Alaska State Legislature · Photo source · US government work
Carolyn Hall
Representative · Alaska State House · District 31
48 articles · 20 transcripts
Affiliations
Alaska's respiratory therapists would pay $350 for a first license under proposed rules
Alaska proposed its first license for respiratory therapists, costing $350, under a law taking effect Jan. 1, 2027. Alaska is the only state with no such license.
Giessel says governor kept DNR commissioner from legislative hearing on AIDEA land transfers
Governor blocked the DNR commissioner from testifying at a legislative hearing on state land transfers to AIDEA, leaving lawmakers without answers on nearly 20,000 acres north of Houston.
Legislative attorneys say Houston land transfer to AIDEA may fail public-purpose test
Legislative attorneys say giving AIDEA 20,000 free acres near Houston may not pass the public-purpose test. AIDEA's director says state law already settles it.
Alaska Power Company asks to waive charges for customers cut off by disasters
“RCA's timelines are the longest in the nation”
Water damage in the Kenai Senior Center overhang halts work and adds $45,000
Contractors reroofing the Kenai Senior Center entry found rot underneath. Everything but the beams comes off, and the city needs $45,000 to finish.
State testing finds little or no PFAS in Alaska marine fish, with one exception for pollock
“PFAS is pervasive in the environment and can easily spread from its point point of origin”
Anchorage and Fairbanks airports finish swapping PFAS foam out of crash trucks
“It would establish annual testing for PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, in all public water systems.”
Alaska's arts council is between directors as grant deadlines roll on
“This bill will encourage celebration of the many artistic cultural treasures that bring economic prosperity, beauty, and meaning to Alaska communities.”
Juneau Assembly pulls a $16M school bond from the fall ballot
Juneau yanked a $16M school bond off the fall ballot — part timing blunder, part cold feet over shaky revenue. Dissenters say it will only cost more later.
Alaska raises unemployment benefits, updates travel insurance law
“Updating Alaska's UI maximum weekly benefit ensures Alaska retains its local talent, stabilizes our workforce, keeps our construction and natural resource sectors competitive, and helps Alaskans stay in the communities they love”
Four Railbelt utilities file shared-solar tariffs in two days
“for tariff filings that do not change a utility's revenue requirement or rate design”
Alaska House passes bill repealing inactive state funds
Alaska House passed Senate Bill 163 unanimously Wednesday, repealing three inactive and empty state funds including the Public Access Fund and the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games Reserve Fund.
Alaska House raises unemployment benefits, expands telehealth coverage
“The third change increased Alaska's unemployment insurance benefits, which haven't been updated since 2009. With this update, the maximum weekly benefit increases from $370 to $470.”
Alaska water systems face July deadlines to claim PFAS settlement funds or lose right to sue
“would establish annual testing for PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, in all public water systems”
Alaska lawmakers review paid parental leave bill funded by payroll taxes
“The paid parental leave benefit is available beginning January 1st, 2030. And that, Mr. Co-Chair, is to allow the— allow time for the fund to become capitalized to support the benefit.”
Alaska House Passes Paid Parental Leave, Exempts Seasonal Workers from Sick Leave
Alaska House passed the state's first paid parental leave program but exempted seasonal workers from a voter-approved paid sick leave mandate.
Alaska House Committee Advances Cryptocurrency Kiosk Regulations After Scam Victims Lose Millions
Alaska House advanced a bill requiring cryptocurrency kiosk licenses and $1,000 daily limits after Alaskans lost $26 million to online scams in 2024.
House panel rejects gaming price caps after industry debate
Alaska House committee rejected tighter price caps on electronic pull-tab makers, keeping the manufacturer limit at 35 percent of revenue instead of lowering it to 25 or 30 percent.
House Finance Advances Paid Parental Leave Bill
“Alaska, in my opinion right now, is desperate for a reason for people to live here, stay here, move here. And it has been proven time and again that having a paid parental leave program, especially for a younger generation such as Gen Z, that this is something that they want to take advantage of when it comes to finding a place of employment.”
House panel hears electronic pull-tab bill with 35% manufacturer cap
House panel heard testimony on a bill capping electronic pull-tab manufacturer fees at 35 percent, which operators say is too high compared to Minnesota's 20 percent.
Industry groups oppose Dalton Highway toll targeting oil and gas traffic
Industry groups warned that a toll on the Dalton Highway near Deadhorse could cost Alaska millions in federal funding and unfairly target oil and gas companies.
House Finance cuts paid parental leave to 12 weeks, reduces benefits to $524
Alaska House Finance Committee cut paid parental leave from 26 weeks to 12 weeks and reduced weekly benefits from $817 to $524, citing fund solvency concerns and employer feedback.
Senate panel advances travel insurance modernization bill
Alaska Senate panel advanced a bill to replace 13-year-old travel insurance rules with updated standards matching 42 other states, adding consumer protections and clearer regulatory authority.
