Alaska Bills | MyRepTracker

passed · Alaska · Senate May 17, 2026

SB 111: An Act relating to the diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of consumer products that use digital electronics to operate; adding an unlawful act to the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act; and providing for an effective date.

SB 111, the "Digital Right to Repair Act," requires digital product manufacturers (like those making phones, computers, or farm equipment) to provide independent repair shops and device owners with necessary documentation, parts, and tools for diagnosis, maintenance, and repair. It mandates that manufacturers make these resources available on terms no less favorable than those given to their own authorized service providers, including security feature reset documentation. The bill prohibits charging independent repairers more than authorized dealers and allows reasonable fees only for physical copies or shipping. It directly affects manufacturers, independent repair businesses, and consumers seeking repair options, while exempting parts no longer available to manufacturers. The law takes effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Alaska · Senate May 16, 2026

SB 140: An Act relating to a matching grant program for fire station construction and renovation; and providing for an effective date.

SB 140 creates a state matching grant program to help local fire departments fund construction or renovation of fire stations. The program provides up to 50% of eligible project costs (with the applicant covering the other half), administered through a dedicated fund in the state department. Money in the fund does not expire and must be used annually for grants, with at least half of the prior year's balance allocated each fiscal year. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, directly benefiting fire departments seeking to build or upgrade stations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Alaska · Senate May 16, 2026

SB 83: An Act relating to health care insurance; relating to insurance reimbursement for health care services provided through telehealth; relating to telehealth; providing for an effective date by repealing the effective date of secs. 9 and 10, ch. 38, SLA 2022; and providing for an effective date.

SB 83 requires health insurers in Alaska to reimburse telehealth services at the same rate and on the same basis as in-person care. This applies directly to health care insurers and providers offering telehealth services, including municipal health plans for government employees. The bill amends existing insurance codes to mandate this reimbursement parity and defines "telehealth" using current law. It does not create new programs but standardizes payment rates for existing telehealth services. The law would take effect immediately upon passage, repealing a prior effective date provision.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Alaska · Senate May 16, 2026

SB 35: An Act relating to transportation network companies and delivery network companies; and relating to occupational accident insurance.

SB 35 amends Alaska law to explicitly exempt transportation network company drivers (like Uber or Lyft drivers) from being classified as employees under workers' compensation and labor laws. The bill adds a new exemption (section 11) for drivers who provide prearranged rides through digital networks, and defines independent contractor status (section 12) with specific criteria like having an express contract, being free from employer control over work methods, and incurring business expenses. This directly affects ride-share drivers in Alaska, removing them from coverage under certain labor protections. The bill focuses on defining contractor status through clear, operational requirements rather than altering broader employment standards. The legislation is currently pending in committee review.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

passed · Alaska · House May 15, 2026

HB 202: An Act designating the O-S Cross cabbage, commonly known as 'giant green cabbage,' as the official state vegetable; and providing for an effective date.

HB 202 designates giant cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) as Alaska's official state vegetable. The bill amends state code to formally include this designation and takes effect immediately upon enactment. This is a symbolic measure with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on residents or state programs.

DeLena Johnson (R) · 22 co-sponsors

passed both · Alaska · House May 13, 2026

HJR 45: Urging the United States Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

This Alaska House Joint Resolution urges the U.S. Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which guarantees free appropriate public education for children with disabilities. The bill highlights that while the federal government originally committed to covering 40% of special education costs, it currently funds only about 13%, creating financial strain on local school districts and families. It notes that over 7 million children nationwide qualify for these services, with Alaska seeing an increase in eligible students from 2014 to 2024, yet still faces waitlists and staffing shortages. The resolution calls for federal funding to keep pace with actual costs and inflation to support special education programs across the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed both · Alaska · House May 13, 2026

HJR 38: Urging the United States Congress to recognize public safety telecommunicators as first responders; and urging the United States Congress to pass the Enhancing First Response Act.

HJR 38 is a resolution passed by the Alaska Legislature urging the U.S. Congress to recognize public safety telecommunicators (emergency dispatchers) as first responders and to pass the Enhancing First Response Act (S.725). Currently, federal law classifies these telecommunicators as "clerical workers" instead of first responders, limiting their access to benefits available to police, firefighters, and other emergency personnel. The resolution supports reclassifying telecommunicators as a "protective service occupation" under federal standards, which would align them with other first responders and improve recruitment and retention. This change would specifically affect emergency dispatchers nationwide by addressing their current classification barriers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Carolyn Hall (D) · 17 co-sponsors

passed · Alaska · House May 13, 2026

HB 211: An Act relating to prepaid legal plans.

HB 211 exempts prepaid legal plans from standard insurance regulations in Alaska. The bill defines a "prepaid legal plan" as an arrangement where members pay upfront for specific legal services, the provider contracts directly with attorneys at fixed rates, and attorneys do not receive additional payments for services provided. This directly affects prepaid legal service organizations and their members by removing them from the state's insurance regulatory framework. The key mechanism is a clear statutory exclusion, ensuring these plans operate outside typical insurance licensing and oversight requirements. The bill focuses on clarifying regulatory scope rather than creating new obligations.

passed · Alaska · Senate May 8, 2026

SCR 23: Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 263, making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; and making supplemental appropriations.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution temporarily suspends specific legislative rules regarding bill title changes to allow House Bill 263 to proceed. The suspended rules normally govern how bills are named, but this action permits an exception for a bill that allocates state funds for operating expenses, loan programs, and capitalization. The resolution directly affects the legislative process by enabling the consideration of a budget measure without adhering to standard title formatting requirements. Once the bill is processed, these rules will remain in effect for future legislation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Alaska · House May 8, 2026

HB 130: An Act relating to flexible time credit for classified employees in the executive branch who are not eligible for overtime compensation.

HB 130 creates a "flexible time credit" system for executive branch classified employees in Alaska who are not eligible for overtime pay. It allows these employees to earn paid time off for hours worked beyond their standard workweek, accruing in 15-minute increments. The time credit has no cash value and is forfeited if the employee leaves state service, excluding hours covered by special pay plans for extended on-site work. This policy directly affects non-overtime-eligible state workers in executive branch roles, replacing overtime compensation with flexible paid time off.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Alaska · House May 7, 2026

HB 210: An Act relating to workers' compensation coverage for disability from diseases for certain firefighters; relating to occupational disability benefits and medical benefits available under the public employees' retirement system; and providing for an effective date.

HB 210 increases disability benefits for peace officers and firefighters who become disabled in the line of duty. After the first 12 months of eligibility, their monthly benefit rises from 40% to 75% of their gross monthly compensation at the time of disability. The bill also requires employers to continue making retirement contributions to the officer's or firefighter's account during disability, without deducting from their benefits. This directly affects Alaska peace officers and firefighters receiving occupational disability benefits under state law. The changes take effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

passed both · Alaska · Senate May 6, 2026

SCR 19: Extending the governor's October 9, 2025, declaration of a disaster emergency in response to the 2025 West Coast Storm; and approving an amended financing plan.

This bill extends the state's disaster emergency declaration for the 2025 West Coast Storm from April 7, 2026, to May 7, 2026, allowing emergency agencies to continue their response efforts. It also approves an amended financing plan that increases the total state funding for disaster relief by $17.2 million and federal assistance by $6.38 million, bringing the total cost to $62.83 million. The resolution authorizes the use of these funds from the existing disaster relief fund to cover the additional expenses related to the storm's aftermath.