Standing Together for Alaska

The Alaska House Majority is the organization that controls the House of Representatives. The group is composed of 23 members. Our mission is to provide quality representation to all Alaskans through integrity, engagement, and informed leadership so that every citizen’s quality of life will improve for generations to come.

The Alaska Legislature’s COVID-19 Response

The House Majority is working to protect the health of Alaskans, the financial health of workers, and our state’s economy as we grapple with COVID-19. Click here for more information on how the Alaska Legislature is responding to the new coronavirus

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Meet Our Leadership Team

The Alaska House Majority leadership team includes Speaker Bryce Edgmon (I-Dillingham), Majority Leader Steve Thompson (R-Fairbanks), Finance Committee Co-Chairs Neal Foster (D-Nome) and Jennifer Johnston (R-Anchorage), Rules Chair Chuck Kopp (R-Anchorage) and Majority Whip Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak).

Speaker of the House

Bryce Edgmon
(I-Dillingham)

Majority Leader

Steve Thompson
(R-Fairbanks)

Rules Chair

Chuck Kopp (R-Anchorage)

Majority Whip

Louise Stutes
(R-Kodiak)

Finance Co-Chair

Neal Foster
(D-Nome)

Finance Co-Chair

Jennifer Johnston
(R-Anchorage)

House Majority Members

LATEST press

Alaska Legislature approves funding for COVID-19 response, passes capital and operating budgets

Covid-19, Press

Alaska Legislature approves funding for COVID-19 response, passes capital and operating budgets

JUNEAU – The Alaska Legislature this evening passed the state’s capital and operating budgets, House Bill 205, with a 23-13 vote, and funded the bill with a supermajority vote of 30-6.

COVID-19 disaster extended to November, Legislature approves emergency response package

Covid-19, Press

COVID-19 disaster extended to November, Legislature approves emergency response package

JUNEAU – The Alaska Legislature this evening finalized a bill that extends the governor’s public health disaster emergency declaration until this fall. The measure also ensures that some of the economic impacts of COVID-19 are mitigated for Alaskans.

Bipartisan group of legislators urges governor to issue statewide shelter in place order

Covid-19, Press, Rep. Adam Wool, Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky

Bipartisan group of legislators urges governor to issue statewide shelter in place order

JUNEAU – A bipartisan group of legislators sent a letter to Gov. Mike Dunleavy urging his administration to issue a statewide shelter in place mandate. The unprecedented action is needed to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Legislature passes Energy Efficiency and Air Quality Tax Credit Act

Press, Rep. Grier Hopkins

Legislature passes Energy Efficiency and Air Quality Tax Credit Act

JUNEAU – A bill enabling local governments across the state to create and utilize property tax credits to increase efficiency and local air quality has passed the Legislature.

House passes bill extending public health emergency to November

Covid-19, Press

House passes bill extending public health emergency to November

JUNEAU – The House of Representatives passed a bill extending Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s public health disaster emergency declaration until this fall. The measure also ensures essential services will continue even if the COVID-19 outbreak takes a significant toll on Alaska.

Small group of lawmakers forces governor to choose between paying overdue bills, COVID-19 response

Covid-19, Press

Small group of lawmakers forces governor to choose between paying overdue bills, COVID-19 response

JUNEAU – The Alaska House of Representatives voted today to approve the FY20 supplemental budget to help pay for expenses related to last year’s wildfires, Medicaid costs, and funds needed to tackle the COVID-19 crisis.

Bill limiting Pioneer Home rate increases passes Legislature

Press

Bill limiting Pioneer Home rate increases passes Legislature

JUNEAU – As Alaska grapples with COVID-19, it’s never been more important to keep Alaska seniors who live in Pioneer Homes safe and healthy.

House of Representatives passes bill requiring faster processing of rape kits

Press

House of Representatives passes bill requiring faster processing of rape kits

JUNEAU – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass a bill that would prevent a backlog of rape kits and help make sure victims of sexual assault see swift justice delivered against their perpetrators.

