Rep. Andrew Gray

Maddy summaryHJR 39 is a resolution passed by the Alaska State Legislature urging the federal government to waive a $100,000 annual H-1B visa fee for international educators hired by Alaska schools. It directly affects Alaska school districts - particularly rural and remote ones facing teacher shortages in subjects like math, science, and special education - who currently employ nearly 500 international educators. The resolution cites that the fee increase threatens to force schools to pay millions or lose needed teachers, impacting over 5,000 students currently without adequate staffing. This is a non-binding request to federal officials (including the President, Education Secretary, and Homeland Security Secretary), not a law that would change visa fees itself.

Maddy summaryHB 48 updates funding rules for Alaska's civil legal services fund, which provides legal aid to low-income residents. The bill limits annual appropriations to funds from the general state budget and up to 10% of court filing fees collected in the previous fiscal year (reducing the prior cap from 25%). It specifies that funds must support organizations serving individuals with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. The bill clarifies the fund remains part of the general state budget, not a dedicated account, and does not create new funding sources.

Maddy summaryHB 138 creates a $0.98 monthly surcharge on all wireless phone numbers and landline telephone access lines in Alaska. Phone companies must collect this fee separately from regular bills and send the funds to a new "behavioral health crisis services fund" within 60 days. The money in this fund will be used to support Alaska's 988 mental health crisis hotline system, including staffing, technology, and infrastructure improvements. This surcharge applies to every residential and business phone service in the state, with specific rules to prevent double-charging for multiple lines.

Maddy summaryHB 157 requires courts to determine and document whether post-adoption contact with siblings is in the best interest of a child being adopted from foster care. The bill defines "sibling" broadly to include both blood relatives and children raised together in the same household, ensuring this expanded definition applies to adoption proceedings. It is based on legislative findings that sibling bonds are important, often irreplaceable, and should be preserved when possible during adoption. The law aims to help maintain family connections by encouraging courts to include provisions for ongoing contact in adoption decrees.

Maddy summaryHB 299 creates a veteran sentencing program in Alaska for eligible veterans facing misdemeanor charges. It requires law enforcement to ask arrested individuals about veteran status and mandates courts to inform defendants about the program at their first court appearance. Eligible veterans - those with military-related mental or physical conditions contributing to their offense - may have their convictions set aside or misdemeanor charges reduced under court-approved terms. The bill amends Alaska's criminal procedure rules to establish this pathway, directly affecting veterans who qualify under these criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 316 adjusts Alaska's legal limits for damage awards in personal injury and wrongful death cases to keep pace with inflation. It updates existing caps - currently $400,000 or life expectancy × $8,000 (whichever is greater) for standard cases, and $1,000,000 or life expectancy × $25,000 for severe cases - to automatically increase based on the Consumer Price Index for urban Alaska since 1997. This change applies to all damage awards issued on or after the bill's effective date. The bill directly affects plaintiffs seeking compensation for injuries or deaths, ensuring the financial limits remain relevant as living costs rise.

Maddy summaryHB 229 would exempt Alaska from observing daylight saving time, meaning the entire state would permanently stay on standard time year-round instead of changing clocks twice annually. The bill amends Alaska Statutes to state that during the federal daylight saving period (defined under 15 U.S.C. 260a), the state will not advance clocks and will instead maintain standard time. This change would affect all Alaskans by eliminating the biannual clock changes, with the policy taking effect on November 3, 2026.

Maddy summaryHJR 36 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish term limits for Alaska legislators: representatives would be limited to six full terms, and senators to three full terms. The amendment includes a transitional provision stating that service before the 2026 legislative session will not count toward these limits. If approved by voters, this would affect future election eligibility for state lawmakers. The bill requires voter approval at the next general election before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 308 lowers Alaska's legal blood alcohol limit for driving under the influence (DUI) from 0.08% to 0.04% for blood, breath, and blood tests. It establishes new evidentiary rules: below 0.04% presumes no impairment, between 0.04%-0.08% is considered evidence but not proof of impairment, and 0.04% or higher presumes impairment. The bill affects drivers charged with DUI or driving under the influence, including those with prior convictions at or above the new 0.04% threshold. It also requires breath tests for intoxicated individuals at release from custody and sets an effective date of January 1, 2027.

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.