Listicle: Alaska Legislature sees major Friday bill surge, led by governor’s agenda, budget measures, and Permanent Fund proposal

By THE ALASKA STORY

Jan. 25, 2026 – A large wave of legislation was filed Friday in the Alaska Legislature. The filings include budget bills, constitutional amendments, land development authority, tax policy, agency oversight, public safety measures, health care reforms, and economic development initiatives, with the majority introduced through House and Senate Rules Committees at the request of Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

Budget and fiscal architecture

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s full budget framework was formally introduced:

• HB 263 – Operating budget, amendments, and supplemental appropriations.

• HB 264 – Capital budget, fund transfers, supplemental and reappropriations.

• HB 265 – Mental Health Trust budget/

These measures now move into House Finance and begin the formal budget negotiation process for the 2027 fiscal year, which starts July 1.

Permanent Fund constitutional amendments

Two companion constitutional resolutions were filed:

• HJR 30 – House version of a constitutional amendment restructuring Permanent Fund governance. Dunleavy bill.

• SJR 23 – Senate version of the same amendment.

Together, they signal the beginning of a high-stakes debate over Permanent Fund structure, dividend policy, and long-term state fiscal stability.

Dunleavy moves to lock Permanent Fund dividend into Alaska Constitution, setting up showdown with anti-PFD Legislature

Structural government reform bills

A coordinated set of House and Senate companion bills:

• HB 274 / SB 222 – State agency review by the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee, expanding legislative oversight authority. Dunleavy bill.

• HB 274 / SB 223 – Appropriation limit bills establishing a statutory spending cap framework. Dunleavy bill.

• HB 276 / SB 224 – Public land sale, lease, and commercial development authority. Dunleavy bill.

• HB 277 / SB 225 – Comprehensive updates to trust law, trust proceedings, and trustee governance. Dunleavy bill.

These companion measures show synchronized movement across both chambers, designed to advance major policy frameworks in parallel.

Resource development, energy, and land use

• HB 266 – Big game hunting permits. Dunleavy bill.

• HB 268 – Tax policy for electric cooperatives, generation, and energy storage. Dunleavy bill.

• HB 271 – Kitchen Lights Unit (Cook Inlet gas) royalty modification. Dunleavy bill.

• HB 276 – Public land development authority (House version). Dunleavy bill.

These bills collectively address resource access, energy infrastructure, and land-use authority.

Taxation and revenue policy

• HB 280 – Apportionment of taxable income for digital businesses. House Rules bill.

• HB 268 – Electric generation and storage taxation framework. Dunleavy bill.

• HB 275 / SB 223 – Appropriation limit policy. Dunleavy bill.

These measures reflect a broader push toward modernizing tax structures while controlling long-term spending growth.

Health, insurance, and public safety legislation

• HB 270 – Opioid overdose drug prescription access. Rep. Tomaszewski bill.

• HB 272 – Insurance coverage for prosthetics and orthotics. Rep. Josephson bill.

• HB 273 – Dental insurance and direct care agreements. Rep. Ruffridge bill.

• HB 279 – Vaccination requirements and information disclosure. Rep. Schwanke bill.

• HB 269 – Mandatory use of headlights. Rep. Saddler bill.

• HB 262 – Number of superior court judges (judicial system capacity). House Rules bill.

Economic development and international trade

• HB 278 – Establishes the Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission, creating a formal economic development and trade relationship framework. Rep. Costello bill.

• Rep. Costello proposes creation of Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission following Irish Senate leader’s Juneau visit

Resolutions and symbolic measures

• HJR 28 – Resolution supporting the Kids Online Safety Act. Rep. Eischeid bill.

• HJR 29 – Resolution calling for a ban on Russian seafood. House Fisheries bill.

• HCR 9 – Declaration of Independence anniversary recognition. Rep. Carrick bill.

• HR 6 – Resolution recognizing the 250th anniversary of the United States. Rep. St. Clair bill.

At the center of the coming session will be several flashpoints: the state budget, the Permanent Fund constitutional amendments (and PFD amount for 2026), and the structural reform bills affecting spending limits, agency oversight, and land development authority.

Dunleavy closes out his final State of the State speech with fiscal plan push, Alaska LNG momentum