Ů�źϼ�

May 22, 2026

Legislature Passes Ů�źϼ� Operating and Capital Budgets Before Adjourning from Regular Session; Governor Calls Immediate Special Session for Gas Line Tax Policy Legislation

The 2026 regular legislative session ended late Wednesday evening, just a few hours before the constitutional adjournment deadline. In addition to passing the final versions of the FY27 operating and capital budgets and sending them on to the governor for consideration, legislators spent hours on the floor approving a number of bills before the clock ran out. 

With the regular session now over, any bills that did not pass are no longer in play, and would have to be reintroduced next year to start the entire legislative process over again. The only exceptions are the bills related to the proposed gas line, which Governor Dunleavy placed on the agenda for the 30-day special session that officially began yesterday. Given that many legislators and their staff already made travel arrangements to return home following adjournment, the House Finance Committee plans to hold meetings in Anchorage beginning next week, while the Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to begin considering the governor’s legislation.

Operating Budget Supports Ů�źϼ� Student Services, Safety, & Recruitment

The conference committee on the FY27 operating budget reached a compromise to fund the following increases for the University of Alaska: 

Compensation increases for eligible employees and increased health care plan costs: 

• $11.5 million 

Student Mental Health Services:

• Ů�źϼ�A: $340K

• Ů�źϼ�F: $300K

• Ů�źϼ�S: $145K

Campus Public Safety:

• Ů�źϼ�A: $370K

• Ů�źϼ�F: $131K

• Ů�źϼ�S: $200K

Student Recruitment (one-time funding): 

• Ů�źϼ�A: $375K 

• Ů�źϼ�F: $338K 

• Ů�źϼ�S: $500K

Ů�źϼ�F Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative: 

• $500K - one-time funding contingent on receiving a multi-million dollar federal grant award from the National Science Foundation. 

These funding increases will help Ů�źϼ� continue its positive enrollment trends, expand student services, improve the campus experience, and leverage federal dollars to keep the university moving forward. The legislature, especially those who serve on the finance committees, worked diligently to ensure Ů�źϼ� received adequate state support, and their efforts are greatly appreciated. 

The operating budget now goes to the governor’s desk, where he will have the opportunity to consider line-item vetoes of any appropriation in the budget. 

Capital Budget Invests in Critical University Deferred Maintenance, Workforce Development Programs, & Project Completion 

The FY27 capital budget approved by the legislature prioritizes much needed maintenance of aging Ů�źϼ� facilities, bolsters workforce development programs to support the proposed gas line project, and provides the final dollars needed to complete projects already under construction at Ů�źϼ�A and Ů�źϼ�S.

The following appropriations for Ů�źϼ� are included in the capital budget, which is now on its way to the governor for consideration: 

Ů�źϼ�-Wide Deferred Maintenance:

• $32.46 million - The top six DM priorities at each university can be addressed with these dollars, funding a total of 18 DM projects across the Ů�źϼ� system. 

Ů�źϼ�A Welding and Non-Destructive Testing Renovation:

• $3 million - Supporting AKLNG Project Workforce Development.

Ů�źϼ�A Industrial Cutting Systems and Electrical Distribution Upgrades:

• $260K - Supporting AKLNG Project Workforce Development. 

Ů�źϼ�F Campus Transit Fleet Maintenance Facility: 

• $1.38 million in university receipts and $5.44 million in federal receipt authority for a federal grant award. 

Ů�źϼ�S Sitka Campus New Dock and Mariculture Training Facility - Phase II:

• $2 million - Contingent on $80 or higher average per-barrel oil price between July 1 - December 31, 2026. 

Ů�źϼ�A Alaska Leaders Archive Consortium Library Renovation:

• $1.25 million - Contingent on $80 or higher average per-barrel oil price between July 1 - December 31, 2026.

House Bill 79 (HB79), Which Renames the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) at Ů�źϼ�A, Has Passed the Senate

On May 18, , which has been amended to name ISER the “Vic Fischer Institute of Social and Economic Research,” passed the Senate Floor.  The vote was 19-1 on the floor.  The bill then traveled back to the House and was concurred to.  The bill awaits transmission to the Governor’s office.

Ů�źϼ�A/ISER Data Sharing Bill Passes Legislature

, after rolling around on the House Floor docket for a few days, finally passed on May 19.  The vote was 40-0. Senator Stevens and his staff, Tim Lamkin, did a terrific job working with our Ů�źϼ� and ISER team on a bill that will help ISER assist/advise on state policy, especially when it comes to employment in Alaska’s seafood industry. The bill will head to the Governor’s desk next. 

House Bill 176 (HB176), the Student Fee Bill, Goes To Governor for Consideration

, which will do nothing substantively new for the Ů�źϼ�, will go to the Governor for veto consideration. A few points about how our student fees process actually works: 

• The Ů�źϼ� already itemizes its student fees.  

• Consolidated fees at Ů�źϼ�A/Ů�źϼ�F/Ů�źϼ�S, and where they go, are already open and transparent.  Not just to students, but to the public at large.   

• For example, here are Ů�źϼ�F’s ():

  • Student Health & Counseling Center: 18.5%

  • eCampus (Center for Teaching & Learning): 12.0%

  • Athletics: 11.5%

  • Nanook Recreation: 11.5%

  • Center for Student Engagement: 10.0%

  • Libraries and Digital Resources: 9.5%

  • Nanook Technology Services: 6.5%

  • ASŮ�źϼ�F (Student Government/Media): 6.5%

  • Student Success Center: 5.0%

  • Transportation: 4.0%

  • Graduate School & Community Campuses: 4.0% 

• Notice of fee changes, currently done by the Ů�źϼ�, are already beyond the requirements in the bill.     

• At Ů�źϼ�A, the process for creating/adjusting the fees intended in this bill involves months of work with the elected student representatives at the university where the action is being considered. This includes, for example, USŮ�źϼ�A holding public hearings where administrative departments present details regarding existing fees and any proposed changes. They then pass resolutions regarding the proposals that weigh heavily on the administration regarding the final decision.

House Bill 10 (HB10), Which Adds a Faculty Member to the Board of Regents, Passes Senate Floor

, passed the Senate Floor on May 15 and was concurred to by the House on May 16. The bill will go to the Governor next for consideration.    

Senate Bill 140 (SB140), the Fire Station Grant Program Bill, Did Not Pass

 has been supported by the Ů�źϼ� and, specifically, our great Ů�źϼ�F firefighters throughout the last two years. Unfortunately, because of timing and other legislative matters, it was not able to pass this year.  

The topic will remain for legislative consideration in the years to come.    

Senate Bill 287 (SB287), Which Creates a Task Force that Would Analyze the Alaska Native Language Center (ANLC) Ran Out of Time

 would have created an Alaska Legislative Task Force to analyze Native languages and give statutory recommendations affecting the ANLC going into 2027.  However, time again, got too tight as the session closed on May 20.  

The Ů�źϼ� will look to have an ongoing discussion with legislators, like Sen. Tobin, in the months ahead.  

May 15, 2026

Legislature Continues Work on Budgets, Ů�źϼ� Legislation in Final Days of 2026 Session

The legislature has just five days remaining before the regular session ends on Wednesday, May 20. Lawmakers are busy hearing dozens of bills in various committees, as well as spending hours on the floor to get legislation passed before the adjournment deadline. Negotiations are ongoing between the Senate, House, and governor as everyone looks for an agreeable path forward on some of the most pressing issues. 

The capital budget, , has been on the House floor for the past few days as representatives considered a number of proposed amendments to the state’s budget for infrastructure and maintenance needs. The House is expected to pass the capital budget today, then it will be returned to the Senate for a concurrence vote on the changes made by the House. 

The conference committee on the operating budget has had two meetings since its members were appointed to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the state’s FY27 operating budget, but the committee has yet to make any major decisions on the appropriations before them. The conference committee consists of the following members: 

• Senator Lyman Hoffman - Senate Operating Budget Co-Chair

• Senator Bert Stedman - Senate Capital Budget Co-Chair

• Senator Mike Cronk - Senate Finance Minority Member

• Representative Andy Josephson - House Operating Budget Co-Chair

• Representative Calvin Schrage - House Capital Budget Co-Chair

• Representative Will Stapp - House Finance Minority Member

For the University of Alaska, there are a few noteworthy differences between the two versions of the operating budget. The House budget contains funding for student mental health services at all three universities, as well as public safety funding for Ů�źϼ�A, Ů�źϼ�S, and Ů�źϼ�F. The House budget also contains one-time funding for the Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative at Ů�źϼ�F to help unlock a multi-million dollar federal grant. Those appropriations were not included in the Senate budget. 

Comparatively, the Senate’s version of the budget contains funding for expanded recruitment efforts at all three universities, which is an item not found in the House version of the budget. The conference committee can act on all of the items that are different between the two versions, and can select the full amount, partial funding, or no funding at all, but they cannot add new funding that’s not already included in one of the budgets.

House Bill 79 (HB79) Amended to Rename the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) at Ů�źϼ�A

On May 12, Senator Dunbar amended  in the Senate Resources Committee. The bill originally was a “naming bill” in honor of Vic Fischer (naming the “Vic Fischer Shoup Bay State Marine Park”). The bill now also names ISER the “Vic Fischer Institute of Social and Economic Research.”  The bill was moved from committee that day, and now heads to the Senate Floor. 

Ů�źϼ� Encourages House Floor Support for Senate Bill 181 (SB181), the Ů�źϼ�A/ISER Data Sharing Bill

 is on its final approach to the Governor’s desk. The last remaining stop is the House Floor. Ů�źϼ� has been actively reaching out to House members to encourage them to support the legislation. Better data sharing between Ů�źϼ�A/ISER and the Department of Labor will lead to better analysis, and thus better policy for all of Alaska.  

 Benefits of SB 181 include:

• Better evidence-based research to inform state policy
• Smoother analysis of current and emerging workforce needs
• More efficient evaluation of workforce outcomes for Ů�źϼ� graduates

Ů�źϼ� Expresses Support for Rep. Vance’s House Bill 29 

 is “An Act relating to group insurance coverage and self-insurance coverage for school district employees, employees of the University of Alaska, and employees of other governmental units in the state; and providing for an effective date.” This legislation would provide more options for the University of Alaska when determining which health care plans provide the best coverage for employees in the most cost-effective manner. 

While the legislation does not mandate that the University of Alaska utilize an option, it does provide the flexibility to do so if the Ů�źϼ� decides that it is prudent. 

As health care costs continue to rise and place strain on every employer’s budget, expanding the voluntary options available to employers to select the most cost-effective coverage for employees is a welcome opportunity. The Ů�źϼ� supports the expanded options proposed in HB29.

House Bill 10 (HB10), Which Adds a Faculty Member to the Board of Regents, Passes Senate Floor

 passed the Senate floor this morning. The bill, which adds a faculty member to the Board of Regents, will head to the House for a concurrence vote. It needs to head to the House for concurrence because of date changes that were made in the Senate.  

Senate Bill 287 (SB287), Which Creates the Legislative Task Force on Alaska Native Languages, Moves from the Senate State Affairs Committee

, moved from the Senate State Affairs Committee on May 14. According to the bill, the task force will have three Senators and three Representatives.  Of those three Senators, one shall be from the minority. The same goes for the Representatives (one from the minority). The bill is now in the Senate Finance

What We’re Watching

The legislature is now under what’s called “the 24-hour rule,” a rule that comes into effect once the conference committee on the operating budget has been appointed. Under the 24-hour rule, the usual notice procedures for committee meetings, which require the following week’s schedule to be posted by 4:00 p.m. every Thursday, are no longer required and committees can instead be scheduled with just 24 hours’ notice. 

