Government
RSSAlaska News tracks coverage of Alaska government including state legislature, municipal assemblies, and state agencies addressing public policy and community.
Senate panel proposes doubling Dalton Highway surcharge in gas line bill
Senate Resources Committee introduced a new version of the gas pipeline bill with a 30-cent Dalton Highway maintenance surcharge, double the governor's proposal, while senators question whether $1 billion in property tax breaks would save average Anchorage households only $55.
by Alaska News4mo ago4 min read
Alaska Legislature Falls Two Votes Short of Overriding Elections Bill Veto
The Alaska Legislature failed to override Governor Dunleavy's veto of Senate Bill 64, a comprehensive elections reform bill, falling two votes short of the required 40-vote supermajority in a 38-22 vote during a joint session Monday.
by Alaska News4mo ago4 min read
House panel advances retirement savings program with PFD deposit option
The House Labor and Commerce Committee approved Senate Bill 21 creating Alaska Work and Save, a state-sponsored retirement program for workers without employer plans, after adding an amendment allowing Alaskans to deposit Permanent Fund dividends into any investment account.
by Alaska News4mo ago3 min read
AG nominee Cox faces criticism over grand jury access policies
Multiple citizens testified against Attorney General nominee Stephen Cox at a House Judiciary Committee hearing Monday, alleging he commissioned academic research supporting direct citizen access to investigative grand juries but then implemented policies blocking that access.
by Alaska News4mo ago3 min read
Attorney General Cox Defends 'Counter-China Initiative' Amid Jurisdiction Questions
Alaska Attorney General Stephen Cox defended his proposed 'counter-China initiative' during a House Judiciary confirmation hearing, describing it as focused on reviewing Chinese-made technology in state infrastructure while lawmakers questioned whether the effort crosses into federal jurisdiction.
by Alaska News4mo ago3 min read
Alaska AG nominee Cox declines to commit to defending same-sex marriage
Attorney General nominee Stephen Cox told lawmakers he has no plans to challenge same-sex marriage but would not directly commit to defending it if challenged by others, raising concerns among LGBTQ legislators.
by Alaska News4mo ago4 min read
Alaska Senate panel hears proposal for immigrant integration office
The Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 169, which would create a Welcoming Alaska Office to help immigrants and newcomers integrate into Alaska communities and address workforce shortages.
by Alaska News4mo ago3 min read
Senate advances farm tax bill, carves out Anchorage exemption
The Alaska Senate advanced legislation Monday requiring municipalities to provide property tax deferrals for agricultural operations, with an exemption for Anchorage.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min readAnchorage Park Foundation opens $300,000 challenge grant program
The Anchorage Park Foundation announced its annual challenge grant program offering up to $300,000 in matching funds for community-driven park and trail projects, with applications now open and a grantee kickoff scheduled for May 15.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Assembly considers smart taxi meters, $6 fare cap for Anchorage cabs
The Anchorage Assembly reviewed proposed changes to vehicle-for-hire rules that would require all taxi dispatchers to use GPS-based smart meters and raise the maximum fare cap from $3 to $6 per mile.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago3 min read
Alaska House passes dementia training bill for nursing aides
The Alaska House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation requiring certified nursing aide training programs to include competencies in dementia care, communication skills, and behavioral health as the state's senior population rapidly grows.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Alaska House Committee Advances Five Bills in Single Session
The House Labor and Commerce Committee moved five bills through the legislative process in one afternoon, covering tax discounts, industrial hemp, foreign worker visas, rideshare insurance, and electronic gaming.
by Alaska News4mo ago4 min read
Board Sets Fish Wheel Rules, Recovery Goals for Yukon Salmon
The Alaska Board of Fisheries unanimously approved fish-friendly fish wheel specifications and delisting criteria for Yukon River king and fall chum salmon stocks of concern, establishing the first codified recovery plans despite concerns about treaty complications and duplicative regulations.
by Alaska News4mo ago5 min read
Rural Alaska fuel prices could hit $25/gallon, lawmaker warns
A state senator warned that rural Alaska communities face fuel prices potentially reaching $20 to $25 per gallon, with western Alaska facing up to $500 million in additional costs from the global fuel shortage.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min read
Alaska Senate Panel Advances Social Media Ban for Minors Under 16
The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee advanced Senate Bill 262, which would prohibit social media companies from allowing Alaskans under 16 to have accounts and ban algorithmic content for those under 18, despite warnings the measure is unconstitutional.
