Alaska State Legislature

Alaska lawmakers order audit of Board of Fisheries process

The Alaska Legislative Budget and Audit Committee voted unanimously Thursday to commission a special audit of the Board of Fisheries, examining whether the board followed its own statutes, regulations, and public-notice requirements from October 2023 through July 2026.

by Walter AlaskaNews2d ago2 min readAI

Alaska LNG tax bill advances to floor on split conference committee votes

The Alaska Legislature's conference committee voted 2-1 in both chambers Thursday to send a revised Alaska LNG tax bill to the floor, with supporters calling it a necessary step and the lone dissenter in each chamber citing an undefined income tax exemption and a property tax revenue structure he said sets a dangerous precedent.

by Walter AlaskaNews2d ago1 min readAI

Alaska legislative auditor resigns after 34 years, replacement process underway

Chris Curtis submitted her resignation as Alaska's legislative auditor effective August 30, ending more than 34 years with the division. A three-person subcommittee will review applicants and recommend a nominee to the full committee in August, followed by separate House and Senate confirmation votes.

by Walter AlaskaNews2d ago2 min readAI

Conference draft keeps oil-and-gas pass-through tax, delays it to 2029

A House-Senate conference committee draft of HB 381 retains a proposed income tax on certain oil-and-gas pass-through entities but pushes the start of collections back to 2029, while also raising the developer's upfront payment to the state and clarifying project labor agreement requirements tied to the Alaska LNG project.

by Walter AlaskaNews2d ago4 min readAI

Alaska House passes new tax structure for Alaska LNG pipeline aimed at attracting investors

The Alaska House passed HB 381 on Friday, replacing property tax with a volume-based tax on natural gas transported through the proposed Alaska LNG pipeline. Governor Mike Dunleavy called the vote a significant step toward advancing the project.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readAI

Alaska LNG's cheap-gas promise hinges on exports — and on costs staying in line

New Alaska Department of Revenue analysis shows LNG exports are key to cheap in-state gas — about $5/mcf versus $12.65 without them — but a cost overrun could push the export price above market.

by Walter AlaskaNews6d ago2 min readAI

Boyle files to challenge Holland in high-turnout South Anchorage House Seat.

Former DNR Commissioner John Boyle has filed to challenge Rep. Ky Holland in House District 9, Alaska's highest-turnout House district covering south Anchorage hillside and Turnagain Arm communities.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI

Daniel J. Sullivan sued the state today over a denied Senate ballot spot

Daniel J. Sullivan, denied a U.S. Senate primary ballot spot in Alaska, filed a court appeal today as state lawmakers held a joint hearing on the dispute

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min readAI

Who pays when the state underfunds school construction debt?

The Alaska Municipal League is urging the Governor and Legislature to fully fund school bond debt reimbursement in the FY2027 budget, as shortfalls shift costs onto cities, boroughs, and local taxpayers.

by Walter AlaskaNews6d ago1 min readAI

Alaska's gas-line bill clears the Senate — and the governor immediately moves to undo it

Alaska's Senate passed LNG bill HB 381 12-8; Gov. Dunleavy called a second special session to rewrite provisions he says would sink the North Slope gas project.

by Cale Green4w ago3 min readAI

ENSTAR says it locked in a price for Alaska LNG

ENSTAR announces $16/MCF North Slope gas contract price, comparing favorably to LNG imports but representing significant increase over current Cook Inlet costs; Southcentral utilities face 2026-2029 contract expiration deadlines requiring pipeline or import facility decisions.

by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI

Lesil McGuire filing adds ranked-choice Republican voice to crowded Alaska governor race

Former state Sen. Lesil McGuire filed a letter of intent to run for Alaska governor, adding a Republican voice supportive of ranked-choice voting to a crowded 2026 field ahead of Monday's filing deadline.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI

Alaska House passes campaign contribution limits that could take effect during 2026 election

The Alaska House narrowly approved Senate changes to a campaign-finance bill restoring contribution limits to state and local candidates, with an effective date of January 2027.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI

An ethics panel found probable cause that Rep. Sarah Vance misused her office to pressure a newspaper

A legislative ethics subcommittee found probable cause that Rep. Sarah Vance misused state resources to pressure the Homer News over an article. The case heads to a full hearing.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min readAI

Permanent daylight time would push Anchorage's winter sunrise past 11 a.m.

The U.S. House passed a bill to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide, a change that would push winter sunrise times an hour later across Alaska and intersects with competing state legislation over which time standard Alaska should keep year-round.

by Walter AlaskaNews4d ago1 min readAI

Energy consultant tells House Finance that property tax makes Alaska LNG unfinanceable

House Finance Committee hears testimony on Alaska LNG property tax reform

by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readAI

Alaska News Roundup: Gas pipeline tax fight, Point Thomson trade-off, and McNeil River access debate

This episode covers the week's major Alaska stories: a gas pipeline tax bill that added oil tax increases, the Point Thomson condensate trade-off for pipeline gas, Mount Edgecumbe enrollment crisis, and McNeil River bear sanctuary access proposals.

by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago3 min readAI

Alaska's LNG tax break now hinges on a gas line to Fairbanks

A Senate Finance draft of HB 381 ties Alaska LNG's tax break to Glenfarne paying $80M, signing a labor deal, and building a gas spur line to Fairbanks.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min readAI

Alaska Senate digs in on gas tax bill, sends it to conference

The Alaska State Senate voted 0-16 on whether to recede from its amendments to House Bill 381, failing to do so and sending the natural gas pipeline tax measure to a conference committee. The chamber also passed two procedural resolutions and introduced two new Senate bills before adjourning until July 1.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min readAI

