Maddy summarySB 9 in Alaska allows parents to legally surrender newborns without facing prosecution by specifying two safe surrender methods: leaving the infant with authorized personnel (like hospital staff, police, or emergency responders) or placing the infant in a designated safety device at approved locations (such as hospitals or fire stations). The law states that doing so legally ends the parent's obligation to support the child and protects surrendering parents from criminal charges. It requires surrendering facilities to notify child welfare services and ensures no civil liability for those receiving surrendered infants. This directly affects parents seeking to relinquish newborns safely while providing clear legal pathways for the process.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 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.
Maddy summaryHB 93 modifies Alaska's residency requirements for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing licenses. It clarifies that holders of permanent identification cards must maintain Alaska residency to continue using their privileges, aligning with the standard 12-month residency definition. The bill defines residency as physical presence with intent to stay indefinitely, 12 consecutive months of domicile, continuous presence (with limited exceptions), and no other state residency claims. It also requires the commissioner to develop verification regulations, potentially using proof from other state agencies. The changes take effect January 1, 2027, affecting all applicants and license holders seeking these recreational privileges.
Maddy summarySB 249 regulates virtual currency kiosks in Alaska by requiring operators to hold a money transmission license and register with the state before operating. It mandates detailed quarterly reports on transactions, locations, and declined transactions, plus annual reports on revenue, user complaints, refunds, and suspicious activity. Operators must also disclose terms clearly to users and provide transaction data to the department upon request. The bill directly affects kiosk operators by imposing licensing, registration, and reporting obligations, while protecting user data confidentiality (with public annual summaries). These provisions aim to ensure transparency and prevent deceptive practices in virtual currency transactions.
Maddy summaryHB 16 amends Alaska's campaign finance laws by raising contribution limits for individuals and groups in state and local elections. It increases individual limits to $2,000 per election cycle (from $500 annually) and group limits to $5,000 annually for political parties, while adding new definitions for "election cycle" and tightening reporting rules. Crucially, it mandates the Alaska Public Offices Commission to automatically adjust all contribution limits every decade starting in 2031 using the Consumer Price Index for urban Alaska. The bill directly affects candidates, political committees, and donors participating in Alaska state/local elections. It focuses on updating financial thresholds to account for inflation while maintaining existing contribution caps for most scenarios.
Maddy summaryHB 302 defines key terms for travel insurance (like "group travel insurance" and "primary policyholder") and establishes tax rules for travel insurance premiums in Alaska. It requires travel insurers to document policyholders' residency or business location and report only the travel insurance portion of premiums, excluding travel assistance services or cancellation fees. The bill also adds a licensing requirement for individuals selling travel insurance in the state. These changes apply to travel insurers and affect Alaska residents purchasing travel insurance, as well as businesses with a principal place of business in Alaska.
Maddy summaryHB 244 sets new standards for certified nurse aide training programs in Alaska, requiring them to ensure safe, competent care and specific skills. The bill directly affects training programs, which must now teach aides to communicate effectively with clients, support client independence, address cognitive impairments (including dementia), and monitor client well-being. Key provisions mandate training in areas like dementia care, emotional sensitivity, problem-solving, and respecting client dignity, with "activities of daily living" defined as eating, dressing, grooming, bathing, and toileting. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
Maddy summaryHB 246 establishes a funding formula for Alaska's special education service agency, requiring the state department to allocate at least $26.89 per student based on the previous year's average daily student count. If funding is insufficient, allocations are reduced proportionally. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and includes retroactive application to that date. This directly affects Alaska's public school systems and special education programs by setting a specific per-student funding standard for state allocations.
Maddy summaryHB 278 establishes the Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission within the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. The commission, composed of five governor-appointed members serving two-year terms, aims to advance trade, investment, and academic exchanges between Alaska and Ireland. It must submit a report to the legislature by the 35th session's first meeting detailing its activities and recommendations. This procedural bill creates a new state body to foster economic partnerships without changing existing laws or imposing new taxes.
Maddy summaryHB 216 approves the transfer of approximately 84.8 acres of land owned by the Alaska Railroad Corporation to the City of Whittier for fair market value. The bill specifically covers five defined land parcels within Whittier, described by survey details and U.S. survey numbers. It authorizes the Alaska Railroad to convey these parcels, noting that surveying and platting adjustments may be needed to finalize the transfer. The legislation serves as formal approval under existing law (AS 42.40.285) and takes immediate effect. This is a procedural transfer bill with no new policy provisions, directly affecting the Alaska Railroad Corporation and the City of Whittier.