Alaska Congressional Bills

passed · Alaska · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 612: A bill to amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to authorize grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, and for other purposes.

This bill amends the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to expand grant opportunities for tourism development. It authorizes the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations, and other federal agencies (like Commerce and Transportation) to provide grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations. The grants, funded by $35 million over fiscal years 2025-2029, support tourism initiatives that align with the Act's purposes. This directly affects tribal and Native Hawaiian entities seeking federal funding for tourism projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Alaska · House Dec 17, 2025

HR 6799: BRIDGE for Young-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act of 2025

This bill eliminates waiting periods for Social Security disability benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's disease. It amends the Social Security Act to add "young-onset Alzheimer's" (as defined by the Social Security Commissioner) to the list of conditions qualifying for immediate disability benefits, removing a 5-month waiting period for applications filed after its enactment date. It also waives the standard 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage when young-onset Alzheimer's is diagnosed, effective for benefits starting after the bill's enactment. These changes directly affect people with young-onset Alzheimer's seeking timely access to critical financial and health coverage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Young Kim (R) · 18 co-sponsors

in committee · Alaska · Senate Dec 16, 2025

S 3492: Essential Caregivers Act of 2025

Essential Caregivers Act of 2025 This bill prohibits certain health care facilities from limiting the access of essential caregivers to residents of those facilities, including during designated emergency periods. Specifically, the bill generally prohibits Medicare skilled nursing facilities, Medicaid nursing facilities, Medicaid intermediate care facilities, and associated inpatient rehabilitation facilities from restricting the access of essential caregivers to residents of the facilities, including during emergency periods in which visitation rights are otherwise restricted. During emergency periods, facilities may restrict access for an initial period of up to seven days and for one additional maximum seven-day period (if the additional period is approved by the state health department). Facilities may restrict access for a total of 7 days (or 14 days with the approval of the state health department) during an emergency period. Essential caregivers must agree to comply with any safety protocols set by the facility, which may be no more stringent for caregivers compared to those for staff. Caregivers who fail to comply with these requirements may be denied access, subject to an appeals process.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Alaska · House Dec 16, 2025

HR 3176: To amend the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to reauthorize the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System.

HR 3176 reauthorizes the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System through 2030, extending the current program's funding and operations. The bill updates the authorization period from 2019-2023 to 2026-2030 and adjusts administrative oversight, changing references from the U.S. Geological Survey and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Commerce, respectively. This directly affects the U.S. Geological Survey and Department of Commerce, which manage the system tracking volcanic activity across the U.S. It maintains the existing monitoring network without creating new requirements, ensuring continued early warning capabilities for communities near active volcanoes.

in committee · Alaska · Senate Dec 15, 2025

S 3478: Indian Buffalo Management Act

This bill authorizes the U.S. Department of the Interior to provide funding, contracts, and technical assistance to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations for buffalo restoration and management on tribal lands. It requires the Department to consult with tribes on buffalo-related initiatives and allows tribes to receive surplus buffalo from federal land without cost. The law supports tribes in using buffalo for cultural preservation, subsistence, and economic development through programs like meat processing and habitat management. It explicitly protects tribal treaty rights and mandates that all actions align with tribal laws and management plans.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

passed · Alaska · Senate Dec 15, 2025

S 719: Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments Act of 2025

This bill amends the 2004 Tribal Forest Protection Act to expand protections for tribal lands and clarify restoration goals. It broadens the definition of "Indian forest land or rangeland" to include areas with historical forest cover capable of restoration and explicitly adds "restore" to the Act’s purpose (previously only "protect"). The changes directly affect federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native Corporations under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and federal agencies managing land. It also authorizes $15 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2031 to implement these provisions.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Alaska · Senate Dec 15, 2025

S 620: Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act

S 620, the "Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act," authorizes the Indian Health Service to provide public health veterinary services to tribal communities in rural areas to prevent and control zoonotic diseases (diseases that spread between animals and humans). These services include spaying/neutering, vaccinations, disease surveillance, and other activities that reduce disease transmission risk. The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to study the delivery of oral rabies vaccines to wildlife in Arctic regions to protect tribal members, and mandates biennial reports to Congress on program implementation.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Alaska · House Dec 12, 2025

HR 452: Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act

Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act This act provides for the award of Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team in recognition of the team's achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games.

Pete Stauber (R) · 299 co-sponsors

signed · Alaska · House Dec 11, 2025

HJRES 131: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision.

HJRES 131 blocks a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule that would have allowed oil and gas leasing in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain. The bill uses the Congressional Review Act to formally disapprove this specific rule, making it legally void. It directly affects the BLM's ability to advance the leasing program and companies seeking permits for oil and gas development in that area. The resolution became law after passing both chambers of Congress in late 2025.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Alaska · House Dec 11, 2025

HJRES 106: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Central Yukon Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan".

This joint resolution nullifies the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) relating to the Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP) for Alaska’s Central Yukon planning area and issued on November 12, 2024. By way of background, an RMP guides the management of lands administered by the BLM. This Central Yukon RMP modified the prior RMP for the area, including by designating 21 areas of critical environmental concern or research natural areas, encompassing approximately 3,611,000 acres.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · Alaska · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 3461: RISE from Trauma Act

The RISE from Trauma Act establishes grants for community coordinating bodies to address trauma and build resilience, particularly for children and youth affected by violence, substance use, or other traumatic experiences. These grants (up to $6 million each for 4 years) require diverse community stakeholders - including healthcare providers, schools, law enforcement, and community organizations - to collaborate on identifying local needs and developing trauma-informed strategies. The legislation prioritizes communities with high rates of overdose deaths, violence-related deaths, or involvement in child welfare and juvenile justice systems. It also expands existing programs like the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, creates hospital-based interventions to prevent readmissions after trauma events, and establishes training for schools, law enforcement, and healthcare providers in trauma-informed care. Funding is authorized at $600 million annually from 2026-2033 for these initiatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 3438: HIRRE Prosecutors Act of 2025

This bill establishes a federal grant program to help states, local governments, and tribal nations hire and retain prosecutors. It provides up to 75% federal funding (with potential waivers for financial hardship) for prosecutor offices to hire, train, or retain staff, with priority given to rural, tribal, or remote areas and rehiring staff laid off due to budget cuts. Funds must supplement, not replace, existing state/local funding, and grantees must track outcomes and submit performance reports. The program is authorized for $10 million annually from 2026 through 2030.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

Alaska Congressional Bills

Bill results