May 19, 2022 •
Alaska Legislature Adjourns Sin Die
The Alaska Legislature adjourned sin die late Wednesday after finally coming to an agreement on the state’s budget bill. Lawmakers set this year’s dividend for each resident at $3,200 from Alaska’s Permanent Fund, a fund derived from the state’s oil […]
The Alaska Legislature adjourned sin die late Wednesday after finally coming to an agreement on the state’s budget bill.
Lawmakers set this year’s dividend for each resident at $3,200 from Alaska’s Permanent Fund, a fund derived from the state’s oil and gas reserves.
The Legislature failed to pass new campaign contribution limits to replace the ones found to be unconstitutional earlier this year.
Alaska’s regulatory body, the Alaska Public Offices Commission, punted the responsibility to lawmakers after refusing to resurrect old contribution limits.
This does affect lobbyist reporting.
A lobbyist monthly report will be due June 30, covering May 1 through May 31.
November 4, 2021 •
Alaska’s Fourth Special Session Adjourns
Alaska’s fourth special session adjourned under little fanfare. Governor Dunleavy tasked members of the Alaskan Legislature to fund another permanent fund dividend payment, a request met with legislative apathy. The Senate held only one floor session while the house met […]
Alaska’s fourth special session adjourned under little fanfare.
Governor Dunleavy tasked members of the Alaskan Legislature to fund another permanent fund dividend payment, a request met with legislative apathy.
The Senate held only one floor session while the house met only twice, with both houses holding relatively few committee meetings.
The Legislative leaders expressed concerns over a second payout from the permanent fund without a long-term budget plan.
Dunleavy stated he does not plan to call a fifth special session.
This does affect lobbyist reporting.
The fourth session adjourning in November triggers a monthly report covering November 1 to November 30, due December 31.
The quarterly legislative lobbyist report due on January 31 will only cover the month of December.
September 15, 2021 •
Alaska Legislature Adjourns
The Alaska Legislature adjourned the third special session on September 14 after passing House Bill 3003. The bill allocates $1,100 to each eligible Alaskan from the Permanent Fund Dividend. While the third session did resolve one problem, there are other […]
The Alaska Legislature adjourned the third special session on September 14 after passing House Bill 3003.
The bill allocates $1,100 to each eligible Alaskan from the Permanent Fund Dividend.
While the third session did resolve one problem, there are other questions left on the table.
To answer them, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced he will call a fourth special session beginning October 1 to address issues with the state’s financial structure and the Permanent Fund Dividend.
August 17, 2021 •
Alaska Begins Third Special Session
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 […]
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.
June 29, 2021 •
Alaska Adjourns Second Special Session
The Alaska Legislature adjourned a second special session June 28. Legislators came to an agreement changing the effective date of the state budget, allowing Alaska to avoid a government shutdown. A third special session will take place some time in […]
The Alaska Legislature adjourned a second special session June 28.
Legislators came to an agreement changing the effective date of the state budget, allowing Alaska to avoid a government shutdown.
A third special session will take place some time in August.
The monthly report for legislative lobbying during June is due by July 31.
June 21, 2021 •
Alaska Legislature to Have Second Special Session
On June 18, the Alaska Legislature adjourned a special session after failing to alter the effective date of the state budget. Under the Alaska constitution, bills take effect 90 days after enactment unless two-thirds of the House and two-thirds of […]
On June 18, the Alaska Legislature adjourned a special session after failing to alter the effective date of the state budget.
Under the Alaska constitution, bills take effect 90 days after enactment unless two-thirds of the House and two-thirds of the Senate approve an earlier date.
The House could not meet this threshold.
Gov. Dunleavy issued a proclamation, calling lawmakers into another special session starting June 23 with the goal of passing a state budget before July 1.
May 21, 2020 •
Alaska Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Alaska Legislature adjourned after approving Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s plan to spend over $1 billion in federal coronavirus funding. Lawmakers were spurred by a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the plans Gov. Dunleavy submitted to the Legislative Budget and Audit […]
The Alaska Legislature adjourned after approving Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s plan to spend over $1 billion in federal coronavirus funding.
Lawmakers were spurred by a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the plans Gov. Dunleavy submitted to the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee.
They were submitted through a process allowing a governor to submit plans to accept and spend additional federal or other program funds on a budget item.
