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Alaska parole board grants 85% of recent applications, reversing trend
The Alaska parole board has dramatically increased its approval rate for discretionary parole applications to 85% in recent days, up from lower rates in previous years due to SB 91 repeal and COVID-19 impacts.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readAIAlaska Senate considers tougher penalties for hit-and-run deaths
The Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee heard testimony on legislation that would create enhanced penalties for drivers who flee fatal accidents without rendering aid.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readAIHouse Finance committee debates pharmacist prescribing bill amid abortion concerns
House Bill 195 would expand pharmacist prescribing authority but faces intense scrutiny over whether collaborative practice agreements could enable abortion medication access.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readAIAlaska House committee reviews $759K in agency requests to fix payment delays
State agencies requested hundreds of thousands in penalty funds and new positions rather than fixing systemic payment delays affecting nonprofits and contractors.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIAlaska Native Groups Push for Fishing Permit Reform After $7.5B Exodus
Alaska Federation of Natives presented research showing $7.5 billion in salmon earnings have left the state through non-resident permit holders since 1975, devastating rural fishing communities.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIHouse committee advances bill recognizing dispatchers as first responders
HB 234 would classify emergency dispatchers as first responders, opening access to federal grants and addressing staffing challenges in rural Alaska.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIAlaska Scholarship Funding Projections Show Potential Shortfalls Through 2029
State education officials warned lawmakers that increased scholarship usage under expanded eligibility rules could lead to funding gaps in multiple years through 2029.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readAIAlaska House committee advances bill to expand early intervention eligibility
Committee heard testimony on legislation to lower developmental delay thresholds from 50% to 25% for early childhood services, potentially serving more children and saving millions in future special education costs.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIAlaska House committee advances plan for state immigrant welcoming office
The House State Affairs Committee heard testimony on legislation to create a comprehensive state office to coordinate services for immigrants, refugees, and other newcomers to Alaska.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIHouse Panel Hears Bill to Waive ID Fees for Homeless Young Adults
House Bill 334 would eliminate state fees for identification documents and birth certificates for homeless adults aged 18-25, while expanding address verification options.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIState seeks public comment on Yukon River salmon fishing rules by April 30
The Alaska Board of Fisheries is seeking public comment by April 30 on adding traditional knowledge to Yukon River salmon management regulations.
by Alaska News5mo ago1 min readAIHouse Panel Considers Bills to Ease Alaska's Liquor Liability Insurance Crisis
The House Labor & Commerce Committee heard testimony on legislation aimed at addressing Alaska's severe shortage of affordable liquor liability insurance for restaurants and bars.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAISenate Committee Hears Testimony on Nurse Licensure Compact Bill
The Senate Labor & Commerce Committee received extensive testimony on Senate Bill 124, which would allow Alaska to join the multi-state nursing licensure compact amid the state's severe nursing shortage.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIConference Committee Approves Supplemental Budget with CBR Safeguards
The conference committee passed House Bill 289, Alaska's supplemental budget, with amended language to limit constitutional budget reserve use and reduce contingency funding from $30 million to $20 million.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIHouse Passes Barbers Board Reform, Honors NICU Lifesaving Work
The House unanimously passed legislation streamlining professional licensing for barbers and hairdressers while recognizing healthcare achievements at Alaska's only children's hospital.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago1 min readAIHouse Education Committee Advances Bill to Boost Residential School Funding
The committee heard testimony on HB 380, which would increase funding for Alaska's nine residential school programs for the first time since 2015.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIMayors Oppose Alaska LNG Tax Bill, Cite Revenue Concerns
Five borough mayors testified against Senate Bill 280's proposed tax structure for the Alaska LNG project, citing significant revenue losses and inadequate impact compensation.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIAlaska Special Education Crisis: 200 Teaching Positions Unfilled Statewide
Education officials testified about a severe special education staffing crisis with 200 unfilled positions and a 14% increase in students with disabilities despite steady enrollment.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago1 min readAIHouse Finance weighs bill to standardize state payment timelines
Lawmakers debate legislation requiring the state to pay non-profits, municipalities, and tribal organizations within 30 days, matching standards for private contractors.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAISenate Panel Questions DNR Commissioner Nominee on Gas Development
The Senate Resources Committee conducted a confirmation hearing for John Crowther, the governor's nominee for Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAISenate Committee Advances Bill to Raise Alaska's Age of Consent Amid Sexual Violence Crisis
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard public testimony on House Bill 101, which would raise Alaska's age of consent to 18 with a six-year age gap provision.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIHouse Committee Extends Deadline for AI Personhood Amendment
The House Judiciary Committee postponed a vote on a constitutional amendment that would deny personhood rights to artificial intelligence systems after members requested more time to study the proposal.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIHouse Judiciary Confirms Four Governor Appointees to State Boards
The House Judiciary Committee reviewed four gubernatorial appointees to state oversight boards, including positions on judicial conduct, crime victim compensation, and police standards councils.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIHouse Faces Russian Seafood Ban, Spending Limits, and Healthcare Access Bills
The Alaska House conducted routine business and recognized notable guests including longtime sexual assault reform advocate Katie Boats.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIHouse Advances Corporate Tax Bill, Rejects AI and Nuclear Amendments
The Alaska House moved forward with corporate tax legislation while decisively rejecting controversial amendments targeting AI companies and nuclear weapons.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIAlaska Senate Passes Russian Seafood Import Ban Extension Resolution
The Alaska Senate unanimously approved a resolution supporting continued federal prohibition on Russian seafood imports to protect the state's fishing industry.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIWildlife refuge bill faces pushback over jet ski ban, firearm restrictions
House Resources Committee heard testimony on HB 321, which would redesignate state wildlife areas and ban personal watercraft in Kachemak Bay.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min readAIPanel Calls for Standardized Child Abuse Reporting Training Across Alaska
The Citizens Review Panel presented recommendations to standardize mandatory reporting training and improve early intervention services for at-risk families.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago1 min readAIState's $2.9B Reserve Fund Ranks Second Highest Nationally
Alaska's budget reserve fund of $2.9 billion ranks as the second highest among all U.S. states according to analysis presented to the Senate Finance Committee.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAI
Conference Committee Forms to Resolve HB 289 Budget Differences
A joint legislative conference committee convened to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of the fiscal year 2026 supplemental budget.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAIAlaska Senate Panel Weighs Naturopathic Doctors' Prescription Authority
The Senate Finance Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 193, which would allow licensed naturopathic doctors to prescribe certain medications under physician supervision.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago2 min readAI