Alaska state government's executive branch, headed by the Governor and 15 cabinet departments. Oversees education, public safety, transportation, health, commerce, and natural resource management for the 49th state.
120 4th St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
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Suzanne LaFrance
“every federal or state dollar that we secure for construction reduces the impact of future shipping surcharges by about $2.50 down the line. When you add this $191.3 million settlement to the $25 million from the state and the $61.5 million in federal grants secured under my administration, The impact is massive. We are effectively protecting Alaskans from as much as $694 million in future surcharges on food, goods, and everyday supplies.”Governor Dunleavy: Press Conference: Port of Alaska · Jul 7, 2026

Mike Dunleavy
“this port has been a longstanding issue in terms of it being repaired and upgraded.”Governor Dunleavy: Press Conference: Port of Alaska · Jul 7, 2026

Dan Sullivan
“I was very much in the mindset that it's time to settle the litigation. As the mayor, as the attorney general said, this has been going on for more than a decade. We have won, and the federal government shouldn't just be dragging its feet. Enough is enough.”Governor Dunleavy: Press Conference: Port of Alaska · Jul 7, 2026

Dan Sullivan
“what I've been doing in my position as your senator is engaging. We've been engaging for years on this, but to really kind of up the tempo on engaging with the top people in our federal government that was the Maritime Administration Director, the mayor, and Administrator Steve Carmel, who— that was the direct litigation against the city. Secretary of Transportation Duffy, Attorney General Blanch, as he mentioned. And my message to all of them was, hey guys, come on, let's settle this.”Governor Dunleavy: Press Conference: Port of Alaska · Jul 7, 2026

Dan Sullivan
“what this settlement is going to do, it is going to dramatically help us bring down costs on everything from food and fuel that Alaskans need.”Governor Dunleavy: Press Conference: Port of Alaska · Jul 7, 2026

Suzanne LaFrance
“it's the largest settlement in the municipality's history. Every single dollar of this funding will go directly toward construction costs for the Port of Alaska modernization program.”Governor Dunleavy: Press Conference: Port of Alaska · Jul 7, 2026
Wasilla Man Arrested on Domestic Violence Assault Charge
Alaska State Troopers arrested Ross Turner, 33, on domestic violence assault charges after a late-night disturbance at a Wasilla residence where a child was present.
Senate panel advances gas pipeline tax overhaul with $610M revenue target
The Senate Resources Committee adopted a comprehensive rewrite of gas pipeline taxation combining policy oversight and new tax structures that could generate $610 million annually from Alaska's natural gas resources.

House panel hears bill to extend confidentiality to tribal victim advocates
The House Tribal Affairs Committee heard House Bill 384, which would add tribal governments to the definition of victim counseling centers, extending confidentiality protections to survivors who seek help from tribal organizations.

Fairbanks father's testimony drives push for faster body cam release
The House State Affairs Committee heard emotional testimony from a Fairbanks father whose sons were shot by state troopers, fueling support for a bill requiring police to release body camera footage within 30 days of use-of-force incidents that result in death or serious injury.

Alaska House panel hears bill to overhaul school funding timelines
The House Finance Committee heard testimony on HB 261, which would allow districts to use three-year average student counts instead of single-year October counts to set budgets months earlier and offer teacher contracts in spring rather than summer.

Energy consultant: Alaska LNG tax bill could cut delivered cost by 20 cents
Energy consultant tells House Resources Committee that proposed alternative volumetric tax in HB 381 would reduce delivered cost to Asia by roughly 20 cents per MMBtu compared to current property tax, potentially making the $46+ billion project more competitive globally while still generating stable municipal revenue.

Oil industry opposes tax provisions in Alaska gas pipeline bill
Alaska Oil and Gas Association testified against multiple tax provisions in SB 280, warning that sections decoupling oil and gas lease expenditures and imposing new S-corp taxes could harm current operations and chill investment.

