The Alaska Legislature convened for their third special session of this year Monday, August 16.

Gov. Dunleavy has tasked lawmakers to consider amendments to the Alaskan Constitution relating to the Constitutional Budget Reserve fund and the Alaska Permanent Fund.

The amendments seek to alter the appropriation limits from these funds to help repair infrastructure and aid in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Alaska Legislature passed House Bill 44, a bill with the potential to remove an initiative measure known as the Government Accountability Act from the November ballot.

Under the Alaska Constitution, if a bill is deemed to be substantially similar to an initiative, the initiative could be removed from the ballot.

Similar to the initiative measure, House Bill 44 prohibits lobbyists from purchasing alcoholic beverages for a legislator, implements a stricter policy on foreign travel, eliminates a per diem for legislators after 121 days if the budget has not been passed, and bans foreign corporations and nationals from making political contributions.

The governor has 20 days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.

On July 27, the Legislature is expected to convene again for a one-day special session to pass the state’s capital construction budget. This will be the Legislature’s third special session.

Lawmakers were previously unable to agree to a compromise on the budget, but have reportedly reached an agreement with enough support to call a special session.

Under the Alaska Constitution, the approval of two-thirds of the Legislature is necessary to call a special session.