Elvi's Updates- February 2025 Session Gets Moving

Alaska Senate Majority

As the legislative session gains momentum, I’m pleased to report that things are running smoothly in the Senate Majority. We’ve hit the ground running with a shared commitment to serving Alaskans and addressing the unique opportunities and challenges facing our great state.

As usual, our floor sessions have been concise but highly productive, demonstrating our focus on efficiency and collaboration. To date, the Senate has introduced 76 bills and 11 resolutions, covering a wide range of issues critical to the well-being of our constituents—from strengthening our economy and safeguarding public resources to supporting education, infrastructure, and public safety.

Alaska is a truly special place, and the responsibility to serve our communities is one we hold with the utmost respect. As always, I encourage you to share your ideas, concerns, and feedback. Your voices are the driving force behind everything we do.

Thank you for your trust and support. Together, we will make this session a success for all Alaskans.

Senator Elvi's 34th Legislature Committees

Again, I will be chairing the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee (LB&A). LB&A is a joint committee consisting of five members from the Senate and the House with two alternates. The members of the committee are, Senators Bert Stedman, Cathy Giessel, Lyman Hoffman, Bill Wielechowski, Scott Kawasaki-alternate, Representatives Zack Fields-Vice Chair, Neal Foster, Andy Josephson, Chuck Kopp, Cathy Tilton, Bryce Edgmon-alternate.

My other committees are Legislative Council, State Affairs, Community & Regional Affairs, and Labor & Commerce. I'm looking forward to future assignments on Finance subcommittees.

Social Security Fairness Act

In a landmark decision, President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law on January 5, 2025, effectively repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). This legislation is set to enhance Social Security benefits for nearly 3 million public sector retirees nationwide, including approximately 15,000 individuals in Alaska.

The WEP and GPO were provisions that reduced Social Security benefits for individuals who also received pensions from non-Social Security-covered employment, such as federal, state, or local government jobs.

The repeal of these provisions means that public sector retirees will now receive their full Social Security benefits without the previous reductions. This change is particularly significant for Alaska, where many public employees, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers, were affected by these provisions. The Social Security Fairness Act aims to rectify this long-standing issue, ensuring that public servants receive the full benefits they have earned.

Second Round of Pre-Filed Bills

Here is a look at my Bills that were released in the second prefile:

Hispanic Heritage Month: This bill will establish the period between September 15 and October 15 of each year as Hispanic Heritage Month. September 15th was chosen as the start of the month long observance because it is the Independence day of a number of Latin American countries.
Mental Health Curriculum: This legislation will require school districts establish and deliver a mental health curriculum as part of the existing health requirements. Across the state and the nation the mental health of our youth is suffering.
Use of Force Registry: This bill reaffirms a central repository of incidence of use of force which will help to strengthen our police departments and their relationship with the public.
Women's History Month: Alaska's history is filled with strong women who have been on the front lines leading Alaska forward into the future. It is time we honor these contributions properly.

Additionally, I am co-sponsoring the following bills:

SB 15 Alcohol: sale, warning signs- Senator Merrick
SB 18 Communication devices in public schools- Senator Wielechowski
SB 21 AK Work & Save program; retire savings- Senator Wielechowski
SB 22 Financial literacy program in schools- Senator Wielechowski
SB 24 Tobacco/nicotine/e-cig age; e-cig tax- Senate President Stevens
SB 26 Eliminate daylight saving time- Senator Merrick
SB 28 Retirement systems; defined benefit option- Senator Giessel
SB 34 Medicaid mental health parity- Senator Giessel
SJR 6 Washington D.C. statehood- Senator Tobin

The Senate Education Committee will hear SB 41: Public Schools – Mental Health Education on February 3rd at 3:30 PM. This bill aims to ensure Alaska’s students receive age-appropriate mental health education in schools, equipping them with essential knowledge and resources.

Public testimony will be open during the hearing. Alaskans are encouraged to share their thoughts by calling in:

📞 Juneau: 907-586-9085

📞 Anchorage: 907-563-9085

📞 Statewide Toll-Free: 844-586-9085

Your voice matters—help us strengthen mental health education for Alaska’s students!

I'm honored to be back in Juneau for another legislative session, working hard to represent your interests. There’s important work ahead, and I’m committed to finding solutions that uplift our communities and move our state forward!

As always, it is my honor to work for you!