Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson

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 summaryHB 202 designates giant cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) as Alaska's official state vegetable. The bill amends state code to formally include this designation and takes effect immediately upon enactment. This is a symbolic measure with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on residents or state programs.

Maddy summarySB 93 modifies how students in Alaska school districts' approved early education programs are counted for funding purposes. It changes the calculation to count each such student as "one-half" of a full-time equivalent student (previously specified with brackets), directly affecting school districts offering these programs. The bill repeals outdated funding calculation sections in state law (AS 14.03.120(h), 14.03.410, etc.) to implement this change. The new funding method takes effect on July 1, 2025.

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 summarySB 40 designates September 15 to October 15 each year as Hispanic Heritage Month in Alaska. This bill requires schools, community groups, and public or private organizations to observe this period with activities honoring Hispanic Americans' contributions to Alaska and U.S. history and culture. It amends Alaska Statute 44.12 to formally establish the observance period without creating new programs or funding. The bill is purely ceremonial, focusing on recognition rather than policy changes.

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.

Maddy summarySB 206 requires school staff to report bullying or harassment incidents to school officials and child advocacy centers. It allows school districts to notify parents about such incidents involving their child or suicide threats, providing them with suicide prevention resources and guidance on safely storing firearms and medications. The bill creates a new grant fund managed by the Department of Public Safety to provide free firearm safe storage devices (like lock boxes) to schools. These provisions directly affect Alaska public schools, students, and parents/guardians by adding reporting requirements, parental notification options, and firearm safety support.

Maddy summarySB 221 prohibits the Alaska Retirement Management Board, the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Board, and the commissioner of revenue from investing state funds or conducting business with DigitalBridge Group, Inc., or its affiliates. The bill amends Alaska Statutes to specifically block these entities from using DigitalBridge as an investment partner for the state's retirement funds, permanent fund, and a designated subaccount within the budget reserve fund. This restriction directly affects how these state investment bodies manage funds by removing DigitalBridge Group and its affiliates from approved investment options. The policy change is a clear prohibition that alters investment eligibility without altering broader investment strategies.