Alaska Legislature

A child plays in an undated photo. The Alaska Legislature put an additional $7.5 million towards grants for child care providers in this year’s budget. (Getty Images)

Child care providers say funds OK’d by Legislature crucial to staying open

Some advocates say more work to be done as $7.5M is half of what was sought

 

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks on the Senate floor May 16. His bill allowing disabled military veterans to receive free fur-trapping licenses was signed into law last week by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Kiehl’s bill granting free fur-trapping licenses to disabled veterans becomes law

Local senator’s proposal that passed Legislature 59-0 signed by governor just before Memorial Day

 

Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy for an increase in the state’s flat funding via the base student allocation, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. A one-time funding increase was approved during this year’s legislative session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

What’s next for the most debated bills pending in the Legislature?

Education funding increase, “parental rights” and other proposals will resurface next year.

 

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, speaks during a news conference in late April. Juneau School District leaders share mixed reactions about the the Alaska State Legislature passing a budget that includes a $174 million one-time boost to public school funding, and being fearful that the increase will soon be vetoed by the governor. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

District leaders give one-time funding boost an incomplete

Mix of relief and fear of potential veto greet increase included in budget.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, speaks during a news conference in late April. Juneau School District leaders share mixed reactions about the the Alaska State Legislature passing a budget that includes a $174 million one-time boost to public school funding, and being fearful that the increase will soon be vetoed by the governor. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Josiah Patkotak, I-Utqiagvik, explains the history of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska during an Alaska State House floor session in February. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

America’s farthest-north state representative is planning to leave the Alaska Capitol

Patkotak says he’s running to be the next mayor of the North Slope Borough.

Rep. Josiah Patkotak, I-Utqiagvik, explains the history of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska during an Alaska State House floor session in February. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau state representatives Sara Hannan, left, and Andi Story discuss legislative business during a break in the House floor session on Tuesday. Both Democratic members were part of the minority caucus this session after being in the majority during their first two terms. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

A trio of Capitol recaps from the local delegation

From passage of PFAS limits to postponing vaping tax, Juneau’s legislators tally wins and losses.

Juneau state representatives Sara Hannan, left, and Andi Story discuss legislative business during a break in the House floor session on Tuesday. Both Democratic members were part of the minority caucus this session after being in the majority during their first two terms. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Bert Stedman, a Sitka Republican who co-chairs the Senate Finance Committee, details a list of 24 projects costing about $34 million that were added to the state budget during negotiations with House members Thursday. Behind Stedman in the audience section is nearly the entire 16-member House minority caucus, which voted in favor of the budget along with 10 members of the Republican-led House majority. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Unusual House coalition OKs budget to end special session on first day

10 members of Republican-led majority join minority after $34M in targeted capital projects added

State Sen. Bert Stedman, a Sitka Republican who co-chairs the Senate Finance Committee, details a list of 24 projects costing about $34 million that were added to the state budget during negotiations with House members Thursday. Behind Stedman in the audience section is nearly the entire 16-member House minority caucus, which voted in favor of the budget along with 10 members of the Republican-led House majority. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State House Rules Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, exits the House chambers Wednesday night after members voted to adjourn the session without passing the Senate’s version of a budget bill for next year. Gov Mike Dunleavy immediately ordered a 30-day special session beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Special session set to begin today after Legislature adjourns without budget

House refuses to consider Senate spending bill sent over hours before adjournment deadline

State House Rules Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, exits the House chambers Wednesday night after members voted to adjourn the session without passing the Senate’s version of a budget bill for next year. Gov Mike Dunleavy immediately ordered a 30-day special session beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
State senators leave the chamber after adjourning for the year Wednesday evening, leaving the fate of passing the bill for next year’s budget — and a special session if they fail to do so — to the House. The House gaveled in at 8 p.m., four hours before the adjournment deadline. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Capitol Live: House adjourns after refusing to OK Senate’s budget; Governor orders special session

The latest from the Captiol.