The Ů�źϼ� team will continue closely following the flurry of activity in the Capitol as the legislative session heads into its final few days. 

 

May 8, 2026

Senate Passes Operating Budget; House Adds More Funding for University to Capital Budget 

Only one full workweek remains before the legislative session reaches its constitutional deadline of Wednesday, May 20, and there is plenty of work still to be done. At the start of the week, the legislature met in joint session to attempt an override of the governor’s veto of a comprehensive elections reform bill, , but fell two votes short of overriding the veto. The resources committees in both the Senate and House have been working nearly every day on the governor’s proposal to change the tax structure to be more favorable to those working to develop the Alaska LNG project, but those bills ( & ) still have a ways to go. 

In addition to the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, these are just a few of the major items that the House, Senate, and governor have yet to reach consensus on before the clock runs out in less than two weeks. Rumors of a potential special session are swirling more and more around the Capitol as skepticism grows about the likelihood of resolving some complex issues—the LNG tax bills in particular—in the little time that remains. 

Operating Budget Passes Senate Floor

The Senate passed its version of the FY27 operating budget yesterday, which means it will now be returned to the House for a concurrence vote. A vote on concurrence is a procedural part of the annual budget process, where the House can vote to either accept the Senate’s changes to the budget, or reject them. When the House votes no on concurrence, the budget is then sent back to the Senate for senators to vote on the following question: shall the Senate recede from its amendments to the budget? When the Senate declines to recede, it triggers the appointment of a conference committee.

The conference committee for the operating budget will be made up of six legislators, three from the House and three from the Senate, who are tasked with resolving the differences between the two versions of the budget. Each body appoints two members from the majority, typically two finance committee co-chairs, and one from the minority caucus to serve on the conference committee. 

The Senate’s version of the operating budget includes state funding increases for the University of Alaska as follows: 

• Compensation increases for eligible employees and increased health care plan costs: $11.5 million 
• Student recruitment expansion for all three universities: 
• Ů�źϼ�S: $500,000
• Ů�źϼ�A: $375,000
• Ů�źϼ�F: $338,000

The conference committee process could begin early next week, and the Ů�źϼ� team will be following it all very closely as the final version of the operating budget takes shape. 

Rep. Schrage Comes Through for the Ů�źϼ� - Addresses Huge Deferred Maintenance Need

On Monday, Rep. Schrage, a Ů�źϼ� hero, unveiled the House version of the capital budget.  

Here are the major takeaways:

• $15.3 million added for Ů�źϼ� deferred maintenance. That brings the total (adding to the great work done by Sen. Stedman in the Senate) to $32.46 million. That means the top 18 projects around the Ů�źϼ� system can be funded.
• $3 million - AKLNG Project Workforce Development - Ů�źϼ�A Welding and Non-Destructive Testing Renovation.
• $260 thousand - AKLNG Project Workforce Development - Ů�źϼ�A Industrial Cutting Systems and Electrical Distribution Upgrades. 
• $1.38 million in university receipts and $5.44 million in federal receipt authority for the Ů�źϼ�F Campus Transit Fleet Maintenance Facility. 
• $2 million - Contingent funding ($80 or higher average price per barrel for first half of FY27) - Ů�źϼ�S Sitka Campus New Dock and Mariculture Training Facility - Phase II. 
• $1.25 million - Contingent funding ($80 or higher average price per barrel for first half of FY27) - Ů�źϼ�A Alaska Leaders Archive Consortium Library Renovation. 

The House Finance Committee advanced the capital budget from committee this morning. It will next go to the House floor, where members will consider more amendments before passing the capital budget and returning it to the Senate for a concurrence vote. 

Student Fee Bill Passes from Senate State Affairs Committee

 (HB176), passed from the Senate State Affairs Committee on May 5. The bill does nothing that is substantively new, as the university already follows directives required by Ů�źϼ� Board Policy Chapter 05.10, under the authority of Article VII, Section 2 and 3 of the Alaska Constitution.  

The bill sets minimum notice requirements (30 days) for any changes to mandatory student fees - however, the university already has a much higher standard than this. Current practice typically gives students a minimum of at least three months notice for any proposed fees changes. In other instances, students have been given notice almost a year in advance when system-wide fees are set to increase.

In addition, Ů�źϼ�A/Ů�źϼ�F/Ů�źϼ�S already has public facing consolidated fee breakdowns so that students can see how those fees are being spent.  Sen. Kawasaki (whose history with Ů�źϼ�F runs deep and continues to be a great champion for the university) correctly referenced that point in the committee hearing.

Bill Creating Joint Legislative Task Force on Alaska Native Languages Moves from House Education Committee  

 (HB387), which creates a Joint Legislative Alaska Native Languages Academic Task Force, was moved from the House Education Committee on May 6. Rep. Story carried the bill on behalf of the House Education Committee (the sponsor). Rep. Story will likely work with Sen. Tobin (who carries the Senate companion, ), should the legislation become law.  

The task force will assess and give recommendations about the future of the Alaska Native Language Center.

Fire Station Grant Program Legislation Gets Hearing in House Finance Committee

 (SB140) was heard in the House Finance Committee on May 6. SB 140 establishes the Fire Station Grant Program, which provides funding for up to 50% of the total project cost for constructing or renovating fire stations. Ů�źϼ�F is supportive of the legislation, and we’re grateful to Sen. Stedman for continuing to move this forward.

Bill to Add Faculty Member to Board of Regents Moves from the Senate Finance Committee

This morning,  (HB10), the bill that adds a faculty member to the Board of Regents, passed the Senate Finance Committee. The bill is trending towards an expected vote on the Senate Floor.   

What We’re Watching 

Monday, May 11

• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: : Teacher/State Employee Student Loan Program. : Museum Construction Grants. 
• 3:15 p.m. - House Labor & Commerce: : Employer Contributions (Pending Referral). 

Tuesday, May 12

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Fire Station Grant Program. 
• 3:30 p.m. - Senate State Affairs: : Alaska Native Languages Academic Task Force. 

Wednesday, May 13

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Construction Project Wages & Liability. 

 

May 1, 2026

University Positioned Well Heading Into Final Weeks; House Education Committee Hears Latest Update on How the Ů�źϼ� is Preparing Teachers 

Work continues on the FY27 operating budget (House Bill 263 - ()) and the FY27 capital budget (Senate Bill 214 - ()). The operating budget is currently in the Senate.  The capital budget is currently in the House.  

On April 29, the Senate Finance Committee introduced a new , however there were no changes to the Ů�źϼ� budget. On April 30, the bill was moved from committee. There is an expectation that it will likely be on the Senate Floor by next week. 

The House Finance Committee has the capital budget. Publicly, there has been a lot of information shared about deferred maintenance around the state. The Ů�źϼ� has had many conversations with Rep. Schrage’s office, and we’re encouraged by his focus on a healthy capital budget. At the end of the day: construction projects put people to work.  

House Education Committee Receives Update on What the Ů�źϼ� is Doing to Train Teachers in Alaska

On April 29, Dr. Bridget Weiss, liaison for the Alaska College of Education Consortium (ACEC), testified in front of the House Education Committee. Dr. Weiss gave updates on Educators Rising, dual enrollment, training Indigenous teachers, early childhood development, among many other topics. The testimony was very well received.

House Bill 387 (HB387), Which Creates a Joint Legislative Task Force on Alaska Native Languages, Has First Hearing 

, the companion to , (both create a Joint Legislative Alaska Native Languages Academic Task Force) was heard on Monday, April 27 in the House Education Committee.  The Legislature is looking at the need for, along with the role of, the Alaska Native Language Center (ANLC) now, and in the future.  If the legislation passes, the legislative discussion will likely continue throughout the remainder of 2026-2027.    

Additional hearings for HB387 are scheduled for this upcoming Monday (May 4) and Wednesday (May 6).

What We’re Watching 

Monday, May 4

• 8:00 a.m. - House Education: (HB387) - Create a Joint Legislative Alaska Native Languages Academic Task Force. 
• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance:  (SB214) - Capital Budget
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance:  (SB214) - Capital Budget

Tuesday, May 5

• 3:30 p.m. - Senate State Affairs: : University of Alaska Fees. 

Wednesday, May 6

• 8:00 a.m. - House Education: (HB387) - Create a Joint Legislative Alaska Native Languages Academic Task Force. 
• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance:  (SB140) - Fire Station Grant Program

Thursday, May 7

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance:  (SB214) - Capital Budget
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance:  (SB214) - Capital Budget

Friday, May 8

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance:  (SB214) - Capital Budget
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance:  (SB214) - Capital Budget

Saturday, May 9

• 11:00 a.m. - House Finance:  (SB214) - Capital Budget

April 24, 2026

House and Senate Exchange Operating and Capital Budgets; Legislators Hear Presentation from Ů�źϼ�A Chancellor and College of Health Leaders on “Building Alaska’s Health Talent Pipeline” 

The House’s version of the FY27 operating budget and the Senate’s version of the FY27 capital budget were officially exchanged this week, meaning each body will now review the budgets crafted by their colleagues and begin making changes. In the coming weeks, the Senate will pass their amended version of the operating budget, while the House works on amending and passing the capital budget. Once both bodies have made changes to the budget bills, they will be returned to their house of origin for a vote on whether to accept the changes, or appoint a conference committee to work out the differences. 

Senate Finance Committee Continues Work on Operating Budget

Senator Hoffman, Co-Chair for the operating budget, released a new draft of the state’s FY27 budget this week. The latest version of  incorporates the actions taken by each of the Senate Finance subcommittees, while also making some changes. 

For the University of Alaska, the employee compensation funding and the support for expanded student recruitment at all three universities remain in the Senate’s budget. In addition, Senator Hoffman added receipt authority provisions for Ů�źϼ�F’s Alaska Critical Minerals Accelerator program. While the addition of this receipt authority does not come with any state funding, Ů�źϼ�F continues to advocate for state support to help unlock the $160 million federal grant from the National Science Foundation. 

Ů�źϼ�A Leaders Highlight Health Programs 

The House Health and Social Services Committee invited Ů�źϼ�A Chancellor Cheryl Siemers, along with College of Health Associate Deans Cary Moore and Andre Rosay to Juneau to testify on the great work Ů�źϼ�A is doing to build Alaska’s health talent pipeline. The presentation highlighted the many academic programs offered at Ů�źϼ�A to train Alaska’s future health workforce, including the School of Nursing, the Doctor of Pharmacy Program, the WWAMI School of Medical Education, the Department of Psychology, the School of Social Work, and many others that all help meet the high demands of Alaska’s health-related fields. 

A recording of the committee hearing is available on the . 

House Bill 10 (HB10) - Bill to Add a Faculty Member to the Board of Regents is Heard in Senate Finance Committee

Rep. Carrick’s  was heard in the Senate Finance Committee on April 22.  The bill would add a Ů�źϼ� faculty member to the Board of Regents.  In Senate Finance, the committee is most interested in the fiscal impact to the state.  The fiscal note provided estimates that most costs will be related to expected travel expenses as the Board meets at different campuses around Alaska.     

Senate Bill 181 (SB181) - Ů�źϼ�A/ISER Data Sharing Bill Moves from the House Labor and Commerce Committee

Senator Stevens’s  moved from the House Labor and Commerce Committee on April 22.  If historical precedent holds, its next destination is the House Floor.  If the bill is unamended on the Floor, it will have passed both bodies “as is” originally envisioned, and will make its way to the Governor’s desk for consideration.    

