Dunleavy vetoes the faculty regent seat, citing conflicts of interest and the risk of tie votes

Governor Mike Dunleavy vetoed House Bill 10 on Monday, blocking a University of Alaska faculty member's voting seat on the Board of Regents, a change the university priced at $4,500 a year in added travel costs. Dunleavy sent a one-page letter to Alaska State House Speaker Bryce Edgmon announcing the veto under Article II, Section 15, the veto power. No press release accompanied it.

He wrote that seating a current university employee creates "inherent conflicts between the Board's fiduciary responsibilities and the faculty member's interests as an employee," that a twelfth member would increase "the potential for tie votes and gridlock," and that faculty input can come "through existing governance processes."

The House passed it 23-17 in May 2025. The Senate passed it 18-2 in May 2026. The House concurred in the Senate's changes 26-14 the next day. Those 44 yes and 16 no votes were on passage and concurrence, not an override, and no member is bound by them.

Under Section 16, a vetoed bill that is not a revenue or appropriation measure becomes law on an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the legislature sitting as one body, 40 of 60 members. No override has been scheduled.

The measure would have expanded the board from 11 regents to 12, with faculty senates electing nominees. Rep. Carrick sponsored it.