By THE ALASKA STORY
With just 10 days left in the 2026 legislative session, the Alaska Senate enters Monday with a packed floor calendar that reflects the wide ideological and policy crosscurrents shaping the final sprint in Juneau — from cryptocurrency regulation and gold-backed legal tender to military expansion, gaming, digital repair rights, and oil tax policy.
Several of the measures scheduled for action on May 11 are nearing the finish line and could soon head to the governor’s desk. Others still face hurdles in the opposite chamber or require concurrence votes before the Legislature adjourns.
Here’s a look at the major bills on the Senate floor Monday and where they stand in the process:
Bills in final-stage mode or nearing final passage
Senate Bill 282 — Military: Joint Armed Services Committee
Sponsored by Sen. Scott Kawasaki, SB 282 would update and modernize the statutes governing Alaska’s Joint Armed Services Committee, a legislative body originally created in 1999 during the aftermath of the federal Base Realignment and Closure process.
The committee was established through legislation sponsored by then-Rep. Lisa Murkowski as Alaska grappled with major military restructuring decisions affecting installations including Adak, Elmendorf, Eielson, Kulis, Fort Greely, and Galena.
While concerns about future BRAC actions still exist, Kawasaki say sthe committee’s mission has evolved alongside Alaska’s growing strategic importance in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific regions.
SB 282 expands representation on the committee by giving both the Alaska Federation of Natives and the Alaska Municipal League their own dedicated seats, rather than requiring them to share representation.
The bill also assigns the Legislative Affairs Agency responsibility for maintaining the civilian membership roster, addressing the fact that the committee currently has no permanent staff support.
Finally, the legislation includes a sunset provision terminating the committee in 2036 unless lawmakers vote to reauthorize it following legislative review.
The bill remains on the Senate calendar Monday and would still need House approval if passed by the Senate.
Senate Bill 249 — Virtual Currency Kiosks
Sponsored by Sen. Cathy Tilton, SB 249 would establish a new regulatory framework for virtual currency kiosks — commonly known as Bitcoin ATMs — amid growing concerns that the machines are increasingly being used to facilitate fraud schemes targeting vulnerable Alaskans.
The bill responds to what supporters describe as a major gap in Alaska’s financial regulatory system, as cryptocurrency kiosks have proliferated across the country with limited oversight.
Law enforcement agencies nationwide have reported sharp increases in scams involving virtual currency kiosks, including “grandparent scams,” government imposter fraud, and romance scams. Because the machines convert cash into digital currency almost instantly, stolen funds can become difficult or impossible to recover once transferred.
Under current Alaska law, many kiosk operators function in a regulatory gray area with limited consumer protections or state oversight.
SB 249 would create what sponsors call a “Consumer Bill of Rights” for virtual currency transactions by imposing several new requirements on kiosk operators, including:
- Mandatory state licensing and registration through the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
- Prominent fraud warnings displayed both physically on kiosks and digitally during transactions.
- Transaction limits of $1,000 per day and $10,000 per month intended to slow high-pressure scams draining victims’ savings.
- A cap on transaction fees at 3% to prevent excessive service charges and hidden exchange-rate costs.
- Refund mechanisms for documented fraud cases.
- Stronger anti-money laundering compliance standards and cooperation requirements with law enforcement agencies.
- Use of blockchain analytics tools and dedicated law enforcement communication channels to help track illicit transfers.
The measure remains on the Senate calendar Monday and would still require House passage if approved by the Senate.
House Bill 1 — Specie as Legal Tender
One of the more philosophically charged bills of the session, HB 1 would recognize gold and silver specie as legal tender in Alaska.
The measure reinforces constitutional monetary principles and offers protection against inflation and instability in fiat currency systems. Because it originated in the House, passage in the Senate would send the measure to the governor — if no further changes are made.
Senate Bill 111 — Digital Product Repair
SB 111 is Alaska’s “right-to-repair” bill, aimed at giving consumers and independent repair businesses greater access to tools, parts, manuals, and software needed to fix digital products and electronics.
The bill is meant to reduce waste, lower repair costs, and prevent manufacturers from monopolizing repairs. Opponents have raised concerns about intellectual property and cybersecurity. The bill is on third reading in the Senate. If it passes, it still must clear the House.
Senate Bill 170 — Gaming; Electronic Pull-Tabs
SB 170 would modernize charitable gaming laws by authorizing electronic pull-tab systems. Proponents say the change would help nonprofit organizations raise more revenue and keep pace with modern gaming technology. Critics worry it moves Alaska closer to expanded gambling infrastructure. The measure is scheduled for third reading Monday and would still need House approval afterward.
