Sen. Bert Stedman

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Alaska Military Affairs Commission and updates the composition of the Joint Armed Services Committee to include representatives from military organizations and local mayors. It creates a new role for an assistant adjutant general within the Alaska National Guard, requiring the appointee to have at least five years of service in the state's Army or Air National Guard. Additionally, the legislation sets specific eligibility requirements for judge advocates, mandating that they be commissioned officers in good standing with a state militia or federal armed forces. These changes aim to broaden community representation in military advisory bodies and standardize leadership qualifications within the state's military structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Alaska Veterans' Poppy Day to honor past and current military members and those who died preserving freedom. The day is set to occur annually on the Friday immediately before Memorial Day. It adds this new observance to the state's legal code without changing any other existing laws or requiring specific actions from individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Alaska state agencies to create a strategic plan for developing critical minerals needed for renewable energy technologies. It requires the Department of Natural Resources to submit a report comparing the state's current production of minerals like lithium and copper to national and global levels, while also analyzing how regulatory rules affect mining development. Additionally, the Department of Commerce must provide a report on how Alaska can support the global energy transition through innovation, manufacturing, and transportation. Both reports must outline specific strategies for increasing state production and competitiveness over the next three, five, and ten years.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Alaska's timber sales laws to allow the state commissioner to sell wood more quickly in specific situations, such as when trees are damaged by fire, insects, or disease, or when they are at risk of losing value soon. It also permits the commissioner to negotiate lower stumpage rates with local wood product manufacturers or fiber users to support local industry, provided the sale still meets state interests and the rate does not fall below a set base price. Additionally, the legislation requires the Department of Natural Resources to submit a detailed report to the legislature by the end of the 2025 fiscal year, outlining all timber sales made during that period and explaining any delays in the process.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution expresses the Alaska State Legislature's support for small fishing businesses and families, urging the federal government to adopt policies that help the state's seafood industry compete globally. The bill calls on federal agencies to create a dedicated office for seafood policy within the Department of Agriculture and to treat seafood producers similarly to those in land-based agriculture. It also requests increased federal funding for product development and marketing, better trade representation for seafood interests, and improved access to programs for vessel construction and workforce development.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates March 2024 as Chronic Kidney Disease Awareness Month in Alaska to highlight the importance of research, screening, and healthcare access for those affected by the condition. The bill underscores that kidney disease disproportionately impacts communities of color and notes that many cases go undiagnosed until significant irreversible damage has occurred. By officially recognizing this month, the resolution aims to encourage public understanding of the disease's risks and the availability of simple diagnostic tests.

Maddy summaryThis Alaska House Joint Resolution urges the United States Congress to repeal two specific provisions of the federal Social Security Act: the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset. These provisions currently reduce Social Security benefits for public employees and teachers in Alaska who cannot earn Social Security credits while working in state or school systems. The resolution highlights that these rules disproportionately lower monthly payments for low-earning workers and may discourage people from joining the public workforce. The bill is a non-binding request to federal lawmakers, not a law that changes state policy itself.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a House Concurrent Resolution that formally honors United States military veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. It recognizes the health risks and sacrifices these veterans faced, noting that over 300,000 died due to exposure and that many more suffered from serious illnesses or genetic damage affecting their families. The resolution expresses the Alaska State Legislature's gratitude for the courage and service of these veterans but does not create any new laws or change existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution from the Alaska State Legislature that urges the United States Congress to pass the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act. The resolution highlights the historical harm caused by federal boarding schools, which forcibly removed American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children from their families to assimilate them, often resulting in abuse and death. It specifically notes that over 100 such schools existed in Alaska, many of which remain unidentified due to a lack of accessible records. The Alaska Legislature expresses its full support for the federal legislation, which aims to establish a commission to address the intergenerational trauma stemming from these policies. Copies of the resolution were sent to federal officials, including the President, Vice President, and members of Congress representing Alaska.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution urges the U.S. Congress and the President to pass and sign the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2023. The proposed legislation would amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to return approximately 11,500 acres of land currently held in trust by the state back to the affected Alaska Native village corporations. This change would allow these corporations to decide how to use the land for economic development rather than waiting for future municipalities to incorporate. The bill specifically targets the 93 villages that have not yet incorporated, aiming to remove a requirement established in 1971 that mandated holding land in trust for potential future cities.