Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage | | Labor Day was established by an Act of Congress in 1894 following a rise in activism to honor American laborers and organize for better working conditions. In June of 1894, workers at the Pullman Palace Car Company went on strike to protest wage cuts and retaliation against union representatives. Following a crippling national strike by railroad workers against Pullman railcars, President Grover Cleveland sent troops to Chicago to break the strike where riots broke out and 30 workers were killed. That June, President Cleveland signed Labor Day legislation into law to show solidarity with laborers despite the Federal Government's actions. | | | | |
This Labor Day, we honor American laborers of all industries who keep our schools and hospitals open, our streets and roads safe, and society functioning. We also honor the labor unions who have worked to protect the rights of workers.
We wish everyone a safe and happy Labor Day weekend! To learn more about the history of Labor Day, click here.
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Senator Claman’s Passed Legislation | | During the two-year session of the 34th Alaska State Legislature, which convened on January 21, 2025, and adjourned on May 20, 2026, our office maintained an active legislative agenda focused on delivering meaningful results for Alaskans. Out of 14 sponsored bills, the Legislature passed seven into law. This newly enacted legislation advances important priorities across our state: improving public safety, keeping Alaska open and ready for business, expanding healthcare access, and fair collection of vehicle rental taxes. | |
Improving Public Safety &
Making Wise Use of Our Public Safety Resources
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Criminal Negligent Homicide; Failure to Assist
House Bill 239 - Kopp (Senate Bill 265)
Representative Chuck Kopp introduced HB 239 to address penalties for criminally negligent homicide and the Legislature added other measures to address important public safety concerns. The final version of the bill includes three bills introduced by our office: Senate Bill 17 (airbag fraud), Senate Bill 233 (Controlled Substances Advisory Committee), and Senate Bill 265 (criminally negligent homicide—the Senate companion to HB 239). HB 239 reflects bipartisan work by House and Senate members with multiple stakeholders.
SB 17 criminalizes airbag fraud. Before passage of HB 239, there was no Alaska law to prohibit the installation of airbags that do not meet federal safety standards. Fraudulent airbags are dangerous because they can improperly deploy or not deploy at all. A majority of states already criminalize airbag fraud. The provisions from SB 17 classify airbag fraud as a Class A misdemeanor or a Class C felony if death or serious physical injury occurs.
SB 233 moves administration of the Controlled Substances Advisory Committee (CSAC) from the Department of Law (DOL) to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED). With its focus on criminal prosecution and court proceedings, the DOL is not well-organized to manage the Controlled Substances Advisory Committee and had not scheduled CSAC meetings for an extended period. In contrast, DCCED is well-organized to manage committee and commission meetings. Incorporating the provisions of SB 233 into HB 239 will help the CSAC do its work of addressing new and dangerous controlled substances.
SB 265 is the Senate companion bill to HB 239, and the final version of HB 239 incorporates concerns addressed in both bills. Under the new law, the Legislature increased the penalty for failure to assist following a motor vehicle accident. The bill classifies failure to assist which results in death as a Class A felony and failure to assist after causing serious physical injury as a Class B felony. This bill raises the penalty for failure to assist that results in death to a longer presumptive sentence. This sentencing more adequately reflects the seriousness of failing to stop and render assistance after a motor vehicle accident that results in death.
HB 239 also includes House Bill 101, sponsored by Representative Gray, which raises the age of consent from 16 to 18; Senate Bill 247, sponsored by Senator Kiehl, which criminalizes generated obscene child sexual abuse material; House Bill 242, sponsored by Representative Hannan, which strengthens first-degree sexual assault laws related to sexual assault by a health care worker; and House Bill 81, sponsored by Representative Nelson, which restricts the release of criminal justice information regarding certain marijuana convictions.
The Senate passed HB 239 by a vote of 20-0 on May 19th and the House passed it by a vote of 39-1 on May 20th. The bill became law on June 18th without Governor Dunleavy’s signature.
| Keeping Alaska Open and Ready for Business | |
Updates to the Uniform Commercial Code
Senate Bill 252
Adopted by all 50 states to ensure uniform contract and commercial practices across jurisdictions, the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is periodically updated to align with evolving commerce. Senate Bill 252 updates Alaska's UCC, originally adopted in 1967, by incorporating recommended 2018 and 2022 amendments already enacted by dozens of other states. These updates establish a legal framework for "Controllable Electronic Records" such as virtual currencies and non-fungible tokens (2022 amendments), protect business entities by separating transferable economic interests from non-transferable governance rights in secured loan defaults (2018 amendments), and ensuring that Alaska's commercial statutes remain consistent with national best practices.
