Rep. Sarah Vance

Maddy summaryHB 6 prohibits Alaska's state retirement funds, the Alaska Retirement Management Board, and the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation from making investment decisions intended to advance social, political, or ideological goals. Specifically, it bans actions like divesting from companies over climate policies, restricting investments based on diversity initiatives, limiting access to abortion or gender-affirming care, or avoiding firearm-related businesses. The bill defines prohibited actions as those "committing to" reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enforcing diversity criteria, divesting over environmental standards, or restricting firearm industry investments. These restrictions apply to all investment decisions by the affected boards, overriding any voluntary efforts to align portfolios with such interests. The bill directly affects how Alaska's public retirement and permanent funds manage investments.

Maddy summaryHB 223 changes how Alaska allocates state funding for public school correspondence study programs (distance learning options). It revises the funding formula to include a special needs factor and add intensive services funding, calculated by multiplying program enrollment by 90%, then applying the special needs factor, and finally adding the intensive services amount. This bill directly affects public school districts offering correspondence programs, ensuring these programs receive adjusted funding based on student needs. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 29 clarifies that school districts, the University of Alaska, and other Alaska government units must budget for group or self-insurance coverage for their employees. It amends statutes to require school boards to specifically allocate funds for insurance participation in their annual budgets (under AS 14.14.090(1)) and explicitly authorizes boards to maintain such coverage (under AS 14.08.101(12)). This change ensures insurance costs are formally included in budget planning for these public employees, without creating new coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 143 prohibits banks and payment networks from discriminating against firearm retailers by refusing transactions, charging higher fees, or disclosing financial records based on whether a business sells firearms. It bans requiring special "firearm codes" that distinguish gun stores from other retailers and prevents actions like limiting services or imposing extra fees solely due to firearm sales. If violations occur, firearm retailers can request the Attorney General to investigate, and courts may issue injunctions or fines up to $10,000 per violation. The law directly affects firearm sellers, banks, payment processors, and customers making lawful firearm purchases in Alaska.

Maddy summaryHJR 16 is a resolution passed by the Alaska State Legislature urging the Export-Import Bank of the United States to prioritize funding for domestic projects like the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project over the Mozambique LNG project. It requests the bank reconsider its funding for Mozambique LNG - which has a 43 million metric ton annual capacity - arguing it competes with Alaska's project and could reduce demand for domestic LNG exports. The resolution specifically cites Alaska LNG's planned 20,000 metric ton annual capacity and 2031 export timeline as projects that align with national energy security goals. It directs the bank to provide similar support for Alaska LNG as it has for Mozambique LNG, ensuring funding decisions align with long-term U.S. export interests.

Maddy summaryHB 118 establishes the Council on Human and Sex Trafficking within Alaska's Department of Public Safety. The council will standardize data collection on trafficking incidents, distribute state and federal grants to local service providers, and coordinate efforts across 7 state agencies (including Health, Corrections, and Education) to improve victim services and public awareness. It directly affects victims of trafficking, local service organizations receiving grants, and state agencies working on trafficking prevention. Key provisions include creating a unified data system, requiring annual reports to the governor and legislature, and mandating collaboration with advocacy groups and survivors. The bill focuses on structural coordination rather than new funding or penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 83 rejects all recommendations from Alaska's State Officers Compensation Commission regarding state officer pay for 2025. The bill directly blocks the commission's proposed changes to compensation levels without creating new salary rules. It takes immediate effect under existing law, preventing the recommended salary adjustments from being implemented. This is a procedural disapproval of the commission's report, not a new policy change.

Maddy summaryHJR 7 is a symbolic resolution expressing Alaska's gratitude to President Trump for his 2020 executive order "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential." The resolution specifically commends the executive order's directives to restart oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, rescind environmental reviews of past projects, and prioritize resource development on federal lands. It does not create new laws or alter regulations but formally supports the executive order's policy goals. The resolution directly affects Alaska's legislative body, which is expressing this stance to the federal government. This is a non-binding gesture, not a legislative change.

Maddy summaryHB 46, the "App Store Accountability Act," requires app store providers (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Alaska to verify the age of users under 18 and obtain verifiable parental consent before minors can use app stores, download apps, make purchases, or access in-app content. It mandates clear disclosure to parents about age ratings and content, allows parents to block age-inappropriate apps, and requires providers to display age ratings prominently. The law applies to all app stores serving Alaska residents and takes effect January 1, 2026, with specific requirements for parental consent mechanisms and age-based content controls.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts in Alaska to have trained staff and at least two doses of opioid overdose medication available at their main buildings during all times students or staff are present, including before and after school hours and on weekends. It also mandates that one dose be available during any school-sponsored events held on school grounds, with the state Department of Health responsible for supplying the drugs and providing training videos for administration. To encourage participation, the legislation grants immunity from civil lawsuits to schools and individuals who fail to maintain these supplies due to good-faith efforts. Additionally, the bill updates rules for homeschool and correspondence study programs by requiring annual individual learning plans developed collaboratively with students, parents, and teachers. These plans must include state standards, ongoing assessments, and provisions for modifying the curriculum if a student struggles in core subjects.