Government budgets, spending, taxes, and fiscal policy
The Alaska Commercial Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council will meet in May to review benefit claims and fund policies, with a public session on May 21.
Alaska is seeking construction bids for runway and taxiway improvements at Anchorage's Lake Hood Seaplane Base, with bids due May 1, 2026.
The House Finance Committee narrowly approved legislation requiring faster payment of state contracts despite concerns about $1 million+ costs and potential consequences for small nonprofits.
Five borough mayors testified against Senate Bill 280's proposed tax structure for the Alaska LNG project, citing significant revenue losses and inadequate impact compensation.
Rural Alaska communities successfully cleaned massive amounts of marine debris from shores but face significant barriers accessing federal funding and resources needed to continue protecting subsistence areas.
The Senate Finance Committee moved forward with HB 78, a retirement reform bill that would shift nearly $400 million in unfunded liability costs from municipalities to the state over 13 years.
The state is changing how it evaluates school construction projects to level the playing field for smaller districts that cannot afford expensive application processes.
Senate Finance Committee members raised concerns that Alaska's school construction funding process allows affluent districts to pre-fund projects and jump ahead of poorer communities that have waited years for repairs.
The Alaska House of Representatives voted down an amendment that would have reduced funding increases for underutilized regional jails, with supporters citing 22% statewide utilization rates.
The Alaska House of Representatives voted to allocate $2 million from Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lease revenues to reestablish a state trooper post in Talkeetna, addressing public safety concerns along the Parks Highway corridor.
House committee considers requiring legislative confirmation of Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation trustees for the first time since 1982, though constitutional concerns may require a constitutional amendment.
The House Education Committee moved forward a bill to eliminate meal costs for 3,326 students who qualify for reduced-price meals but struggle to afford full payment.
The House Finance Committee approved Senate Bill 146 to allow REAA funds for Mount Edgecombe High School and held its first hearing on House Bill 77 to make mail theft a state felony.
Committee heard testimony on legislation to lower developmental delay thresholds from 50% to 25% for early childhood services, potentially serving more children and saving millions in future special education costs.
State agencies requested hundreds of thousands in penalty funds and new positions rather than fixing systemic payment delays affecting nonprofits and contractors.
A joint legislative conference committee convened to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of the fiscal year 2026 supplemental budget.
The conference committee passed House Bill 289, Alaska's supplemental budget, with amended language to limit constitutional budget reserve use and reduce contingency funding from $30 million to $20 million.
Lawmakers debate legislation requiring the state to pay non-profits, municipalities, and tribal organizations within 30 days, matching standards for private contractors.
The Railbelt Transmission Organization's finance subcommittee will meet privately on April 16 to discuss financial matters related to Alaska's electrical grid.
Alaska's Medical Services Review Committee is holding four public meetings to gather input on workers' compensation medical fee schedules for 2027.
Alaska's Department of Revenue is seeking public comment through May 1, 2026, on potential improvements to Permanent Fund Dividend regulations.