This House Joint Resolution affirms Alaska's commitment to voter privacy and election integrity while expressing concern over the state's disclosure of confidential voter information to the U.S. Department of Justice. The resolution outlines specific voter data protected under state law, including social security numbers and residential addresses, and highlights that approximately 570,000 Alaskans' confidential information was sent to federal authorities after the Department of Justice requested it. It notes that three federal courts have rejected the Department of Justice's claims that state privacy laws are preempted by federal law, and emphasizes the state's lack of control over how the received data is used. The resolution calls attention to Alaska's unique vulnerabilities, including its large Alaska Native population and geographic challenges, which could make residents more susceptible to misuse of their personal information.
HJR 32 is a non-binding resolution expressing Alaska's commitment to the federal rural health transformation program, which awarded the state $272 million in 2025 to improve rural healthcare access. It outlines six key priorities for program implementation: expanding telehealth infrastructure, strengthening maternal and child health services, increasing healthcare access in remote communities, developing the healthcare workforce, modernizing technology, and ensuring fiscal sustainability. The resolution urges the Governor and Alaska's congressional delegation to advocate for continued federal support and signals the legislature's intent to pass enabling legislation by December 2027 to maintain full funding. It does not create new laws but establishes a framework for future policy decisions to address Alaska's unique rural healthcare challenges.
SB 272 requires Alaska's Department of Health to establish a statewide electronic health information exchange system that connects hospitals, clinics, and other providers to share patient records securely. It mandates appointing a private or nonprofit entity (with a stakeholder advisory board including hospitals, insurers, tribal health groups, and patients) to manage the system's development, training, privacy compliance, and annual budgeting. Key provisions include ensuring system interoperability with federal standards, requiring cost and privacy safeguards, and creating a plan to encourage long-term participation by healthcare providers. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, insurers, tribal health organizations, and patients through standardized electronic record sharing.
SB 262 requires social media platforms to prohibit users under 16 years old who are Alaska residents from creating accounts and to terminate existing accounts of such minors within 90 days (allowing time to dispute). It also bans platforms from using personal data of users under 18 for tailored content recommendations and mandates permanent deletion of terminated accounts' data. The law applies to platforms with at least 10% of daily active users under 18 spending two+ hours daily, plus features like endless scrolling or frequent notifications. Affected minors’ parents or guardians may sue for up to $10,000 in damages if platforms knowingly violate these rules.
HB 367 establishes Alaska's Consumer Personal Information Privacy Act, requiring businesses that collect personal data to notify consumers about what information is gathered, how it will be used, and provide opt-out rights for data sales. It mandates data brokers to register with the state and restricts the disclosure of social security numbers except in specific cases like government duties or financial transactions. The law makes unauthorized data sharing or misuse by businesses unfair trade practices, with enforcement under existing consumer protection rules. These provisions directly affect businesses operating in Alaska that handle consumer personal information.
SB 237 clarifies rules for Alaska's Department of Administration to share driver's license data with other entities. It prohibits sharing unnecessary data when complying with federal REAL ID requirements, ensuring only required information is shared. The bill specifically allows the department to provide driver's license verification data to approved nonprofits or government/tribal entities (like those recognized by the Social Security Administration) under certain conditions. This directly affects how state agencies handle data sharing for identity verification purposes.
Tags
Licensing
HB 336 amends Alaska campaign finance law to allow candidates and campaign groups to use campaign funds for security-related expenses. It directly affects candidates, their campaign staff, group members, and their immediate family members by expanding allowable expenses to include security personnel, threat monitoring, cybersecurity, and home security equipment. The bill specifically permits funding for protecting the candidate, staff, or household members from threats, including personal residence security measures. This change takes effect immediately upon passage.
SJR 27 is a legislative resolution expressing Alaska's commitment to the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, which awarded the state $272 million for health system improvements. It outlines six priority areas for using these funds: expanding rural health access, strengthening maternal care, building telehealth infrastructure, supporting health workforce development, modernizing technology, and promoting community wellness. The resolution urges the Governor and Alaska's congressional delegation to advocate for continued federal support and establishes a December 2027 deadline for the state to pass enabling legislation to maintain full funding. It directly affects rural Alaskans and Alaska Native communities facing health access challenges, particularly in remote areas. The resolution itself does not change policy but sets priorities for future legislation to implement the program.
HB 318 requires social media platforms to default to non-addictive content delivery systems for minors (residents of Alaska under 18) without parental permission. It bans targeted advertising, excessive data collection, public account visibility, and notifications during school hours or late at night (10 PM-7 AM) for minors, unless parents opt out. Parental consent for addictive features must be verifiable and privacy-protective. The law directly affects social media platforms operating in Alaska and empowers parents to control their minor children's online experience while prohibiting manipulative design practices.
HB 330 requires health care providers in Alaska to give patients direct access to their electronic health records. The bill ensures patients can inspect and copy their health records, and if records are maintained electronically, providers must make them accessible to the patient or any legally authorized individual (such as a designated family member). This directly affects patients seeking their own health information and health care providers who manage electronic records. The key mechanism clarifies that electronic access must be provided in a standard, usable format without additional barriers.