Changes to the Board of Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors
House Bill 314 - Prax (Senate Bill 246)
Senate Bill 246 is the companion bill to House Bill 314, sponsored by Representative Mike Prax. The bill extends the statutory authorization for the Board of Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors (AELS Board), adds Registered Interior Designers to the board’s jurisdiction under a Title Act with permitting privileges, and makes statutory changes requested by the Board. Interior Designers who wish to practice registered interior design in buildings of public occupancy within a regulated scope of services impacting public health, safety, or welfare will now have a pathway to registration. It allows designers practicing in public occupancy buildings to be qualified to do so, providing another measure of public safety protection and risk-mitigation for commercial buildings. It will also increase the amount of design professionals able to work independently within the commercial real estate industry. After years of work and compromise, we are pleased to see this legislation go into law.
| More Accessible Healthcare | | |
Establishing Pay Parity for Telehealth Services
House Bill 14 - Stapp (Senate Bill 83)
SB 83, which is incorporated in HB 14, establishes telehealth pay parity, requiring insurance providers to reimburse healthcare practitioners at the same rate for telehealth appointments as they do for equivalent in-person visits. Since becoming a healthcare standard during the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has removed significant barriers. It allows patients, especially rural residents, individuals with disabilities, and those with limited transportation to access timely care at home for chronic disease management, mental health, and preventative services. While physicians still offer in-person appointments, a lack of pay parity can disincentivize providers from maintaining telehealth options. Establishing equal compensation ensures practitioners will continue dedicating the resources necessary to sustain accessible, high-quality telehealth and reducing widening health disparities.
The passage of HB 14 with SB 83 incorporated is another step toward more accessible healthcare for Alaskans. In 2024, we sponsored Senate Bill 91, which allows members of out-of-state multidisciplinary care teams to provide telehealth care to Alaskans who suffer from life-threatening conditions like ALS. This type of multidisciplinary care is not reasonably available in-state. Prior to the passage of SB 91, Alaska law only allowed out-of-state physicians to provide care via telehealth, so patients seeking care from non-physician members of a multidisciplinary care team were often forced to travel to access care. By closing this gap in telehealth availability, Alaskans with life-threatening conditions are now able to receive necessary healthcare while remaining at home in their local support networks.
| | Fair Vehicle Rental Tax Collections | | General Election Withdrawals | | |
Monday, August 31, was the withdrawal deadline for General Election candidates. Drops across the U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative, and Governor’s races altered the top four line-up for the final ballot. Withdrawals occurred in state House races as well, though West Anchorage House Districts 15 and 16 remain unchanged.
In the U.S. Senate race, fourth-place finisher David Leslie withdrew, and fifth-place finisher Gerald Heikes moved into the top four.
Multiple candidates withdrew from the U.S. Representative race. Third-place finisher Matt Schultz suspended his campaign on July 17, but his name remained on the ballot. His official withdrawal promoted Eric Hafner to third place. After the fifth, sixth, and seventh-place candidates also withdrew, eighth-place finisher Jim McDermott advanced into the top four.
Second-place candidate Tom Begich withdrew his bid for Governor on Friday, August 28th. While Treg Taylor was the fifth-place finisher, the Division of Elections did not certify his candidacy due to campaign finance violations. His running mate Candice English chose to stay in the race and added Jodi Taylor, Treg Taylor's wife, as her running mate.
Primary Election Results have been certified. To view the final results, click here.
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Alaska State Fair - Closing Weekend
When: It's the last weekend of the Fair! Open daily until Monday, September 7th 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM (closing at 8:00 PM on Labor Day)
Where: Alaska State Fairgrounds, 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer, AK 99645
Alaska’s Fair is traditionally the last blast of summer, with concerts, giant vegetables, vendors, food, carnival, exhibits, animals, contests, and more! For information on vendors, live music, events, and more, click here.
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4th Annual Turnagain Ceramics Clay Fest
When: Saturday, September 12th, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Where: Turnagain Ceramics (1343 G St.)
Turnagain Ceramics is proud to present Clay Fest 2026! Join us in celebrating the vibrant Anchorage clay community. Stop by to browse wares, grab a bite to eat, listen to live bands, or take a class with us! For more information, click here.
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As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
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