Rep. Donna Mears

Co-sponsor HB 28

Passed · Alaska House · Co-sponsor

An Act restricting the release of certain records of convictions; and providing for an effective date.

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.

Passed May 11, 2024 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HB 145

Passed · Alaska House · Co-sponsor

An Act relating to loans in an amount of $25,000 or less; relating to the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry; relating to deferred deposit advances; and providing for an effective date.

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.

Passed May 11, 2024 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HB 121

died · Alaska House · Co-sponsor

An Act relating to a renewable portfolio standard; relating to electrical energy transmission; relating to distributed energy systems; relating to power cost equalization; relating to the Alaska Energy Authority; and providing for an effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 121 establishes a renewable portfolio standard requiring electric utilities in Alaska to source increasing percentages of their electricity from renewable energy resources, specifically targeting 25 percent by 2027, 55 percent by 2035, and 80 percent by 2040. The bill also clarifies that offering net metering to customers with distributed energy systems does not constitute rate discrimination and mandates that new large energy facilities must be cost-effective and not hinder utilities from meeting these renewable targets. Additionally, it requires electric reliability organizations to submit integrated resource plans that evaluate various options like new generation, transmission, and battery storage to meet customer needs while supporting the renewable standard. Although the legislation includes provisions related to the Alaska Energy Authority and power cost equalization, the bill was ultimately withdrawn by its sponsor in May 2024.

died May 10, 2024 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor SB 88

Failed · Alaska Senate · Co-sponsor

An Act relating to the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system; providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system; and providing for an effective date.

Failed May 7, 2024 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HB 163

In committee · Alaska House · Co-sponsor

An Act creating the FAFSA raffle fund; relating to the definition of 'gambling'; and providing for an effective date.

In committee Apr 24, 2024 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HB 89

Passed · Alaska House · Co-sponsor

An Act relating to education tax credits for certain payments and contributions for child care and child care facilities; relating to the insurance tax education credit, the income tax education credit, the oil or gas producer education credit, the property tax education credit, the mining business education credit, the fisheries business education credit, and the fisheries resource landing tax education credit; renaming the day care assistance program the child care assistance program; relating to the child care assistance program and the child care grant program; providing for an effective date by amending the effective date of secs. 1, 2, and 21, ch. 61, SLA 2014; and providing for an effective date.

Passed Apr 23, 2024 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HB 147

In committee · Alaska House · Co-sponsor

An Act relating to teacher certificates for retired teachers.

In committee Mar 27, 2024 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HJR 15

In committee · Alaska House · Co-sponsor

Urging the United States Congress and the President of the United States to reinstate an expanded child tax credit.

In committee Oct 16, 2023 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HB 51

Vetoed · Alaska House · Co-sponsor

An Act relating to refrigerants designated as acceptable for use under federal law; relating to firefighting substances; and providing for an effective date.

Vetoed Oct 16, 2023 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HB 23

Signed into law · Alaska House · Co-sponsor

An Act establishing the month of October as Filipino American History Month.

Signed into law Oct 16, 2023 1 co-sponsor