Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson

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.

Maddy summaryHB 314 defines "project costs" for construction, airport projects, and other infrastructure to explicitly include interior design services, studies, surveys, administrative expenses, and financing costs. It extends the termination date of Alaska's State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors from 2025 to 2033 and revises the board's composition to require one registered interior designer as a voting member. The bill also sets a monthly salary for the board's executive administrator and mandates that the department collect performance statistics for the board and its staff. These changes directly affect registered interior designers, architects, engineers, and the state's regulatory oversight process.

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 176, the Student Fee Transparency Act, requires the University of Alaska to provide enrolled students with 30 days' notice before imposing new fees or increasing existing ones. This notice must detail the fee amount, its purpose, and whether it's permanent or temporary with a set end date. The bill also mandates that the university issue itemized billing statements showing all tuition and fees charged to each student. These requirements take effect July 1, 2027, directly affecting all University of Alaska students.

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 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 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 36 amends Alaska law to allow minors aged 16 or older in foster care to consent to up to five outpatient mental health sessions without parental permission. After five sessions, mental health providers must obtain parental consent for medication or continued treatment. The bill also establishes documentation standards for homeless minors (16+ years) to self-certify eligibility for consent, requiring verification from specific officials or professionals. It directly affects youth in Alaska’s child welfare system receiving mental health services, particularly those in foster care or experiencing homelessness.

Maddy summaryHB 25 bans polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) containers for prepared food in restaurants and prohibits state agencies from purchasing such items. It requires restaurants to use biodegradable or compostable alternatives instead, with exemptions available if affordable alternatives are unavailable or if compliance would cause undue hardship. Exceptions include food prepared outside Alaska, reusable coolers, and disaster emergencies. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and defines key terms like "disposable food service ware" and "biodegradable" to clarify coverage. This directly affects restaurants, food vendors, and state purchasing decisions.