Alaska Legislature

In this April 11, 2018 photo state Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, walks out of the Senate chambers and to a reception to honor him and Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, at the Capitol. Both were retiring from the legislature. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Dennis Egan, former state lawmaker and Juneau mayor, dies

He fought hard to keep the capital here in Juneau.

In this April 11, 2018 photo state Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, walks out of the Senate chambers and to a reception to honor him and Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, at the Capitol. Both were retiring from the legislature. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This March 13, 2020, photo shows then-Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, on the floor of the House. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Former state rep accused of voter misconduct will have a trial in August.

The trial is expected to last 10 days, and the precise start date has not yet been set.

This March 13, 2020, photo shows then-Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, on the floor of the House. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage speaks during a rally urging the Alaska government, particularly the Permanent Fund Corp., to divest itself from any Russian investment. Legislation to require divestment did not pass the Legislature. The state still holds millions of dollars in Russian investments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

State still holds millions in Russian investments

Llegislation that would have required the state to sell its Russia holdings did not pass.

Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage speaks during a rally urging the Alaska government, particularly the Permanent Fund Corp., to divest itself from any Russian investment. Legislation to require divestment did not pass the Legislature. The state still holds millions of dollars in Russian investments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A Pride flag hangs in downtown Juneau on Thursday, June 2, 2022, in honor of June as Pride Month. A number of Juneau's Pride events are being sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness Juneau, who say LGBTQ youth are at higher risk for depression and suicidal ideation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Pride Month is here, statewide LGBTQ protections aren’t

Events to focus on fostering community.

A Pride flag hangs in downtown Juneau on Thursday, June 2, 2022, in honor of June as Pride Month. A number of Juneau's Pride events are being sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness Juneau, who say LGBTQ youth are at higher risk for depression and suicidal ideation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This April 12 photo shows Alaska Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, who will not be seeking reelection. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Senate minority leader doesn’t plan to run this year

“In my heart and my mind, I’ve moved away from the job.”

This April 12 photo shows Alaska Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, who will not be seeking reelection. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, seen here in this June 16, 2021, file photo, announced Wednesday he will not seek relelection in the Alaska State Senate, where he has served since 2013. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Senate president says he won’t run again

“Honor and a privilege.”

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, seen here in this June 16, 2021, file photo, announced Wednesday he will not seek relelection in the Alaska State Senate, where he has served since 2013. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. The Capitol will be the site of a committee hearing next month that will focus on the recent firing of Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. CEO Angela Rodell. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Legislature modernizes definition of consent in sexual assault cases

Change made with unanimous support in Legislature.

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. The Capitol will be the site of a committee hearing next month that will focus on the recent firing of Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. CEO Angela Rodell. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A magnet promoting the Alaska Reads Act released sits atop a stack of Alaskan-authored and Alaska-centric books. Lawmakers passed the Alaska Reads Act on the last day of the legislative session, but several members of the House of Representatives were upset with the bill, and the way it was passed. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

In last-minute move, Legislature passes early reading overhaul

Underlying inequities.

A magnet promoting the Alaska Reads Act released sits atop a stack of Alaskan-authored and Alaska-centric books. Lawmakers passed the Alaska Reads Act on the last day of the legislative session, but several members of the House of Representatives were upset with the bill, and the way it was passed. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with reporters about the state's budget at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, May 19, 2022. The governor said lawmakers had sent a complete budget, and that there was no need for a special session. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy: No need for special session

Cuts to come.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with reporters about the state's budget at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, May 19, 2022. The governor said lawmakers had sent a complete budget, and that there was no need for a special session. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers from both bodies of the Alaska State Legislature mingle in the halls of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, the last day of the legislative session, following the Senate's passing of the state's budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Update: Legislature passes budget with minutes to spare

To the governor’s desk.

Lawmakers from both bodies of the Alaska State Legislature mingle in the halls of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, the last day of the legislative session, following the Senate's passing of the state's budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, chair of the bicameral conference committee tasked with hammering out differences in the state's budget bill, signs the committee report as members finished their work on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire

Committee compromises on PFD in budget plan

Process moves forward as deadline looms.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, chair of the bicameral conference committee tasked with hammering out differences in the state's budget bill, signs the committee report as members finished their work on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
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Senate effectively kills restrictive transgender sports bill

Bipartisan group of senators votes to table controversial bill.

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Members of the Alaska House of Representatives on Saturday, May 14, 2022, rejected the budget bill passed by the Senate earlier in the week. The bill will now go to a bicameral committee for negotiations, but the end of the legislative session is May 18. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Update: Budget to be shaped by committee as session nears end

Close vote.

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives on Saturday, May 14, 2022, rejected the budget bill passed by the Senate earlier in the week. The bill will now go to a bicameral committee for negotiations, but the end of the legislative session is May 18. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In this October 2019 photo, Zac Watt, beertender for Forbidden Peak Brewery, pours a beer during the grand opening for the Auke Bay business in October 2019. Alcoholic beverage manufacturers and dispensers recently came to an agreement on a bill that could bring live music and extended hours to breweries. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

House approves major update to state alcohol laws, including changes for breweries

“A lot of the controversy … has been resolved.”

In this October 2019 photo, Zac Watt, beertender for Forbidden Peak Brewery, pours a beer during the grand opening for the Auke Bay business in October 2019. Alcoholic beverage manufacturers and dispensers recently came to an agreement on a bill that could bring live music and extended hours to breweries. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Members of the House Majority Coalition spent most of Friday, May 13, 2022 in caucus meetings at the Alaska State Capitol, discussing how to proceed with a large budget bill some have called irresponsible. With a thin majority in the House of Representatives, there's a possibility the budget could pass. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House schedules Saturday floor session for budget debate

Close vote expected.

Members of the House Majority Coalition spent most of Friday, May 13, 2022 in caucus meetings at the Alaska State Capitol, discussing how to proceed with a large budget bill some have called irresponsible. With a thin majority in the House of Representatives, there's a possibility the budget could pass. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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)