Senate Bill 287 (SB287), Which Creates a Joint Legislative Task Force on Alaska Native Languages, Was Introduced Today by the Senate Education Committee 

 would create a Joint Legislative Alaska Native Languages Academic Task Force.  The task force shall consist of three members of the House of Representatives, and three members of the Senate and will hold public meetings and solicit input from communities and experts in the field of Alaska Native languages.   The task force is expected to issue a final report, with findings and recommendations, on a number of issues, including examining the legislature’s original intent in establishing the Alaska Native Language Center.    

The first committee of referral is the Senate State Affairs Committee.     

What We’re Watching

Monday, April 27

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: Presentation: Governor’s Amendments by Office of Management and Budget. : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations. 

Tuesday, April 28

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations. 

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. 

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations. 

Wednesday, April 29

• 8:00 a.m. - House Education: Presentation: Teacher Education Programs by Dr. Bridget Weiss, Alaska College of Education Consortium, University of Alaska. 

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. 

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Peace Officers/Firefighters: Disability. : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations. 

• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: : Employer Contributions. 
   
• 4:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations. 
   

Public Testimony

Thursday, April 30

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations. 

Friday, May 1

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations. 

Saturday, May 2

• 3:30 p.m. - Senate State Affairs: : University of Alaska Fees.

April 17, 2026

Senate Finance Committee Adds Funding for University Deferred Maintenance, Employee Compensation, and Student Recruitment as State Budget Continues to Develop

The House’s version of the FY27 operating budget and the Senate’s version of the FY27 capital budget were officially exchanged this week, meaning each body will now review the budgets crafted by their colleagues and begin making changes. In the coming weeks, the Senate will pass their amended version of the operating budget, while the House works on amending and passing the capital budget. Once both bodies have made changes to the budget bills, they will be returned to their house of origin for a vote on whether to accept the changes, or appoint a conference committee to work out the differences. 

Senate Finance Committee Continues Work on Operating Budget

Senator Hoffman, Co-Chair for the operating budget, released a new draft of the state’s FY27 budget this week. The latest version of incorporates the actions taken by each of the Senate Finance subcommittees, while also making some changes. 

For the University of Alaska, the employee compensation funding and the support for expanded student recruitment at all three universities remain in the Senate’s budget. In addition, Senator Hoffman added receipt authority provisions for Ů�źϼ�F’s Alaska Critical Minerals Accelerator program. While the addition of this receipt authority does not come with any state funding, Ů�źϼ�F continues to advocate for state support to help unlock the $160 million federal grant from the National Science Foundation. 

Ů�źϼ�A Leaders Highlight Health Programs 

The House Health and Social Services Committee invited Ů�źϼ�A Chancellor Cheryl Siemers, along with College of Health Associate Deans Cary Moore and Andre Rosay to Juneau to testify on the great work Ů�źϼ�A is doing to build Alaska’s health talent pipeline. The presentation highlighted the many academic programs offered at Ů�źϼ�A to train Alaska’s future health workforce, including the School of Nursing, the Doctor of Pharmacy Program, the WWAMI School of Medical Education, the Department of Psychology, the School of Social Work, and many others that all help meet the high demands of Alaska’s health-related fields. 

A recording of the committee hearing is available on the . 

House Bill 10 (HB10) - Bill to Add a Faculty Member to the Board of Regents is Heard in Senate Finance Committee

Rep. Carrick’s was heard in the Senate Finance Committee on April 22.  The bill would add a Ů�źϼ� faculty member to the Board of Regents.  In Senate Finance, the committee is most interested in the fiscal impact to the state.  The fiscal note provided estimates that most costs will be related to expected travel expenses as the Board meets at different campuses around Alaska.     

Senate Bill 181 (SB181) - Ů�źϼ�A/ISER Data Sharing Bill Moves from the House Labor and Commerce Committee

Senator Stevens’s moved from the House Labor and Commerce Committee on April 22.  If historical precedent holds, its next destination is the House Floor.  If the bill is unamended on the Floor, it will have passed both bodies “as is” originally envisioned, and will make its way to the Governor’s desk for consideration.    

Senate Bill 287 (SB287), Which Creates a Joint Legislative Task Force on Alaska Native Languages, Was Introduced Today by the Senate Education Committee 

would create a Joint Legislative Alaska Native Languages Academic Task Force.  The task force shall consist of three members of the House of Representatives, and three members of the Senate and will hold public meetings and solicit input from communities and experts in the field of Alaska Native languages.   The task force is expected to issue a final report, with findings and recommendations, on a number of issues, including examining the legislature’s original intent in establishing the Alaska Native Language Center.    

The first committee of referral is the Senate State Affairs Committee.     

What We’re Watching 

Monday, April 27

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: Presentation: Governor’s Amendments by Office of Management and Budget. : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations. 

Tuesday, April 28

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations. 
• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. 
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations. 

Wednesday, April 29

• 8:00 a.m. - House Education: Presentation: Teacher Education Programs by Dr. Budget Weiss, Alaska College of Education Consortium, University of Alaska. 
• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. 
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Peace Officers/Firefighters: Disability. : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations. 
• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: : Employer Contributions. 
• 4:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations. 

Public Testimony

Thursday, April 30

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations. 

Friday, May 1

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations. 

Saturday, May 2

3:30 p.m. - Senate State Affairs: : University of Alaska Fees.

April 10, 2026

Progress Continues on State Budgets; Governor Signs Supplemental Budget Replenishing the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF), Which Supports Critical Scholarships for Alaskans 

The House of Representatives spent much of the week debating amendments to the FY27 operating budget, but as of this morning, no changes have been made to items within the University of Alaska budget. Once the House floor has concluded the amendment process, which may happen before the end of the day, the operating budget will be sent to the Senate for consideration.

On the Senate side, the University of Alaska Finance Subcommittee is scheduled to have its closeout meeting next Thursday, where Senate Finance Committee members will unveil their decisions on Ů�źϼ�’s FY27 operating budget requests. 

The Senate Finance Committee is also expected to unveil their version of the FY27 capital budget in the near future, which will address infrastructure and maintenance needs across the state. The university has been working closely with capital budget staff in both the House and Senate on deferred maintenance priorities and other capital project requests from the Ů�źϼ� system, and those conversations will continue as the capital budget begins moving through the legislative process. 

After Governor’s Signature on April 9, the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF) will be Replenished, Provided Oil Prices Remain High 

The FY26 supplemental budget, which the legislature passed on March 25, has been signed into law by Governor Dunleavy. The passage of , the supplemental budget, has been a top priority for Ů�źϼ� since this legislative session began, as the bill contains the $129.6 million repayment of the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF). The governor did not veto any items from the supplemental budget. That means the HEIF repayment, along with the other appropriations in the bill, will be funded so long as the state’s improved revenue outlook, due to higher oil prices, continues. 

A healthy HEIF is critical for young people to receive the Alaska Performance Scholarship.   

Senate Bill 181 (SB181) - Ů�źϼ�A/ISER Data Sharing Bill - Moves from House Education Committee - House Labor and Commerce Committee is Next

moved from the House Education Committee on April 8. The bill allows for less hurdles so that Ů�źϼ�A/ISER can do better data collection for policy analysis. The bill was an “action point” from the Joint Legislative Task Force Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry and is important to better understand workforce developments when there are expansion/restrictions on certain species. The bill will be forwarded to the House Labor and Commerce Committee for further consideration.     

House Bill 176 (HB176) - Student Fee Bill - Moves from Senate Education Committee - Senate State Affairs Committee is Next

After concerns raised by 2025-2026 Ů�źϼ�F student government leaders, among others, Ů�źϼ�F/Ů�źϼ�A/Ů�źϼ�S leadership assisted in amending Rep. Carrick’s . See the Feb. 6, 2026 Capitol Report for contents of the student letter.  The objections with the original version of the bill were that it would create unnecessary bureaucratic waste and would diminish the student experience.

The new version of the bill has softened the original overly-broad language, and now only applies to “mandatory fees” assessed to all students throughout the system, or enrolled at a specific campus. “Mandatory fees” exclude course fees, matriculation fees, parking permit fees, or other fees as determined by the Board of Regents in policy.

The bill was passed from the Senate Education Committee on April 8 and can be considered in the Senate State Affairs Committee.

What We’re Watching

Monday, April 13

• 1:00 p.m. - House Resources: Presentation: Alaskans View of Energy Options by Gwen Holdmann, Chief Scientist, Alaska Center for Energy and Power; and Diane Hirshberg, Director, Institute of Social and Economic Research. 

Thursday, April 16

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: University of Alaska Finance Subcommittee FY27 Budget Closeout.
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Peace Officers/Firefighters: Disability.

April 3, 2026

House Operating Budget Advances; President Pitney Presents University’s Capital Budget Needs to House Finance; Ů�źϼ�F Leaders Update Senators on Alaska Native Language Center 

The Alaska State Capitol saw plenty of activity this week as the House Finance Committee worked late into the evenings considering over 100 proposed amendments to the FY27 state operating budget.

Some of the amendments sought changes to the University of Alaska budget, including a handful that would have cut funding from the budget for public safety needs at all three universities, as well as mental health services funding for students across the Ů�źϼ� system and compensation funding for university employees. Those three priorities were added during the House Finance Budget Subcommittee process by Representative Galvin, who strongly and successfully defended each of those Ů�źϼ� priorities late into the night on Wednesday with the help of her colleagues. 

In addition to maintaining funding for employee compensation, student mental health services, and public safety needs, two amendments sponsored by Representative Galvin and supported by the university were adopted: 

• $750K for the Ů�źϼ�F Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative (ACMC) to help unlock a $160 million federal grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), which ACMC is a top finalist for. Legislators have shown enthusiastic support for ACMC after hearing about the large federal award that they are right on the doorstep of receiving, and state support for this effort will increase ACMC’s competitiveness that much more. 

• $1.8 million for university employee healthcare cost increases. This amendment was a technical fix to ensure the House operating budget aligned with the Board of Regents’ request for employee compensation, which includes medical, dental, and vision plan costs. 

The House Finance Committee has advanced the FY27 operating budget onto its next stop: the House floor. Once the budget gets scheduled for the floor, members will have an opportunity to further amend the bill before sending it to the Senate. The Ů�źϼ� team will continue tracking the budget very closely as it moves through the legislative process. 

House Finance Hears Ů�źϼ� Capital Budget Priorities

On Thursday afternoon, President Pitney was before the House Finance Committee to discuss Ů�źϼ�’s top capital budget priorities, which begins with critical deferred maintenance projects at all three universities, including community campus facilities across the state. Hardworking facilities leaders at Ů�źϼ�A (Associate Vice Chancellor Chris McConnell), Ů�źϼ�F (Director Cam Wohlford), and Ů�źϼ�S (Director Nathan Leigh) all participated in the hearing. The team highlighted the most urgent deferred maintenance needs at each university and provided detailed information on how building and system failures have an impact on student experiences. 

Committee members also heard about the need for additional student housing due to increased demand and growing enrollment across the Ů�źϼ� System, which will continue to be an ongoing conversation as the university looks for ways to partner with the state on increasing the housing supply for students. 

Projects that received partial state funding in prior years and now need the remaining funds in order to be completed include the Ů�źϼ�A Leaders Archives Consortium Library Renovation ($1.25 million) and the Ů�źϼ�S Sitka Campus New Dock and Mariculture Training Facility ($2 million). The legislature and the governor supported funding for half of the requested amount for each of these projects last year, which allowed Ů�źϼ�A and Ů�źϼ�S to make significant progress, but securing the remaining funds from the state this year would ensure these projects can be completed. 

