Budget & Taxes in Alaska

signed · Alaska · Senate Jul 1, 2026

SB 200: An Act relating to service areas; relating to municipal assessments of farm or agricultural land; and providing for an effective date.

SB 200 amends Alaska's rules for assessing agricultural land to ensure only active farms qualify for lower tax rates. It requires landowners seeking agricultural assessment to apply by May 15 each year and provide proof of farming activity, such as tax forms showing at least $2,500 in annual agricultural sales. The bill specifies that "farm use" includes land producing crops, livestock, or other agricultural products for consumption, but excludes marijuana production. Landowners leasing land must submit lease agreements, and S corporations must provide equivalent tax documentation. The law takes immediate effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Tags Agriculture

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 264: An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and reappropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date.

HB 264 is a state budget bill allocating $272.5 million for water infrastructure projects through the Department of Environmental Conservation, including $18 million for village water systems and $628,100 for Clean Water grants. It also funds $825,000 for salmon programs (Alaska Marine Salmon Program) under the Department of Fish and Game and $5 million for military infrastructure through the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. The bill directs specific funding to existing state programs like port electrification, salmon habitat restoration, and drinking water capital projects without creating new policies. This appropriations measure directly affects state agencies and their ongoing infrastructure projects across Alaska.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · Alaska · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 222: An Act relating to the powers and duties of the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee; relating to the powers and duties of the legislative audit division; providing for a sunset review of executive branch agencies; and providing for an effective date.

SB 222 requires Alaska's Legislative Budget and Audit Committee to conduct periodic reviews of all executive branch agencies every six years. It mandates agencies to submit annual reports on their mission fulfillment, cost-effectiveness, and performance metrics, with the audit division verifying this data. The review process includes public hearings and evaluates agencies based on specific criteria like budget efficiency, service quality, and whether activities align with statutory mandates. The committee then issues recommendations for termination, continuation, or reorganization, supported by draft legislation. This bill directly affects all state agencies by establishing a structured, transparent process for evaluating their ongoing necessity and effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 221: An Act restricting a fiduciary of a state fund, the Alaska Retirement Management Board, and the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Board from investing or doing business with DigitalBridge Group, Inc., or an affiliate of DigitalBridge Group, Inc.

SB 221 prohibits the Alaska Retirement Management Board, the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Board, and the commissioner of revenue from investing state funds or conducting business with DigitalBridge Group, Inc., or its affiliates. The bill amends Alaska Statutes to specifically block these entities from using DigitalBridge as an investment partner for the state's retirement funds, permanent fund, and a designated subaccount within the budget reserve fund. This restriction directly affects how these state investment bodies manage funds by removing DigitalBridge Group and its affiliates from approved investment options. The policy change is a clear prohibition that alters investment eligibility without altering broader investment strategies.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 255: An Act relating to permanent fund dividend raffles; creating the senior citizen grants endowment fund and the senior citizen grants dividend raffle fund; authorizing donations from permanent fund dividends for grants to organizations that provide support for senior citizens and for entry into the senior citizen grants dividend raffle; relating to transfers from the senior citizen grants endowment fund and the senior citizen grants dividend raffle fund; relating to the duties of the Department of Revenue; and relating to the definition of 'gambling.'

HB 255 creates two new funds: a senior citizen grants endowment fund and a senior citizen grants dividend raffle fund. It authorizes using Alaska's permanent fund dividends (annual payments to residents) to provide grants to organizations supporting seniors and to fund entries into a senior citizen raffle. The bill also amends the state's gambling definition to explicitly exclude these permanent fund dividend raffles from being classified as gambling. This directly affects senior citizens by redirecting existing dividend payments toward support services and a raffle program, while clarifying the legal status of the raffle.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Alaska · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 247: An Act relating to the climate change response fund and grant program; relating to a new oil surcharge; and providing for an effective date.

HB 247 establishes a new $0.20 per barrel surcharge on oil produced in Alaska, to be paid by oil producers in addition to existing taxes. The surcharge is due monthly based on the previous month's production and must be reported annually. The bill also amends tax credit rules to allow credits to be carried forward and applied to certain past tax liabilities, as specified in the amended tax code. The surcharge is intended to support a climate change response fund and grant program, as referenced in the bill's title.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Tax Credits Oil & Gas Climate Change

in committee · Alaska · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 215: An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date.

SB 215 is a funding bill that allocates $22.2 million from the general fund to support Alaska’s mental health programs for fiscal year 2026-2027. It directly affects state mental health services, including the Alaska Psychiatric Institute ($22.2M), community residential centers ($6.97M), and juvenile justice health care ($100,000). The bill provides specific funding for operating expenses, facility maintenance, and services like behavioral health care and foster care support. It does not create new policies but ensures financial resources for existing mental health programs across multiple state departments. The bill requires the Governor’s approval and has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health

in committee · Alaska · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SJR 23: Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to the Alaska permanent fund; relating to appropriations from the Alaska permanent fund; relating to transfers out of the Alaska permanent fund; and requiring payment of a dividend to eligible state residents.

SJR 23 proposes constitutional amendments to Alaska's Permanent Fund, requiring that 50% of annually withdrawable funds (limited to 5% of the fund's average value over the prior five years) be paid directly as dividends to eligible Alaska residents. The bill also mandates that at least 25% of mineral revenue must fund the Permanent Fund, with all fund income retained in the state's general fund unless otherwise specified. It allows the remaining 50% of withdrawable funds to support state government operations. This constitutional change requires voter approval at the next general election.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics State Budget

signed · Alaska · House Jul 3, 2026

HB 263: An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations; and providing for an effective date.

HB 263 is an appropriations bill that allocates funding for Alaska's state government operations and programs for the fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It provides specific funding amounts for departments like the Department of Administration, Office of Information Technology, and Public Communications Services, including unexpended balances from previous years. The bill also allows limited transfers between certain retirement funds and specifies how capitalization and supplemental funding will be handled. As a routine budget measure, it does not create new policies or directly affect citizens but ensures state agencies have funding for ongoing operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

signed · Alaska · Senate Jul 1, 2026

SB 214: An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and reappropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; amending appropriations; and providing for an effective date.

SB 214 is a funding bill that allocates state budget resources to specific agencies and projects, rather than creating new policies. It directs approximately $272.5 million for village water infrastructure, $15.3 million for cruise terminal electrification, and $6.8 million for salmon recovery programs under the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. The bill specifies exact funding amounts for departments including Environmental Conservation, Fish and Game, and Commerce, with all allocations tied to existing state programs and federal grant requirements. As a procedural appropriations measure, it does not establish new regulations or alter policy but authorizes the use of existing funds for designated purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Wildlife

All budget & taxes bills