HB 88 expands tuition waiver eligibility for spouses and dependent children of Alaska peace officers, firefighters, and military members who died or became permanently disabled while on duty. It adds these groups to existing programs covering undergraduate tuition and fees at Alaska's state-supported colleges. The waiver applies when death/disability resulted from duty-related incidents, with clarified definitions for "spouse" and "dependent child" in the law. The policy change takes effect immediately for tuition accrued in academic terms starting after the bill's passage.
HJR 6 is a non-binding resolution from the Alaska Legislature urging the U.S. Congress to protect the Universal Service Fund (USF). The USF provides critical funding for broadband and telecommunication services in rural Alaska, directly supporting low-income residents, schools, hospitals, and libraries. Without continued USF funding, rural communities would face significant losses, including $221 million annually for health clinics, loss of affordable broadband for 500 schools, and reduced communication access for 137,600 students. The resolution calls on Congress to safeguard the USF through legislative action to maintain these essential services.
SB 27 restores teaching positions for Alaska teachers who retired due to disability but later recover, as certified by a physician or vocational rehabilitation program. It also gives public employees in Alaska's retirement systems (including teachers) the option to choose between traditional pension plans (defined benefit) and investment-based retirement accounts (defined contribution). The bill amends retirement laws to allow this choice, with specific contribution rates adjusted for new participants. These changes directly affect disabled teachers seeking reinstatement and public employees managing retirement benefits.
SB 118 requires the University of Alaska Board of Regents to include one full-time, tenured faculty member from Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Southeast campuses. The bill mandates that faculty regents be selected via campus elections and appointed by the governor from a list of six nominees (two per campus) submitted by faculty senates. Faculty regents serve two-year terms starting June 1, with successors filling unexpired terms if needed. The change takes effect after the University holds required elections and submits nominees by February 1, 2026. This amendment adjusts the board’s composition from 11 to 12 members and updates quorum rules to require six regents present for meetings.
HB 223 changes how Alaska allocates state funding for public school correspondence study programs (distance learning options). It revises the funding formula to include a special needs factor and add intensive services funding, calculated by multiplying program enrollment by 90%, then applying the special needs factor, and finally adding the intensive services amount. This bill directly affects public school districts offering correspondence programs, ensuring these programs receive adjusted funding based on student needs. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.
SB 157, the Student Fee Transparency Act, requires the University of Alaska to notify enrolled students 30 days before implementing new fees or fee increases. The notice must clearly state the fee amount, its purpose, and whether it is permanent or temporary with an end date. Additionally, the bill mandates that the University of Alaska provide each student with an itemized billing statement showing all tuition and fees charged. These changes apply to all currently enrolled students and take effect on July 1, 2027.
HB 76 updates Alaska's public school attendance rules, allowing families to choose schools outside their district subject to capacity limits and enrollment policies. It prohibits student mobile device use during school hours except in emergencies, for educational purposes with teacher permission, for health needs, or as required by special education plans. The bill also creates $450 grants for schools for each K-3 student meeting reading proficiency standards on state assessments. Additionally, it authorizes lump-sum payments to retain or recruit teachers and includes provisions for school transportation, charter school authorization, and technical education funding. The bill affects students, school districts, and educators across Alaska's public education system.
SB 146 creates a dedicated fund to support education infrastructure in Alaska. It provides grant funding for regional and small municipal school districts, funds construction/maintenance at Mt. Edgecumbe High School, and covers major maintenance for state-owned teacher housing located within those school districts. The fund, capped at $70 million in unspent balances, directly affects regional school districts, Mt. Edgecumbe High School, and teachers working in those areas by addressing facility and housing needs. This bill focuses on concrete funding mechanisms for school infrastructure and teacher housing, without altering educational standards or policies.
HB 57 sets maximum classroom sizes for Alaska public schools, requiring districts to maintain an average of no more than 23 students per class for grades K-6 and 30 for grades 7-12, excluding certain specialized classes. It mandates annual reporting on class sizes, student performance data (including reading proficiency for early grades), and high school graduate outcomes like career and postsecondary education tracking. The bill also updates procedures for charter school applications and requires school boards to establish clear application processes for new charter schools. These provisions directly affect all public school districts, students, and educators across Alaska.
HB 10 requires the University of Alaska Board of Regents to include at least one full-time, tenured faculty member from one of the three main campuses (Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Southeast) as a regent. This faculty regent must be selected through campus elections by each university's faculty senate, with the governor appointing from the submitted list within 60 days. The bill also reduces the board's quorum requirement from seven to six regents for meetings. These changes directly affect the governance structure of the University of Alaska system, ensuring faculty representation on its governing board.
