Alaska Conference Committee Advances 23 of 25 Supplemental Budget Items

A legislative conference committee adopted 23 of 25 items in Alaska's fiscal year 2026 supplemental operating budget at a meeting May 12, primarily accepting Senate versions while leaving two items open for further negotiation.

The conference committee on House Bills 263 and 265, the operating and mental health appropriation bills, met at 4 p.m. under limited powers of free conference granted by both chambers. The action closes most items in both bills, with items 4 and 21 remaining open.

Alaska News previously reported that the Legislature formed the conference committee to resolve differences between House and Senate versions of the $14 billion operating budget. The committee earlier approved a separate supplemental budget with Constitutional Budget Reserve safeguards.

Conference Committee Chair Lyman Hoffman invited Alexi Painter, Director of Legislative Finance Division, to join the committee at the table to address the open items.

Representative Andy Josephson moved to adopt the items, specifying Senate versions for items 1 through 3, 5 through 20, and 22 through 25. "For the FY supplemental operating items addressed today, I move that the committee adopt the following FY 26 supplemental operating items," Josephson said.

Hoffman confirmed the motion passed without objection. "This action closes conferenceable items 1 through 3, item 5 through 20, item 22 through 25 in the FY26 supplemental operating budget," Hoffman said. "Items left open are items 4 and item 21."

The committee includes three senators and four representatives. Hoffman noted that future meetings will be posted on BASIS to provide reasonable public notice under the 24-hour rule. The committee adjourned without taking up additional items.