Sen. Robert Myers

Maddy summarySB 123 reestablishes a Citizens' Review Panel for Permanency Planning to oversee cases involving children in state custody. It requires child welfare departments to notify the panel within 60 days of removing a child from their home or after a court orders a child committed to the department. The bill also expands access to confidential case information for the review panel, enabling them to evaluate long-term care plans. This directly affects children in foster care or state custody, their families, and child welfare agencies in Alaska. The panel’s role is to ensure decisions prioritize the child’s permanency needs, such as adoption or stable foster care.

Maddy summarySB 256 would allow Alaska to join an interstate agreement (the EMS Licensure Compact) that recognizes emergency medical services (EMS) licenses across state lines. This means EMTs, paramedics, and other licensed EMS personnel could work in participating states without needing a new license, streamlining their ability to provide care during emergencies or routine operations. The compact requires states to share information about license status and any disciplinary actions to ensure patient safety and maintain consistent standards. By joining this agreement, Alaska would align with other states to make EMS workforce mobility easier while protecting public health.

Maddy summarySB 270 amends Alaska's Rules of Criminal Procedure to clarify and strengthen grand jury operations. It requires at least two alternate jurors for each grand jury (Section 1), mandates courts to provide written instructions on grand jury laws (Section 2), and explicitly states grand juries may investigate matters affecting public safety - excluding private civil claims (Sections 3-4). The bill also requires jurors who know of a crime to disclose it to fellow jurors and prosecutors (Section 5), and allows hearsay evidence in grand jury proceedings with proper notice to the jury (Section 10). These changes apply to all Alaska grand juries handling criminal investigations.

Maddy summarySB 271 prohibits abortions in Alaska after a fetal heartbeat is detected, as defined by medical findings in the bill. It requires healthcare providers to obtain written certification confirming a patient received specific information about fetal development and abortion procedures before performing an abortion. The bill also establishes a rebuttable presumption that an abortion was performed with informed consent if providers submit the required written certification. This law directly affects pregnant individuals seeking abortions and medical providers who must comply with these new consent and documentation requirements.

Maddy summarySB 157, the Student Fee Transparency Act, requires the University of Alaska to notify enrolled students 30 days before implementing new fees or fee increases. The notice must clearly state the fee amount, its purpose, and whether it is permanent or temporary with an end date. Additionally, the bill mandates that the University of Alaska provide each student with an itemized billing statement showing all tuition and fees charged. These changes apply to all currently enrolled students and take effect on July 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 254 requires the Alaska Permanent Fund Commissioner to include specific details on individual dividend disbursement advice stubs. It mandates that each stub must break down the dividend amount by source (e.g., income from fund deposits or inflation offsets), explain reductions due to appropriations, and state why certain individuals (like those convicted of felonies or incarcerated) are ineligible. The bill also requires disclosing how funds are allocated - such as to crime victim services, domestic violence programs, and corrections costs - and shows the total amount withheld from ineligible recipients. This provides transparency about how permanent fund dividends are calculated and where related funding is directed.

Maddy summarySB 5 requires school boards to budget for group insurance or self-insurance coverage for school district employees, University of Alaska staff, and other state government employees. The bill amends Alaska statutes to mandate that school boards allocate funds specifically for insurance participation as part of their annual budgeting process. This ensures costs for employee coverage are formally included in school district finances without altering the insurance benefits themselves. The legislation establishes a clear budgeting requirement for these coverage costs across eligible public sector employees.

Maddy summarySB 197 requires all Alaska public schools to provide 60 minutes daily (or 300 weekly) of mathematics instruction for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It mandates school districts to use state-approved, evidence-based math materials and assessments, including a screening test within 30 days of each school term, to track student progress and identify those needing intervention. The bill also requires the Department of Education to create a teacher credential for K-8 math educators demonstrating competency in evidence-based teaching practices. These provisions directly affect school districts, educators, and K-8 students across Alaska by standardizing math instruction, assessment, and teacher qualifications.

Maddy summarySB 136 prohibits financial institutions and payment networks from discriminating against firearm retailers by, for example, refusing transactions based on firearm codes, charging higher fees, or limiting services solely because a business sells firearms. It requires these institutions to maintain privacy for firearm transaction records and forbids disclosing such records unless legally required. The bill allows firearm retailers or customers to petition Alaska's attorney general to investigate violations, with enforcement including injunctions and fines up to $10,000 per violation for noncompliance. It directly affects firearm retailers and financial service providers operating in Alaska, creating a legal framework to address alleged discrimination in payment processing.

Maddy summaryHB 35 restricts electronic device use for prisoners in Alaska state correctional facilities. It prohibits most personal devices like computers, tablets, and VCRs, allowing only approved uses for rehabilitation, education, legal research, or health care. The bill also limits access to certain media (e.g., R-rated movies), specific equipment (like free weights), and restricts food spending comparisons to military personnel. It directly affects incarcerated individuals in state facilities and aims to enhance security by controlling prohibited items and activities. The law became effective November 5, 2025.