Elvi's Updates- March 2025 Happy Women's History Month!

Reminder: PFD Application Deadline & Office Closures

As we enter March, we’re nearing the end of PFD application season!

All applications must be submitted by March 31st at 11:59 p.m.

To apply online between January 1 and March 31, visit the PFD homepage and click “CLICK HERE TO FILE YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION.” Choose from the available Apply Online options:

✅ File with your myAlaska username

✅ Create a new myAlaska account

✅ File with the option to print, sign, and submit a paper signature page

Your application is not considered received until it is assigned a Confirmation Number. Adults can establish a myAlaska account and electronically sign their own and their child’s applications. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully and keep a record of your Confirmation Number.

Additionally, please note that the PFD office will be closed to the public on Thursdays from February 6 through March 13, 2025. This closure allows the PFD team to focus on eligibility determinations. On these days, the Division’s phone lines and front counters will be unavailable. However, you may still mail or fax any requested information during this time.

Plan ahead and apply early to avoid last-minute stress!

Education Funding: A Top Priority This Legislative Session

The discussion on education funding is well underway this legislative session, with the Finance Committees carefully considering proposals to increase the Base Student Allocation (BSA). I remain committed to supporting a meaningful increase that will strengthen our schools, empower our teachers, and provide students with the resources they need to succeed.

Education funding has been my top priority throughout my time as a Senator. As the process moves forward, my office will keep you informed with the latest updates.

Come Chat with Senator Elvi!

Join Senator Elvi for a Constituent Coffee on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 11:00 to noon at Steamdot (600 E Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99503). This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts, ask questions, and discuss the issues that matter most to our community. Whether you have concerns about legislation, or wanting to stay informed, Senator Elvi wants to hear from you. Grab a cup of coffee and join the conversation—your voice makes a difference!

Update on Bills

Here is a look at the progress I have been making with my bills:

SB 6 Asian American Pacific Islander history education. This bill had its first hearing and I was lucky enough to be joined by the wonderful folks from Make Us Visible, a group advocating for this legislation across the country. They have been working hard alongside me since I first carried this bill in 2023.

SB 40 Hispanic Heritage Month received its first hearing in the Senate State Affairs Committee and is scheduled to be heard by the committee again on March 4^th at 3:30 p.m. The meeting will be available to watch live at ktoo.com/gavel.

SB 41 Mental Health Education in Public Schools has passed out of its first committee and will be scheduled in the Senate Finance Committee soon. My office will post updates to Facebook as it moves along in the process.

Celebrating Women’s History Month & Honoring Alaska’s Trailblazing Women

March is Women’s History Month—a time to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions women have made throughout history. Here in Alaska, women have played a vital role in shaping our great state, from the Alaska Native women who have preserved and passed down cultural traditions for generations to the pioneers, politicians, and advocates who fought for statehood, equality, and opportunity for all.

This legislative session, I am proud to sponsor Senate Bill 43, which would officially establish Women’s History Month in Alaska state law. This bill is more than a symbolic gesture—it is a recognition of the resilience, leadership, and achievements of women who have helped build our communities, protect our rights, and make Alaska a better place for everyone.

SB 43, recognizing Women's History month in State Statutes passed the Senate unanimously this morning. Later this week, it will be heard in the House State Affairs Committee then head to the floor for a vote. I am very happy to see this bill moving so quickly knowing that it will become law during Women's History Month! I'm also grateful to Representative Carolyn Hall who has a companion bill and will carry SB43 on the House Floor.

Meeting Mania!

The legislative session is always a busy time, filled with daily hearings, committee work, and the demands of policymaking. In addition to these responsibilities, I’ve had the privilege of meeting with incredible advocates and organizations that are making a real difference in the lives of Alaskans. These meetings are a big part of why session is so busy, but they are also essential to ensuring that the work we do in Juneau is informed by the people we serve. These are just a handful of the many meetings I’ve had, including conversations with the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, Make Us Visible, the American Cancer Society, MMIW Working Group, and Moms Demand Action. Each discussion has been invaluable in shaping the work we do.

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!