Ted Stevens Legislative Interns Recognized in Juneau

Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom hosted a celebratory event for this year’s cohort of Ted Stevens Legislative Interns at the governor’s residence earlier this week. Ů�źϼ� President Pat Pitney, Ů�źϼ�S Chancellor Aparna Palmer, and university faculty and staff were all in attendance to recognize the twelve interns working in the Capitol this session, as well as thank legislators for their continued support and mentorship of Alaska’s future leaders. 

Individuals from the Ted Stevens Foundation and the Peak Trust Company were also present and recognized for their generous financial support of the internship program. That financial support is critical for participating students, many of whom have to rent temporary housing in Juneau, incur travel costs, and pay tuition for the twelve credits they earn through the program, all while working full time in the Capitol. Students interning in the Capitol this year come from all across the state: five from Ů�źϼ�A, four from Ů�źϼ�F, and three from Ů�źϼ�S. 

The Ted Stevens Legislative Internship Program continues to be a hugely successful program, with dozens of legislators eager to host an intern in their office year after year, and students not only gaining invaluable experience working in state government, but often going on to have impressive careers in Alaska. 

Ů�źϼ�F Leaders Present to Senate Education Committee on Alaska Native Language Center

On April 1, Ů�źϼ�F Interim Chancellor Mike Sfraga, Interim Provost Charlene Stern, Interim Vice Chancellor Bryan Uher, and Dean Teisha Simmons testified on the status of the Alaska Native Language Center (ANLC). Good information was provided about the importance of Native languages to Ů�źϼ�F and the state of Alaska.   

What We’re Watching

Tuesday, April 7

• 12:00 p.m. - Lunch & Learn: Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education: Providing Sustainable Solutions for College, Career, and Technical Training by Kerry Thomas, Executive Director, and Kate Hillenberg, Director of Communications and Outreach. Sponsored by Representative Carrick. 

Wednesday, April 8

• 8:00 a.m. - House Education: : Employment Information Disclosure. 

• 3:30 p.m. - Senate Education: : Teacher/State Employee Student Loan Program. : University of Alaska Fees. 

Thursday, April 9 

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Payment of Contracts. 

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations.

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations.

• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: : Retirement Systems; Defined Benefit Option. 

Friday, April 10

• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Labor & Commerce: : Employer Contributions.

March 27, 2026

Legislature Approves Scholarship Fund Repayment; House Finance Committee to Review University Capital Budget Needs and Consider Amendments to State Operating Budget

This week, the legislature passed , the fast-track supplemental budget that will fund critical needs like disaster relief and fire suppression costs, as well as repayment of the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF) and time-sensitive match money for unlocking federal construction funds. 

HB 289 transfers $129.6 million back to the HEIF after that amount was drawn from the account last year in order to cover the state’s budget deficit. Students across Alaska rely on funding from the HEIF for their Alaska Performance Scholarships and Alaska Education Grants, so repayment of this fund has been a top priority for the university to ensure stable funding is available for students for years to come. 

Due to increased oil prices, the appropriations in HB 289 will be funded from the state’s unrestricted general fund (UGF), rather than the savings account known as the Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR), which requires a three-quarter vote to access. The legislature did not reach the three-quarter vote threshold to access the CBR in that event that oil prices were to drop low enough that UGF would become insufficient to fund the items in HB 289. The Ů�źϼ� team will continue to closely monitor the state’s revenue outlook to ensure the HEIF is made whole again. 

Ů�źϼ� to Present Capital Budget Requests and Deferred Maintenance Needs to House Finance Committee

On Thursday next week, President Pitney, along with leadership teams from Ů�źϼ�A, Ů�źϼ�F, and Ů�źϼ�S, will discuss our most important capital requests before the House Finance Committee. Capital requests include completion of Ů�źϼ�A’s Alaska Leaders Archives, Ů�źϼ�S’s Sitka Mariculture Training Facility, and Ů�źϼ�F’s facility footprint reduction. Top deferred maintenance projects include Ů�źϼ�A’s Cuddy Hall renewal, critical roof replacement for Ů�źϼ�F’s Museum of the North, and repairs to Ů�źϼ�S’s Ziegler building in Ketchikan. The university looks to continue the positive conversations we’ve been having with the offices of Representative Schrage and Senator Stedman, who are both co-chairs of the capital budget, on those projects.  

House Finance to Take Up Operating Budget Amendments 

The House Finance Committee is scheduled to spend the first half of next week considering amendments to the FY27 operating budget. The budget amendment process in the finance committee will be one of the final opportunities to make changes to the operating budget in committee before the bill is forwarded onto its next step in the process: the House floor. The university will be closely following the proposed amendments, particularly those that might affect Ů�źϼ�, to see how the House’s version of the operating budget takes shape next week.

Ů�źϼ�A’s Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) in Capitol 

Ů�źϼ�A’s ISER, led by Director Hirshberg, met with legislators and presented in the House Energy Committee, alongside Ů�źϼ�F’s Alaska Center for Energy and Power, on the Alaska Energy Data Gateway. The House Energy Committee hearing can be viewed on the . 

ISER also received a citation honoring its 65th Anniversary (seen in picture) at a lunch and learn event on Tuesday, which was hosted by Representative Mears. You can watch a recording of the lunch and learn presentation . 

ISER’s research is critical to the state. ISER has studied every major public policy issue in Alaska. Those issues include: the role of oil; the value of the state’s natural resources and ecosystems; the changing seafood industry landscape; health policy; transportation and infrastructure, among many other items.

Ů�źϼ�F’s Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) Provides Update to Legislators

ACEP has many missions, including advising and working with lawmakers to create better energy policy in Alaska. On Thursday, Director Jeremy Kasper testified in the House Energy Committee, as mentioned above. The testimony centered around ACEP’s project work dating back to fiscal year 2024, and discussed the good progress that’s been made. After the committee, energy survey data was also shared with legislators. 

What We’re Watching

Monday, March 30

• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Labor & Commerce: : Employer Contributions. 

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Budget Amendments. 

Tuesday, March 31

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Budget Amendments. 

Wednesday, April 1

• 8:00 a.m. - House Education: : Employment Information Disclosure. 

• 9:00 a.m. -  House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Budget Amendments. 

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Budget Amendments. 

• 3:30 p.m. - Senate Education: Presentation: Ů�źϼ�F Leadership Presentation on the Alaska Native Language Center by Mike Sfraga, Ů�źϼ�F Chancellor, Charlene Stern, Ů�źϼ�F Provost, Teisha Simmons, College of Indigenous Studies Dean, Bryan Uher, Vice Chancellor of Rural, Community and Native Education. Presentation: History of Alaska Native Language Center’s Work and its Present Status by Sam Alexander, Chair, Alaska Native Language Program, Ů�źϼ�F, and Anna Berge, Professor of Linguistics, Ů�źϼ�F. 

• 5:00 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Budget Amendments. 

Thursday, April 2

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Payment of Contracts. 

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations. Update: University of Alaska Capital Projects and Deferred Maintenance. 

 

March 20, 2026

Higher Oil Prices Improve State’s Revenue Outlook as Legislative Session Reaches Halfway Point; House and Senate Seek Path Forward on Supplemental Budget; Rep. Josephson Selected to Have Legislative Records Preserved for Ů�źϼ�A’s Alaska Leaders Archive

Since the release of the  from the Department of Revenue (DOR) last Friday, the prospect of additional revenue to the state has changed some of the budget conversations in Juneau this session. The price of oil is up considerably due to the ongoing military action in Iran, and estimated projections from DOR show $545 million in anticipated additional revenue for the remainder of FY26, the fiscal year we are currently in, and a potential increase of $510 million for FY27, the fiscal year that begins July 1 of this year. While DOR has cautioned lawmakers that the extreme volatility created by the conflict in the Middle East means there is still a considerable degree of uncertainty with these latest revenue projections, the improved fiscal outlook has legislators reevaluating decisions surrounding the state budget.

Passage of the FY26 supplemental budget, , has been delayed over disagreements between the House majority and minority caucuses on whether spending from savings is still needed given the revised revenue outlook. The bill as currently written requires a three-quarter vote to draw from savings in order to fund the time-sensitive items in the supplemental budget, including repayment of the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF), but the 19-member House minority caucus has expressed that the savings draw is not needed due to the expected increase in revenue. 

With the House unable to reach an agreement and obtain the necessary three-quarter vote, a conference committee on HB 289 has been appointed to resolve the differences. The six-member conference committee includes Senators Hoffman, Stedman, and Cronk, as well as Representatives Josephson, Schrage, and Stapp. With two majority members and one minority member from both the Senate and House, the committee is tasked with reaching a compromise that will enable the supplemental budget to successfully pass the legislature and get to the governor’s desk as quickly as possible so these critical, timely funding needs can be met. 

Rep. Andy Josephson Selected for Records Preservation at Ů�źϼ�A’s Alaska Leaders Archive

Rep. Andy Josephson, an important figure in Alaska’s history, will not seek re-election this upcoming cycle. He has been a significant voice in the State House since 2013. His public service, and legislative work product, both to the state and university, have risen to a level worthy of being included in Ů�źϼ�A’s Alaska Leaders Archive. He is a protector of the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF), among many other achievements.    

In the next few months, after session, Ů�źϼ�A will work with Rep. Josephson to ensure the records can be shared with the generations to come.

Ů�źϼ�F Reaffirms Alaska Native Language Center Will Continue Operations 

Ů�źϼ�F leadership this week  recent rumors regarding the Alaska Native Language Center (ANLC), reaffirming that the center is not closing and will continue its work without reductions. In a message to the Ů�źϼ�F community on Thursday, Interim Chancellor Mike Sfraga emphasized ANLC's statutory mission, its statewide impact in preserving Alaska Native languages and culture, and the university’s continued investment in its growth. Read Interim Chancellor Sfraga’s full message .

Legislation Supported by ISER Passes Senate

, championed by the Legislative Task Force Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry, would streamline data sharing between state agencies, specifically the state’s Department of Labor and Ů�źϼ�A’s Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), in order to bolster research into Alaska’s economic and employment data. The Senate unanimously passed the bill today and will now transmit it to the House, where it will continue making its way through the legislative process.  

Ů�źϼ�A Hosts Anchorage Delegation Town Hall

On Saturday, the Anchorage delegation met at Ů�źϼ�A to have a listening session with constituents.  Attendance was very good, with testifiers raising a voice on K-12 and potential revenue sources.  Ů�źϼ�A Alumni Leader Skye Nevada thanked the delegation for their support of Ů�źϼ� funding requests, including on compensation, public safety, and mental health services.

What We’re Watching

Monday, March 23

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Payment of Contracts. 

• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Labor & Commerce: : Employer Contributions. 

• 3:30 p.m. - Senate Education: : Legislative Commission on State Seal. 

Tuesday, March 24

• 9:00 a.m. -  House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Committee Substitute Introduction. 

• 12:00 p.m. - Lunch & Learn: 65 Years of ISER (Institute of Social and Economic Research) by Diane Hirshberg and ISER faculty team. Sponsored by Representative Mears. 

Wednesday, March 25

• 8:00 a.m. - House Education: Presentation: Career and Technical Education in Alaska by Alaska Workforce Investment Board. 

Thursday, March 26

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : TRS Contribution Rate; PERS/TRS Social Security or SBS. 