State senators leave the chamber after adjourning for the year Wednesday evening, leaving the fate of passing the bill for next year’s budget — and a special session if they fail to do so — to the House. The House gaveled in at 8 p.m., four hours before the adjournment deadline. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Craig Johnson, an Anchorage Republican and sponsor of the a bill to reject the 67% pay raise slated for legislators and around a 20% raise for the governor, speaks to House Representatives Tuesday afternoon. The bill passed in a 29-11 vote but the efforts are likely too late to stop the increases from going into effect. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

House passes bill to reject raise for lawmakers — but pay hike still likely

“I can’t even imagine what working-class people are thinking.”

Rep. Craig Johnson, an Anchorage Republican and sponsor of the a bill to reject the 67% pay raise slated for legislators and around a 20% raise for the governor, speaks to House Representatives Tuesday afternoon. The bill passed in a 29-11 vote but the efforts are likely too late to stop the increases from going into effect. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, tells reporters why the bill for next year’s budget was held over Tuesday until the final day of the session on Wednesday. The Senate floor session is scheduled to start at 11 a.m., giving the Senate and House 13 hours to resolve their differences before the 121-day session deadline. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Senate stalls budget for suspenseful final day

Legislature will have 13 hours to solve differences over PFD, other issues to avoid special session

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, tells reporters why the bill for next year’s budget was held over Tuesday until the final day of the session on Wednesday. The Senate floor session is scheduled to start at 11 a.m., giving the Senate and House 13 hours to resolve their differences before the 121-day session deadline. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
An array of vapes line the shelf of a display case at Alaska Pipeline vape store downtown. The Alaska Senate passed a bill that would impose a 25% statewide tax on retail e-cigarette products in Alaska Tuesday morning. It now heads to the House. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

​​Senate passes bill to impose statewide tax on e-cigarettes

A similar bill was vetoed by Gov. Dun Mike Dunleavy last fall.

An array of vapes line the shelf of a display case at Alaska Pipeline vape store downtown. The Alaska Senate passed a bill that would impose a 25% statewide tax on retail e-cigarette products in Alaska Tuesday morning. It now heads to the House. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks in opposition Tuesday to a bill prohibiting state and municipal officials from closing firearms businesses during declared emergencies if other essential businesses remain open. The Senate voted 17-3 to pass the bill, which sets the stage for it to pass the full Legislature before the session adjourns Wednesday as part of a package agreement on various bills. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Ban on gun store shutdowns during disasters passes Senate

Kiehl among dissenters in 17-3 vote; proposal may be part of final negotiations with Housde

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks in opposition Tuesday to a bill prohibiting state and municipal officials from closing firearms businesses during declared emergencies if other essential businesses remain open. The Senate voted 17-3 to pass the bill, which sets the stage for it to pass the full Legislature before the session adjourns Wednesday as part of a package agreement on various bills. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Shelly Hughes, R-Palmer, talks with Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, following the Senate’s unanimous passage of carbon credits bill Monday. Hughes and Se. Mike Shower, center, voted for the bill despite voicing strong concerns about some of its provisions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Carbon credits bill unanimously passes Senate, House quickly takes it up

Legislature seeks to OK priority bill for Dunleavy as part of package to adjourn session in time

State Sen. Shelly Hughes, R-Palmer, talks with Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, following the Senate’s unanimous passage of carbon credits bill Monday. Hughes and Se. Mike Shower, center, voted for the bill despite voicing strong concerns about some of its provisions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Senate leaders depart the House Speaker’s office following a long meeting between members of both chambers Saturday afternoon that failed to resolve budget differences with only four days left until the scheduled adjournment of the legislative session. Leaders with both chambers have said there’s a strong likelihood of a special session, but a breakthrough on some key items late Monday may allow legislators to finish in time on Wednesday if they work at a whirlwind pace. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

