Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson

Maddy summarySB 119 prohibits discrimination against Alaskans based on protected characteristics like race, religion, disability, gender, or housing status. It guarantees specific rights including access to public spaces, medical care, employment, housing, and religious participation without denial or harassment. The bill establishes legal remedies, allowing courts to award damages, attorney fees, and injunctions for violations. It directly affects all Alaskans by setting clear standards for equal treatment in daily life and public services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Alaska public schools to annually report detailed performance data to the state department, including specific metrics about student achievement, attendance, and school programs. It directly affects all public schools and their administrators, mandating they submit standardized reports covering accreditation, test results, graduation rates, and student enrollment changes. A key provision adds new requirements for schools to report on their health and personal safety education program, including participation numbers, teaching frequency, and grade levels taught. The bill amends existing school accountability laws (AS 14.03.120 and AS 14.16.050) to integrate these reporting standards, without creating new curriculum or funding.

Maddy summarySB 1 updates funding rules for Alaska's civil legal services fund, which provides legal aid to low-income Alaskans. It specifies that annual funding comes only from two sources: state general fund money (up to 25% of Alaska Court System filing fees from the previous year) and other designated state funds. The bill clarifies that funds must be used exclusively for organizations serving individuals with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. It explicitly states the fund is not a dedicated revenue source, maintaining its status as a flexible budget account within the state's general fund.

Maddy summarySB 42 requires state and municipal police officers, probation officers, parole officers, pretrial services officers, and correctional officers (both state and municipal) to report use-of-force incidents to supervisors immediately. It creates a central database tracking officers with denied or revoked certifications, including the reasons for denial/revocation, and mandates annual reports to the legislature about this data. The bill also expands standards to cover municipal correctional employees and updates definitions for terms like "use of force" (including firearm discharges or injuries causing fatality/serious harm). These changes directly affect all law enforcement and correctional personnel in Alaska who interact with the public. The bill aims to improve transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices.

Maddy summarySB 7 prohibits Alaska peace officers from using any restraint that blocks breathing or blood circulation (like carotid restraints or tracheal chokes) unless deadly force is legally authorized. It directly affects police officers by restricting specific chokehold techniques during arrests. The bill adds this restriction to existing use-of-force laws, clarifying that such restraints are only permitted when deadly force is already justified under the law. This change aims to prevent injuries or deaths caused by breathing-impaired restraints during police encounters.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Alaska Mental Health and Psychedelic Medicine Task Force within the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to study the potential use of FDA-approved psychedelic medicines for treating mental health issues. The task force will evaluate barriers to equitable access, recommend licensing and insurance rules for practitioners, and explore legal pathways for state-level legalization if federal reclassification occurs. Its diverse membership includes representatives from health agencies, mental health organizations, Alaska Native communities, survivors of domestic violence, and the psychiatric profession. The group is required to meet at least four times and submit a final report with its recommendations to the governor and legislature by December 31, 2024, after which the task force will dissolve.

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 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 restricts the use of firefighting substances containing perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances within Alaska, with specific exceptions for the oil and gas industry unless state regulations mandate otherwise. It requires the state fire marshal to adopt rules that mandate the use of safer, alternative firefighting substances if those alternatives are deemed safe and effective by recognized federal testing programs. Additionally, the legislation ensures that the state will accept up to 25 gallons per year of these restricted substances for disposal from residents. The changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Alaska's state procurement rules to ensure that companies receiving price preferences for doing business with the state actually perform the work or have a history of selling similar supplies. It also establishes a two-percent price preference for bids from entities that employ service members or veterans participating in specific transition training programs. Additionally, the legislation creates a new Military and Veteran Family Help Desk within the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to serve as a central resource for information, services, and employment support for military families.