Rep. Rebecca Himschoot

Maddy summaryThis bill changes when licensed bars and restaurants can be sued for injuries caused by patrons' intoxication. It generally protects establishments from civil liability unless they serve alcohol to someone under 21 without verifying age (via ID, liquor card, or driver's license) or knowingly serve drunk patrons after closing hours. The law specifically requires age verification for under-21 customers and sets clear limits on when serving drunk individuals or after hours constitutes negligence. These changes directly affect alcohol-serving businesses by reducing legal exposure for typical service scenarios.

Maddy summaryHB 105 requires Alaska public schools (K-12) to include mental health education in health curricula and mandates that schools provide parents with at least two weeks' notice before offering mental health instruction to their children. It directs the state Board of Education to develop age-appropriate mental health education guidelines in collaboration with health departments, tribal organizations, and mental health experts. The bill also expands existing health education requirements to explicitly include mental health, alongside topics like personal safety and substance abuse prevention. School districts must adopt policies allowing parents to withdraw children from mental health instruction or assessments, similar to existing provisions for other sensitive topics.

Maddy summaryHB 81 restricts the release of conviction records for specific drug possession cases in Alaska. It prohibits criminal justice agencies from sharing records of convictions under Alaska Statute 11.71.060 (possession of less than one ounce of a schedule VIA controlled substance) if the person was 21 or older at the time, had no other convictions in that case, and requested non-disclosure. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and will expire January 1, 2028. This directly affects individuals meeting these criteria by allowing them to prevent their records from being publicly released.

Maddy summaryHB 35 restricts electronic device use for prisoners in Alaska state correctional facilities. It prohibits most personal devices like computers, tablets, and VCRs, allowing only approved uses for rehabilitation, education, legal research, or health care. The bill also limits access to certain media (e.g., R-rated movies), specific equipment (like free weights), and restricts food spending comparisons to military personnel. It directly affects incarcerated individuals in state facilities and aims to enhance security by controlling prohibited items and activities. The law became effective November 5, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 174 creates a dedicated fund to support rural school districts and Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Alaska. It provides funding for school construction and major maintenance projects at these locations, as well as for maintenance of state-owned teacher housing located within rural school districts. The bill specifies that the fund must not hold more than $70 million in unspent balances and prioritizes school construction projects. This directly affects regional educational attendance areas, small municipal school districts, and teachers working in those communities.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 31 modifies Alaska's commercial vessel registration rules and reorganizes funding for derelict vessel programs. It adds specific exemptions for commercial vessels (like those with valid U.S. Coast Guard documentation and state licenses) and adjusts how revenue from abandoned vessel sales is distributed. Crucially, it changes the order of payment so unclaimed funds from vessel sales now go directly to the general state fund instead of the derelict vessel prevention program fund (which is repealed). This primarily affects commercial vessel owners and state agencies managing abandoned boats, with the key change being the shift of unclaimed sale revenue to general state funds.

Maddy summaryHJR 11 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Alaska's relationship with Canada. It highlights shared natural resources, trade (including $596 million in annual exports from Alaska to Canada), historical military partnerships, and cultural ties through decades of collaboration. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it serves only as an official statement of support. It was passed by the Alaska Legislature and transmitted to the Governor for filing.

Maddy summaryThis Alaska House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 1) establishes a joint legislative task force focused on sport fishing service providers in Southeast Alaska. The task force will examine the industry's history, advise on managing participation, and evaluate potential permit systems and entry regulations for this specific region. It does not create new laws but aims to study how to balance economic growth, resource conservation, and reduced conflicts among users before considering broader state changes. The resolution specifically targets Southeast Alaska due to the high concentration of providers there and the potential for localized challenges to emerge first.

Maddy summaryHB 43 amends Alaska's voter registration rules to require individuals registering within 30 days of an election to submit an affidavit verifying 30-day residency in both Alaska and their voting district, along with proof of address (like a utility bill or government document). This affects voters registering close to an election who must now provide additional documentation to qualify for an absentee, in-person, or special needs ballot. The bill changes deadlines for processing registration forms and limits same-day registrants to specific ballot types rather than standard voting. It directly impacts voters seeking to register late, adding verification steps for residency and address before they can cast a regular ballot.