Alaska Legislature passes budget with funding holes
The Alaska Legislature approved a state spending package following a series of dramatic votes in the Senate and impassioned speeches highlighting the tensions over the annual dividend paid to residents and the frayed nerves after five months in session.
Alaska House fails key vote affecting dividend, programs
The Alaska House passed a state budget that would result in a $525 dividend to residents this year and leave in doubt funding for a number of programs and infrastructure projects after it failed to garner sufficient support on a key vote.
Reintroduced bill calls for clear labeling of GE salmon
Legislation calling for clear labeling of genetically engineered salmon is now back before the U.S. Senate, in a continuing effort by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, to ensure that consumers are aware the product is not wild Alaska fish.
Senate will consider bill simplifying commercial vessel registration
Legislation sponsored by the House Fisheries Committee that would eliminate the requirement for a commercial fishing boat to be registered with the Division of Motor Vehicles and the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission has passed the House.
HB 184 gives tribes voice in child welfare
Legislation approved by the House would empower tribal governments to manage oversight of child welfare issues in partnership with the state.
Bill eases lease renewal process for aquatic farmers
A bill that simplifies and speeds the lease renewal process for aquatic farmers has passed both houses of Legislature and is now expected to be signed into law by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Bill would prohibit export of sacred tribal items
Bipartisan legislation introduced in Congress in early May would prohibit the export of sacred Native American items and increase penalties for stealing and illegally trafficking tribal cultural patrimony, property inherited from one’s male ancestor.
HB 80 would help boost funding for sport fisheries
House Bill 80, which passed the House 32-4, and is now under consideration by the Senate, would allow the Department of Fish and Game to resume collection of a surcharge on sportfishing licenses.
Bill would aid dairy farmers
“Alaskans love Alaska Grown and the opportunity to buy local,” said Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, the bill’s sponsor. “HB 22 would allow for more products made here in our state.”
Alaska bill would bar transgender girls from female sports
A bill introduced in the waning days of this year's legislative session would require schools to designate school-sponsored athletic teams or sports as male, female or co-ed and require students who participate in a sport designated for females to be "female, based on the participant's biological sex."