by Alaska News5mo ago4 min read
House passes bill shifting prepaid legal plans from insurance to consumer protection
The Alaska House of Representatives voted 33-4 to remove prepaid legal plans from insurance regulations and place them under consumer protection statutes, aiming to expand affordable legal access for Alaskans who cannot afford traditional attorney fees.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min read
Alaska Senate passes bill to ease classic car import registration
The Alaska State Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 239, which modernizes vehicle registration laws to align with federal standards for imported vehicles 25 years or older.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
Alaska Senate passes bill restoring defined benefit pensions for public workers
The Alaska Senate passed House Bill 78 to restore a defined benefit pension plan for state workers, teachers, and municipal employees after 20 years and 34 legislative attempts, with the House concurring and sending the measure to the governor.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min read
Alaska House panel advances penny rounding bill amid federal mint halt
The House State Affairs Committee heard House Bill 281, which would establish statewide rounding rules for cash transactions after the federal government stopped minting pennies in 2025.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min read
Senate panel advances health care compacts bill despite sovereignty concerns
The Senate Health and Social Services Committee voted 3-2 to advance SB 281, which adds genetic counselors and respiratory care practitioners to state licensing and includes multiple interstate health care compacts, despite objections that the compacts erode state sovereignty.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
Anchorage Urban Design Commission to sunset after May meeting
The Anchorage Assembly voted to eliminate the Urban Design Commission, with the final regular meeting scheduled for May 2026 and responsibilities transferring to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
Urban Design Commission votes to recommend its own dissolution
The Anchorage Urban Design Commission voted 5-1 to recommend the Assembly dissolve the commission and transfer its duties to the Planning and Zoning Commission, citing efficiency concerns and a thin caseload.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read
House advances bill requiring 30-day state payments after heated debate
The Alaska House of Representatives advanced legislation requiring the state to pay contractors and nonprofits within 30 days, adopting amendments to phase in the requirement and increase transparency while rejecting performance metrics and resource development compliance language.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read
House panel advances income tax on large pass-through businesses
The House Labor and Commerce Committee voted 4-2 to advance HB 350, which would impose a 9.4% income tax on S-corporations, LLCs, and partnerships earning over $25 million annually, with first payments due in 2028.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
Senate panel holds Alaska state seal redesign resolution
The Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony on a resolution to create a commission that would evaluate redesigning Alaska's 1913 state seal, which critics say lacks Alaska Native representation and emphasizes outdated industrial imagery.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read
Senate panel advances 10 health board nominees to full Legislature
The Senate Health and Social Services Committee recommended 10 gubernatorial appointees to various health professional boards for full legislative confirmation, including positions on nursing, pharmacy, optometry, and social work boards.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read
Senate Passes Alaska Work and Save Retirement Program 15-4
The Alaska Senate approved a first-in-Alaska automatic retirement savings program for workers at small businesses, despite concerns from the Alaska Chamber about mandates on employers.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read
House passes bill requiring transparency at psychiatric hospitals for minors
The Alaska House unanimously passed legislation requiring psychiatric hospitals to allow minors confidential communication with parents, conduct unannounced inspections, and notify families when seclusion or restraint is used.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago4 min read
House advances bills on autonomous vehicles, nurse training, interior design
The Alaska House of Representatives advanced three bills through second reading on Tuesday, including legislation regulating autonomous commercial vehicles, certified nurse aide training requirements, and expanding the state's professional licensing board to include interior designers.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min read
Alaska House Revives Defined Benefit Pensions in Narrow 21-19 Vote
The Alaska House of Representatives voted 21-19 to concur with Senate amendments to House Bill 78, restoring defined benefit pension options for state and municipal employees after a 20-year hiatus, despite concerns about fiscal risk and implementation challenges.
by Alaska News5mo ago4 min read
Senate panel advances property tax assessment cap bill
The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee advanced legislation allowing municipalities to optionally cap annual property tax assessment increases between 3 and 10 percent, despite opposition from professional assessors who warned the measure would create long-term inequities.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min read
Senate advances pension bill without updated actuarial analysis
The Alaska Senate advanced a retirement system overhaul to third reading despite lacking an updated actuarial analysis on the final version, relying on a legal opinion that last year's analysis meets statutory requirements.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min read
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.
by Alaska News5mo ago3 min read
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.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago5 min read
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.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago8 min read
House Finance advances bill extending professional licensing board
The House Finance Committee voted to advance House Bill 314, which extends the Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors by eight years and adds registered interior designers to the professions it regulates.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago5 min read
State employee per diem frozen since 2010 despite 40% inflation
The House State Affairs Committee heard testimony on legislation to raise state employee per diem rates for in-state travel, which have remained unchanged since 2010 while Alaska's cost of living has risen 40%.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago4 min read
House panel hears Fairbanks road service area reform proposal
The House State Affairs Committee heard testimony on legislation that would give second-class boroughs more flexibility to adjust road service area boundaries without requiring multiple concurrent voter approvals.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read
House Judiciary rejects consumer data privacy bill after 3-3 vote
The House Judiciary Committee failed to adopt a committee substitute for House Bill 367, the Alaska Data Privacy Act, after a 3-3 tie vote on April 24, 2026.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago4 min read
House panel cuts cryptocurrency kiosk limits to protect seniors from scams
The House Labor and Commerce Committee voted to reduce daily and monthly transaction limits on cryptocurrency kiosks from $1,000 to $500 and $10,000 to $1,500 to protect elderly Alaskans from fraud.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago4 min read