Legislature passes bill expanding unemployment benefits for Alaskans impacted by COVID-19

Covid-19, Press

Legislature passes bill expanding unemployment benefits for Alaskans impacted by COVID-19

JUNEAU – Today, a bill that will make it easier for Alaskans facing economic impacts due to the outbreak of COVID-19 to access unemployment benefits cleared its final legislative hurdle.

State and Federal Resources to Address Covid-19

Covid-19, Press

State and Federal Resources to Address Covid-19

As we Alaskans face the days ahead with the uncertainties of Covid-19, the only thing we can control is how we respond. I, like all of you, have been paying attention to the guidelines published by our country and state’s health leaders.

House passes immediate relief for laid off workers affected by COVID-19

Covid-19, Press

House passes immediate relief for laid off workers affected by COVID-19

In response to the thousands of Alaskans who were laid off to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the House of Representatives passed a bill that will make sure they can receive Unemployment Insurance as quickly as possible.

House State Affairs Committee hears from experts on COVID-19

Covid-19, Press, Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, Rep. Zack Fields

House State Affairs Committee hears from experts on COVID-19

JUNEAU – As COVID-19 begins to take hold in Alaska, the House State Affairs Committee heard testimony yesterday from experts on the spread of infectious diseases to help guide legislators on the policies needed to keep Alaskans safe.

Legislators Introduce Emergency Economic Relief Bill for Working Alaskans

Press

Legislators Introduce Emergency Economic Relief Bill for Working Alaskans

JUNEAU – In the wake of the economic shutdown to suppress the spread of COVID-19, the Labor and Commerce Committee moved quickly to introduce legislation that will offer relief to Alaskans who have lost work hours.

Bill requiring coverage of telehealth services signed into law

Press, Rep. Ivy Spohnholz

Bill requiring coverage of telehealth services signed into law

JUNEAU – Today, a bill that requires state regulated private health insurers to cover telehealth services was signed into law by the governor.

Speaker: ‘We must not lose sight of tremendous negative economic effects of COVID-19’

Covid-19, Press, Rep. Bryce Edgmon

Speaker: ‘We must not lose sight of tremendous negative economic effects of COVID-19’

JUNEAU – The State of Alaska is grappling with the public health effects of the new coronavirus COVID-19, with a statewide school closure in effect this month and actions by local governments and community organizations to limit the spread of the disease by reducing large group gatherings.

LATEST Newsletters

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Legislative Update – Friday, April 3

Newsletters, Rep. Chris Tuck

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Legislative Update – Friday, April 3

The Alaska Legislature wrapped up its work last Sunday, and most lawmakers quickly flew home. I’m anxious to get home myself, but I needed to stay in Juneau and help wrap up a challenging legislative session cut short by the response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Alaska.

Straight Talk with Sara Hannan

Newsletters, Rep. Sara Hannan

Straight Talk with Sara Hannan

Following a floor session that lasted until nearly 1:45 a.m. on Sunday morning, the legislature wrapped up its work on the Fiscal Year 2021 operating budget, the 2020 supplemental, and a sequence of bills drawn up to address the impact of the COVID-19 crisis as quickly as possible.

Rep. Adam Wool E-News Update: End of Session

Newsletters, Rep. Adam Wool

Rep. Adam Wool E-News Update: End of Session

I hope you and your family are doing well during this quarantine period. Thanks everyone for following the shelter in place guidelines and working to help each other and our community.

Rep. Bryce Edgmon’s News From the Legislature

Newsletters, Rep. Bryce Edgmon

Rep. Bryce Edgmon’s News From the Legislature

On Saturday the legislature passed the operating and capital budget, a separate bill to extend the disaster declaration, and then went into an extended recess. The budget was transmitted to the governor Sunday. He will have 15 days excluding Sundays to make his decision on whether to veto items or not.