In addition, the committee agreed to more than $1 billion in plans despite concerns some of the items fell outside the scope of what can go through the committee process.
Following the vote, the Legislature adjourned the 2020 regular session, though members of the House and Senate have said a special session may be needed later in the year.
May 17, 2019 •
Alaska Legislature Adjourns, Governor Calls Special Session
The 31st Alaska Legislature adjourned the first regular session at the constitutional deadline on May 15. The legislature did not find resolution on some of the biggest issues including crime, the budget, and the dividend residents receive from the state’s […]
The 31st Alaska Legislature adjourned the first regular session at the constitutional deadline on May 15.
The legislature did not find resolution on some of the biggest issues including crime, the budget, and the dividend residents receive from the state’s oil-wealth fund.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy called a special session to begin on May 16.
The special session will be limited to discussing a crime reform package, an operating budget containing a full permanent fund dividend, a capital budget, funding for K-12 education, and a mental health trust budget.
May 14, 2018 •
Alaska Passes Ethics Bill, Potentially Removes Government Ethics Initiative Measure
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 […]
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.
May 14, 2018 •
Alaska Legislature Adjourns Legislative Session
The 30th Alaska Legislature adjourned sine die in the early hours of May 13. The legislative session was extended with lawmakers working past the 90-day, voter-approved session limit in mid-April, but finishing within the constitutional time limit of up to […]
The 30th Alaska Legislature adjourned sine die in the early hours of May 13.
The legislative session was extended with lawmakers working past the 90-day, voter-approved session limit in mid-April, but finishing within the constitutional time limit of up to 121 days.
June 19, 2017 •
Alaska Convenes Second Special Session
The Alaska Legislature’s first special session ran out of time on June 16 without lawmakers passing a budget bill to resolve the state’s annual $2.7 billion deficit. Gov. Bill Walker immediately called a second special session convening that same day […]
The Alaska Legislature’s first special session ran out of time on June 16 without lawmakers passing a budget bill to resolve the state’s annual $2.7 billion deficit.
Gov. Bill Walker immediately called a second special session convening that same day to address the budget.
Alaska faces a government shutdown if a budget is not adopted by July 1.
June 1, 2017 •
Alaska Budget Gridlock Threatens to Layoff State Employees
The Alaska Legislature is still at work trying to pass a budget bill to resolve the state’s annual $2.7 billion deficit. Alaska faces a government shutdown if a budget is not adopted by July 1, and the governor’s administration already […]
The Alaska Legislature is still at work trying to pass a budget bill to resolve the state’s annual $2.7 billion deficit.
Alaska faces a government shutdown if a budget is not adopted by July 1, and the governor’s administration already sent 30-day layoff warnings to state employees.
Because the legislative session is extending into the month of June, an additional monthly expenditure report for registered legislative lobbyists will be due on July 31, 2017.
May 22, 2017 •
Alaska Government Shutdown Looms as Lawmakers Unable to Compromise
Gov. Bill Walker ordered Alaska legislators into a special session just minutes after the regular session adjourned. Lawmakers have been unable to agree on how to resolve the state’s annual $2.7 billion deficit. Majority House Democrats proposed a state income […]
Gov. Bill Walker ordered Alaska legislators into a special session just minutes after the regular session adjourned.
Lawmakers have been unable to agree on how to resolve the state’s annual $2.7 billion deficit. Majority House Democrats proposed a state income tax as well as cuts to oil and gas subsidies, while Republicans in the Senate Majority favored budget cuts and spending from the Permanent Fund’s investment earnings.
Alaska’s fiscal year begins July 1, giving lawmakers just over a month to make a deal.
April 18, 2017 •
Alaska Legislature Continues in Session
The Alaska Legislature will remain in session despite its April 17 deadline, with lawmakers still working to pass a budget bill and other deficit reduction measures. A voter initiative passed in 2006 limits the legislative session to 90 days, but […]
The Alaska Legislature will remain in session despite its April 17 deadline, with lawmakers still working to pass a budget bill and other deficit reduction measures.
A voter initiative passed in 2006 limits the legislative session to 90 days, but legislators often continue after the deadline and follow the constitutional deadline of 121 days.
If more time is needed after the constitutional deadline, a special session would need to be convened.
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