Coalition Press

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NEWS: Significant Workers’ Compensation Reform Bill Becomes Law

August 24, 2018

Anchorage – Bipartisan legislation to reform Alaska’s workers’ compensation system was signed into law this morning during a ceremony held in conjunction with the annual AFL-CIO Summer Convention. Alaska Governor Bill Walker put forward House Bill 79 to modernize the system and to clearly define for the first time in Alaska’s history who can be categorized as an independent contractor. Representative Andy Josephson (D-Anchorage) carried the bill on the House floor and issued the following statement upon learning that HB 79 has become law.

NEWS: Bill Signed to Modernize Alaska’s Public School Trust Fund Using POMV Model

August 10, 2018

Fairbanks – Today, legislation was signed into law changing the management structure of the $675 million Alaska Public School Trust Fund to a percent of market value (POMV) system. POMV has become the standard global management approach for large endowments and trusts. House Bill 213, sponsored by Representative Justin Parish (D-Juneau), will result in a significant increase in funding available for public education in Alaska.

Governor Signs Legislation Increasing Flexibility for School Districts

August 8, 2018

Today – Alaska Governor Bill Walker signed legislation sponsored by Representative John Lincoln (D-Kotzebue) to give Alaska school districts more time and flexibility to provide the local match required under the School Construction Grant Program. House Bill 135 loosens the existing three-year deadline, which can now be extended by the Commissioner of the Department of Education and Early Development to a maximum of seven years; provided there is good cause, the extension doesn’t jeopardize successful completion of the project, and the extension won’t increase state funding of the project cost.

NEWS: Governor Walker Signs Legislation to Support Rural Communities

August 8, 2018

Nondalton – Tuesday, in the community of Nondalton, near Lake Clark, Governor Bill Walker signed House Bill 267, which gives municipalities that levy taxes on guided hunting and sport fishing access to records that businesses submit to state agencies. HB 267 will allow local governments to confirm that hunting and fishing activities subject to taxes within their jurisdictions are being accurately reported.

Legislation Signed to Facilitate Energy Improvements to Homes and Businesses

July 30, 2018

Fairbanks – Alaska Governor Bill Walker signed a bill into law this evening allowing utilities in Alaska to create low-interest financing programs to help customers make energy efficiency improvement to their homes and businesses. House Bill 374, sponsored by Representative Adam Wool (D-Fairbanks), allows utilities to offer low-interest loans to customers with payments added to existing utility bills.

Governor Walker Signs Legislation Honoring Veterans Who Have Earned Medals for Valor in Combat

July 30, 2018

Fairbanks – Today, Alaska Governor Bill Walker signed Senate Bill 204 into law during a ceremony in Fairbanks. The bill, sponsored by Senator Dennis Egan (D-Juneau), allows Alaska chiropractors to sign Division of Motor Vehicle (DMV) forms proving that a person is disabled. This will help disabled persons obtain specialized license plates and parking permits. During the legislative process, the bill was amended by Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) to honor Alaskans who earned medals for valor in combat by creating license plates reflecting those medals.

Bill Signed to Expand Military Hiring Preference to Private Businesses in Alaska

July 30, 2018

Fairbanks – A bill to expand job opportunities for veterans and members of the National Guard was signed into law today during a signing ceremony in Fairbanks. House Majority Leader Rep. Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage) sponsored House Bill 2 at the request of the United States Department of Defense, which has made it a priority to get legislation passed in all 50 states allowing private businesses to offer a military hiring preference.

Legislation Signed to Improve Public Health and Reduce Burden on Budget

July 24, 2018

Anchorage – Today, Alaska Governor Bill Walker signed a bill into law that empowers the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) to collect additional, mostly administrative, fees to support public health services. House Bill 215 passed the Alaska Legislature this year with broad bipartisan support.

Contact Info:
Graham Judson Press Secretary
(907) 465-5284
120 4th St, Juneau, AK 99801