• 1:00 p.m. - House Energy: Presentation: Alaska Center for Energy and Power: Alaska Energy Data Gateway by Vanessa Raymond, Jeremy Kasper, and Diane Hirshberg. 

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: Monetary Terms of Agreement - Department of Law. 

Friday, March 27

• 12:00 p.m. - Lunch & Learn: The Importance of Energy Data by University of Alaska Anchorage’s Institute of Social and Economic Research and University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Alaska Center for Energy and Power. Sponsored by Senator Giessel. 

• 1:00 p.m. - House Resources: Presentation: History of Railbelt Electrification by Philip Wight, PhD, Associate Professor of History, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

March 12, 2026

Senate Unanimously Approves Scholarship Fund Replenishment, Bill Now in House Rules Committee; President Pitney Presents University Budget Priorities to Senate Finance; Ů�źϼ�A and Ů�źϼ�F to Celebrate Sen. Stevens and Sen. Hoffman with Displays in Kodiak and Bethel

The legislature continued advancing the fiscal year 2026 supplemental budget this week, which includes the $129.6 million repayment to the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF) to ensure long-term, stable funding for student scholarships. Yesterday, all 20 members of the Senate voted in favor of , the fast-track supplemental budget, before sending it back to the House for their consideration.

In order to successfully fund the budget items in HB 289, which consist of the HEIF repayment, disaster relief and fire suppression funding, as well as federal transportation match money, the House has to meet the three-quarter vote threshold required to draw from the state’s Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund (CBR). Students, faculty, staff, and alumni from across the Ů�źϼ� system have been engaging with their representatives throughout this legislative session to urge support for replenishing the HEIF, and their advocacy has been critical toward the ongoing effort to reach the 30 votes that are needed from the 40-member House of Representatives. 

Moments ago, the House took a vote on the bill, but did not get the 30 votes needed for the HEIF to be replenished, with only 22 members voting in favor of the CBR draw. The majority sent the bill back to the House Rules Committee for further consideration.  

Senate Finance Subcommittee Reviews Ů�źϼ� Budget

This morning, the University of Alaska Senate Finance Subcommittee heard an overview from President Pitney on Ů�źϼ�’s budget and top-priority funding needs for the upcoming fiscal year, FY27. Senators heard the same message that their colleagues in the House heard during their own review of the Ů�źϼ� budget: full-funding for employee compensation and medical plans is absolutely critical to maintaining a stable university system. Addressing operating cost increases such as utilities, cybersecurity/IT, facilities, and public safety are also essential needs that continue to strain university resources due to unavoidable rising costs. 

The next meeting of the Ů�źϼ� Senate Finance Subcommittee is likely to be the closeout meeting, where Senator Kiehl, who serves as Chair, and the members of the subcommittee will take action on the university’s budget requests before forwarding their recommendations to the Senate Finance Committee for further review. 

Senator Stevens and Senator Hoffman will be Honored with Displays at Kodiak and Bethel Campuses

Last Friday, at the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference annual meeting, Ů�źϼ�A and Ů�źϼ�F announced that permanent displays will be placed at the Kodiak campus (for Sen. Stevens) and Bethel (for Sen. Hoffman).  Those displays will honor their legislative service and include pictures/citations/artifacts from their careers to be remembered for all time.  Both men have been strong supporters of the Ů�źϼ� and have been important parts of the collective history of the university system.    

Ů�źϼ�F Leaders Discuss Workforce Development in Senate Labor & Commerce Committee

Senator Jesse Bjorkman heard from Ů�źϼ�F’s Dean Schnabel and Dean Alexander in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee about workforce development, with a focus on the programs available through the Community and Technical College and the College of Engineering and Mines. Committee members heard about the great work being done to meet technical education needs in the state, as well as the innovative opportunities on the horizon in areas like the critical minerals space in particular. According to Dean Alexander, their trip to the Capitol was an “excellent adventure.” 

A recording of the presentation can be viewed on the . 

Seafood Task Force’s Data Sharing Legislation Expected to Advance Soon

Speaking of the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, , carried by Senator Stevens on behalf of the Legislative Task Force Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry, is expected to move from committee on Friday. SB 181 would remove restrictive statutes in order to improve and facilitate data sharing between state agencies, including the University of Alaska.

The bill would specifically help Ů�źϼ�A’s Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) when they receive requests for research and analysis, but need access to data from state agencies in order to do that work. In addition to expanding the information and comprehensive data available to policymakers, SB 181 would also save public dollars by streamlining the data sharing process. 

Anchorage Lawmakers to Hold Town Hall at Ů�źϼ�A

This Saturday, Anchorage Senators and Representatives will be on the Ů�źϼ�A campus to hear from constituents at their annual Anchorage delegation town hall meeting. Members of the Anchorage community are welcome to attend this event, which will be held at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium. 

What We’re Watching 

Monday, March 16

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: Presentation: Spring Revenue Forecast by Department of Revenue. 
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Presentation: Spring Revenue Forecast by Department of Revenue. 
• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: Presentation: New Budget Amendments and Response to Committee Questions by Office of Management and Budget. 

Tuesday, March 17

• 9:00 a.m. -  House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Presentation: FY27 Governor’s Budget Amendments by Office of Management and Budget.  
• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : TRS Contribution Rate; PERS/TRS Social Security or SBS. 
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Alaska Innovation Council. 

Wednesday, March 18

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.

Thursday, March 19

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.

March 6, 2026

Ů�źϼ� House Finance Subcommittee Closes - Employee Compensation, Public Safety and Student Mental Health Services Funded for Ů�źϼ�A, Ů�źϼ�F, and Ů�źϼ�S; Public Testimony Opportunities Coming up

Rep. Galvin Strongly Supports the University and Closes Out the Ů�źϼ� House Finance Subcommittee

The Ů�źϼ� House Finance Subcommittee closed on Monday, March 2 having funded many of the Ů�źϼ� System’s budget priorities. Rep. Galvin, as well as Rep. Schrage, Rep. Hannan, Rep. Jimmie, Rep. Foster, Rep. Josephson, Rep. Moore, Rep. Stapp, Rep. Tomaszewski, Rep. Allard, and Rep. Bynum should be thanked for their thoughtful questions. We encourage all our Ů�źϼ� family, when appropriate, (see below “Public Testimony” section for more details) to reach out to these offices to express gratitude and encourage their continued support!  

Here’s the breakdown for what was funded in the House subcommittee close-out:

1. Full compensation for Ů�źϼ� employees - $9.8M

2. Ů�źϼ�A public safety request - $500K

3. Ů�źϼ�A student mental health request - $440K

4. Ů�źϼ�F campus safety request - $326K

5. Ů�źϼ�F student mental health request (clinical psychology) - $350K

6. Ů�źϼ�S improving campus safety and physical security - $250K

7. Ů�źϼ�S student mental health and life skills support - $175K

Next, these budget items will be considered by the House Finance Committee as part of the overall operating budget. The items still may be subject to change.  

Legislation Benefiting Ů�źϼ�A’s Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) Gets Hearing Scheduled for Next Week

 (SB181), which is carried by Senator Stevens, at the request of the Joint Alaska Seafood Industry Task Force, has been scheduled in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee for March 9 and 1:30PM. The bill takes a meaningful step toward modernizing Alaska’s data infrastructure to better serve the state’s workforce, fisheries, education system, and policy-makers. It is heavily supported by ISER and will significantly improve policy making, based on data, throughout the state.   

Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF) Replenishment Rescheduled to March 9 on Senate Floor

 (HB289), is one of the most important bills moving this session. It includes the $129.6M  replenishment of the HEIF, which is critical for long term stability of the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS).  The APS is important for many young people in Alaska and helps fund their post-secondary education.  The bill has now been scheduled to be heard on the Senate floor on March 9.  

In order to replenish the HEIF, ¾ of the legislature (House and Senate) will need to support a draw from the Constitutional Budget Reserve. If the Senate approves the draw, the bill will return to the House for further consideration.     

Senate Bill 140 (SB140), the Legislation Supporting a State Fire Station Fund, Passes Senate 

 (SB140) passed the Senate on March 4.  It has been sent to the House Finance Committee.  The bill establishes the Fire Station Grant Program and promotes a robust partnership between local communities and the state to strengthen safety and security. This matching grant program provides funding for up to 50 percent of the total project cost for constructing or renovating fire stations.  Ů�źϼ�F’s fire station may be a recipient of these needed funds, once the money becomes available.  

Dr. Bridget Weiss Testifies on the University of Alaska College of Education Consortium in the Senate Education Committee

Dr. Weiss testified about the good work being done and highlighted a number of key issues for the Senate Education Committee.  Those issues included, but are not limited to: 

• Increased Fall 2026 enrollment at Ů�źϼ�F (up 85 students from Fall 2025) 

• Ů�źϼ�S developing Masters of Arts in Teaching, Indigenous Languages 

• Progress with Ů�źϼ�A’s apprenticeship program

A full review of the Senate Education Committee presentation can be found .

Ů�źϼ�F Drone Program Presents to Legislature

Ů�źϼ�F’s Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft System Integration (ACŮ�źϼ�SI) was before the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday to talk about the future of innovation in Alaska and how ACŮ�źϼ�SI is partnering with businesses, government, tribal health consortiums, and others to move Alaska forward. 

The presentation from Dr. Catherine Cahill, ACŮ�źϼ�SI Director, and John Robinson, Deputy Director, can be viewed on .  

Ů�źϼ� Foundation Board of Directors Meets in Juneau at Ů�źϼ�S

The  made their annual visit to Ů�źϼ�S for their Spring Board meeting.  

At the meeting, they welcomed four new Board members:

• Bill Bailey - Vice President, Business Development Officer, Northrim Bank

• Tanya Kaquatosh - Chief Operating Officer, Doyon, Limited

• Amy Cook - Fairbanks Manager, TOTE Maritime Alaska

• Melissa Kookesh - Permit Facilitator, Alaska Broadband Office Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, State of Alaska

Public Testimony

The House Finance Committee will be taking public testimony on the state operating budget next week. The schedule below shows the dates and times when Alaskans from across the state can call in to share their thoughts on the budget. 

Committee call in numbers: 

• From Anchorage: (907) 563-9085
• From Juneau: (907) 586-9085
• All other callers: (844) 586-9085

Remember that the Executive Branch Ethics Act, and Board of Regents’ policy set limits on partisan political activities by university employees. This "" provides a brief yet comprehensive overview of the guidelines aimed at avoiding potential issues concerning political activity.  

What We’re Watching

Monday, March 9

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Subcommittee Closeout Reports.

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Subcommittee Closeout Reports. 

• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: : Retirement Systems; Defined Benefit Option. Testimony from Ů�źϼ�A’s Institute of Social and Economic Research. 

• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Labor & Commerce: : Employment Information Disclosure. 

Tuesday, March 10

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Subcommittee Closeout Reports. 

Wednesday, March 11

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : Retirement Systems; Defined Benefit Option. 

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. 

  • Public Testimony: Juneau, Sitka, Petersburg, Delta Junction, Dillingham, Glennallen, Valdez, Wrangell, Homer, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Seward, Tok, Off-Net Callers. 

• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Labor & Commerce: Presentation: Ů�źϼ�F’s Integrated Workforce Development Pipeline: From Technical Training to Engineering Leadership by William Schnabel, Dean, Ů�źϼ�F College of Engineering and Mines; Kevin Alexander, Dean, Ů�źϼ�F Community and Technical College.

• 4:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. 

  • Public Testimony: Off-Net Callers. 

