Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Thursday afternoon that there will be two upcoming special legislative sessions.
The first 30-day session will begin May 20, the day after the regular session ends. It will focus on finishing work on the state budget, and on a constitutional amendment intended to protect the Permanent Fund’s earnings reserve, Permanent Fund dividends and a fund lowering rural electricity costs.
Dunleavy said in a statement it was clear more time was needed based on his conversations with legislative leaders.
“Nothing is more important than giving Alaskans a long-term solution to our fiscal challenges, and this session is an important first step,” he said in the announcement.
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The second special session will begin Aug. 2. Dunleavy is directing the Legislature to work on constitutional amendments to limit spending and to require a vote by Alaskans before new taxes can be instituted. It will also consider potential bills to increase state revenue and to spend federal relief funds.