Special Session Update and Community Events

15 June 2026

Dear Neighbors,

Today, I am in Juneau for the special session focused on the gas line. On Friday the House passed its version of the gas line bill and that bill is now under consideration in the Senate Finance Committee and will soon be under consideration on the Senate Floor. The special session is scheduled to end on Friday June 19 after which I will fully relocate back to Fairbanks for the summer.

As the Senate considers the gas line bill, I will be in Juneau for the remainder of the special session. At the end of May, my staff relocated home to Fairbanks for the interim and my office in the Fairbanks Legislative Information Office is now open! Feel free to swing by the office, give us a call, or shoot us an email at any time to make your voice heard, or if we may be of service to you and your family. We are located on the 3rd floor of the Global Credit Union Building across from Home Depot at 1292 Sadler Way. You can also call us at 907-456-7423, or email us at Sen.Scott.Kawasaki@akleg.gov. As your Senator, its my job to listen and help! Please feel free to reach out at any time.

Pipeline? Is it Possible?

The Special Session continues into the fourth and final week as the only item-the AKLNG bill passed the State House by a vote of 34-5. It now moves on to the State Senate where it will get a strong review in the Senate Finance Committee and then on the Senate floor before adjournment on Friday, June 19.

It is my hope that a natural gas pipeline can become a reality this time but I have some major concerns about the bill before the Senate and how it will ultimately impact life for Alaska families. The current version of the bill would transfer a significant amount of risk and costs to locals in an attempt to make the AKLNG more attractive to outside investors and the private equity markets on Wall Street. In an ideal world, cost overrun risks would be borne by the pipeline company, but these extra costs could find their way into the overall price of gas to the consumer through an increased tariff.

One item that was made better in the current version of the bill is that a small, spur line was added to the overall cost of the AKLNG and will be spread over the value of the entire project. Thanks goes to my Democratic colleague and Co-chair of the House Resources Committee, Rep. Maxine Dibert who made sure that Fairbanks would be protected. Earlier versions of the bill would have made local Fairbanksans pay for the entire infrastructure of the spur line which would cost nearly $500M. The Senate will look to tighten the language to ensure that the spur development is done in a timely manner for residents of Fairbanks.

Another item that was very important for me to support any version of the AKLNG project was an enforceable Project Labor Agreement for construction of the pipeline and related facilities. A PLA is a bargaining agreement between the project manager and unions to ensure that there are standardized work conditions, wages and dispute resolutions. A PLA also is the best way to ensure that local hire provisions are observed and Alaskans must be the first in line for any jobs. I am encouraged by a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the AFL-CIO and Glenfarne, but this should be rolled into the primary legislation while in the State Senate.

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please contact me directly at senator.scott.kawasaki@akleg.gov!

One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated every year on June 14. It is celebrated on the anniversary birthday of Karl Landsteiner who discovered the ABO blood system and was awarded the Nobel Prize.

Finding a reason to donate blood is not hard, just take a look around the community and the answer is clear. Alaskans count on each other in their time of need. Access to safe and sufficient blood and blood products can help reduce rates of death and disability due to severe bleeding during delivery and after childbirth. Becoming a blood donor will ensure that blood is available when it is needed and it is easy! 2% percent of Alaskans donate blood annually; 1 in 7 hospital patients need blood; 1 HOUR is the average time it takes to save a life!

The Fairbanks Blood Bank is open daily and located at 3010 Airport Way. You may call in advance to schedule and appointment today at 907.456.5645.

Honoring Michele Stalder

On Saturday, the name of the UAF Community and Technical College building downtown changed to honor long-time Dean Michelle Stalder. Dean Stalder started work at the CTC when it was the Tanana Valley Community College in 1981. Over the next three decades she worked her way up at TVCC and helped the institution gain accreditation with UAF and become the Community and Technical College. She became the Dean of CTC in 2010 and held that post until she retired in 2023.

In her roles at CTC, she was a stalwart advocate for equal access to education and when she retired she created a scholarship program for CTC students. Michele passed away earlier this year and is survived by her four children and three grandchildren. During the legislative session, my office sponsored a legislative citation to honor Michele’s life and legacy which you can read here. Thank you to the University for taking this meaningful action to honor this great Fairbanksan!

Southside Farmers Market Every Tuesday!

The Tanana Valley Farmers Market is on Wednesdays and Saturdays. But there is also a small, unique market in South Fairbanks that has been going strong for eleven years! The South Side Farmers Market hosted by the Calypso Farm and Ecology Center has been in operation for over a decade to cater to people who live, work and play downtown. The market contains many of the same treats, gifts and agriculture that you would expect at the Wednesday market but on a Tuesday!

It is held at the corner of Rickert and 24th adjacent to the JP Jones Community Development Center every Tuesday from 4-6pm.

It's a Juneteenth Celebration

The 19th of June or Juneteenth celebrates the news of emancipation from slavery that took place more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln. It sure is great that we have social media and instant messaging today!

In 2024, Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson and I passed a bill that made Juneteenth an official state holiday and it was signed in to law by Governor Mike Dunleavy. I hope everyone enjoys the day and takes a moment to reflect on the struggles for freedom that still ring true today. The annual Juneteenth Celebration in Fairbanks will be celebrated on Saturday June 20 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Carlson Center.

It's Midnight Sun Weekend

June 21 is the summer solstice and it is the longest day of the year. Here in Fairbanks, we will have nearly 22 hours of daylight. To celebrate the return of long summer days in the golden heart city, there will be many events around town this weekend. Here are some of the fun events to enjoy:

Midnight Sun Baseball Game: Friday, June 19 starting at 10:00 p.m. in Growden Park. This is a longstanding Fairbanks tradition that dates back to 1906. This year, the Goldpanners will be playing the Anchorage Glacier Pilots. You can learn more and buy tickets here.
Midnight Sun Festival: Saturday, June 20 from noon to midnight in downtown Fairbanks. This is always a wonderful street fair that includes many local vendors. You can learn more about this event here.
Midnight Sun Run: Saturday, June 20 starting at 10:00 p.m. This 10-kilometer race starts at the UAF Patty Center and continues through the neighborhood off Geist Road and then through Riverview before finishing at Alaskaland. You can learn more and buy tickets here.

Hearings and Public Testimony

The Legislature publishes the next week hearing schedule on Thursdays and one can find them at the Alaska Legislature website HERE. There are also a couple of hearings that directly impact the interior and Fairbanks that are highlighted below.

Legislative Teleconference Phone Numbers

All other Callers (844) 586 - 9085
From JNU 586- 9085
From ANC 563 - 9085

My Staff and I are Here for You

During the interim, my staff and I work from our office in the Fairbanks Legislative Information Office. If you have any questions about anything going on in the Capitol or at home, feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email – as always, my staff and I are working for you. We will assist you with the issues important to you and your family.

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,