Thursday, March 12

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate University of Alaska Finance Subcommittee: FY27 Budget Request. 

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. 

  • Public Testimony: Fairbanks, Kenai, Bethel, Cordova, Kotzebue, Nome, Utqiagvik, Off-Net Callers. 

Friday, March 13

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. 

  • Public Testimony: Anchorage, Mat-Su, Off-Net Callers. 

February 27, 2026

Ů�źϼ� House Finance Subcommittee, Led by Rep. Galvin, Nears Wrap-Up; Ů�źϼ� Officials and Advocates Encourage Stability; Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF) Replenishment Remains in Supplemental Budget Package

As the Ů�źϼ� House Finance Subcommittee winds down, committee members heard more about public safety and student mental health requests on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. In addition, “filling workforce need” was discussed, with an emphasis on training future educators.  

Concurrently, lawmakers were visited by students, faculty, and staff from across the University of Alaska system this week. Ů�źϼ� advocates met with legislators to talk about the importance of stable state support for the university, which includes fully funding compensation for all Ů�źϼ� employees, addressing rising fixed costs and deferred maintenance needs, expanding student mental health services, and repaying the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF) to protect student scholarships. 

Ů�źϼ� House Finance Subcommittee Scheduled to Close-out on Monday, March 2, 2026

The Ů�źϼ� has been working very closely with Rep. Galvin’s office throughout the duration of the subcommittee process in the House. Her leadership, even in a very tight budget scenario, has been appreciated by all. Her passion for young people and educators in Alaska is well known! 

Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF) Remains in Supplemental Budget Package, Debates About Long Term Funding Remain 

The $129.6 million the governor put forward to repay the HEIF was part of the supplemental budget package that the House voted on earlier this week when  was on the floor. 24 out of 40 total House members voted in favor of accessing the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund (CBR) (which requires a ¾ vote, or 30 out of 40, for access). So, at this time, there was not enough support to access the CBR, although the components of HB289 remain and move forward in the legislative process.    

HB 289 has now been sent to the Senate, where senators will have the opportunity to consider and vote on the bill. If the Senate makes changes to the bill, it will be sent back to the House for another vote. 

Replenishing the HEIF for long term sustainability continues to be a major priority for university stakeholders across Alaska, including students who rely on those funds to pay for their education. Ů�źϼ� will continue emphasizing the importance of making this fund whole as the legislative session progresses. 

Ů�źϼ� Lands Director Stolpe in Juneau for High Level Meetings as State Processes Outstanding University Land Grant Allotments

Ů�źϼ� Land Management Director Adrienne Stolpe met with the Department of Natural Resource leadership and key legislators about State fulfillment of the outstanding 360,000 acres due to the Ů�źϼ� to fulfill its land grant allotment. The timing is important. Efforts now are critical to ensure year-end deadlines are met, as required by the  allowing the land transfers.

ANSEP 30th Anniversary Honored by Senator Dunbar

Senator Dunbar recognized the 30th anniversary of the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) with a legislative honorarium, which was also co-sponsored by Senator Hoffman and Representative Dibert. Senator Dunbar presented the honorary citation at the ANSEP Building on the Ů�źϼ�A campus last Friday, where dozens of students, staff, and faculty gathered to celebrate ANSEP’s success.

Senator Olson Hosts ANSEP Lunch & Learn

ANSEP leaders, alumni, and students were in the Capitol this week, meeting with legislators, and providing an informational Lunch and Learn hosted by Senator Olson on Thursday. Lunch and Learn attendees heard about the opportunities offered by the ANSEP program, which supports student success all the way from kindergarten through PhDs. A recording of the Lunch and Learn presentation can be viewed on 

Senate Committees Hear from Ů�źϼ�F Experts

On Wednesday, representatives from Ů�źϼ�F’s  (ACMC) were invited to update the Senate Resources Committee on the Alaska Critical Minerals Accelerator, an opportunity to leverage $160 million from the federal National Science Foundation (NSF) to increase domestic critical mineral production in the U.S. through innovation and cost-reducing technologies, which will also help strengthen Alaska’s economy by expanding research, workforce, and resource development opportunities. 

The ACMC is requesting $3 million in state support this year to help unlock the $160 million award from the NSF, which Alaska is one of a few remaining finalists for. Wednesday’s Senate Resources Committee hearing can be viewed . 

On Thursday, the Senate Special Committee on Arctic Affairs heard from Gwen Holdmann, Chief Scientist and Program Lead for Ů�źϼ�F’s Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP). Committee members received an update on nuclear energy technologies and opportunities to bring nuclear energy to Alaska, with a focus on addressing the extremely high cost of energy in rural Alaska in particular.

Legislators continue to rely on ACEP’s expertise and research when these discussions about Alaska’s energy costs and needs arise. The committee presentation can be rewatched . 

What We’re Watching

Monday, March 2

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : Appropriations: Supplemental. 
• 9:00 a.m. - House University of Alaska Finance Subcommittee: Budget Closeout. 
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. : Appropriations: Capital, Funds, Supplemental, Reappropriations. 
• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: : Retirement Systems; Defined Benefit Option. 
• 3:15 p.m. - House Labor & Commerce: : Employer Contributions. 
• 3:30 p.m. - Senate Education: : Museum Construction Grants. 

Tuesday, March 3

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : Appropriations: Supplemental. 
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. : Appropriations: Capital, Funds, Supplemental, Reappropriations. 
• 1:30 p.m. - House Transportation: Presentation: Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft System Integration (ACŮ�źϼ�SI) and Future of Innovation in Alaska by Dr. Catherine Cahill, Director, and John Robinson, Deputy Director, Ů�źϼ�F ACŮ�źϼ�SI. 

Wednesday, March 4

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Presentation: Budget Amendments and Updated Fiscal Summary by Legislative Finance Division. 
• 3:30 p.m. - Senate Education: Presentation: University of Alaska College of Education Consortium by Dr. Bridget Weiss, Ů�źϼ� Liaison to the Alaska College of Education. 

Thursday, March 5

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.

Friday, March 6

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Subcommittee Closeout Report. 

February 20, 2026

House Advances Supplemental Budget with Critical Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF) Repayment; Ů�źϼ� Outlines Highest Budget Priorities in House Subcommittee; Legislators Meet with Ů�źϼ�S/Ů�źϼ�A/Ů�źϼ�F Alumni in Juneau 

The budget to cover cost overruns for the current fiscal year advanced to the House Floor this week, where members debated some amendments to the bill, but a final vote on the supplemental budget will not take place until next week. 

The supplemental budget bill, , contains the nearly $130 million repayment to the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF) that university voices have been advocating for throughout this legislative session. In order to pay those funds back, HB 289 requires a three-quarter vote, or thirty out of forty total votes in the House, to access the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund (CBR), which is essentially the state’s last remaining savings account. 

The three-quarter vote is a high threshold to reach and one that often becomes a sticking point during the budget process, but along with repaying the HEIF, this fast-track supplemental bill would also fund disaster relief efforts related to Typhoon Halong recovery and the “meet the match” DOT funds for the summer construction season, which are both huge priorities for individuals and businesses across the state. 

The House floor vote on HB 289 is expected to take place as early as Monday. 

Ů�źϼ� House Finance Subcommittee on FY27 Budget Requests

At the start of this week, the University of Alaska House Finance Subcommittee held its second meeting, during which members heard details on Ů�źϼ� budget requests for employee compensation, public safety, student mental health services, and strategies to increase recruitment, retention, and graduation. Also highlighted during the presentation was the university’s teacher preparation programs, which are of particular interest to subcommittee Chair Alyse Galvin, who is focused on strengthening the state’s K-12 education system. 

The third House Ů�źϼ� subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 23 at 9:00 a.m. In that meeting, the Ů�źϼ� team will address questions posed by members during the previous meeting and share an overview of the university’s critical role in meeting Alaska’s workforce needs. 

SB140, the Fire Station Grant Program Bill, Advances

Senator Stedman’s  moved to the Senate Rules Committee.  This is the last committee of referral before a potential vote on the Senate floor.  This bill has the potential to secure the funding needed for fire stations across the state, including at Ů�źϼ�F.  

Rep. Carrick Honors the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences

Dean Brad Moran, from Ů�źϼ�F’s College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS), will receive a 65th Anniversary Legislative Citation on behalf of the college today in the Capitol, sponsored by Rep. Carrick. Since its creation in 1960, CFOS has developed into a regional and world-class research center, built strong graduate and undergraduate education programs, and provided outstanding service to the state and the nation in fisheries and marine sciences, research and workforce development.

University Alumni Visit Juneau 

Alumni from Ů�źϼ�S, Ů�źϼ�F, and Ů�źϼ�A were in the Capitol this week talking to Senators and Representatives about Ů�źϼ� priorities and urging support for university funding and priorities.   

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What We’re Watching

Monday, February 23

• 9:00 a.m. - House University of Alaska Finance Subcommittee: Presentation: Budget Overview.
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Alaska Innovation Council. 

Tuesday, February 24

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.

Wednesday, February 25

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.
• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: : Appropriations: Supplemental.
• 3:30 p.m. - Senate Education: : University of Alaska Fees. 
• 3:30 p.m. - Senate Resources: Presentation: Critical Minerals & Accelerator Project by Dr. Lee Ann Munk, Director, Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative. 

Thursday, February 26

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. : Appropriations: Capital, Funds, Supplemental, Reappropriations. : Appropriations: Supplemental. 
• Public Testimony for Juneau, Southeast, Prince William Sound, Kodiak, Off-Net Callers.
• 12:00 p.m. - Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) sponsored by Senator Olson. 
• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Arctic Affairs: Presentation: Rural Energy Costs and Nuclear Power Generation by Gwen Holdmann, Chief Scientist, Program Lead, Ů�źϼ�F Alaska Center for Energy and Power.   
• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. : Appropriations: Capital, Funds, Supplemental, Reappropriations. : Appropriations: Supplemental. 
• Public Testimony for Nome, Bethel, Kotzebue, Utqiagvik, Unalaska, Dillingham, Off-Net Callers. 

Friday, February 27

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. : Appropriations: Capital, Funds, Supplemental, Reappropriations. : Appropriations: Supplemental. 
• Public Testimony for Fairbanks, Interior, Copper River Valley, Off-Net Callers. 
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.
• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. : Appropriations: Capital, Funds, Supplemental, Reappropriations. : Appropriations: Supplemental. 
• Public Testimony for Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Kenai Peninsula. 

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February 13, 2026

Ů�źϼ� Budget Continues Forward, Emphasizes Stability; Ů�źϼ�F Presents on Agriculture and Voices Support for Fire Station Construction & Renovation Bill; President Pitney Joins Rep. Andrew Gray on Podcast 

House to Continue Review of Ů�źϼ� Budget

The University of Alaska House Finance Budget Subcommittee will hold its second meeting on Monday, February 16 at 9:00 a.m. While the subcommittee’s first meeting focused on reviewing the impacts of prior year state spending reductions to the university, the next meeting will highlight Ů�źϼ�’s most critical funding requests for the upcoming fiscal year. 

Full funding for Ů�źϼ� employee compensation is the top priority amongst the budget requests approved by the Board of Regents. While the governor included partial funding for compensation in his December budget, securing the full funding for Ů�źϼ� employees is critical to maintaining stability for students, staff, and faculty. The Ů�źϼ� team and voices across the university will continue emphasizing the importance of stable state funding as the budget process progresses. 