Senate Finance hears $18 billion revenue trade-off for Alaska LNG tax break

Alaska Senate Finance Committee reviews fiscal analysis of proposed tax structure for Alaska LNG project, showing $18 billion combined revenue reduction over project life in exchange for improved global price competitiveness.

by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI

Alaska kicked Sullivan off the ballot. In 2024, the state argued it couldn't

Alaska Division of Elections removal of Daniel J. Sullivan from U.S. Senate ballot contradicts state's 2024 court position in Eric Hafner case

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min readAI

Alaska LNG could cost $70 billion; state's 25% stake faces dilution

The Alaska State Senate Finance Committee heard Wednesday that the Alaska LNG project's capital costs could reach $70 billion rather than the commonly cited $46 billion, and that the state's 25% equity stake faces potential dilution when new investors join the project's three sub-companies.

by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI

Senate Finance presses Alaska LNG spur line: who builds, who pays, who regulates

The Alaska Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday heard unresolved questions about who will build, own, and regulate a proposed Fairbanks natural gas spur line, how its cost should be spread across ratepayers, and whether HB 381's spur commitment is firm enough to guarantee construction.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readAI

HB 381 exempts Alaska LNG project property from municipal taxes, replaces with volumetric splits

HB 381 exempts covered Alaska LNG project property from municipal property taxes and replaces that structure with a phased volumetric tax whose revenue splits shift significantly once LNG exports begin, with the Kenai Peninsula Borough receiving 48.4 percent of base Phase 2 revenue. The tax changes take effect only if specified conditions are met.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min readAI

Alaska Legislature approves $1,000 PFD, $200 energy relief payment

The Alaska Legislature conference committee approved a $1,000 Permanent Fund Dividend and increased energy relief payments from $150 to $200 per person, totaling $127.3 million, in a split vote Sunday.

by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago3 min readAI

Alaska Senate passes S-corp LNG tax with 2028 effective date

The Alaska Senate on Friday adopted a pass-through entity tax on oil and gas income with a 2028 effective date, after rejecting an immediate version 9-11, then passing HB 381 12-8 with the provision included.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago3 min readAI

House Finance advances Alaska LNG tax bill, curtailing North Slope's power to negotiate

The House Finance Committee voted 11-0 Wednesday to advance a major natural gas pipeline bill after adopting amendments that restructure municipal taxes and increase community impact aid to $80 million.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readAI

Alaska Senate panel hears gas line bill with $900M annual tax break

by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago3 min readAI

After a lawmaker's mom lost $8,000, Alaska cracks down on crypto scam kiosks

A new Alaska law requires licensing, fraud warnings, and refunds for cryptocurrency kiosks, the machines scammers use to steal millions from Alaskans, especially seniors.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAI

Glenfarne's own cost estimate for Alaska LNG is now significantly higher than AGDC's — and the state's equity option sits in the middle of the new math

AGDC transferred three-quarters ownership of Eight Star Alaska—the entity holding FERC authorization and project assets—to private developer Glenfarn in 2025, shifting construction risk off state books while preserving a 5–25% buy-in window at final investment decision.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readAI

Dunleavy called a second special session over the unresolved LNG tax bill

Gov. Dunleavy called a second special session over the unresolved Alaska LNG tax bill — and the legislature overrode two vetoes but failed on three more

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago3 min readAI

An oil spike filled Alaska's budget and hammered its schools — and the new budget sends some back

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed Alaska's FY2027 budget, directing a temporary oil-revenue windfall to school infrastructure and rural districts' rising energy costs.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min readAI

House Finance writes a $16 gas-price cap into Alaska LNG bill — even if Enstar's contract isn't signed

Alaska House Finance Committee caps natural gas prices at $16 per million BTU for Alaskans through statutory amendment to House Bill 381, mirroring Enstar contract terms to protect ratepayers from cost overruns on Alaska LNG project.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI

What the Senate Changed in the Gas-Line Deal

The Alaska Senate's rewrite of HB 381 caps utility gas prices, adds oversight of AGDC, protects ratepayers from overruns, and sends early tax revenue to boroughs.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago3 min readAI

Where Alaska's gas-line tax deal stands, and what's still stuck

Alaska lawmakers are negotiating the HB 381 gas-line tax bill, weighing ratepayer caps, a Fairbanks spur line, and unresolved legal and cost disputes in conference committee.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAI

Consultant warns Senate Finance that Alaska LNG faces megaproject risks

Independent megaproject consultant warns Alaska Senate Finance that 92% of megaprojects exceed budget or schedule, with LNG projects averaging 70% cost overruns, directly challenging optimistic timelines for the state's proposed gas pipeline and export terminal.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI

Alaska Passes Age of Consent Bill After Weeks-Long Senate Delay

The Alaska House voted 39-1 to approve an omnibus crime package bundling 11 public safety bills, including raising the age of consent to 18, criminalizing AI-generated child sexual abuse material, and creating new penalties for mail theft.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readAI

Alaska House raises unemployment benefits, expands telehealth coverage

The Alaska House of Representatives voted Wednesday to raise the maximum weekly unemployment benefit from $370 to $470 and expand telehealth pay parity, passing two bills with overwhelming support on the final day of the regular session.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI

The $16 Gas Promise Comes With Fine Print

A consumer watchdog warns Alaska's $16 gas-line price may climb before delivery, while utilities call the firm cap protection against costlier LNG imports.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min readAI