The Legislature Passed the Budget
On Saturday, May 12th, the 30th Legislature adjourned Sine Die. For the first time in many years, the Legislature was able to pass a budget in less than 120 days, thanks to bipartisan, bicameral collaboration. As a member of the House Finance Committee, I had the opportunity to be a key player in creating the budget, particularly the Fish & Game and Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) budgets because I am the Finance Subcommittee Chair for both of those departments. In this newsletter, I will highlight a few key points from the operating and capital budgets we passed this year.
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Coalition Members Reflect on the 30th Alaska Legislature
Juneau – After a flurry of legislative action, the Alaska House of Representatives joined the Alaska Senate in adjourning the Second Session of the 30th Alaska Legislature sine die early Sunday morning. Members of the Alaska House Majority Coalition reflected on the legislative achievements of the session.
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Coalition Members Will Take Questions After Adjourning the Session Sine Die
Juneau – The members of the Alaska House Majority Coalition will hold a press availability tonight to answer questions from reporters covering the 30th Alaska State Legislature. The press availability will be held 15 minutes after the Alaska House of Representatives adjourns the Second Session of the 30th Alaska State Legislature sine die.
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Budget Deal Reached; State Operating Budget Passes the Alaska Legislature
Juneau – A compromise budget agreement between the Alaska House of Representatives and the Alaska State Senate was reached today, resulting in the passage of the fiscal year 2019 operating budget for the State of Alaska. Today’s budget deal prevents any disruption in essential public services as the State of Alaska enters the busy summer tourism and fishing seasons. House Bill 286 features total General Fund spending of $6.27 billion. The budget includes Alaska House Majority Coalition priorities such as $942 million to inflation-proof the value of the $65 billion Alaska Permanent Fund, $1.02 billion to pay for $1,600 Permanent Fund Dividends for each eligible Alaskan, a $10 million investment in the University of Alaska above the Governor’s proposal, and multiple measures to improve public safety and law enforcement in Alaska.
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Legislation Approved to Support Alaska’s Commercial Fisheries
Juneau – Wednesday, the Alaska Legislature passed a bill sponsored by Representative Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan) that will help Alaskans involved in the states vital commercial fishing industry. House Bill 56 passed the Alaska State Senate Wednesday after passing the Alaska House of Representatives last year.
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Alaska Legislation Votes to Help Grow Alaska’s Mariculture Industry
Juneau – Today, the Alaska Legislature passed a bill to change a state loan program to help Alaska’s fledgling mariculture industry. Participants in the industry often have trouble getting financing through private banks. House Bill 76 amends the current program to allow up to 40 percent of the fund to be used for loans to help pay for planning, construction, and operations of shellfish and seaweed hatcheries or enhancement projects.
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Alaska Legislature Votes to Support Dive Fisheries in Southeast Alaska
Juneau – Today, the Alaska Legislature passed legislation to update the protocol used by the Southeast Alaska Regional Dive Fisheries Association to charge an assessment to its members to help manage and support the geoduck, sea cucumber, and sea urchin fisheries. House Bill 354, sponsored by Representative Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan), changes the assessment mechanism from a vote by a majority of permit holders to a three-quarters vote of the Board of Directors and a majority vote of permit holders participating in the election.
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Alaska Legislature Seeks to Protect Alaska Native Languages from Extinction
Juneau – Today, the Alaska Legislature passed a resolution calling for action to ensure the survival of Alaska Native Languages. House Concurrent Resolution 19, sponsored by Representative Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan) passed the Alaska House of Representatives last month, and today the Alaska State Senate passed the resolution by a vote of 20-0.
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House Passes Legislation to Support Dive Fisheries in Southeast Alaska
Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives passed legislation to update the protocol used by the Southeast Alaska Regional Dive Fisheries Association to charge an assessment to its members to help manage and support the geoduck, sea cucumber, and sea urchin fisheries. House Bill 354 changes the assessment mechanism from a vote by a majority of permit holders to a three-quarters vote of the Board of Directors and a majority vote of permit holders participating in the election.
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House Passes Bill Fixing Flaw in Laws Governing ATMs
Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill that allows the owners of automatic teller machines (ATMs) to charge a fee for transactions made by international bank card holders. Currently, independently owned ATMs cannot charge a fee for use by international cardholders because the state law only pertains to ATMs owned by state-sponsored banks or credit unions. House Bill 350, sponsored by Representative Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan), seeks to level the playing field between the varied owners of ATMs in Alaska.
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