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Legislative & COVID-19 Update – Tuesday, March 31

Newsletters, Rep. Chris Tuck

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Legislative & COVID-19 Update – Tuesday, March 31

On Monday, the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee, which I chair, met to review the annual audit of the state government in Alaska. At the conclusion of the meeting, we released the audit and its findings to the public. (Click the image below to read and download the FY 19 audit)

Final news on budget, Covid-19 response, and recess

Newsletters, Rep. Geran Tarr

Final news on budget, Covid-19 response, and recess

You have likely seen that the legislature wrapped up work for now and recessed late Saturday night. Due to a marathon of committee meetings and floor sessions we were able to complete the operating budget, most of the capital budget, the supplemental budget, and the Covid-19 relief package.

Legislature passes budget, COVID relief

Newsletters, Rep. Zack Fields

Legislature passes budget, COVID relief

The legislature passed an operating and partial capital budget on the fastest timeline in decades, along with multiple bills providing sweeping economic and public health relief related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional details about this legislation is below.

The Legislature Passed A Budget

Newsletters, Rep. Dan Ortiz

The Legislature Passed A Budget

This weekend, the Legislature passed a budget. Because of Covid-19 concerns and safety, we knew we had to act quickly. The budget is relatively flat funded from last year. We continued to make some cuts, but we also fought to protect vital services, such as education and our ferries. Below is a breakdown of some of the biggest results of the budget:

Rep. Matt Claman’s Alaska Matters: Legislature Passes Operating Budget and COVID-19 Update

Newsletters, Rep. Matt Claman

Rep. Matt Claman’s Alaska Matters: Legislature Passes Operating Budget and COVID-19 Update

This weekend, the legislature passed the state’s operating and capital budgets, House Bill 205, in record time. After 68 days of work, we approved a budget that provides frontline emergency responders with the tools they need to keep us healthy and protects essential services.

The Budget and SB 241, COVID-19 Relief Bill Passes

Newsletters, Rep. Ivy Spohnholz

The Budget and SB 241, COVID-19 Relief Bill Passes

In response to COVID-19 the legislature passed a budget and an emergency disaster extension in a record 66 days, gaveling out at about 1:30am on Sunday morning.

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Legislative Update – Sunday, March 29

Newsletters, Rep. Chris Tuck

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Legislative Update – Sunday, March 29

I imagine that many of you are feeling a lot of fear and angst. I understand. These are troubling times, and the answers and solutions haven't been easy.

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Legislative Update – Friday, March 27

Covid-19, Newsletters, Rep. Chris Tuck

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Legislative Update – Friday, March 27

In just a few months, the COVID-19 virus has swept across the globe threatening the health and well-being of millions of people. Not since the Great Depression have we seen anything approaching the economic turmoil caused by this terrible virus.

Last Day Before Recess, Budget Updates, and Covid-19 Response

Covid-19, Newsletters, Rep. Geran Tarr

Last Day Before Recess, Budget Updates, and Covid-19 Response

Today is *hopefully* the last day before the legislature recesses. First, we are practicing social distancing and self-isolating outside the capitol. When we are on the floor we are too close and that is a big part of the desire to finish up for now.

COVID-19 Resources for Alaskans

Covid-19, Newsletters, Rep. Ivy Spohnholz

COVID-19 Resources for Alaskans

Just last Wednesday, as the chair of House Labor & Commerce Committee, I introduced HB 308. Five days later, the bill passed the legislature and was signed into law on Wednesday. Rarely has the legislature moved this quickly.

Pioneer Home bill passes legislature unanimously

Newsletters

Pioneer Home bill passes legislature unanimously

Great news: After more than a year of work, the legislature has voted unanimously to send House Bill 96 to the Governor’s desk. This legislation restores affordable rates at the Pioneer Homes, and limits future rate increases to the rate of inflation.