Alaska Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · Alaska · House Oct 9, 2024

HB 337: An Act establishing 4-H Day.

This bill establishes 4-H Day as the first Wednesday of October each year to recognize the positive impact of 4-H programs on youth development in Alaska. The law allows civic groups and the public to observe the day with suitable events and exercises. It does not mandate specific activities or require government funding, leaving the observance entirely to the discretion of community organizations.

Donna Mears (D) · 16 co-sponsors

signed · Alaska · House Oct 9, 2024

HB 238: An Act relating to criminal mischief in the third degree; and providing for an effective date.

This bill updates the state's laws regarding criminal mischief in the third degree by adjusting damage thresholds and adding specific protections for cemeteries and religious sites. Under the new rules, intentionally damaging property worth $750 or more is a crime, while recklessly creating a risk of over $100,000 in damage using dangerous means is also punishable. The legislation specifically criminalizes defacing or damaging cemeteries, removing human remains, and harming property used for religious worship or education, regardless of whether the site appears abandoned. It also establishes an affirmative defense for employees of cemeteries or religious organizations who were performing authorized duties at the time of the alleged offense. These changes take effect immediately upon signing.

signed · Alaska · Senate Oct 9, 2024

SB 103: An Act relating to peer support counseling programs for law enforcement agencies, emergency service providers, and the Department of Corrections.

This bill establishes peer support counseling programs for law enforcement agencies, emergency service providers, and the Department of Corrections in Alaska. It allows these organizations to designate trained employees as counselors to offer emotional and moral support to staff who have experienced traumatic incidents. The legislation mandates that all communications during these counseling sessions remain confidential and are generally protected from being used in criminal or civil legal proceedings. However, the law includes specific exceptions where information must be disclosed, such as threats of suicide or homicide, reports of child or vulnerable adult abuse, and admissions of criminal conduct.

signed · Alaska · House Oct 9, 2024

HB 371: An Act relating to medical review organizations; relating to the definitions of 'health care provider' and 'review organization'; and relating to the duties of the chief medical officer in the Department of Health.

This bill updates Alaska state laws to clarify the roles and protections for medical review organizations, which are groups that evaluate patient care quality. It strengthens confidentiality rules by ensuring that data collected by these organizations cannot be shared publicly or used in court cases against healthcare providers, with limited exceptions. The legislation also expands the official definition of a "health care provider" to include various licensed professionals and hospitals, while allowing these review groups to publish general reports on health trends and causes of death without revealing private patient information.

signed · Alaska · Senate Oct 9, 2024

SB 189: An Act extending the termination date of the Big Game Commercial Services Board; extending the termination date of the Board of Massage Therapists; establishing a big game guide concession area permit program on land in the state; relating to the duties of the Big Game Commercial Services Board, the Board of Game, the Department of Fish and Game, and the Department of Natural Resources; relating to education tax credits for certain payments and contributions for child care and child care facilities; relating to the insurance tax education credit, the income tax education credit, the oil or gas producer education credit, the property tax education credit, the mining business education credit, the fisheries business education credit, and the fisheries resource landing tax education credit; extending the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging; extending the termination date of the Marijuana Control Board; renaming the day care assistance program the child care assistance program; relating to the child care assistance program and the child care grant program; requiring the Board of Game to establish an initial big game guide concession area; providing for an effective date by amending the effective date of secs. 1, 2, and 21, ch. 61, SLA 2014; and providing for an effective date.

This bill extends the operating date of the Alaska Commission on Aging until June 30, 2032. It also updates the effective date for related statutes to align with this extension. The legislation applies directly to the commission and the state agencies responsible for aging services.

signed · Alaska · House Oct 9, 2024

HB 126: An Act relating to the Board of Professional Counselors; relating to licensing of associate counselors; relating to marital and family therapists; relating to telehealth; relating to review organizations and permitting an emergency medical services provider to establish a review organization; relating to patient records; relating to disclosure and reporting of health care services, prices, and fee information; relating to the health care professionals workforce enhancement program; prohibiting unfair discrimination under group health insurance against associate counselors; relating to medical assistance for professional counseling services; relating to mental health professionals; relating to health care provider liability; and providing for an effective date.