‘It’s the weirdest session I’ve ever seen’: Odds for special session fluctuating drastically

Accusations by House and Senate leaders lead to late pacts as Legislature tries to adjourn on time

State Senate leaders depart the House Speaker’s office following a long meeting between members of both chambers Saturday afternoon that failed to resolve budget differences with only four days left until the scheduled adjournment of the legislative session. Leaders with both chambers have said there’s a strong likelihood of a special session, but a breakthrough on some key items late Monday may allow legislators to finish in time on Wednesday if they work at a whirlwind pace. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A marijuana plant is displayed in a cannabis shop. (Jeff Chiu/AP)

House OKs making some marijuana convictions private

Bill expanding court’s decision to limit public web access for minor offenses passes 36-4.

A marijuana plant is displayed in a cannabis shop. (Jeff Chiu/AP)
Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, center, House Majority Leader Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River, right, and House Rules Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, talk to Rep. Jesse Sumner, R-Wasilla, about his request to have a bill discharged from the House Judiciary Committee chaired by Vance. The request was the second for a bill during Friday’s floor session, based on the belief Vance would not allow the bills to advance beyond her committee, following a floor vote when a bill she sponsored related to boycotts involving Israel failed by a 20-20 vote. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Tie vote on Israel discrimination bill sets off fury in House

Ban on public agencies contracting with companies boycotting Israel fails, may get revote Saturday.

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, center, House Majority Leader Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River, right, and House Rules Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, talk to Rep. Jesse Sumner, R-Wasilla, about his request to have a bill discharged from the House Judiciary Committee chaired by Vance. The request was the second for a bill during Friday’s floor session, based on the belief Vance would not allow the bills to advance beyond her committee, following a floor vote when a bill she sponsored related to boycotts involving Israel failed by a 20-20 vote. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, Senate Rules Chair Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, and Senate Finance Committee Co-chair Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, discuss late-session budget negotiations with the House during a press conference late Thursday afternoon.

Legislature running out of time as big budget differences persist

“I’m not real optimistic that we can get something done by 121 days,” House Speaker says

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, Senate Rules Chair Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, and Senate Finance Committee Co-chair Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, discuss late-session budget negotiations with the House during a press conference late Thursday afternoon.
State House members with wide-ranging views on a so-called “fentanyl bill,” including both of Juneau’s representatives, discuss proposed amendments during Wednesday’s floor session. Standing from left to right are Sarah Vance, R-Homer, Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, David Eastman, R-Wasilla, Andi Story, D-Juneau, and Alyse Galvin, D-Anchorage. The bill passed by a 35-5 vote Thursday, with Story voting in favor and Hannan against.

‘Fentanyl bill’ passes House

Some drug offenders causing death can be charged withg murder under governor’s proposal.

State House members with wide-ranging views on a so-called “fentanyl bill,” including both of Juneau’s representatives, discuss proposed amendments during Wednesday’s floor session. Standing from left to right are Sarah Vance, R-Homer, Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, David Eastman, R-Wasilla, Andi Story, D-Juneau, and Alyse Galvin, D-Anchorage. The bill passed by a 35-5 vote Thursday, with Story voting in favor and Hannan against.
Angela Harris (center) gives testimony Wednesday on Senate bill 53 to the House Judiciary Committee while she sits next to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Matt Claman, an Anchorage Democrat (right) and a member of his staff, Emma Potter (left) Harris survived a stabbing by a known offender who was released because of his incompetence to face criminal charges. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bill allowing up to 2 years of involuntary commitment in psychiatric facilities advances in Legislature

Senate passed the bill 14-6 on Monday, House heard testimony on Wednesday.

Angela Harris (center) gives testimony Wednesday on Senate bill 53 to the House Judiciary Committee while she sits next to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Matt Claman, an Anchorage Democrat (right) and a member of his staff, Emma Potter (left) Harris survived a stabbing by a known offender who was released because of his incompetence to face criminal charges. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)