House Joint Resolution 44 — Support Native Corporation Business Development Program
HJR 44 urges continued support for the federal Native Corporation 8(a) Business Development Program, which has played a major role in Alaska Native corporation contracting opportunities and economic growth. The resolution is largely symbolic but politically significant, particularly as scrutiny and criticism of federal contracting preferences has increased nationally. If adopted by the Senate without changes, the resolution would complete legislative passage.
House Concurrent Resolution 9 — Declaration of Independence Anniversary
HCR 9 commemorates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and encourages civic observances tied to the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration in 2026. As a concurrent resolution, it does not require the governor’s signature. Senate approval would finalize legislative action.
Measure awaiting concurrence
House Bill 194 — Oil and Gas Corporate Income Tax; Royalty Sales
HB 194, by request of the governor, remains in a sensitive late-session posture after Senate amendments sent it back to the House for concurrence. The bill addresses oil and gas corporate income tax provisions and royalty sale authorities.
Bills and resolutions on the House floor Monday
House Bill 261 — Education Funding
HB 261 is now among the most closely watched measures still moving through the Capitol. The bill would create a constitutionally protected education funding mechanism intended to provide long-term school funding for Alaska’s public education system. It could further limit legislative flexibility during future budget downturns and intensify pressure on the state treasury. Because HB 261 originated in the House, passage there would send the measure to the Senate for consideration.
Senate Bill 86 — Money Transmission; Virtual Currency
SB 86 updates Alaska law governing money transmission businesses and includes provisions dealing with virtual currency transactions and cryptocurrency regulation.
The bill is designed to modernize state financial statutes as digital currencies become more common in commerce and finance. It would place certain cryptocurrency activities under clearer state oversight and licensing frameworks. If the House passes SB 86 without changes, it would head to the governor for signature.
Senate Bill 63 — Local Boundary Commission
SB 63 addresses procedures and authorities involving the Local Boundary Commission, the body that oversees borough formation, annexation, incorporation, and boundary changes in Alaska. Boundary disputes and municipal organization questions have become increasingly contentious in several regions of the state, giving the bill broader political significance.
The bill is on third reading in the House. Passage without amendment would send it to the governor.
Senate Joint Resolution 30 — Support Military and Increase Infrastructure
SJR 30, sponsored by Sen. Kawasaki, urges stronger federal military investment and infrastructure expansion in Alaska as the Arctic becomes a growing national security focus. The resolution supports joint-use facilities for civilian and military needs. Because it is a joint resolution, adoption by the House would complete legislative action and formally transmit the resolution to federal officials.
House Joint Resolution 28 — Support Kids Online Safety Act
HJR 28 simply expresses support for the federal Kids Online Safety Act, a proposal aimed at increasing protections for minors using social media and online platforms. The resolution reflects growing bipartisan concern nationwide about social media’s effects on children’s mental health, online exploitation, addictive platform design, and exposure to harmful content.
Which measures are closest to the finish line?
Nearing final legislative action
- SB 86 — Money transmission and virtual currency
- SB 63 — Local Boundary Commission
- SJR 30 — Military infrastructure support
- HJR 28 — Kids Online Safety Act support
These measures are either already through the opposite chamber or are resolutions requiring only final adoption.
Still needing action in the opposite chamber
- HB 261 — Education funding. Because HB 261 is still in the House, it must clear the Senate before reaching the governor, making its path more uncertain in the final days of session.
Final days intensify pressure
As the Legislature enters its final 10 days, floor calendars are increasingly filled with bills lawmakers believe still have a realistic chance of survival.
The governor reintroduced an election bill last week, SB 289, which will be heard first in Senate State Affairs Committee on Tuesday and appears to have little chance of moving.
Measures lacking bipartisan momentum or strong leadership support are rapidly running out of runway, while unresolved budget negotiations, education funding disputes, and lingering policy battles continue competing for limited time before constitutional adjournment.
Monday’s House and Senate calendars show lawmakers trying to move both major structural legislation and symbolic messaging measures before the gavel falls on the 34th Alaska Legislature.
Final sprint underway
With constitutional adjournment looming in just 10 days, lawmakers are rapidly sorting legislation into three categories: bills headed to the governor, bills headed to conference committees, and bills likely headed for the legislative graveyard.