HB 126 updates the regulations for mental health professionals in Alaska, specifically expanding the Board of Professional Counselors' authority to license associate counselors and set standards for their supervisors. The bill clarifies the definition of "health care provider" to include various licensed counselors and establishes new requirements for how these professionals must display their titles in advertising and signage. Additionally, it mandates that group health insurance plans cannot unfairly discriminate against associate counselors and requires the disclosure of health care service prices and fees. The legislation also addresses telehealth practices, patient record management, and liability issues for health care providers.

signed · Alaska · House Oct 9, 2024

HB 219: An Act repealing the assistive technology loan guarantee and interest subsidy program; and providing for an effective date.

HB 219 repeals the Alaska statute that established a loan guarantee and interest subsidy program for assistive technology. The bill includes a conditional provision stating that the law will only take effect if the legislature reappropriates funds from the assistive technology loan guarantee fund to improve access to these devices. This measure directly impacts the availability of financial support for individuals seeking assistive technology by removing the existing loan program unless specific funding conditions are met.

signed · Alaska · House Oct 9, 2024

HB 146: An Act relating to fireworks; directing the Department of Public Safety to adopt fireworks regulations; and providing for an effective date.

This bill directs the Alaska Department of Public Safety to create and enforce regulations governing the sale, storage, distribution, and use of fireworks to protect life and property. It requires the state fire marshal to issue permits for retailers and licenses for wholesalers, mandating that all permit holders maintain specific liability insurance coverage. Additionally, the law grants inspectors the authority to enter storage facilities during business hours to ensure compliance with safety standards.

signed · Alaska · House Oct 9, 2024

HB 233: An Act relating to rates and time allowances for motor vehicle warranty work; and relating to unfair practices by manufacturers.

This bill requires manufacturers to set warranty repair rates and time allowances for dealers that are at least as high as the prices charged to retail customers for similar non-warranty work. It mandates that compensation schedules include specific definitions for labor rates and maximum billable hours per job, ensuring dealers are paid fairly for warranty repairs. The law directly affects motor vehicle manufacturers and new car dealerships by standardizing how they calculate payments for warranty service.

signed · Alaska · House Oct 9, 2024

HB 309: An Act relating to the practice of optometry; and relating to the delegation of routine services of optometry.

This Alaska bill allows licensed optometrists to delegate certain routine eye care tasks to unlicensed agents, provided those agents meet specific standards set by the state board. The law explicitly prohibits delegating duties related to pain management, opioid use, and addiction treatment, while requiring the board to define what counts as "routine services." Optometrists must continue to hold a license to perform non-delegated duties, and the bill updates regulations to clarify licensing requirements and prohibited acts for anyone practicing optometry.

signed · Alaska · House Oct 9, 2024

HB 226: An Act relating to insurance; relating to pharmacy benefits managers; relating to dispensing fees; and providing for an effective date.

This law requires pharmacy benefits managers to register with the state director before operating in Alaska and establishes rules for how they must conduct business. The bill mandates that these managers act with transparency and in the best interest of insurance plans and patients, specifically requiring them to pass any payments from drug manufacturers directly to the insurance plan. Additionally, the legislation gives insurance companies the right to request detailed information on drug costs and the financial arrangements between the pharmacy benefits manager and drug makers.

signed · Alaska · House Oct 9, 2024

HB 237: An Act relating to temporary permits for nurses with lapsed licenses.

This bill allows the Alaska Board of Nursing to issue nonrenewable temporary permits lasting up to six months to nurses whose licenses have lapsed. These permits are intended for individuals who are applying to have their licenses reinstated and who meet specific requirements set by the board. The measure provides a pathway for these nurses to continue practicing while they complete the process of regaining their full licensure.

Mike Prax (R) · 24 co-sponsors