Labor & Employment in Alaska

in committee · Alaska · House May 6, 2026

HB 389: An Act relating to retainage on public and private construction contracts.

HB 389 updates Alaska laws to require faster payment of retainage and interest on construction contracts for both public and private projects. The bill mandates that prime contractors pay subcontractors within eight working days of receiving payment and includes specific penalties and interest rates for late payments. It also clarifies that these rules apply to political subdivisions and prohibits contracts from waiving these payment requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Alaska · Senate May 1, 2026

SJR 28: Recognizing the vital role of workers serving in the state under the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, the H-1B Program for specialty occupations, and the H-2B Program for temporary nonagricultural workers in supporting the state's economic security and continuity of critical services.

This Senate Joint Resolution recognizes the importance of J-1 and H-1B visa programs for Alaska's economy and critical industries. It acknowledges that these temporary work programs help fill seasonal staffing gaps in tourism, seafood processing, healthcare, and other sectors where local workers are insufficient. The resolution encourages employers to continue using these federal visa pathways to recruit qualified workers after attempting to hire locally. Additionally, it urges federal policymakers to protect these programs from restrictions that could limit Alaska's ability to maintain essential services and seasonal employment.

Topics ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 333: An Act relating to technical readiness and career training education in public schools.

HB 333 establishes a statewide Alaska technical readiness and career training system to fund career-focused education in public schools for grades 6-12. It directs school districts to spend at least 80% of vocational and technical instruction funding on direct student programs like classroom instruction, industry certifications, apprenticeships, and work-based learning - excluding administrative costs and general academic skills. The bill requires districts to develop programs with measurable student mastery, career pathways, and stackable credentials accepted for high school graduation or college credit. It amends funding formulas to include a dedicated vocational and technical instruction factor (1.025) and creates a new department system to support program development across districts.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 322: An Act establishing the office of the public whistleblower advocate; relating to whistleblower protections; establishing the public whistleblower award fund; and relating to the jurisdiction of the superior court over whistleblower actions.

HB 322 establishes an Office of Public Whistleblower Advocate to handle complaints from state employees who report wrongdoing. It strengthens protections against retaliation for whistleblowing by suspending time limits for filing complaints and clarifies that superior courts will handle related legal cases. The bill also creates a public whistleblower award fund to compensate employees who report violations. These changes directly affect state employees who report workplace misconduct, including violations of public health, safety, or ethics laws.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 305: An Act relating to compensation of transportation network company drivers.

HB 305 requires transportation network companies (like Uber or Lyft) to pay drivers at least 90% of the fare charged to riders for scheduled rides. For trips exceeding 10 miles from the pickup point, companies must pay drivers for travel distance at the IRS business mileage rate and for travel time at Alaska's minimum wage rate. The bill also prohibits companies from counting rider tips toward this required compensation. This directly affects drivers who work for these companies in Alaska, setting new minimum pay standards for their earnings.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Minimum Wage

in committee · Alaska · House May 15, 2026

HB 301: An Act relating to and prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

HB 301 amends Alaska's anti-discrimination law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in covered contexts like housing and employment. It adds new definitions to the statute, clarifying that "gender identity or expression" includes a person's self-image or behavior regardless of sex assigned at birth, and expands "sex" to include both sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill directly affects Alaskans by extending legal protections against discrimination in areas governed by the existing anti-discrimination statute. The legislation focuses on updating definitions within current law rather than creating new enforcement mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 338: An Act establishing the Alaska Work and Save Program for employees who do not have access to a qualified retirement savings plan at work; relating to the duties of the commissioner of labor and workforce development; and providing for an effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Government Spending Retirement Benefits Workforce Development

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 313: An Act relating to professional employee organizations in public schools; and providing for an effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Teachers

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SJR 26: Supporting the ability of Alaska Native corporations to participate in the United States Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development Program.

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 360: An Act relating to apprenticeship programs; establishing a state apprenticeship office; and establishing the Alaska Apprenticeship Advisory Council.

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Professional Licensing Workforce Development

All labor & employment bills