Rep. Andi Story

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 summaryThis bill requires Alaska museums to follow specific notice procedures before acquiring title to property they hold without clear ownership (undocumented property). Museums must publish a notice for four consecutive weeks on their dedicated website and in a local newspaper or social media, including property details, acquisition date, and contact information. The notice must state that title will be acquired if no valid ownership claim is received within 45 days of the last publication. This applies directly to museums holding such property and gives potential owners a clear, 45-day window to claim it.

Maddy summaryHB 182 modifies Alaska's licensing rules for breweries, wineries, and distilleries by allowing limited live music and entertainment. Specifically, license holders may now host up to four live music events or other entertainment performances annually, along with educational displays about their products and community fundraisers. The bill removes previous bans on live music, disc jockeys, karaoke, and TVs during consumption, while maintaining existing restrictions on seating at bars, opening before 9 a.m., and serving after 9 p.m. It directly affects businesses holding retail licenses for alcohol production and sales. The changes apply uniformly across breweries, wineries, and distilleries under Alaska Statutes 04.09.320, 04.09.330, and 04.09.340.

Maddy summaryHB 212 clarifies how Alaska school districts calculate their required local funding contribution. It requires school boards to define specific terms like "student transportation," "nutrition services," and "early education programs" for funding calculations. The bill explicitly states that these defined services (including meals, transportation, early education, career training, and after-school programs) do not count toward the district's local contribution. This change directly affects city and borough school districts by altering how they report and meet their state-mandated funding obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 183 adjusts how students in approved district-wide early education programs are counted for state funding, maintaining that each such student counts as half a full-time equivalent student. The bill repeals outdated sections of Alaska's education code (including AS 14.03.120(h) and AS 14.17.500(f)) that previously governed these programs. This change directly affects school districts operating early education programs approved by the Department of Education. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, streamlining funding calculations while removing obsolete legal provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 69 would increase Alaska's base student allocation from $5,960 to $6,960 per student for public school funding. This change directly affects all Alaska public school districts by raising the state's per-pupil funding amount. The bill specifies that the new rate would take effect on July 1, 2025. The legislation is a straightforward funding adjustment with no additional provisions or mechanisms beyond the dollar amount change. (Note: The bill was vetoed by the governor on April 22, 2025, and the veto was sustained.)

Maddy summaryThis Alaska legislative resolution urges the U.S. Congress to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Hmong veterans who served with U.S. forces in Laos during the Vietnam War. It recognizes their service as Special Guerrilla Units, including intercepting enemy forces along the Ho Chi Minh Trail and supporting U.S. military operations. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests this honor from federal lawmakers. It directly affects Hmong veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces but have not yet received this congressional recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially recognizes eleven Alaska Native languages alongside English as the state's official languages and moves the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to the Department of Education and Early Development. The renamed Council for Alaska Native Languages will advise the governor and legislature on programs to preserve and revitalize these languages, with its members required to include professional language experts and representatives from diverse regions. While the council will meet at least twice a year to provide recommendations, the law clarifies that official public documents must still be prepared in English. Additionally, the legislation includes a transition provision to ensure that staff currently working for the council do not automatically transfer to the new department when the council's location changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts in Alaska to have trained staff and at least two doses of opioid overdose medication available at their main buildings during all times students or staff are present, including before and after school hours and on weekends. It also mandates that one dose be available during any school-sponsored events held on school grounds, with the state Department of Health responsible for supplying the drugs and providing training videos for administration. To encourage participation, the legislation grants immunity from civil lawsuits to schools and individuals who fail to maintain these supplies due to good-faith efforts. Additionally, the bill updates rules for homeschool and correspondence study programs by requiring annual individual learning plans developed collaboratively with students, parents, and teachers. These plans must include state standards, ongoing assessments, and provisions for modifying the curriculum if a student struggles in core subjects.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Juneteenth Day, observed on June 19th, as an official legal holiday in Alaska. By amending state statutes, it adds this date to the list of recognized days when businesses and government offices are closed, joining existing holidays like Independence Day and Memorial Day. The legislation also adjusts the numbering of other holidays in the state code to accommodate this new addition.