Board considers trawl gear restrictions in Aleutian Islands state waters
The Alaska Board of Fisheries heard testimony on a proposal to close state waters west of 170° W. longitude to trawl vessels over 100 feet, with golden king crab fishermen reporting dramatic catch declines since 2014 while community development groups and processors opposed the closure.
Alaska Universities Report 73% Jump in Teacher Pipeline Enrollment
University of Alaska reports significant growth in teacher education programs, with Ed Rising student participation up 73% year-over-year and over $1 million in scholarships awarded to 109 teacher candidates.

Board of Fish Defers Trawl Gear Restrictions, Opts for Federal Coordination
The Alaska Board of Fisheries voted 7-0 to take no action on four trawl-related proposals, instead choosing to work with federal fishery managers through a Joint Protocol Committee to address habitat and bycatch concerns.

Alaska Board Rejects 25% Hatchery Production Cut After Heated Debate
The Alaska Board of Fisheries voted 6-1 to reject a proposal to reduce pink and chum salmon hatchery production by 25%, despite concerns about impacts on wild stocks, after extensive debate about scientific uncertainty and economic consequences.

Commission Approves Explosives Storage Site for Avalanche Control
The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing the Alaska Department of Transportation to build an explosives storage facility and heliport near Girdwood for avalanche mitigation operations along the Seward Highway.

Willow Woman Charged After 25 Sled Dogs Found Dead on Property
A Willow woman faces 26 felony animal cruelty charges after 25 sled dogs were found starved to death on her property following months of ignored complaints to Mat-Su Animal Control.
Alaska LNG Tax Bill Walks Tightrope Between Project Viability and Local Needs
House Resources Committee's revised tax structure for Alaska LNG reflects tension between competitive global positioning and community impact compensation that defines natural gas megaproject debates worldwide.

Senate panel advances two nominees to Alaska Violent Crimes Compensation Board
The Senate Judiciary Committee recommended two gubernatorial appointees — Anna Cometa seeking a second term and Joel Hard, a new nominee with 40 years in law enforcement — for confirmation to the Alaska Violent Crimes Compensation Board, which has seen a 32% increase in applications since 2022.

Alaska's tribal school compact bill navigates sovereignty and public education law
Senate Bill 66 would authorize five-year pilot agreements allowing tribes to operate public schools under state funding while maintaining tribal governance, requiring new legislation to balance sovereignty with existing education statutes.

Alaska LNG tax bill could swing state revenue by hundreds of millions
Department of Revenue warns that regulatory interpretations of Senate Bill 280's complex tax provisions could shift Alaska's annual revenue by hundreds of millions of dollars, with the bill creating new taxes while exempting the Alaska LNG project from property taxes.

House Finance considers multi-year school funding averaging bill
The House Finance Committee heard testimony on HB 261, which would shift Alaska's education funding to a three-year enrollment average instead of annual counts, giving districts earlier budget certainty but carrying a fiscal note approaching $1 billion over five years.

Senate Finance Advances Agricultural Leasing Reform After Farmer Cites $9,000 Annual Fee
The Senate Finance Committee moved forward with legislation to make state agricultural land more accessible through below-market leases and merit-based selection after hearing testimony about prohibitive appraisal costs.

Alaska expands background checks to all medical professionals
The Senate Health and Social Services Committee adopted changes requiring fingerprint-based criminal background checks for all physicians, osteopaths, podiatrists, and physician assistants seeking Alaska licenses, not just those applying through interstate compacts.

Senate panel adopts changes to health care compact bill
The Senate Health and Social Services Committee adopted a committee substitute for SB 281 that removes PA scope language, adds background check requirements, and revises the rural health advisory council structure.

House panel debates $113M education funding formula shift
The House Finance Committee heard testimony on a bill that would change how Alaska calculates school funding, using a three-year enrollment average instead of a single October count.

House Labor Committee Advances Travel Insurance Bill, Hears Disaster Pet Plan
The House Labor and Commerce Committee voted to advance travel insurance legislation after adopting technical amendments, while hearing proposals to strengthen emergency planning for pets and clarify state authority over natural gas contracts.

