Rep. Ashley Carrick

Maddy summaryHB 141 requires new public buildings or those undergoing major renovations costing $30,000+ to include universal changing facilities in bathrooms. These facilities - defined as tables or devices for changing diapers or assisting adults - must be available in at least one public bathroom, or in separate men’s and women’s bathrooms if gendered. The law exempts buildings where installation isn’t practical or would violate disability access standards. Owners must report facility locations to the Department of Transportation, which will maintain a public online list. This bill directly affects state-owned buildings, public transportation facilities, and government spaces open to the public.

Maddy summaryHB 137 ensures that Alaska Permanent Fund Dividends (PFDs) for individuals behind on child support payments are directed to the child support recipient, not the debtor. The bill requires child support agencies to share lists of debtors with the Department of Revenue by March 31 each year, allowing the department to file PFD applications on behalf of eligible debtors without requiring their signature. If approved, the full dividend (minus a 7% administrative fee) is paid directly to the child support recipient, and the dividend cannot be claimed by agencies or used to satisfy the debt. This changes how PFDs are processed for debtors, prioritizing child support payments while simplifying the application process for affected individuals.

Maddy summaryThis Alaska bill (SB 15) amends licensing rules for businesses selling alcohol, directly affecting restaurants, theaters, and seasonal eateries. It requires these establishments to ensure adequate supervision to prevent underage access to alcohol, including specific rules for minors aged 16-20: they may only enter for dining (with parental consent for under-16s), and employees aged 16-20 must be supervised to prevent them from obtaining alcohol. The bill also shortens permitted alcohol service hours at theaters from two hours before events to one hour before and during intermissions. These changes apply to all licensed food-and-beverage venues operating under Alaska’s alcohol regulations.

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 summaryHB 2 creates a diversion program for eligible individuals charged with driving under the influence (DUI) or refusing a chemical test, allowing them to avoid conviction by completing program requirements instead of facing standard sentencing. The bill modifies restitution rules to include diversion program agreements as enforceable judgments, waives surcharges for participants in the program, and permits deferred sentencing (probation without a conviction) for eligible DUI cases. It also updates administrative rules for record-keeping by the Department of Administration and clarifies definitions related to DUI offenses under Alaska law. This program directly affects first-time or low-risk DUI offenders who meet specific eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHJR 3 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Alaska State Legislature opposing efforts to rename Denali (the tallest mountain in North America) back to "Mt. McKinley." It supports retaining the Koyukon Athabaskan name Denali, which has been used for thousands of years by Alaska Native peoples, and recognizes the cultural heritage of Alaska Native communities. The resolution was sent to federal officials, including the President and U.S. Senators from Alaska, to advocate for the name Denali. It does not change any legal naming but expresses Alaska's stance on honoring Indigenous heritage. This follows the 2015 federal decision to rename the mountain from "Mt. McKinley" to "Denali."

Maddy summaryHB 9 requires Alaska school districts to allocate additional funding (from grants or other sources beyond state aid) to charter schools in proportion to the charter school's annual budget relative to the state aid the district receives. It also mandates that school districts establish written procedures allowing children with disabilities to access medically necessary services at school, provided they have a medical diagnosis and a prescription from a qualified health care provider. The bill directly affects school districts, charter schools, and students with disabilities in Alaska. These changes apply to contracts entered into or renewed after the bill's effective date.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Review Commission within the Alaska Department of Public Safety to address unresolved cases involving indigenous individuals. The commission will consist of nine members representing law enforcement, tribal organizations, victim advocates, and the legislature, who will meet to examine case trends and make recommendations for improving collaboration and reducing such incidents. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Public Safety to hire at least two investigators specifically tasked with handling these cases and serving as liaisons between agencies, communities, and federally recognized tribes. All documents and information gathered by the commission during its reviews will remain confidential and protected from public disclosure or use in legal proceedings.