Education

in committee · Alaska · House May 11, 2026

HB 40: An Act relating to school athletics, recreation, athletic teams, and sports.

HB 40 requires public schools and certain private schools competing against public schools to designate athletic teams or sports as male, female, or coeducational. It mandates that students participating in female-designated teams must be assigned female sex based on their birth certificate at birth, defining "sex" as biological characteristics present at birth. The bill prohibits schools from taking adverse action against institutions that follow these designations and allows students to sue schools that violate the policy. It applies to all school-sponsored athletic programs in Alaska and explicitly preserves access to courts for related disputes.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts student participation in female sports teams based on birth sex, limiting educational access in school athletics per bill's gender designation mandate.85% confidence

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in committee · Alaska · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 166: An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development; relating to public education; and relating to opioid abuse awareness and prevention.

HB 166 requires Alaska's Department of Education to develop an opioid abuse awareness curriculum for students in grades 6-12. The curriculum must cover opioid dangers (including fentanyl-laced candy), science of opioid use, safe prescription practices, and early warning signs, with at least 60 minutes of annual instruction. School districts must teach this curriculum during the last week in October. The bill also mandates that the Department consult with health officials, overdose response experts, and affected families when creating the program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates opioid curriculum for grades 6-12, enhancing health education within school programs and aligning with student safety priorities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates opioid prevention curriculum in schools, addressing public health through education, aligns with healthcare protection efforts against substance abuse.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Substance Abuse

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in committee · Alaska · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 92: An Act relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation education in public schools; relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development; and providing for an effective date.

This bill requires Alaska public schools to include hands-only CPR instruction in health education for students in grades where it is adopted. The Department of Education must develop age-appropriate curricula based on current national guidelines, requiring hands-on practice and instruction on automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Schools must offer this training to students in designated grades starting August 25, 2025. It directly affects all K-12 public school students in Alaska through mandatory curriculum updates.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates CPR curriculum in K-12 health education, enhancing student safety skills and expanding required educational content per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates CPR/AED training in schools, enhancing public health preparedness through medical education under MEDICAL CARE subject.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 171: An Act relating to the insurance tax education credit; relating to the income tax education credit; relating to the oil or gas producer education credit; relating to the property tax education credit; relating to the mining business education credit; relating to the fisheries business education credit; relating to the fisheries resource landing tax education credit; renaming the day care assistance program the child care assistance program; relating to the child care assistance program and the child care grant program; and providing for an effective date.

SB 171 expands tax credit programs for educational contributions across multiple sectors in Alaska, including credits for donations to universities, vocational schools, Alaska Native cultural programs, and coastal ecosystem centers. It also creates new tax credits for businesses that operate child care facilities for employees, contribute to nonprofit child care providers, or reimburse employees for child care costs. The bill renames the "day care assistance program" to "child care assistance program" and integrates this change with related tax credit provisions. These changes directly affect Alaska taxpayers who make qualifying educational or child care-related contributions, allowing them to reduce their income, insurance, or property tax liabilities. The bill consolidates and modifies existing credit structures under various tax codes without altering the program's core eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credits for education, child care, and business contributions, reducing tax liability for qualifying entities. Aligns with tax relief and funding support for public services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tax credits for donations to schools/universities and educational programs, incentivizing private funding for education access and institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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in committee · Alaska · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 204: An Act relating to education; relating to open enrollment in public schools; relating to charter schools; relating to correspondence study programs; relating to the base student allocation; relating to the provision of special education and related services; relating to reading proficiency incentive grants; relating to wireless telecommunication devices in public schools; and providing for an effective date.

HB 204 modifies Alaska's education code to expand student enrollment options and increase transparency. It allows families to apply for schools outside their district (subject to capacity limits and district policies prioritizing siblings and application order), requires school districts to publish enrollment policies and data online, and mandates annual public reports on school performance including test results, attendance, and student demographics. The bill directly affects students, parents, and school districts by changing enrollment processes and requiring new disclosure of school data. Key provisions include standardized reporting requirements for districts and updated rules for out-of-district enrollment, with no mention of changes to special education, charter schools, or wireless device policies in the provided text.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands student enrollment options beyond district boundaries and mandates transparency in school data, enhancing access and accountability in education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education

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in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 182: An Act relating to education; relating to open enrollment in public schools; relating to charter schools; relating to correspondence study programs; relating to the base student allocation; relating to the provision of special education and related services; relating to reading proficiency incentive grants; relating to wireless telecommunication devices in public schools; and providing for an effective date.

