March was Women’s History Month

Last year, Senate Bill 43 achieved an important milestone by formally recognizing the month of March as Women’s History Month in Alaska. This is more than symbolic, it is a meaningful way to honor those who came before us, those who inspire us today, and the next generation of young women leaders being raised in Alaska now. It sends a clear message that no goal is too big, and no dream is out of reach.

From Elizabeth Peratrovich, who advocated for Indigenous rights and played a key role in the passage of the 1945 Anti-Discrimination Act, the first law of its kind in Alaska, to Susan Butcher, a legendary sled dog racer who won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race four times in the 1980s, breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport, to Alaska Nellie, born Nellie Lawing, a renowned early 20th-century homesteader, hunter, and storyteller who lived near Denali National Park and became a legend for her independence and survival skills in the Alaskan wilderness. These women embody the spirit of Women’s History Month.

Their contributions continue to inspire generations today and those yet to come. Showing our children and young women in Alaska that they belong in these spaces is something that makes me incredibly proud, especially in helping to establish Women’s History Month in state statute.

HB 289 – Supplemental Budget – Update from Last Month

I want to update you on House Bill 289, our supplemental budget for this year. HB 289 addresses mid-year needs, including transportation projects, wildfire and disaster response, and other unexpected costs.

The House proposed $490 million, and the Senate revised it to $373.5 million to focus on urgent priorities. The conference committee reached a compromise that largely preserves the House’s spending plan while strengthening fiscal safeguards to ensure responsible use of resources. Both chambers have approved the report, and the bill now moves to the governor for his signature. I am grateful for the cooperation of my colleagues in ensuring Alaskans’ needs are met responsibly.

HB 263 the Operating Budget, is currently being considered in House Finance.

Legislative Updates: Progress on Key Bills

My intern, Denali Zantop and I presenting SB 20, regarding CPR Curriculum, to the House Education Committee on Monday, March 23rd, 2026.

During the first hearing of SB 20 in the House Education Committee, Jason Dolph, Anchorage Fire Department and Safety Officer, provided testimony highlighting the importance of Fire Operations Training. I can personally attest to its value because several years ago, I had the opportunity to participate in Fire Ops 101 training where I was taught CPR. It was a truly meaningful and valuable experience.

SB 6 – Asian American/Pacific Islander education K-12 passed out of the House Education Committee and is now awaiting a hearing in the House Finance Committee. This is the final committee before consideration on the House floor.

SB 20 – CPR Curriculum received its first hearing in the House Education Committee on March 23. The bill has strong support from organizations such as the Anchorage Fire Department, the Alaska Heart and Vascular Institute, and the American Heart Association.

SB 235 – Automated Traffic Safety Cameras advanced from the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee on March 3 and will be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee. This bill is the Senate companion to Representative Fields’ HB 282 and is intended to support understaffed law enforcement agencies by improving the monitoring of red-light violations.

SB 41 – Mental Health Education (K–12) was first heard in Senate Finance on March 10 and is having a second hearing on April 1st. It is anticipated that the bill will head to the Senate floor shortly after. This bill has been under consideration for more than four years and I am confident that it will finally make it to the finish line prior to the end of the session,

If you are interested in providing testimony on specific legislation, please find the information below:

Call in numbers for testimony:

Juneau prefixes: 907-586-9085
Anchorage prefixes: 907-563-9085
All other callers: 844-586-9085

Bill's I'm Tracking this Session

Below are three important bills moving through the committee process that I am supporting and want to highlight for your awareness:

SB 64 – Elections

Senate Bill 64 addresses a wide range of issues within our voting system and has gained widespread bipartisan support. It would allow for ballot curing and tracking for absentee ballots which will lead to faster and more transparent election results, as well as updating rules and laws, such as the unlawful interference laws, and allowing the Division of Elections to improve voter role clean up. In addition, this bill designates a liaison for rural communities and adds Tribal IDs as acceptable voter ID. Another part of the bill would allow for write-ins in presidential elections. Finally, this bill would provide postage-paid envelopes for absentee ballots and would notify the public about potential data breaches. The Senate concurred with the amendments made in the House 16 - 4 and is now awaiting the Governor’s signature.

HB 78 – Retirement Systems (Defined Benefit)

House Bill 78 would align Alaska with the rest of the country by restoring a defined benefit retirement system for teachers and public employees, replacing the current defined contribution model. Alaska is experiencing concerning levels of outmigration, with families leaving for states that offer more comprehensive retirement benefits. This bill aims to strengthen retention and recruitment of public employees and educators.

SB 23 – Civics Education

Senate Bill 23 focuses on strengthening civics education in Alaska’s schools. It proposes enhancements to civics instruction, assessments, and graduation requirements to help ensure students graduate with a stronger understanding of government and their responsibilities as future voters.

During session it is important to stay informed. Below is a few helpful ways to follow along:

Alaska State Legislature Website

This website allows you to access your legislator’s office contact information, committee schedules, and current and past legislation, along with daily calendars and public meeting notices.

Bill Tracking

Want updates on a bill? Just text the bill number (i.e. SB 6) to (559) 245-2529 to get alerts sent straight to your phone. You can also sign up on this website.

My Newsletter

If you know someone who would like to stay informed and engaged, please consider forwarding this newsletter to them. You can send this link here.

Gavel Alaska

Watch live unedited coverage of the House and Senate committee meetings and floor sessions.

Anchorage Town Hall and District G Town Hall Updates

Last month, we held two important town hall meetings in Anchorage. The first was the District G Town Hall at the Loussac Library, where Representative Josephson and Representative Galvin joined me to speak with constituents about key issues and legislative activity this year. We had a wonderful turnout, and it was truly inspiring to hear from so many of you who took the time to attend and share your thoughts. These meetings are an important way for constituents to stay engaged and for us to better understand what matters most to our district.

The second town hall included the full Anchorage Delegation and was held at Wendy Williamson Auditorium on the UAA campus. This was another meaningful and energizing event. There were more than 150 constituents in attendance and we were able to hear from 50 testifiers, which was no small feat. Hearing directly from so many constituents is invaluable in helping us stay connected and informed.

Legislative Budget & Audit Committee

A meeting was held on Tuesday, March 17. The committee was presented with the Legislature’s Independent Audit for FY25, considered a contract extension to assist with compliance audits of select major federal programs, held an executive session regarding the preliminary release of the FY25 State of Alaska Single Audit, and received an update on the special audit titled “Oil and Gas Production Tax Audit Process.” The next meeting is scheduled for April 22.

Engaging with Advocates & Organizations

The legislative session is filled with hearings, committee meetings, floor sessions, and opportunities to meet with stakeholders who visit Juneau to advocate for various agencies and causes. These conversations help ensure that the work being done in the Capitol reflects the real needs, experiences, and perspectives of the people I serve.

So far this session, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with a wide range of organizations and individuals. Most recently, I met with representatives from the Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AKPIRG), Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT), AARP, and the Alaska Association of Realtors.

Each of these meetings provides valuable insight. Whether I hear from young leaders, community advocates, or professionals working to expand healthcare access, I am grateful to everyone who takes the time to share their ideas, concerns, and priorities. I look forward to continuing these important conversations throughout the remainder of the legislative session.

Commitment to Alaskans

I am proud to be back in Juneau, working diligently to represent my constituents and Alaskans throughout the State. Alaskans’ voices matter! Please stay informed and engaged in the process!