Sen. Cathy Giessel

Maddy summaryHB 69 would increase Alaska's base student allocation from $5,960 to $6,960 per student for public school funding. This change directly affects all Alaska public school districts by raising the state's per-pupil funding amount. The bill specifies that the new rate would take effect on July 1, 2025. The legislation is a straightforward funding adjustment with no additional provisions or mechanisms beyond the dollar amount change. (Note: The bill was vetoed by the governor on April 22, 2025, and the veto was sustained.)

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 44) protects minors receiving inpatient mental health care in psychiatric hospitals. It requires hospitals to provide minors with weekly confidential communication (via phone or video) with parents or approved adults, and mandates hospitals to notify parents within one business day of any seclusion or restraint use. The Department of Health must publish annual reports tracking restraint use, inspect hospitals twice yearly (interviewing at least 50% of minor patients), and collect data on minors’ care from other agencies. These provisions take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 28 allows certain teachers and public employees in Alaska to choose between the traditional defined benefit retirement plan (a guaranteed pension) and a defined contribution plan (similar to a 401(k)) under the state's retirement systems. It specifically applies to teachers who joined after June 30, 2006, but before July 1, 2025, or those who previously elected into the defined contribution plan. To switch, employees must provide written notice to administrators and ensure employer/employee contributions are adjusted to match the defined benefit plan requirements. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, with provisions detailing how contributions and service credit would be handled.

Maddy summarySB 142 updates regulations for group health insurance plans used by Alaska municipalities and the state government, including how pharmacy benefits are managed. It requires municipal plans (including self-insured ones) and their pharmacy benefits managers to follow specific state laws (AS 21.27.901-21.27.975 and AS 21.36.520), unless covered by federal ERISA. For the state, it clarifies procurement rules, mandating that the Department of Administration must follow dual choice requirements, obtain bids from authorized insurers, and select the lowest responsible bid for group health insurance. This bill directly affects municipal and state employee health coverage, pharmacy benefit administration, and the process for selecting insurance providers.

Maddy summarySB 141 requires all state-owned buildings and public buildings open to the public to provide and maintain an automated external defibrillator (AED) and an opioid overdose response kit on every floor, placed in a central location with clear signage. The bill also grants legal protection to anyone who administers opioid overdose drugs during an emergency or maintains such kits in public spaces, shielding them from civil liability. It mandates the state health department to seek federal funding for costs and adopt regulations to enforce these requirements, with the law taking effect January 1, 2026. This directly affects public building owners, state facilities, and emergency responders by standardizing lifesaving equipment access.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the use of firefighting substances containing perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances within Alaska, with specific exceptions for the oil and gas industry unless state regulations mandate otherwise. It requires the state fire marshal to adopt rules that mandate the use of safer, alternative firefighting substances if those alternatives are deemed safe and effective by recognized federal testing programs. Additionally, the legislation ensures that the state will accept up to 25 gallons per year of these restricted substances for disposal from residents. The changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2024.

Maddy summarySB 147 updates Alaska's workers' compensation system by strengthening reemployment rights and establishing a new stay-at-work program to help injured employees return to their jobs. The bill requires the state administrator to enforce quality standards for rehabilitation specialists and mandates detailed annual reports on program costs, timelines, and participant outcomes. It also introduces specific rules for determining eligibility for reemployment benefits based on how long an employee is unable to work due to injury. Additionally, the legislation addresses PTSD claim presumptions, modifies the workers' compensation benefits guaranty fund, and makes changes to the Alaska senior benefits payment program.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the Alaska senior benefits payment program by repealing the existing sunset date that was set to end the program on June 30, 2032. The legislation directly affects Alaska residents who currently receive benefits under this program, ensuring their eligibility continues beyond the previously scheduled expiration. By removing the specific repeal clauses for several state statutes, the bill effectively removes the automatic termination of the program without changing the core rules or funding amounts. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, allowing the program to continue operating under its current framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens data security requirements for insurance companies operating in Alaska by mandating that they conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential threats to customer information. Based on these assessments, insurers must develop and maintain a comprehensive written security program that includes administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect nonpublic data. The law specifically requires measures such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, and strict controls over who can access physical locations where sensitive information is stored. Additionally, the legislation updates state civil procedure and evidence rules to support the enforcement of these new security standards.