HB 338 establishes the Alaska Work and Save Program, allowing employees without access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan to voluntarily contribute to retirement savings using their Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) payments. The bill modifies the PFD application process to let eligible Alaskans direct $25-$100+ (in $50 increments) from their PFD toward the program, with automatic enrollment at a default contribution rate. The Department of Revenue will administer the program, handle contributions, and charge a 7% administrative fee (not deducted from PFD payments). This applies to all Alaska workers who earn compensation in the state and lack workplace retirement plans, using existing PFD funds rather than creating new government spending.
HB 313 requires Alaska public school districts to provide equal access to school facilities and communication systems for all professional employee organizations (PEOs), such as teacher unions, upon request. It prohibits school districts from using a PEO's name on school calendars for special days or holidays, and bans granting exclusive access to facilities or communication systems to any single PEO. The bill defines "professional employee organization" as groups focused on improving instruction and professional standards for educators. It takes effect on July 1, 2026, applying to all public school districts in Alaska.
SJR 26 is a resolution expressing the Alaska State Legislature's support for Alaska Native corporations to continue participating in the U.S. Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development Program. The resolution highlights that this program has created thousands of jobs, reinvested revenue into community services (including job training, healthcare, and infrastructure), and aligns with the federal trust responsibility to Alaska Natives under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. It urges federal officials to preserve the program and oppose any efforts to restrict Alaska Native corporations' eligibility. This resolution does not change program rules but formally advocates for maintaining current participation.
HB 355 expands Alaska's agricultural loan program to cover additional farm activities like land clearing, farm development, storage, and equipment purchases, explicitly including agricultural cooperatives as eligible borrowers alongside individual farmers. It also modifies workers' compensation coverage by excluding certain workers, such as part-time babysitters, cleaning staff, seasonal harvest workers, and commercial fishermen, from protection under the program. The bill establishes new loan repayment terms allowing up to five years of delayed principal and interest payments and outlines fee structures for loan services. These changes aim to better support agricultural operations while clarifying who qualifies for workers' compensation benefits.
HB 360 establishes a state apprenticeship office within Alaska's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to oversee and register apprenticeship programs. It also creates the Alaska Apprenticeship Advisory Council, composed of nine members representing employers, labor organizations, and the public, to advise the office on program standards. The bill requires the office to seek federal recognition, register programs meeting federal standards, and develop reciprocity agreements with other states. This directly affects employers offering apprenticeships, apprenticeship programs seeking formal registration, and workers entering skilled trades through registered pathways. The law aims to standardize and expand apprenticeship opportunities across Alaska's workforce.
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.
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HB 345 would amend Alaska's workers' compensation law to exempt certain independent contractors from coverage. Specifically, it adds a new exemption category requiring individuals to meet all seven criteria, such as having a written contract, working without employer control over their methods, bearing business expenses, and meeting IRS requirements. This change would directly affect agricultural cooperative members who qualify as independent contractors under these new standards. The bill does not alter coverage for most other workers, who remain subject to Alaska's standard workers' compensation protections.
SB 260 requires insurers to provide employers with a written workers' compensation insurance certificate containing specific details, including the employer's name, insurer name, employee count, payroll estimates, policy expiration date, and a QR code. The QR code links to an online verification tool on the Alaska Division of Workers' Compensation website, allowing users to confirm an employer's coverage status. This applies to all certificates and policies issued, delivered, or renewed on or after the bill's effective date. The bill directly affects employers needing to verify coverage and insurers responsible for issuing compliant certificates.
HB 267 requires Alaska employers to pay an additional 0.4% contribution on wages subject to unemployment insurance, collected by the Department of Labor and remitted to the Department of Revenue. This new fee directly affects all employers contributing to Alaska's unemployment compensation system, with credits applied against existing contributions. The revenue collected must be appropriated to the state's employment assistance and training program account. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not alter existing unemployment contribution rate structures.
HB 245 sets a 4% tax on workers' compensation insurance premiums for insurers and establishes annual service fees: 2.9% of employer payments (excluding second injury fund payments) for businesses, and 2.5% of insurers' workers' compensation premium income. These fees fund the state's workers' safety programs and workers' compensation administration. The bill also requires electronic service of workers' compensation documents and allows the board to adjust fee percentages annually (capped at 4%). It directly affects insurers, self-insured employers, and the state's workers' compensation program.
