Alaska Legislature

Social media ban for kids under 14 passes Alaska House

The social media proposal was added late in the process as an amendment to another bill and hasn’t been subject to public hearings.

Amendment banning kids under 14 from social media passes Alaska House with bipartisan support

The measure came as an amendment to an otherwise unrelated bill that would require adult websites to verify users are 18 or older.

Alaska House bill would require adult sites to verify users are 18 or older

Advocates say age verification would ensure minors aren't exposed to adult content. Opponents say it's not so simple.

Divided Alaska House calls for stay of homeschool decision until mid-2025

The two-page “sense of the House” approved by a 20-18 vote Wednesday supports a stay of the judge’s ruling through the end of June 2025.

Alaska House committee nixes amendment raising age of consent from 16 to 18

The sponsor of the amendment, Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, says he'll try again when the bill returns to the House floor.
a sign

Unalaska school district asks city for nearly $6M as it faces large deficit

The request is about $500,000 more than last year’s ask, and includes the maximum allowable contribution from the city’s general fund.
the Alaska State Capitol

Alaska Senate passes bill that ties hunting and fishing residency requirements to PFD eligibility

Wildlife troopers say the loose definition of residency under the current rules make it difficult to prosecute people who take advantage.
Cathy Giessel

Alaska Senate considers plan that would allow teens to independently seek mental health care

An amendment from Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, would lower the age for obtaining behavioral health care to 16.
a troller in the water

Alaska Senate proposes $7.5M aid package for struggling fish processors

The program would add to more than $100 million in salmon and Alaska pollock purchases — more than 1,500 truck loads — announced earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Lori Townsend sits at a desk with Jenn Miller and Chris Rose.

Renewable railbelt energy | Alaska Insight

This Alaska Insight, host Lori Townsend and her guests discuss how realistic a transition to renewable energy is, and how long it could take.

Dunleavy says correspondence school decision will have broad impacts. But will it?

A judge recently threw out two laws underpinning key aspects of Alaska's homeschool system. The impact of the decision is up for debate.
a legislative hearing

Alaska Senate rolls out operating budget with roughly $1,300 PFD plus energy relief check

Sen. Bert Stedman said the state has been "blessed" the last couple of years by high oil prices — but warned high prices won't last forever.
a statue

Alaska’s carbon storage bill, once a revenue measure, is now seen as boon for oil and coal

The Alaska House of Representatives is set to vote for House Bill 50 on Wednesday, sending it to the Senate.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy speaks to a microphone.

Dunleavy argues homeschool allotments are an ‘indirect benefit’ to private schools. Lawmakers disagree.

House Republicans and the bipartisan Senate majority each say the Alaska Constitution prohibits spending public money on private education.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy speaks to a microphone.

Governor Dunleavy discusses education funding | Talk of Alaska

What would Alaska's governor agree to for an education spending plan? Governor Dunleavy joins us on this Talk of Alaska.
a basketball hoop

Alaska House committee advances, expands proposal to bar trans girls from girls sports

An amended bill would add elementary, middle school and collegiate sports to limits in place for high school.

A judge has thrown out a key part of Alaska’s homeschool system. Here’s what to know.

A judge found unconstitutional the state's correspondence school allotment program, which pays for classes and supplies purchased by parents.
a weather station

State resolution would push feds to fix rural Alaska aviation weather stations

A pending Legislature joint resolution would urge Congress to address FAA Automated Weather Observing System outages common across Alaska.
a man

Lawmakers weigh whether to reduce or acknowledge rights of growing Alaska homeless population

As the state’s major cities scramble to house people, advocates say Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s protest bill would further criminalize the homeless.
Mary Peltola

Peltola says her priority is Alaskans’ economic prosperity

During a recent visit to Ketchikan, Rep. Mary Peltola discussed her approach to housing, mental health resources and addressing climate change.
a courthouse

Alaska judge strikes down state’s cash payments to families using correspondence school programs

The decision on correspondence programs will become a "hot-button legislative item" in the final weeks of session, lawmakers said.

Alaska House rejects constitutional amendment guaranteeing formula-based PFD

Opponents of the measure said they feared a budget crisis. Supporters said it would spur lawmakers to rewrite the PFD formula.

The Cook Inlet gas crunch | Alaska Insight

On this episode of Alaska Insight, host Lori Townsend is joined by John Sims, CEO of ENSTAR Natural Gas, to discuss the future of Cook Inlet gas production.
students

Bishop disputes feds’ claim that Alaska didn’t fund schools equitably during pandemic

Education Commissioner Deena Bishop says the state funded schools as usual and didn't disproportionately reduce districts' funding.

Alaska House passes operating budget with roughly $2,300 PFD

Rep. DeLena Johnson, R-Palmer, says nobody’s totally satisfied — and that makes it a good compromise.

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