|
Hello!
The
Legislative session begins in Juneau this week.
Since
the Legislature adjourned last May, I’ve been working on a wide range
of legislation. I am working on bills that will limit increases to
your property taxes, combat illegal squatters and people who
fraudulently sell or rent properties they don’t own, and support
Alaska’s farmers. Also, I am working to improve accountability for
public schools, protect minors from the dangers of social media, and
to ensure that kids in foster care get the best outcomes possible.
As
the Chair of both the Senate Transportation Committee and the Labor
and Commerce Committee, I’m in a good position to fight for the best
interests of the Kenai Peninsula.
Several
bills are still moving through the drafting and review process, and
five are now ready to be introduced as the new session begins.
Pre‑Filed
Bills for the 2025 Session
The
following bills of mine have been pre‑filed and are now publicly
available.
SB
200 – Farm & Agricultural Land Assessments
SB
200 clarifies that farms organized as S‑Corporations qualify for
Alaska’s existing municipal property tax deferment. It also expands
eligibility to include agricultural operations that produce flowers
or hay for horses. These non‑food operations are essential to
Alaska’s agricultural supply chain and help support food‑producing
farms.
SB
207 – Property Possession & Property Crimes
SB
207 addresses the growing problem of unlawful occupants in
residential properties. The bill:
·
Allows for faster removal of individuals who refuse to
leave a property who have not had permission to be there.
·
Increases penalties for squatters who cause damage
·
Makes it a crime to fraudulently sell or rent property
without the owner’s consent
This
legislation responds to real cases in which property owners struggled
to remove squatters or were victims of fraudulent property
transactions.
SB
208 – High School Graduation Requirements & Proficiency
SB
208 strengthens academic standards for Alaska students with these
steps:
·
Requires the Department of Education to align academic
standards in core subjects for grades 8, 10, and 12 with minimum
graduation requirements
·
Measures proficiency of students at those grade levels
to confirm achievement
·
Awards a “seal of proficiency” on diplomas for
students who meet 12th‑grade standards
The
goal of SB 208 is to set meaningful and measurable learning goals for
all students and to communicate to families and the public that
students have achieved proficiency.
SB
209 – Leasing State Land for Agriculture
SB
209 creates a more affordable pathway for farmers to lease state
land. Under this bill, the Department of Natural Resources could:
·
Lease selected parcels to farmers based on the
farmer’s plans to produce food – not simply how much they are willing
to pay for the lease
·
Waive expensive appraisals and surveys when
appropriate
Alaska
depends heavily on imported food, and high land‑leasing costs are a
major barrier for local farmers. This bill aims to make agricultural
development more accessible and sustainable.
Extending
Professional Licensing Boards
At
the start of session, as chair of the Labor and Commerce Committee, I
will introduce a bill to extend the sunset dates for several
important professional boards:
·
Board of Professional Counselors
·
Board of Marital and Family Therapy
·
Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate
Examiners
·
Real Estate Commission
·
Board of Social Work Examiners
Each
of these boards recently underwent a Legislative Audit Division
review and was recommended for continuation. They play a vital role
in protecting the public and supporting the professionals who serve
Alaskans.
I
am honored to be your effective advocate in Juneau. Please contact my
office when you have ideas or concerns by calling 907-283-7996 or by
email at sen.jesse.bjorkman@akleg.gov
|
