Rep. Rebecca Himschoot

Maddy summaryHB 281 requires businesses processing cash transactions to round totals to the nearest five cents using specific rules: totals ending in 1-2 or 6-7 cents round down, while those ending in 3-4 or 8-9 cents round up. It directly affects retailers, restaurants, and other businesses that handle cash payments for goods or services. The bill excludes electronic payments (like credit cards or debit) and clarifies that rounding does not impact state or local tax calculations. This policy change standardizes cash rounding practices for in-person transactions only.

Maddy summaryHB 104 creates Alaska's Address Confidentiality Program to protect the addresses of specific vulnerable individuals. It allows victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault (with a court order), minors under protective orders, peace officers, correctional officers, and their household members to enroll. The program provides a substitute post office box for mail, which the Department of Administration forwards to the participant's real address while keeping it confidential. Enrollment lasts five years and requires renewal, and participants must not be required to register under Alaska's sex offender registry laws.

Maddy summaryHB 33 amends Alaska's ethics rules for members of the Board of Fisheries and Board of Game. It clarifies that these members are not disqualified from participating in board discussions if they have personal or family financial interests in fish or game-related businesses, but they must refrain from voting if a supervisor or majority determines their involvement would violate ethics laws. The bill requires members to disclose conflicts in writing and allows the supervisor or board to decide whether voting is permitted, ensuring transparency while permitting deliberation. This procedural change directly affects board members managing fisheries and wildlife resources, with no substantive policy shifts beyond ethics compliance.

Maddy summaryHJR 37 is a non-binding Alaska legislative resolution urging federal agencies like NOAA and the EPA to increase funding for marine debris cleanup and remove barriers preventing tribes and rural communities from accessing those funds. It directly affects Alaska's coastal communities, tribes, and rural areas struggling to clean up debris along the state's over 50,000-mile shoreline. The resolution requests federal support for debris prevention, cleanup, removal, and education efforts, and asks Alaska's congressional delegation to advocate for more federal funding. It does not create new laws but expresses legislative support for existing cleanup initiatives.

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 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 summaryHJR 33 is a resolution passed by the Alaska State Legislature urging the U.S. Congress to address historical inequities affecting five Southeast Alaskan communities - Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Wrangell, and Tenakee - that were excluded from the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). These "landless" communities have faced long-standing disparities in economic opportunity and community development due to their exclusion from land entitlements under ANCSA, which was intended to resolve aboriginal land claims. The resolution calls for federal legislation that would provide these communities with land entitlements and corporate formation rights consistent with ANCSA's original intent. It also encourages Alaska's congressional delegation to collaborate directly with affected communities and stakeholders to achieve a fair resolution.

Maddy summaryHB 295 updates Alaska's rules for qualifying for the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) by expanding the list of acceptable reasons for temporary absence from the state during the qualifying year. It allows residents to remain eligible for the annual PFD payment if they are absent for specific, approved reasons like full-time education (including vocational training), military service (or accompanying family members), medical treatment (not for climate reasons), caregiving for critically ill relatives, estate settlement (within 220 days), or government service (e.g., as a member of Congress or state employee). The bill directly affects Alaska residents who temporarily leave the state for these qualifying purposes. This is a clarification of existing eligibility criteria, not a new policy change, and applies to all residents meeting the specified absence conditions.

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.