Sen. Cathy Giessel

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 summaryHJR 28 is a resolution passed by the Alaska State Legislature calling on the U.S. Congress to enact the Kids Online Safety Act (S. 1748). It does not create new laws but urges federal action to protect minors under 17 from online risks like harmful content, addictive design, and excessive data collection. The resolution highlights that S. 1748 would require online platforms to implement default privacy settings, parental controls, and restrictions on targeting children with ads or data tracking. Alaska’s resolution directly affects children and teens using websites, apps, and social media by advocating for federal safeguards. This is a procedural resolution, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHJR 18 is a resolution passed by the Alaska State Legislature expressing support for the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project. It recognizes the project as critical for Alaska’s economy, U.S. energy independence, and national security, and urges federal officials - including President Trump, Secretary of the Interior Douglas Burgum, and relevant agencies - to expedite approvals and coordination for the project. The resolution highlights that the project would create high-paying jobs, generate long-term revenue, and provide a direct energy corridor for global LNG exports without relying on adversarial nations. As a non-binding resolution, it does not enact policy but formally advocates for federal action to advance the project.

Maddy summaryThis Alaska legislative resolution (HJR 20) calls on the U.S. Congress to establish two specific hiring goals for Department of Defense (DoD) construction projects: requiring that at least 10% of workers on these projects be in apprenticeship programs, and that at least 10% of those apprentices be veterans. It directly addresses veterans transitioning to civilian careers by targeting employment opportunities in military construction, which involves $18 billion in annual funding. The resolution urges Congress to pass legislation mandating these requirements for contractors and subcontractors on all domestic DoD construction projects. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses Alaska's support for veterans' employment without creating new federal law.

Maddy summaryHB 26 requires Alaska's Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to develop a statewide public and community transit plan in collaboration with transit operators, local governments, communities, and tribal entities. The bill mandates the department to study transportation alternatives while considering economic, environmental, and social impacts, including improvements to urban, rural, and remote transit systems. It adds a specific duty to create this comprehensive plan as part of the department's broader transportation planning responsibilities under existing law. The legislation directly affects how Alaska coordinates and plans public transit services across all regions of the state.

Maddy summarySB 26 is a bill that petitions the U.S. Department of Transportation to move all of Alaska into the Pacific Standard Time zone under the Uniform Time Act of 1966. It also permanently exempts Alaska from observing daylight saving time, requiring the state to use standard time year-round during periods when daylight saving time would otherwise apply. The exemption only takes effect if the Department of Transportation approves the time zone change by January 1, 2035. This bill directly affects all Alaskans by changing the state’s time zone and eliminating seasonal clock changes. The bill itself does not implement the change but seeks federal approval for the policy shift.

Maddy summarySB 111, the "Digital Right to Repair Act," requires digital product manufacturers (like those making phones, computers, or farm equipment) to provide independent repair shops and device owners with necessary documentation, parts, and tools for diagnosis, maintenance, and repair. It mandates that manufacturers make these resources available on terms no less favorable than those given to their own authorized service providers, including security feature reset documentation. The bill prohibits charging independent repairers more than authorized dealers and allows reasonable fees only for physical copies or shipping. It directly affects manufacturers, independent repair businesses, and consumers seeking repair options, while exempting parts no longer available to manufacturers. The law takes effect upon enactment.

Maddy summarySB 147 expands pharmacists' authority in Alaska to independently prescribe and administer certain medications, including vaccines and opioid overdose drugs, without a doctor's direct order. It requires pharmacists to complete specific training programs (e.g., for epinephrine use or opioid overdose response) and register controlled substance prescriptions in a state database. The bill also updates licensing standards, including language fluency and program approval requirements for pharmacy schools, and clarifies the Board of Pharmacy's regulatory powers. These changes directly affect pharmacists (by broadening their clinical roles), patients (by increasing access to care), and the pharmacy board (by strengthening oversight).

Maddy summaryHB 210 increases disability benefits for peace officers and firefighters who become disabled in the line of duty. After the first 12 months of eligibility, their monthly benefit rises from 40% to 75% of their gross monthly compensation at the time of disability. The bill also requires employers to continue making retirement contributions to the officer's or firefighter's account during disability, without deducting from their benefits. This directly affects Alaska peace officers and firefighters receiving occupational disability benefits under state law. The changes take effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes an amendment to the Alaska Constitution that would lower the vote threshold required to override a governor's veto from three-fourths to two-thirds for all bills, currently requiring a higher threshold for revenue and appropriation bills. It also establishes deadlines for reconsidering vetoes after legislative sessions end - requiring action within five days of the next regular or special session - and mandates that override votes be recorded in legislative journals. If approved, this change would affect how the Alaska legislature handles vetoed bills, altering the legislative process for enacting laws. The amendment must be submitted to voters at the next general election for ratification.