Juneau – Earlier today, the Alaska Legislature passed legislation to early fund Alaska’s K-12 public education system. House Bill 287 prioritizes public education by advancing it from the normal budget process.
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Juneau – Today, the Alaska Legislature passed legislation to increase the maximum relocation benefits available to those displaced by federally funded construction projects. House Bill 131 brings Alaska statutes in line with federal laws that were changed in 2012 with the passage of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. Prior to passage of the act, federal relocation benefit rates had not been changed in 30-years. HB 131 was sponsored by the House Transportation Committee under the leadership of Co-Chairs Rep. Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak) and Rep. Adam Wool (D-Fairbanks).
Juneau – Today, the Alaska State Senate joined the Alaska House of Representatives in passing a resolution calling on the federal government to respect states’ rights and the will of the Alaskan people regarding marijuana policy. House Joint Resolution 21, sponsored by Rep. David Guttenberg (D-Fairbanks), also urges the federal government to reconsider its listing of marijuana as a schedule one controlled substance.
Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation to improve a program intended to help in the startup and expansion of small and micro businesses in Alaska. The Alaska Microloan Program was created to help small businesses get access to needed capital. House Bill 304 was put forward by Alaska Governor Bill Walker and carried on the House floor today by Representative Tiffany Zulkosky (D-Bethel), who issued the following statement.
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The Senate recently passed an operating budget with changes from the operating budget approved by the House. A conference committee is now appointed and working on resolving the differences between the two budget proposals.
Greetings from Juneau on this 91st day of the session. Though we didn’t finish by day 90, there are promising signs that we will finish our work soon within the extra days allowed under the Constitution.
Throughout the session I have sent you updates on HB 240: Pharmacy Benefits Managers. Yesterday, the House unanimously passed it out and we are now one step closer to lower pharmaceutical costs for Alaskans. I would like to thank the pharmacists who helped the legislature better understand this pressing issue and also to Senator Cathy Giessel for her work on advancing the bill in the Senate. HB 240 will be heard in Senate Finance and then forwarded to the Senate Floor for final passage. Below is the press release for more information:
Today the Senate appointed its members for the Operating Budget Confer-ence Committee. They will join members the House appointed at about 9:30 p.m. last night. The six-person committee can now turn to working out com-promises between differences in the two versions of the budget passed by each body.