SB 182 modifies Alaska's public school enrollment rules, allowing parents to apply for their child to attend schools outside their resident district if space is available, while requiring districts to prioritize siblings and process applications in order. It mandates that school districts publish online details about enrollment policies, capacity, applications, and denials. The bill also adds requirements for schools to report annual performance data - including test results, graduation rates, and student demographics - to the state education department and share this information publicly. These changes apply directly to all public schools, charter schools, and correspondence programs in Alaska, focusing on transparency and parental choice in school assignments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands student access via open enrollment and mandates transparency in enrollment policies, directly increasing educational access options for families.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education

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in committee · Alaska · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 152: An Act establishing an education tax on the income of individuals, partners, shareholders in S corporations, trusts, and estates; repealing tax credits applied against the tax on individuals under the Alaska Net Income Tax Act; and providing for an effective date.

HB 152 establishes a new 4% education tax on income exceeding $150,000 for single filers or $300,000 for joint filers, applying to Alaska residents and nonresidents with income connected to the state. It also imposes a $150 annual tax on individuals with wages or self-employment income in Alaska. The bill repeals certain tax credits under Alaska’s existing income tax law. It directly affects individuals, S corporation shareholders, trusts, and estates with taxable income in Alaska, shifting tax burden toward higher earners to fund education. The tax takes effect upon enactment, with specific rules for nonresidents and trusts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new 4% education tax on high earners to fund public education, directly advancing fiscal management for essential services per bill's purpose.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationImposes 4% education tax on high earners to fund schools, directly increasing education revenue per bill's title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

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in committee · Alaska · Senate May 7, 2025

SB 8: An Act relating to public school students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

This bill requires Alaska public schools to provide parents of deaf or hard of hearing students with comprehensive, unbiased information about hearing technology, communication methods (like sign language, cochlear implants, or spoken language approaches), and support services. It mandates that schools respect parents' choice of communication method for their child and provide services using that method through trained professionals. The bill also establishes a state-run centralized residential program for deaf students, offering specialized educational services and requiring school districts to follow specific protocols if operating the program. These changes directly affect deaf/hard of hearing students, their families, and school districts across Alaska.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates schools to provide unbiased info and respect parental communication choices for deaf students, enhancing educational access and support services for a specific student group.95% confidence

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in committee · Alaska · House May 7, 2025

HB 219: An Act relating to a tax credit for career and technical education; and providing for an effective date.

HB 219 creates a state income tax credit for businesses that invest in career and technical education (CTE) infrastructure and programs. It directly affects businesses that fund qualifying CTE activities, including constructing training facilities, paying instructors, developing curricula, or providing student housing. The credit allows businesses to reduce their state tax liability by up to the full amount of eligible investments, with unused portions transferable at 80% value to other tax years or entities. The bill explicitly prohibits claiming this credit for expenses already covered under existing education tax credits. It applies to corporations subject to Alaska’s income tax for tax years beginning after its effective date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credit for CTE business investments, reducing state tax liability. Directly provides tax relief through incentive structure, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax credit for business investments in CTE infrastructure, programs, and instructor salaries, directly funding career education expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Career & Technical Education

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in committee · Alaska · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 151: An Act relating to head lice in public schools.

SB 151 requires Alaska public schools serving grades K-8 to adopt policies allowing students with live head lice to stay in class until the end of the school day but return only after a school nurse confirms no lice. Schools must provide parents with treatment information when lice is detected. The state would reimburse districts 20% of costs for school nurses if they screen at least 95% of students annually (while protecting privacy), submit required reports, and meet other specified conditions. This bill directly affects K-8 students, families, and school districts in Alaska.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState reimburses 20% of school nurse screening costs, allocating state funds for educational health programs under appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides state reimbursement (20% of costs) for school nurse screenings, directly supporting school health infrastructure within education funding framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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