Food Security Week Brings Ů�źϼ�F Experts to Juneau

Leaders with Ů�źϼ�F’s Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Extension (IANRE) were in the Capitol this week to update legislators on the critical research being done to support agriculture in Alaska and strengthen food systems in the state. IANRE is involved in communities all across the state, helping Alaskans apply innovative and efficient techniques to everything from farming to forestry in our unique Arctic environment. 

In addition to meeting with dozens of legislators individually, IANRE Director Jodie Anderson and Cooperative Extension Service Director Jenn Wagaman presented before both the  and the  this week. Lawmakers, many of whom are looking for ways to expand the production and availability of Alaska-grown products, continue to express their appreciation for the work being done at IANRE and the informative updates Jodie and Jenn provide. 

Senate Bill (SB140), which Creates a Matching Grant Program for Fire Station Construction and Renovation, Heard in the Senate Finance Committee on Feb. 11

 is sponsored by Sen. Stedman and establishes the Fire Station Grant Program. The matching grant program provides funding for up to 50 percent of the total project cost for constructing or renovating fire stations. Ů�źϼ�F Fire Chief Forrest Kuiper helped raise a voice of support on this matter and the Ů�źϼ� continues to support this bill moving forward.  

President Pitney Joins Rep. Andrew Gray for his Podcast

President Pitney sat down with Rep. Gray for a wide-ranging conversation about her life. The links to the episode “Pat Pitney: President of the University of Alaska System” can be found here: 

What We’re Watching

Monday, February 16

• 9:00 a.m. - House University of Alaska Finance Subcommittee: Presentation: Overview of FY27 Ů�źϼ� Budget. 
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Supplemental. : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. : Appropriations: Capital, Funds, Supplemental, Reappropriations. 
• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Labor & Commerce: : Employer Contributions. 
• 3:15 p.m. - House Labor & Commerce: Presentation: Non-Resident Workers in Alaska by Dan Robinson, Research Chief, Department of Labor and Brett Watson, Institute of Social and Economic Research, Ů�źϼ�A. 

Tuesday, February 17

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : Fire Station Grant Program.
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Supplemental. : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.

Wednesday, February 18

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Supplemental.
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.

Thursday, February 19

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: Presentation: Amendments by Office of Management and Budget. 
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: Overview: Governor’s Budget Amendments by Office of Management and Budget. Overview: Zero-Based Budgeting by Office of Management and Budget. 

Friday, February 20

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.

February 6, 2026

Legislators Take First Look at University of Alaska FY27 Budget

Current Ů�źϼ�F Student Government Leaders Voice Concerns Over House Bill 176 (HB176), an Act Related to Ů�źϼ� Student Fees and Billing

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney was in Juneau this week to present in front of the Ů�źϼ� House Finance Budget Subcommittee. Members of the subcommittee received a recap of the Ů�źϼ� budget approved by the legislature last year, which contained some spending reductions, and heard how those reductions impacted the Ů�źϼ� system. 

President Pitney also provided an overview of the budget requests approved by the Board of Regents for the upcoming fiscal year, FY27, which begins July 1, 2026. The highest priority request for the Ů�źϼ� system this session is full funding for employee compensation. In the governor’s proposed budget, he included partial funding for Ů�źϼ�’s employee compensation request (approximately $6.5 million), but fully funding the $15.2 million total request for compensation would provide the most stability for the university system in an environment where both state and federal dollars are becoming increasingly limited and uncertain. 

Detailed information about university budget priorities can be found on the . 

Current Ů�źϼ�F Student Government Leaders Voice Concerns to Representative Carrick about House Bill 176 (HB176), an Act Related to Ů�źϼ� Student Fees and Billing Statements, as Bill Passes from the House Floor

 (HB 176) is sponsored by Representative Carrick.  The title of the bill is “An Act relating to notice of new fees and fee increases from the University of Alaska; relating to billing statements from the University of Alaska; and providing for an effective date.”

In a letter dated January 31, 2026, the Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (ASŮ�źϼ�F) shared their concerns:

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Dear Representative Carrick,  

First, we want to say thank you. Not just for your work as a legislator, but for the way you continue to show up for the University of Alaska and for students. It means a lot to us students to see someone who once sat in our seats now shaping policy at the state level. 

On behalf of the student body at Ů�źϼ�F, we wanted to reach out specifically regarding HB 176. We wanted to share how students are thinking about the practical implications of the bill as written, and how it could play out on campuses day to day. 

At a high level, students strongly support the values behind this bill. Transparency, accountability, and student protection around fees are all things we care about deeply. Where questions begin to surface is not around the “why,” but around the “how.”

Misinterpretation and Misplaced Outrage 

One concern that has surfaced repeatedly is how system-wide fee notifications might be interpreted by students. Because the University of Alaska operates as a single entity, many students would receive notices about fees that don’t apply to them or their campus. In practice, this could create confusion and, in some cases, misplaced frustration. A student might reasonably assume they are being charged more for a service they don’t use or don’t even have access to, simply because they received a notification about it. That misunderstanding has the potential to generate outrage where none is warranted, which ultimately undermines trust rather than strengthening it.

Message Fatigue 

Closely related to this concern is the risk of message fatigue. Students are already experiencing message fatigue due to the volume of fee-related and administrative communications they receive. When students are repeatedly alerted to fee changes that have little or no direct impact on their education, important messages can begin to blur together. Adding additional layers of mandatory fee communication would not solve this problem and instead risks pushing an already strained system past a breaking point, increasing the chance that students miss critical alerts about safety, academic deadlines, and opportunities. 

Local Governance and Context 

We’re also thinking carefully about how this framework interacts with existing governance structures. Many fee decisions are currently handled at the campus level, where context can be explained clearly and students have direct, meaningful avenues for feedback through student government and shared governance bodies. That local proximity really matters. It allows decisions to be shaped by the people most directly affected and informed by the realities of each campus. An additional bureaucratic barrier between students and the decisions that have the greatest impact on them could be introduced by centralizing fee communication. Since it gives more weight to system-wide notifications than to conversations at the campus level, it could inadvertently reduce the student voice in shared governance. 

Operational Delays  

Another concern is the potential for operational delays. If even small or time-sensitive fee adjustments must go through a full Board process, campuses may not be able to respond quickly enough to meet academic needs within a semester. In practice, this could mean delays in securing course materials, lab supplies, software licenses, or other required resources, or in some cases, students losing access to them altogether. While oversight is important, we worry that excessive procedural requirements could negatively affect the student learning experience.

Recommendations 

How HB 176 moves forward is ultimately your decision. If you choose to advance it, we respectfully offer the following recommendations to preserve the bill’s intent while reducing unintended impacts on students and campuses. 

● Establish a de minimis threshold 

Exempt minor, course-specific fee adjustments from triggering a 30-day notice requirement, particularly when changes are operational in nature and affect a small number of students. 

● Target notifications to impacted students 

Limit required fee notifications to students at the affected university or campus, rather than issuing system-wide notices that might cause confusion or misplaced concern.  

● Adopt a tiered transparency framework 

Maintain robust notice and Board-level oversight for mandatory, system-wide fees, while allowing campus-specific or course-level fees to be communicated individually by each university. 

We share these thoughts with a great deal of respect for the intent behind HB 176 and for the care you bring to student issues. Our hope is simply to highlight how students may experience this policy in practice, and where well-intentioned transparency could, without refinement, lead to confusion or unintended consequences. Thank you for taking the time to consider the student perspective. We appreciate your leadership and your continued willingness to engage directly with students and student government. 

Signed,

Jackson Nelson, ASŮ�źϼ�F President
Yan Vshynskyi, ASŮ�źϼ�F Vice President
Lilly Varney, ASŮ�źϼ�F Director of Public Relations
Brynn Illingworth, ASŮ�źϼ�F External Affairs Chair
Bonnie Brennan, ASŮ�źϼ�F Senate Chair

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HB 176 will now move to the Senate for consideration.

House Committee Hears Scholarship Fund Update from ACPE

The House Finance Education and Early Development Budget Subcommittee met this morning to receive an update on student financial aid from the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE). Kerry Thomas, ACPE Executive Director, shared information about Alaska Performance Scholarships (APS) and needs-based Alaska Education Grants (AEG), which are both funded from the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF). Director Thomas highlighted some of the challenges with providing funds to all eligible students due to increased demand and limited available funds. 

The conversation is timely as voices across the university continue advocating for the legislature to replenish the HEIF after approximately $130 million was drawn from the fund last year to balance the state’s budget. Paying back the HEIF is essential to providing stability for students who rely on these critical scholarships. 

This morning’s presentation from ACPE can be viewed . 

Ů�źϼ�F’s IANRE Invited to Present to House & Senate Committees

Experts from the Ů�źϼ�F Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Extension (IANRE) will be in Juneau next week to meet with lawmakers and present before the House Resources Committee and the Senate Special Committee on Arctic Affairs. IANRE Director Jodie Anderson and Communications Manager Jenn Wagaman will share information about the latest research and great work being done at IANRE to help farmers, gardeners, and Alaskans all across the state live healthier lives. 

Check the schedule below for details on the upcoming committee hearings and visit the  to watch any live or recorded legislative meetings. 

What We’re Watching

Monday, February 9

• 1:00 p.m. - House Resources: Presentation: Ů�źϼ�F Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Extension by Jodie Anderson, Director, and Jenn Wagaman, Communications Manager.

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.  

• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: : Retirement Systems; Defined Benefit Option. 

• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Labor & Commerce: : Public Employer Pension Contributions. 

Tuesday, February 10

• 8:00 a.m. - House Tribal Affairs: Presentation: Aviation Supply Chains for Fresh Food & Medicines to Off-Road Alaska by Mike Jones, Research Assistant Professor of Economics, Ů�źϼ�A ISER. 

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. : Appropriations: Supplemental. : Appropriations: Supplemental. 

Wednesday, February 11

• 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. 

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.

• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: : Fire Station Grant Program. 

Thursday, February 12

• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Special Committee on Arctic Affairs: Presentation: Ů�źϼ�F Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Extension by Jodie Anderson, Director. 

Friday, February 13

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Supplemental. : Appropriations: Supplemental. 

 

January 30, 2026

Governor Unveils Fiscal Plan, Ů�źϼ�A’s ISER Presents Research on “Alaska’s Fiscal Options” to Legislators; Ů�źϼ� House Subcommittee Moving Forward; Higher Education Investment Fund Replenishment Advancing 

The second week of the 2026 legislative session saw the introduction of a proposed fiscal plan package from Governor Dunleavy, continued committee hearings on the state operating budget, as well as a presentation in Juneau from Ů�źϼ�A’s Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) on the economic impact of various fiscal options the state could consider. 

Meanwhile, legislative meetings continue. The Ů�źϼ� budget team is working with Rep. Andy Josephson and Rep. Alyse Galvin to prepare for the upcoming Ů�źϼ� House subcommittee meetings. Areas of interest include Ů�źϼ� employee compensation requests and operating cost increases, with an emphasis on public safety, student mental health services, and recruitment, retention, and graduation.

Importantly, the House Finance Committee has publicly noticed a hearing to take up the fast-track supplemental budget, which includes necessary money to replenish $129.6 million to the HEIF.  This is a key student and future workforce priority.   

Governor Reveals Fiscal Plan Details

Governor Dunleavy introduced his fiscal plan package earlier this week, which consists of legislation that proposes a statewide sales tax, changes to the state’s corporate income tax and oil production taxes, as well as a new per-barrel surcharge for trans-Alaska pipeline corridor maintenance.

