Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

May 1, 2026

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week, the Legislature passed House Bill 78 to establish a pension retirement plan for public employees. The Senate Judiciary Committee also passed a consolidated crime bill that includes legislative priorities to improve public safety. Yesterday, the Governor vetoed the elections bill.

Please read on for more information.

Legislature Approves Pension Retirement Plan for Public Employees

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the House and Senate passed House Bill 78 to establish a defined benefit, pension retirement plan. HB 78 is bipartisan legislation that will create a new pension system for public employees and teachers and provide an option for current public employees to convert their defined compensation plan to a defined benefit plan. The new program is substantially different from the state's prior pension retirement. Actuarial analysis shows that the program is now affordable, particularly when including the cost of training new employees related to the higher turnover without a pension retirement option.

An important consideration is how Alaska competes with other states in the retirement plan we offer to public employees. Alaska is facing challenges hiring in all departments, from public safety to the Department of Transportation to teachers. Currently, Alaska is the only state that does not offer a pension plan to public employees. With lower salaries than some states in the Northwest and a weaker retirement plan, Alaska is having difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified employees. We’re in the midst of an acute worker shortage, with difficulty finding teachers, snowplow operators, prosecutors, and more. Alaska’s workforce crisis is making it difficult for the State to provide essential, constitutionally required services. Improving our retirement plan for public employees is an important part of addressing the recruiting and retention challenges in Alaska. A recent state audit found that staff turnover and vacancies were a significant cause of errors in all state departments.

House Bill 78 passed the Senate by a vote of 12-8. I was pleased to vote in favor. The House agreed with the Senate's changes. The bill now goes to the governor.

The Governor Vetoes Election Reforms

Thursday afternoon, the Governor vetoed Senate Bill 64, a bipartisan election reform package nearly a decade in the making that passed the Legislature 39-20 with support from Republican, Democratic, and independent lawmakers. The bill addressed long-standing issues in Alaska’s elections, from bloated voter rolls, rejected military ballots, slow results, and gaps in election security. Senate Bill 64 included provisions from legislation the Governor introduced himself. To review the bill, read our e-news summary here.

The Governor wrote that the bill would not have enough time to be implemented before statewide elections in the fall and the ballot curing process is "problematic." In contrast, supporters showed that a September 2026 effective date, between the August primary and the November general election, was sufficient time to implement the improvements to Alaska's election laws. The Lieutenant Governor's office also confirmed that the timeline is sufficient.

Under Article II, Section 16 of the Alaska Constitution, if the governor vetoes a bill during the regular session, the legislature must meet immediately in joint session to reconsider passage of the vetoed bill. The Legislature needs 2/3, or 40 members, to override the governor's veto.

Consolidated Crime Bill

This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved changes to House Bill 239, the consolidated crime bill. HB 239 includes a number of improvements to our criminal justice laws, including 10 previously introduced pieces of legislation.

A few of those include:

House Bill 101 raises the age of consent for sex from 16 to 18. It provides exceptions for close-in-age relationships. The House passed this bill unanimously.
Senate Bill 247 / House Bill 47 bans child sex abuse material generated by artificial intelligence. The House passed this bill unanimously.
House Bill 239 increases penalties for drivers who fail to stop and assist if they cause injury or death.
House Bill 242 closes a loophole to criminalize sexual assault by a healthcare worker.
Senate Bill 17 / House Bill 74 creates a new crime for manufacturing, importing, selling, or installing counterfeit airbags.
House Bill 62 establishes a timeline and tracking system for submitting sexual assault examination kits to to be tested.
Senate Bill 233 transfers the Controlled Substances Advisory Committee from the Department of Law to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
Senate Bill 100 establishes the crime of mail theft.
House Bill 384 adds tribal governments to the definition of "victim counseling center" to increase confidentiality protections and services for victims.
House Bill 81 makes minor marijuana convictions confidential if the crime that occurred before marijuana legalization would be legal today.

These bills will improve public safety in Alaska. It is the result of hard work from many people and testimony from people from across Alaska sharing their personal, painful stories about firsthand experience with our criminal justice system. I'm grateful to everyone who contacted my office and offered their input on this important legislation.

HB 239 will now go to the Senate Finance committee for consideration.

Last Month of Session

The last day of Legislative Session is May 20th. There is less than a month left for the Legislature to pass legislation, including the state budget. Article II, Section 8 of the Alaska Constitution mandates that the Legislature shall adjourn no later than 120 days after it convenes. As the end of session approaches, here are some important considerations.

→ Budget Updates

The Legislature is constitutionally required to pass a budget each year. The operating budget is under consideration in the Senate, where the Finance Committee has proposed a $100 million one-time increase for public education and a $1,000 dividend with a $150 energy relief payment. The Senate passed the capital budget with over $50 million in public school maintenance across the state.

→ Veto Considerations

Article II, Section 17 of the Alaska Constitution establishes procedures for a governor's veto of legislation. If the Legislature is in session, the governor has 15 days to sign or veto a bill before it becomes law automatically. If the Legislature is in session when the veto occurs, the Constitution requires the Legislature to meet in joint session "immediately." If the governor vetoes a bill after session adjourns, the Legislature will not consider an override unless the Legislature meets in special session.

Community Events

2026 Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Citywide Cleanup

When: Sunday , May 2nd from 12:00 pm 3:00 pm

Where: Westchester Lagoon (1824 W 15th Ave)

Get ready to beautify Anchorage! Join us for the Anchorage Chamber Citywide Cleanup Kickoff event presented by Matson at Westchester Lagoon.

Whether you're a seasoned cleanup pro or a first-time participant, there's something for everyone at the Citywide Cleanup Kickoff Event!

Here's what's in store for you:

Matson has generously donated $5,000 worth of prizes. Just snap a picture of yourself cleaning up Anchorage and upload it to www.MatsonCleanupGiveaway.com/Anchorage to enter!
Community Spirit: Join fellow Anchorage residents and businesses to make a tangible difference in our city. Bags and supplies will be handed out at the Kickoff event. Stop by and grab your supplies before heading out to clean up our city!
Trash Disposal: Already started? Northern Waste is providing a place to bring your filled orange trash bags for disposal, and Solid Waste Services' recycling trailer will be at the park for your glass and plastic waste.
Environmental Impact: By participating in the cleanup, you're not just tidying up the city; you're also helping to protect our precious environment. Every piece of trash you pick up makes a difference!

For more information, click here.

Mother's Day at the Garden

When: Sunday, May 10th from 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM

Where: Alaska Botanic Garden (4601 Campbell Airstrip Rd)

Mother's Day at the Garden just keeps getting bigger and better! We've got a stacked lineup of music, food vendors, and activities:

Qigong on the Lawn: 10:00 to 11:00 AM
The Parkstrippers Marching Band: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Knock on Wood marimba ensemble: 1:00 to 3:00 PM

All day (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM)

Plant-a-Sunflower in a DIY recycled newspaper pot to take home! All materials included.
Food vendors Bema Roasters, Pikiniki, Salmon HookUp Truck, and Wild About Dough available for purchase.
Make a mini bouquet or flower pendant with Wild Blossom Design (mini bouquet station not included with admission, separate fee applies).
Shop our Nursery for hardy perennials, plugs, seeds, and more!
PLANT GIVEAWAY! The first 100 groups to arrive will receive a complimentary viola in a decomposable CowPot! MOO-HOO!

Admission is $5 per person, FREE for members & kids ages 6 and under (paid at entry). For more information, click here.