Rep. Mia Costello

Maddy summaryHB 17 amends Alaska's retirement law to allow state employees who are veterans with a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs rating of permanent and total disability for a service-connected condition to retire early without waiting until age 60. Previously, these veterans needed to be age 60 or older to qualify for retirement benefits, but this bill removes that age requirement. The change directly affects Alaska state employees who are veterans with qualifying VA disability ratings, enabling them to access retirement benefits sooner. The bill also repeals three existing sections of the retirement code, though the specific provisions of those repealed sections are not detailed in the text.

Maddy summaryHB 47 creates two new criminal offenses related to AI-generated or manipulated child sexual abuse material in Alaska. It makes distributing such material a class B felony (or class A felony with prior convictions), and possessing 100 or more items is presumed to indicate intent to distribute. The bill defines "generated obscene child sexual abuse material" as content depicting manipulated images of children engaged in sexual acts, lacking serious value, and appealing to prurient interest under community standards. It specifically excludes tech employees acting in their job duties to prevent or report such material. The law does not address the other topics listed in the bill's title (teaching certificates, school bus licensing).

Maddy summaryThis Alaska legislative resolution (HJR 22) requests two specific actions from the U.S. Congress: (1) to propose a constitutional amendment limiting U.S. House and Senate members to a set number of terms, and (2) to call a constitutional convention to draft such an amendment. It asks Congress to act on this request, or else states will independently pursue a convention under Article V of the Constitution. The resolution formally applies for a convention focused solely on term limits, seeking to aggregate Alaska’s application with those of other states that have similar requests. As a procedural resolution, it does not change law but aims to advance a constitutional amendment process.

Maddy summaryHB 64 in Alaska creates a legal process for parents to safely surrender newborns without facing criminal charges or future parental obligations. It allows parents to hand infants to authorized personnel (like hospital staff, police, or emergency medical workers) or place them in designated infant safety devices at approved locations (such as hospitals, fire stations, or clinics). Facilities receiving surrendered infants must immediately notify child welfare services, and parents lose all legal duty to support the child after a safe surrender. The bill also protects facilities from liability if they follow these procedures, and requires safety devices to be visible, climate-controlled, and clearly marked.

Maddy summaryHB 136 amends Alaska law to clarify rules for railroad utility corridors and easements. It requires railroad corridors to be at least 100 feet wide on both sides of tracks (unless land ownership limits this) and specifies that railroads may lease or grant easements for transportation, communication, and related uses - without restricting other parallel corridor uses. The bill also adds a new provision requiring railroads to allow adjacent property owners to use their land in ways that don’t unreasonably interfere with railroad operations. These changes directly affect railroad corporations and landowners with easements in corridor areas.

Maddy summaryHB 161 requires most Alaska employers to provide paid sick leave: businesses with 50+ employees must offer 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked (capped at 56 hours yearly), while smaller businesses (fewer than 15 employees) must offer 1 hour per 30 hours (capped at 40 hours yearly). Employees can use this leave for their own medical care, family health needs, or domestic violence situations, with accrual starting at hire or July 1, 2025. Unused leave carries over annually but cannot exceed the yearly caps. The law applies to private sector workers and allows cashing out accrued leave upon request.

Maddy summaryHB 339 requires Alaska public school districts to implement a mandatory personal finance education program for students in grades 9-12. The program, which must cover 15 specific topics including budgeting, debt management, taxes, insurance, and retirement planning, must be approved by the state education department. Students cannot receive a high school diploma without completing this program, though exceptions apply for students transferring after grade 10. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with the diploma requirement applying to graduates on or after January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 311 would allow Alaska's Department of Motor Vehicles to issue special license plates commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America upon application by vehicle owners. The commissioner would determine the plate design and color, and the department may deny requests that duplicate existing plate designs. The bill takes effect immediately and does not impose new fees or obligations beyond standard plate application processes.

Maddy summaryHJR 5 is a resolution passed by the Alaska Legislature urging the U.S. Congress and President to reinstate and permanently fund the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. This act provided critical funding to rural communities near national forests (like those in Southeast Alaska) that historically relied on payments from federal timber revenue to support schools, roads, public safety, and infrastructure. The resolution specifically requests retroactive funding for fiscal year 2025 after the program expired in January 2025 and asks Congress to make the funding mechanism permanent. It does not create new law but formally advocates for federal action to prevent budget shortfalls in affected rural areas.