adds certified community health worker services to optional state medical assistance coverage, making nonmedical health support services (like care coordination and patient advocacy) eligible for reimbursement under state health programs. The bill directly affects community health workers seeking certification, health care facilities (for experience verification), and medical assistance programs. Key provisions include experience-based certification waivers (960+ hours of service) and requirements for continuing education, with no medical care provided by certified workers.

Maddy summaryHB 57 sets maximum classroom sizes for Alaska public schools, requiring districts to maintain an average of no more than 23 students per class for grades K-6 and 30 for grades 7-12, excluding certain specialized classes. It mandates annual reporting on class sizes, student performance data (including reading proficiency for early grades), and high school graduate outcomes like career and postsecondary education tracking. The bill also updates procedures for charter school applications and requires school boards to establish clear application processes for new charter schools. These provisions directly affect all public school districts, students, and educators across Alaska.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 4 is a symbolic resolution from the Alaska Legislature urging the President, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, and the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to maintain "Denali" as the official name for North America's tallest mountain. It states that Denali is the traditional Koyukon Athabaskan name, has been Alaska's official name since 1975, and was adopted by the U.S. in 2015, rejecting a return to "Mount McKinley." The resolution argues that changing the name would be disrespectful to Alaska Natives, confuse tourism (as Denali is widely recognized), and lacks historical connection to President McKinley, who never visited the mountain. This resolution does not change the name but formally requests federal officials continue using "Denali."

Maddy summaryHJR 9 is a joint resolution from Alaska's legislature urging the U.S. Congress to extend enhanced federal tax credits that make health insurance premiums affordable under the Affordable Care Act. These credits currently help over 23,000 Alaska residents avoid higher costs, but they expire at the end of 2025. Without extension, premiums would more than double for tens of thousands of Alaskans, forcing difficult choices between health care, housing, and food. The resolution requests Congress act through budget processes to maintain these credits, emphasizing their role in preventing market instability and preserving access to care. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a law, so it directly affects Alaska residents by advocating for federal action.)

Maddy summaryHJR 5 is a resolution passed by the Alaska Legislature urging the U.S. Congress and President to reinstate and permanently fund the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. This act provided critical funding to rural communities near national forests (like those in Southeast Alaska) that historically relied on payments from federal timber revenue to support schools, roads, public safety, and infrastructure. The resolution specifically requests retroactive funding for fiscal year 2025 after the program expired in January 2025 and asks Congress to make the funding mechanism permanent. It does not create new law but formally advocates for federal action to prevent budget shortfalls in affected rural areas.