Alaska Matters: Legislation Update

Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

April 13, 2023

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

In this week's newsletter, we discuss legislation that has passed the Senate, provide a personal legislation update, and share upcoming community events.

Property Tax Exemption Legislation

This week, the Senate passed Senate Bill 77, municipal property tax exemption legislation. SB 77 allows municipalities to pass local legislation that allows exemptions from or reductions in property taxes to encourage economic development. Many communities across the country have used these kind of tax incentives to encourage housing and other real estate development. Current Alaska law restricts economic development incentives: a municipality may only exempt the portion of property taxes that is above the district’s required local tax contribution. SB 77 removes this limit for economic development properties while requiring that the property owner continue to make the required payments for education funding.

SB 77 also allows local governments to levy a “blight tax” on substantially deteriorated property. “Blighted” properties are heavily deteriorated properties that can reduce property tax and quality of life by devaluing neighboring properties. Blighted properties often become a magnet for criminal activity, which result in additional costs to local and state government. A “blight tax” allows a higher tax on these properties to encourage remediation and redevelopment. When the property is appropriately remediated and no longer considered “blighted,” the tax rate returns to the normal level. The local government must pass legislation that defines what properties are considered “blighted,” the applicable tax rate, and what is considered “remediated.” The local government cannot impose a blight tax on an owner's primary residence.

Declining state revenue has limited the State’s ability to invest in economic development initiatives. This declining revenue has pushed municipalities to rely more on their own means to facilitate those economic development projects. Coupled with rising construction costs and an insufficient labor force, economic development initiatives have suffered. SB 77 seeks to address these concerns by providing additional options for localities.

I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation. We will continue to monitor its progress moving forward.

Personal Legislation Update

Senate Bill 28: WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS

One piece of legislation that we are carrying over from the last legislative session is SB 28 to create workplace violence protective orders. It will allow individuals and businesses to maintain safety in the workplace by creating a mechanism for businesses to seek a protective order. To read through our Sponsor Statement for the bill, click here.

The legislation has passed through the Senate State Affairs Committee and received its first hearing this week in the Senate Judiciary Committee. To get involved with our work on this legislation or to learn more, contact my staff at lizzie.kubitz@akleg.gov.

Senate Bill 53: FIVE-YEAR INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENTS

SB 53 strengthens involuntary commitment statutes and is part of our work to improve public safety while making wise use of our public safety resources. To read through our Sponsor Statement for the bill, click here.

The legislation has passed through the Senate Health and Social Services Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee. The next step is Senate Finance. We continue to work closely with constituent and community member Angela Harris. To get involved with our work on this legislation or to learn more, contact my staff at emma.potter@akleg.gov.

Senate Bill 91: TELEHEALTH & MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE TEAMS

This summer, our office was contacted by a constituent who was recently diagnosed with ALS. In order to continue receiving care from her multidisciplinary care team at a specialty clinic in Seattle, the current law requires that the constituent travel in person to the clinic for all treatment. SB 91 proposes allowing telehealth options for individuals with life-threatening illnesses to receive care from out-of-state multidisciplinary care teams. To read through our Sponsor Statement for the bill, click here.

The legislation has had two hearings in the Senate Health and Social Services Committee. The next stop is Senate Finance. We continue to work closely with the constituent who was diagnosed with ALS, as well as the ALS Association and the American Cancer Society Action Network. To get involved with our work on this legislation or to learn more, contact my staff at emma.potter@akleg.gov.

Community Information

→ 2023 Anchorage Municipal Election Results

The unofficial results for the Anchorage Municipal Election are in and will become official after certification by the Anchorage Assembly. Congratulations to all of the newly elected assembly members and school board members. We appreciate your service to our community.

View updated unofficial election results here.

→ Constituent Survey Results

Thank you to the nearly 455 friends and neighbors across Senate District H who completed the survey. We appreciate your input and will keep your views in mind as the session continues.

View the constituent survey results here.

Community Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Alaska Free Clinic: Free Medical, Vision, and Dental Services Clinic

If you have had trouble connecting with the health care system or have gaps in the coverage you need, this completely free clinic is for you. More information on the flyer.

When: Saturday, April 15 from 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM and Sunday, April 16 from 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM.

Where: O'Malley Sports Complex, 11501 O'Malley Centre Drive

Victims' Rights & Restorative Justice Symposium

Hosted at the University of Alaska Anchorage's main campus in partnership with the Alaska Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, this series of events seeks to educate and empower Alaska's current and future leaders in the victim service, advocacy, and support fields.

When: April 27 - April 29

Where: UAA Main Campus, 3211 Providence Drive