House Committee Hears Divided Testimony on Electronic Pull-Tab Bill
HB 386 would allow electronic pull-tabs on tablets for charitable gaming. • Operators warned the bill's costs could cut charity proceeds in half, especially in rural areas. • Manufacturers and veterans groups backed the change for revenue growth and accountability.
House advances expanded disability benefits for all public workers
Alaska House advanced a bill raising occupational disability benefits to 75 percent of salary and adding healthcare coverage for all public employees and teachers.
House panel hears tax proposal for Alaska LNG project
House panel heard a proposal to cut Alaska LNG's property tax burden from $750 million yearly by 2033 to about $200 million through a volumetric tax on gas volume.
Senate panel advances resolution urging federal reclassification of 911 dispatchers
Alaska Senate panel unanimously backed a resolution urging Congress to reclassify 911 dispatchers as protective service workers, giving them access to federal training and wellness benefits.
Alaska House Committee Advances Five Bills in Single Session
House Labor and Commerce Committee advanced a tax bill raising $500,000 annually and passed hemp regulation amendments protecting existing producers. • Committee set May 6 deadline for a resolution supporting visa programs that employ 183 teachers in Alaska schools. • Insurance bill for delivery drivers stalled over coverage gaps and cost concerns, while charitable gaming modernization continued without final action.
House panel advances income tax on large pass-through businesses
Alaska House panel advanced a bill imposing a 9.4% income tax on pass-through businesses earning over $25 million annually, with the tax taking effect in 2028.
Alaska House panel hears retirement savings bill for small business workers
Alaska House panel heard testimony on HB 338, which would create automatic retirement savings accounts for workers at small businesses that lack retirement plans.
Senate panel advances U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade resolution with border changes
Alaska Senate panel approved a resolution backing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal and calling for easier border crossings for travelers and pets.
House panel fast-tracks insurance coverage for PANDAS treatment
“we are very hopeful that insurance would cover some or all of them, but they were not interested in paying anything or entertaining paying a portion of any of the bills for his treatment for the pandas.”
House committee advances Local Boundary Commission expansion bill
House committee advanced a bill to add one seat to Alaska's Local Boundary Commission and guarantee representation from the unorganized borough.
Alaska lawmakers urge federal reclassification of 911 dispatchers
Alaska lawmakers are urging Congress to reclassify 911 dispatchers as first responders to give them access to federal training, grants, and mental health resources.
House panel hears Fairbanks road service area reform proposal
House panel heard a bill to let second-class boroughs reshape road service areas without two concurrent elections, a process that has failed 60 percent of the time.
State employee per diem frozen since 2010 despite 40% inflation
House Bill 300 would raise state employee per diem rates frozen since 2010 from $60 to $82 per day, with automatic adjustments every three years starting in 2029.
House committee advances bill adding unorganized borough seat to boundary panel
House committee advanced a bill to add an unorganized borough seat to Alaska's Local Boundary Commission, giving 74,448 residents a voice in decisions about city and borough incorporation.
House panel advances seafood industry data-sharing bill
House committee advanced a bill allowing the University of Alaska and state labor department to share seafood industry data for research.
Alaska House panel advances ban on heavy fuel oil for cruise ships
Alaska House panel advanced a ban on heavy fuel oil for large cruise ships in state waters, with an effective date of January 1, 2027.
House Passes Polystyrene Ban for Restaurants Despite Business Concerns
Alaska House passed a statewide ban on polystyrene foam food containers in restaurants, taking effect in over two years, despite business groups warning of higher costs.
House Finance hears respiratory therapist licensing bill, Alaska's last-state gap
“Alaska has RTs, but we are the only state in the United States that does not license respiratory therapists. Our outlier status creates disadvantages.”
Alaska's Right-to-Repair Bill Navigates National Debate on Consumer Access
Alaska House committee advanced a right-to-repair bill requiring manufacturers to provide repair parts and documentation, pushing the effective date to 2029.
House committee hears bill to eliminate tax discounts
Alaska House committee heard a bill to eliminate five obsolete tax discounts and deductions that would raise nearly $500,000 annually for the state.
House committee advances insurance coverage for PANDAS/PANS treatment
“We will set the amendment deadline for Thursday, April 23rd, at 5 PM.”
House Labor Committee Advances Travel Insurance Bill, Hears Disaster Pet Plan
House Labor Committee advanced HB 302 updating travel insurance rules to take effect January 1, 2027. • Committee heard HB 335 requiring state disaster plans for pets and service animals after October 2026 typhoon response gaps. • Committee heard SB 180 to repeal 2024 language that created confusion over the Regulatory Commission of Alaska's authority over natural gas import facilities.
House committee hears bill to reclassify emergency dispatchers as first responders
A House committee heard testimony on a bill to let emergency dispatchers retire after 20 years instead of 30 and classify them as first responders.
House committee hears bill to reclassify emergency dispatchers as first responders
A House bill would let emergency dispatchers retire after 20 years instead of 30 by reclassifying them as first responders with police and firefighter benefits.
House committee advances bill recognizing dispatchers as first responders
House committee advanced a bill to classify emergency dispatchers as first responders, unlocking federal grants for rural Alaska centers.