Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued an amended Executive Proclamation convening the Legislature into a fourth special session October 4, 2021.

The Legislature is tasked to create a supplemental appropriation for the 2021 Permanent Fund Dividend, consider acts relating to the Permanent Fund Dividend, and propose amendments to the Alaskan State Constitution relating to Alaska Permanent Fund.

This does affect lobbyist reporting.

A monthly activity report for October will be due November 30.

The quarterly legislative lobby activity report due January 31, 2022 will only cover the months of November and December.

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.

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.

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.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy intends to call two special sessions during the summer on May 20 and August 2.

Dunleavy will task lawmakers with addressing the state budget and the Permanent Fund dividend.

The Legislature’s regular session is scheduled to end May 19 and lawmakers are not on track to finish the state’s budget before then.

During the August session, the Legislature will consider a constitutional amendment to reduce the Permanent Fund and permanently cap the Legislature’s ability to spend from the fund.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has introduced a proposal to borrow $356.4 million for a variety of construction projects across the state.

The proposal calls for a special election this coming spring or summer to allow voters to ratify or reject the plan.

If a borrowing plan passes the Senate and House, it must also be approved by voters statewide.

The governor is also proposing a special election to speed the process.

The election would take place between 90 and 120 days after the Legislature adjourns its regular session.

Out of six applicants, three names were forwarded to Gov. Mike Dunleavy to fill the District 30 seat until a new legislator is sworn in in January.

The district currently lacks representation since the untimely passing of Rep. Gary Knopp in a July midair plane collision.

The three chosen by the District 30 committee are Ron Gillham, Derek Leichliter, and Charlene Tautfest.

Gillham is a candidate for the seat and his name is already on the ballot for the primary election.

When a vacancy occurs, the governor typically will choose from the three names the district leaders of the party offer.

In this case, the governor may not appoint a fill-in person, but would need to appoint one if he calls a special session for the purpose of legislative confirmation of his boards and commissions picks.

His choice would have to be ratified by Republicans in the House.

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.