Sen. George Rauscher

Maddy summaryHB 201 modifies Alaska campaign finance rules by requiring candidates to distribute unused campaign funds within 90 days after an election or withdrawal. It specifies that leftover funds can only be used for election-related winding-down costs (like thank-you events), donations to political parties or the state general fund (with restrictions), or transferring to future campaigns - up to $50,000 for governor candidates or $5,000 for other offices. The bill also prohibits using campaign funds to pay civil penalties if a candidate intentionally caused the violation. This directly affects candidates and campaign committees handling leftover funds.

Maddy summaryHB 15 establishes new royalty rates for oil and gas production in Alaska. For new oil and gas projects beginning commercial production after July 2025 and before January 2036 in areas south of 68°N latitude, companies must pay 6.25% for oil and 3% for gas. For gas produced north of 68°N that is liquefied and sold to public utilities at a discounted rate, a 1% royalty applies under similar terms. The bill defines "qualified new" production to include fields without prior commercial production or new wells not previously feasible, with these rates expiring on January 1, 2046.

Maddy summaryHB 166 requires Alaska's Department of Education to develop an opioid abuse awareness curriculum for students in grades 6-12. The curriculum must cover opioid dangers (including fentanyl-laced candy), science of opioid use, safe prescription practices, and early warning signs, with at least 60 minutes of annual instruction. School districts must teach this curriculum during the last week in October. The bill also mandates that the Department consult with health officials, overdose response experts, and affected families when creating the program.

Maddy summaryHJR 16 is a resolution passed by the Alaska State Legislature urging the Export-Import Bank of the United States to prioritize funding for domestic projects like the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project over the Mozambique LNG project. It requests the bank reconsider its funding for Mozambique LNG - which has a 43 million metric ton annual capacity - arguing it competes with Alaska's project and could reduce demand for domestic LNG exports. The resolution specifically cites Alaska LNG's planned 20,000 metric ton annual capacity and 2031 export timeline as projects that align with national energy security goals. It directs the bank to provide similar support for Alaska LNG as it has for Mozambique LNG, ensuring funding decisions align with long-term U.S. export interests.

Maddy summaryHB 65 authorizes the Alaska Railroad Corporation to issue up to $135 million in revenue bonds to replace the passenger dock and terminal facility in Seward, Alaska. The project must accommodate marine highway vessels with side-loading doors, and bonds will be repaid solely from dock revenue, not state funds. This bill directly affects the Alaska Railroad Corporation and the Seward facility, enabling infrastructure upgrades without using general state credit. The bill was signed into law on March 6, 2025, and took effect March 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 108 allows Alaska state troopers hired after June 30, 2006, who are currently enrolled in the defined contribution retirement plan (similar to a 401(k)) to switch to the defined benefit pension plan (guaranteed monthly payments after retirement) for a one-time election. Eligible troopers can make this change within 90 days of the bill's effective date, transferring their existing contributions to purchase retirement credits in the new plan. The bill requires administrators to provide written notice and financial comparisons before the election. This applies only to state troopers not previously in the defined benefit plan who meet service requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 83 rejects all recommendations from Alaska's State Officers Compensation Commission regarding state officer pay for 2025. The bill directly blocks the commission's proposed changes to compensation levels without creating new salary rules. It takes immediate effect under existing law, preventing the recommended salary adjustments from being implemented. This is a procedural disapproval of the commission's report, not a new policy change.

Maddy summaryHJR 7 is a symbolic resolution expressing Alaska's gratitude to President Trump for his 2020 executive order "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential." The resolution specifically commends the executive order's directives to restart oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, rescind environmental reviews of past projects, and prioritize resource development on federal lands. It does not create new laws or alter regulations but formally supports the executive order's policy goals. The resolution directly affects Alaska's legislative body, which is expressing this stance to the federal government. This is a non-binding gesture, not a legislative change.

Maddy summaryHB 19 amends Alaska election laws to change how political party representatives are appointed for election administration. It requires election supervisors to appoint one nominee from the party with the most registered voters and one from the second-largest party (or political group) for election roles, with exceptions if parties fail to submit names by April 15. The bill also updates rules for election watchers, clarifying who may appoint them (parties, candidates, or organizations) and limiting on-duty personnel per location. These changes directly affect election supervisors, political parties, candidates, and election officials statewide.

Maddy summaryThis Alaska state resolution (HJR 2) urges the U.S. Congress and the incoming Trump administration to reverse the Biden administration's decision to withdraw approximately 625 million acres of federal offshore land from oil and gas leasing under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953. It directly affects Alaska's economy, energy security, and jobs by opposing the withdrawal of areas near Alaska's coast and Cook Inlet, where the state cites current energy shortages and reliance on costly LNG imports. The resolution requests federal action to restore offshore leasing opportunities and balance energy policy to support "affordable energy, family-supporting jobs, and national security." As a non-binding resolution, it does not change federal policy but formally requests the federal government reverse this administrative decision.