HB 377 Alaska House · 34th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act relating to public records; relating to managing and preserving audio and video recordings; and relating to fees for the inspection and copying of public records under the Alaska Public Records Act.

This bill updates Alaska's public records laws to clarify what counts as a public record and how municipalities can charge for handling record requests. It expands the definition of public records to include audio and video recordings while excluding library materials and proprietary software. The bill also allows municipalities to charge requesters for the actual personnel costs of searching for and copying records, requiring payment before the search begins. These changes aim to modernize how public agencies manage digital and multimedia records while ensuring transparency in record access fees.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 9, 2026 Last action Apr 28, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB 377 CSHB 377(CRA) · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to expand the definition of 'record' to include electronic mail and to clarify that library and museum materials are excluded from public records. Additionally, the law now explicitly allows municipalities and the Department of Public Safety to charge requesters for personnel costs related to searching, reviewing, redacting, and copying records, while also adding 'redaction' as a billable task.
Scope change
The scope of the bill was expanded to include electronic mail as a public record and to apply specific personnel cost recovery rules to the Department of Public Safety.
DEFINITION

The definition of 'record' was updated to explicitly include 'electronic mail' in the list of items considered public records.

The exclusion list for public records was updated to explicitly include 'library and museum material' alongside existing exclusions.

REQUIREMENT

The authority for municipalities to charge for record requests was expanded to include costs for 'review' and 'redaction' tasks, not just search and copying.

New provisions were added allowing the Department of Public Safety to charge requesters for actual personnel costs incurred during search, review, redaction, and copying.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
26
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Apr 1, 2026
Committee
(H) REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
(H) Moved CSHB 377(CRA) Out of Committee
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.