Task Force Hears Federal Assessment Rules, NAEP Context, and AKSTAR Demo
The Joint Legislative Task Force on Education Funding received presentations on federal testing requirements under ESSA, how to interpret NAEP scores, and a demonstration of Alaska's AKSTAR assessment system.

Senate Education Committee Advances Opioid Awareness Bill, Hears Tribal School Compact Proposal
The committee unanimously moved Senate Bill 228, requiring opioid education in schools, and heard the first presentation on Senate Bill 66, which would allow tribes to operate public schools under state-tribal compacts.

3-Year-Old Dies After Falling Through Ice in Goodnews Bay
A 3-year-old boy died after falling through thin ice on the Goodnews River in Goodnews Bay on April 23, prompting a community search and an ongoing Trooper investigation.
Kodiak Trooper Uses Surfboard to Rescue Teen from Island Lake Ice
Alaska State Trooper Anthony Will used a surfboard to rescue a hypothermic teenager who fell through thin ice on Kodiak's Island Lake on April 25, with Sergeant Nathan Walsh towing them to shore where fire department personnel provided medical care.
Alaska Advances Mental Health Education Guidelines Without Mandates
The House Finance Committee moved Senate Bill 41 forward, directing development of mental health education guidelines for K-12 schools while leaving implementation to local districts.
Senate Finance hears tax modernization bill, sets aside for further review
The Senate Finance Committee heard testimony on House Bill 280, which would shift Alaska's corporate income tax apportionment from cost-based to market-based sourcing, but took no action on the measure.

House Finance Advances Mental Health Education Guidelines for Schools
The House Finance Committee moved Senate Bill 41 out of committee, which directs development of mental health education guidelines for Alaska's K-12 schools.
House committee hears bill to reclassify emergency dispatchers as first responders
The House Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on House Bill 234, which would define emergency dispatchers as first responders and adjust their retirement benefits to match those of peace officers and firefighters.

Alaska Sustainable Energy Corporation reports progress on green financing
The Alaska Sustainable Energy Corporation updated the House Energy Committee on its development as a financing intermediary for sustainable energy projects, including a $4.7 million federal loan program for residential energy efficiency.

House Resources Committee debates LNG equity stakes, rejects wildlife refuge amendments
The House Resources Committee heard testimony on state equity participation in the Alaska LNG project and voted down nine amendments to a wildlife refuge consolidation bill, with most votes splitting 5-4 along party lines.

Senate panel advances fishing co-op bill with electronic monitoring
The Senate Resources Committee unanimously advanced House Bill 117, which legalizes set gillnet fishing cooperatives and adds electronic monitoring authority for trawl vessels, after adopting two amendments including a five-permit cap.

Senate panel advances fishing cooperative bill with electronic monitoring
The Senate Resources Committee unanimously advanced House Bill 117, which legalizes set gillnet fishing cooperatives and adds electronic monitoring authority for trawl vessels, after adopting two amendments including a five-permit cap.

Senate Finance hears corporate tax shift targeting online sales to Alaskans
The Senate Finance Committee heard testimony on House Bill 280, which would shift Alaska's corporate income tax to market-based sourcing, a change expected to generate $15 million annually by taxing out-of-state companies based on where Alaska customers receive services.
Senate panel examines regulatory questions on gas pipeline tax plan
The Senate Resources Committee discussed federal versus state jurisdiction over a proposed natural gas pipeline and debated an alternative tax structure that would replace property taxes with a volumetric fee.

Senate panel hears setnet cooperative bill, sets aside land transfer
The Senate Resources Committee heard House Bill 117, which would allow commercial setnet fishermen to continue operating cooperatively, and Senate Bill 255, which would transfer state land to the Mat-Su Borough without surveys.

Senate panel hears refuse utility rate reform bill
The Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 16, which would allow refuse utilities to use a simplified rate filing process to speed up rate case decisions.

Senate cuts House domestic violence funding additions in half
The Senate Finance Subcommittee reduced House additions for domestic violence and sexual assault programs by 50 percent while approving a $357 million Department of Public Safety budget.
