Sen. Scott Kawasaki

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.

Maddy summaryHB 79 is a procedural bill that names a specific marine park unit within Alaska's state park system as "Vic Fischer Shoup Bay State Marine Park." It directly affects the official designation of this protected coastal area, which is part of Alaska's state park system. The bill amends Alaska Statutes to formally adopt this name for the marine park unit previously designated under section (a)(4) of AS 41.21.304. This change has no policy impact beyond the park's official naming.

Maddy summaryHB 39 requires Alaska public school districts to provide parents of deaf or hard of hearing students with unbiased information about hearing technology, communication methods (like sign language or spoken language), and support services. It mandates that districts allow parents to choose the communication method for their child and deliver services using that method through trained professionals. The bill also requires the state to support programs for deaf students, including residential options, and sets procedures for school districts operating these programs while maintaining special education responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHB 13 would allow Alaska municipalities to create optional property tax exemptions for specific housing types. It enables cities to exempt long-term rental units (90+ days), mobile home parks (for 10 years after construction), low-income rentals (rent ≤30% of local median income), owner-occupied homes, and first-time homebuyers' residences. Municipalities would decide whether to implement these exemptions via local ordinance, with no requirement to do so. The bill directly affects property owners in these categories and local governments managing tax policy.

Maddy summaryHB 96 establishes a Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board within Alaska's Department of Health. The board, composed of 10 members representing home care providers, direct care workers, home care recipients, rate reviewers, seniors, and disability advocates, will advise on payment rates for home care services and investigate workforce conditions like wages and benefits. It requires the board to meet at least three times yearly, include public testimony, and focus on ensuring payment rates meet federal requirements and support a stable workforce. The bill directly affects home care workers, providers, and recipients of home care services in Alaska by creating a structured process to address payment adequacy and working conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 133 requires Alaska state agencies to pay contractors within 30 days of receiving a compliant payment request for contracts under the State Procurement Code. For grants and reimbursement agreements to nonprofits, municipalities, and Alaska Native organizations, it sets a 30-day payment deadline (21 days if federal funds are used) after a compliant request is submitted. If payments are delayed, agencies must pay interest starting on the 31st day for contracts or the 21st/30th day for grants. Agencies must also provide written notice within eight working days if withholding payment, detailing the reason and required corrections to resolve the issue.

Maddy summarySB 239 allows the Alaska Department of Motor Vehicles to register and title motor vehicles that are at least 25 years old and were legally imported into the U.S. without requiring them to meet current federal safety standards. This directly affects owners of older imported vehicles who previously faced registration barriers due to safety standard non-compliance. The bill prevents the department from refusing, suspending, or revoking titles based on a vehicle's failure to meet modern safety requirements. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summarySB 174 establishes the Alaska Invasive Species Council within the Department of Fish and Game to coordinate state efforts in managing invasive species. The Council, composed of appointed representatives from state agencies (like Fish and Game and Environmental Conservation), tribes, universities, and conservation groups, will facilitate cooperation between government entities and organizations. Key duties include recommending policies on species importation and classification, guiding how state funds are allocated for invasive species responses, and providing technical assistance for regional management. This bill directly affects state agencies, tribal governments, and conservation organizations involved in preventing or managing invasive species across Alaska.

Maddy summaryHB 363 amends Alaska's alcohol laws to allow patriotic organizations (like the American Legion, VFW, and American Veterans) to sell or dispense all types of alcoholic beverages at events, not just beer or wine. It also clarifies that military personnel on active duty may purchase alcohol from these organizations under specific reciprocity agreements. The bill requires all profits from such sales to go directly to the organization, not individuals, and updates definitions to explicitly include those patriotic groups. This directly affects nonprofit patriotic organizations, military personnel, and local clubs seeking alcohol permits. The bill is currently under review by the Military & Veterans Affairs committee.