Alaska Legislature

Pamela Miller, executive director of Alaska Community Action on Toxics, speaks at a rally at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, May 12, 2022, calling on lawmakers to pass legislation regulating PFAS chemicals, so-called 'forever chemicals' that have been found to contaminate water and cause health issues. PFAS contamination has been found at several sites around the state, mainly around airports where the chemicals are used in fire-fighting foams. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Activists call for PFAS action

Forever chemicals.

Pamela Miller, executive director of Alaska Community Action on Toxics, speaks at a rally at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, May 12, 2022, calling on lawmakers to pass legislation regulating PFAS chemicals, so-called 'forever chemicals' that have been found to contaminate water and cause health issues. PFAS contamination has been found at several sites around the state, mainly around airports where the chemicals are used in fire-fighting foams. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A floor session of the Alaska House of Representatives was delayed Thursday, May 12, 2022, as lawmakers discussed in private how to move forward with a packed budget bill passed by the Alaska Senate. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

With thin margins in the House, floor debate is delayed

Delayed to the call.

A floor session of the Alaska House of Representatives was delayed Thursday, May 12, 2022, as lawmakers discussed in private how to move forward with a packed budget bill passed by the Alaska Senate. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Senate tables restrictive transgender sports bill

Debate will continue.

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Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and Senate Finance Committee Co-chair Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, speak with Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, during an all-day debate on the state’s budget on the floor of the Alaska State Senate on Tuesday, May 9, 2022.

Senate OKs budget that includes over $5k in payments to Alaskans

More negotiations.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and Senate Finance Committee Co-chair Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, speak with Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, during an all-day debate on the state’s budget on the floor of the Alaska State Senate on Tuesday, May 9, 2022.
Sens. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, left, and Robert Myers, R-North Pole, read through one of 41 amendments submitted to the state's omnibus budget bill being debate on the floor of the Alaska State Senate on Monday, May 9, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Senate goes big on PFD in budget debate

A statutory dividend. Maybe.

Sens. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, left, and Robert Myers, R-North Pole, read through one of 41 amendments submitted to the state's omnibus budget bill being debate on the floor of the Alaska State Senate on Monday, May 9, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska state Senate President Peter Micciche, center, looks on as lawmakers gather in front of him on the Senate floor on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. A bill dealing with the annual dividend paid to residents was bumped from the Senate floor on Wednesday. Micciche said it did not have the votes to pass. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Alaska lawmakers struggle with dividend debate

Legislative leaders have said they see resolving the divisive debate as critical.

Alaska state Senate President Peter Micciche, center, looks on as lawmakers gather in front of him on the Senate floor on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. A bill dealing with the annual dividend paid to residents was bumped from the Senate floor on Wednesday. Micciche said it did not have the votes to pass. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Lawmakers held a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, to vote to confirm Gov. Mike Dunleavy's appointments to state boards and commissions. All nominees were confirmed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers confirm Dunleavy appointees, work on PFD

Senate attempts to rework dividend formula.

Lawmakers held a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, to vote to confirm Gov. Mike Dunleavy's appointments to state boards and commissions. All nominees were confirmed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Senate votes to increase PCE payments

‘Fair and modest.’

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Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman speaks on the floor of the Alaska House on Jan. 31, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Alaska House Republicans have removed Rep. David Eastman from their caucus, Minority Leader Cathy Tilton said Friday, April 29, 2022, citing tensions with the Wasilla Republican that have built over time. (AP File Photo/Becky Bohrer)

House Republicans remove Eastman from caucus

The decision comes with less than three weeks left in the regular session.

Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman speaks on the floor of the Alaska House on Jan. 31, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Alaska House Republicans have removed Rep. David Eastman from their caucus, Minority Leader Cathy Tilton said Friday, April 29, 2022, citing tensions with the Wasilla Republican that have built over time. (AP File Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a new conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 27, 2022, to call on lawmakers to pass a "substantial" Permanent Fund Dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

As end of session nears, Gov ‘optimistic’ for large PFD

“At least” $3,700.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a new conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 27, 2022, to call on lawmakers to pass a "substantial" Permanent Fund Dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill reducing sentences for and clearing records for marijuana possession on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, a day adopted as an unofficial holiday by cannabis users. The maker of the bill said the timing was no intended. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House passes marijuana bill on cannabis ‘holiday’

Pure coincidence.

The Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill reducing sentences for and clearing records for marijuana possession on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, a day adopted as an unofficial holiday by cannabis users. The maker of the bill said the timing was no intended. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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House passes bill to protect higher education funding

A month left in session.

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This image available under the Creative Commons license shows the outline of the state of Alaska filled with the pattern of the state flag. The state on Thursday reported a modest population growth between April 2020 and July 2021. It's the first time since 2016 the state has reported a population increase. (

Alaska Redistricting Board adopts new maps after court order

The Alaska Redistricting Board adopted the plan, 3-2.

This image available under the Creative Commons license shows the outline of the state of Alaska filled with the pattern of the state flag. The state on Thursday reported a modest population growth between April 2020 and July 2021. It's the first time since 2016 the state has reported a population increase. (
Sen. Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with the Empire in his office at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, after the Alaska State Senate passed the Alaska Reads Act, a bill he originially introduced with Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Senate passes comprehensive reading bill

‘A good chance.”

Sen. Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with the Empire in his office at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, after the Alaska State Senate passed the Alaska Reads Act, a bill he originially introduced with Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska House of Representatives spent three days in floor sessions at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, and on Thursday finished working through the 87 amendments submitted to the state's operating budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House finalizes budget amendments, set to vote on Saturday

Three days of debate.

The Alaska House of Representatives spent three days in floor sessions at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, and on Thursday finished working through the 87 amendments submitted to the state's operating budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Members of the Alaska House of Representatives spent most of the day on the floor on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, working their way through the more than 80 amendments submitted to the state's budget bill. By Wednesday afternoon lawmakers had worked through more than 50 but passed only two; $50,000 for ice road maintenance and exempting the state's Mediciad program from covering abortions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House passes amendment to exempt state Medicaid program from covering abortions

More amendments to come.

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives spent most of the day on the floor on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, working their way through the more than 80 amendments submitted to the state's budget bill. By Wednesday afternoon lawmakers had worked through more than 50 but passed only two; $50,000 for ice road maintenance and exempting the state's Mediciad program from covering abortions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Members of the Alaska House of Representatives has 87 amendments submitted to the state’s operating budget bill and intends to spend the rest of the week in floor session working through them. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

House begins debate on 87 amendments to budget bill

About 60 more to go.

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives has 87 amendments submitted to the state’s operating budget bill and intends to spend the rest of the week in floor session working through them. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
The Alaska House of Representatives voted to adopt a finance committee substitute of the state's operating budget bill on Monday, April 4, 2022, allowing for amendments to be submitted. An outbreak of COVID-19 among lawmakers and their staff couples with debate over masking policy led to canceled sessions last week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

As floor sessions return, House sets to work on budget

Additional budget items.

The Alaska House of Representatives voted to adopt a finance committee substitute of the state's operating budget bill on Monday, April 4, 2022, allowing for amendments to be submitted. An outbreak of COVID-19 among lawmakers and their staff couples with debate over masking policy led to canceled sessions last week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
State and municipal public safety employees gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Captiol on Thursday, March 31, 2022, to urge senators to act on a bill to rework the state's pension system for police, fire fighters and other public safety employees. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Public safety employees promote pension plan

Workers are leaving.

State and municipal public safety employees gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Captiol on Thursday, March 31, 2022, to urge senators to act on a bill to rework the state's pension system for police, fire fighters and other public safety employees. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The chamber of the Alaska House of Represenatives was empty on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, after floor sessions in the body were canceled as three Republican lawmakers refuse to comply with masking requirements reinstated amid an outbreak of COVID-19 among House members and their staff. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House cancels floor sessions until next week

26 cases at the Capitol.

The chamber of the Alaska House of Represenatives was empty on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, after floor sessions in the body were canceled as three Republican lawmakers refuse to comply with masking requirements reinstated amid an outbreak of COVID-19 among House members and their staff. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)