Alongside the tax legislation, the governor also introduced a constitutional amendment to combine the Permanent Fund’s earnings reserve account (ERA) with the corpus of the fund, which would limit the amount of funds that can be drawn from the ERA. The constitutional amendment, & , would also enshrine a “50/50” formula for the PFD, with 50% of the annual draw on the market value of the fund going toward dividends for all eligible Alaskans and the remaining 50% for government operations. 

The legislature has yet to begin formally reviewing the governor’s proposals, but the fiscal package is sure to generate significant debate and discussion this session. 

ISER Presents Fiscal Research to Legislators 

At the request of Governor Dunleavy’s administration, economists with Ů�źϼ�A’s Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) presented findings from their recent economic study to a packed audience at the Centennial Hall in Juneau. ISER researchers evaluated 11 primary fiscal options plus three variations. These included changes to state spending, broad based taxes, and business taxes. Nine of these options were selected to match those ISER evaluated in 2016. In addition, ISER modelled two new options related to business taxes. ISER also evaluated three variations of these options.

A recording of the ISER presentation can be viewed on . Detailed information about ISER’s research can be found on . 

New Bill Would Replenish Higher Education Investment Fund 

At the beginning of the week, the House Finance Committee introduced a separate “fast-track” supplemental appropriation bill, , which is meant to address a handful of high-priority funding needs for the current fiscal year, FY26. One of those needs is the replenishment of the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF), which is critical for the stability of student scholarships and grants.

Last year, the legislature used the HEIF to cover the state’s budget shortfall, resulting in $129.6 million being drawn from the fund. In order to ensure that stable, reliable funding is available for students who rely on Alaska Performance Scholarships and Alaska Education Grants to help pay for their education, repaying the HEIF is a critical need. 

Legislators have heard from many in the construction industry about the importance of quickly passing an appropriation bill to address the approximately $70 million in match funding that is needed to receive federal transportation dollars in advance of the summer construction season. As a result of that advocacy, the House Finance Committee introduced this fast-track bill to potentially resolve some of the more timely funding needs early on in session. The inclusion of the HEIF repayment in the fast-track bill is an encouraging step toward providing stability for students. 

What We’re Watching

Monday, February 2 

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. 
• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Labor & Commerce: : Public Employer Pension Contributions. 

Tuesday, February 3

• 12:00 p.m. - House University of Alaska Finance Subcommittee: Presentation: FY26 Mid-Year Status and FY27 Budget Overview by Pat Pitney, President of the University of Alaska. 

Wednesday, February 4

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: Overview: Governor’s FY26 Supplemental Budget by Office of Management and Budget. 
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Supplemental. : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Overview: FY26 Governor’s Supplemental Budget by Office of Management and Budget. 

Friday, February 6

• 8:00 a.m. - House Education & Early Development Finance Subcommittee: Presentation: AK Performance Scholarship & Education Grants by Kerry Thomas, Executive Director of Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education. 
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. 
  
  

 

January 23, 2026

Alaska Legislature Convenes in Juneau - Ů�źϼ� Recognized as Critical for Alaska’s Workforce

The Alaska State Capitol building is once again bustling with activity now that the 2026 legislative session has begun. Lawmakers got right to work, holding committee meetings, press conferences, convening a joint session to hold a veto override vote, and attending Governor Dunleavy’s final State of the State Address. 

There will be a number of important issues debated in the legislature this session, but the challenging fiscal circumstances the state continues to face will dominate many discussions. Governor Dunleavy has said he intends to introduce a fiscal plan package, but the details of his plan have yet to be fully revealed. 

The University of Alaska State Relations team has been busy in Juneau this week connecting with legislators, staff, and the administration to discuss Ů�źϼ� priorities. Conversations about the university’s budget are already underway with members of both the House and Senate finance committees and in the coming weeks, the first Ů�źϼ� budget subcommittee meetings will begin. President Pitney is scheduled to present her FY27 Ů�źϼ� budget overview to the House on Feb. 3. 

Governor Delivers Final State of the State Address

Last night, Governor Dunleavy gave his final to the legislature. During his speech, the governor highlighted some of the accomplishments his administration has achieved over the course of his two terms, as well as some objectives he hopes to achieve before he leaves office next year. One of those objectives is to implement the fiscal plan that his administration is developing. While he has not introduced the legislation yet, Governor Dunleavy has discussed some of the components of his plan. 

The plan is rumored to include stricter limits on state spending, changes to oil taxes, and potentially even a statewide sales tax, but the specifics are still unknown while the legislature awaits the release of this fiscal package. 

The AKLNG project also was discussed. This coincided with a same-day announcement from Glenfarne, the project lead, that Phase One of the project is advancing from development to execution. Gas Sales Precedent Agreements with Hilcorp and ExxonMobil were highlighted by Glenfarne, during that announcement.  The Ů�źϼ� will continue to be heavily involved in the conversations regarding workforce needs, including welding, diesel mechanics, engineers, carpenters, and logistics professionals, among others. 

ISER to Present New Economic Research in Juneau at the Request of the Governor

On January 29, Ů�źϼ�A’s Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) will present their analysis of state fiscal options at an event in Juneau organized by the Governor’s office, which is expected to have many legislators in attendance. The event will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at Centennial Hall in Juneau. 

Dr. Brett Watson will present a 45-minute overview of the requested research, followed by a discussion with co-authors Dr. Brock Wilson, Dr. Mike Jones and Dr. Spencer Perry, who will answer questions from legislators and, if time permits, members of the public. Dr. Diane Hirshberg, ISER Director, will moderate.

Following the presentation, ISER will make available an overview of the research on the ISER website: . 

Greater Fairbanks Chamber Supports HEIF Stability

The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to legislators in support of replenishing the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF), which was partially depleted last year when it was used to cover the state’s budget deficit. Replenishing the HEIF is a high priority that is critically important to keeping Alaskan students in Alaska, making post-secondary education more affordable for students, and meeting the needs of Alaska’s workforce. The following message was sent to all sixty legislators earlier today:

“Dear Honorable Members of the Alaska State Legislature,

The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce strongly supports replenishing the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF), which was drawn down last year. HEIF is a critical investment in Alaska’s workforce and long-term economic competitiveness. We respectfully urge you to support the Governor’s proposal to replenish $129.5 million to the HEIF through the FY26 Supplemental Budget.

Replenishing the HEIF from the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund is essential to maintaining stability in Alaska’s postsecondary education and workforce development system. A healthy HEIF ensures continued support for programs that help Alaskans pursue education and training beyond K–12—keeping talent in-state and preparing students for high-demand, in-demand careers.

Programs supported by HEIF, including the Alaska Performance Scholarship, play a vital role in strengthening Alaska’s workforce pipeline. These programs directly benefit employers by helping develop a skilled, job-ready workforce aligned with the needs of Alaska businesses across industries.

As the business community continues to face significant workforce shortages, every available tool should be used to help stabilize and grow Alaska’s workforce. Reinvesting in HEIF is a practical, forward-looking step to help mitigate these ongoing challenges. Students supported through HEIF-funded programs often fill essential part-time positions while pursuing their education; roles that are critical to keeping small businesses operating and communities functioning.

We respectfully request your support and leadership on this issue to help strengthen Alaska’s workforce pipeline and support continued economic growth statewide.

Sincerely,

GREATER FAIRBANKS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE”

Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program Supporting Next Generation of Fishermen in Juneau

The Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit convened in Juneau and held a reception, supported by Representative Stutes on Jan. 21. The Alaska Sea Grant Advisory Program (Ů�źϼ�F) is a key contributor to the conversation as Alaska thinks about the next generation of people interested in the fishing industry, which is one of Alaska’s most important sectors.  

What We’re Watching

Monday, January 26

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: Governor’s FY27 Budget Request by Office of Management and Budget. 

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: Presentation: FY26 Vetoes by Office of Management and Budget. 
• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Labor & Commerce: : Retirement Systems; Defined Benefit Option. 

Tuesday, January 27

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: Governor’s Veto Overview/Discussion: Office of Management and Budget, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. 
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: Overview: Governor’s FY27 Budget by Legislative Finance Division. 

Wednesday, January 28

• 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: Overview: Governor’s FY27 Budget Request by Legislative Finance Division. 
• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: Presentation: Statewide 2026 Jobs Forecast and Unemployment Insurance Financing Metrics by Department of Labor and Workforce Development. 
• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Labor & Commerce: : Retirement Systems; Defined Benefit Option. PERS/TRS Retirement & Medical Eligibility. 

Friday, January 30

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: Presentation: Savings, Reserves, and Investments by Department of Revenue.
• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Labor & Commerce: : Retirement Systems; Defined Benefit Option.  

Helpful Resources

To learn more about issues important to the University of Alaska and Ů�źϼ� priorities for the upcoming legislative session, take a look at the Ů�źϼ� Advocacy Materials page. We’ll continue to keep you up to date with our weekly Capitol Report on what’s happening in Juneau. 

 

January 16, 2026

Second Session of the 34th Alaska Legislature Begins January 20, 2026

Next week marks the start of the 2026 legislative session, which will begin on Tuesday, January 20 at 1:00 p.m. when both the House and Senate are scheduled to gavel in. 

Since this is the second year of the two-year legislative cycle, all of the bills introduced last year that have yet to pass are still “alive” this year, meaning the legislature can pick up right where it left off at the end of last session. However, there are a few things that are different from last year, including some new legislators, different caucus leadership, and the latest budget proposal from Governor Dunleavy for Fiscal Year 2027. 

New House and Senate Members

Senators Shelley Hughes (R-Palmer) and Mike Shower (R-Wasilla) recently resigned from their seats in order to run for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively. This left two vacant seats in the Senate, which were filled by Representatives Cathy Tilton (R-Wasilla) and George Rauscher (R-Sutton), who were both appointed by the governor. The vacancies in the House created by the departure of Reps. Tilton and Rauscher were filled by two new members, Steve St. Clair (R-Wasilla) and Garret Nelson (R-Sutton), who were also appointed by Governor Dunleavy and confirmed by a vote of their colleagues. 

Minority Caucuses Select New Leaders

The House Minority Caucus, made up of 19 republican members, selected Representative DeLena Johnson (R-Palmer) to be their new minority leader. With Rep. Johnson now leading the caucus, she intends to give up her seat on the House Finance Committee and be replaced by her fellow caucus member, Rep. Elexie Moore (R-Wasilla). 

On the Senate side, the six-member Senate Minority Caucus selected Senator Mike Cronk (R-Tok) to be the new leader of their caucus. Senator Cronk currently serves on the Senate Finance Committee and is expected to keep that committee seat, but there will be some other changes to committee membership in both the Senate and House now that both bodies have new members. After the legislature convenes next week, one of the first actions they take will be to finalize committee assignments. 

Governor Proposes FY27 Budget

Last month, the governor released his proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, FY27, which begins on July 1, 2026. His budget reflects the challenging fiscal environment the state continues to grapple with, which has led to reduced funding for state services and very few dollars available for infrastructure needs in the state’s capital budget. 

Of the funding requests approved by the Ů�źϼ� Board of Regents, only a portion of the compensation increase request was funded by the governor, with $6.5 million out of the $15.2 million total state funding request included in his budget. This document provides a helpful overview of the differences between the budget approved by the Board of Regents and the proposal put forth by the governor. 

The governor did include approximately $130 million in his budget to replenish the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF), which is a critical fund for students who rely on scholarships and needs-based grants in order to fund their education. Last year, the legislature used the HEIF to cover the state’s budget deficit, but the long-term health of the HEIF hinges on that money being repaid. This is an issue that’s very important to both current and future students, as well as faculty, staff, and communities across the state that are working hard to keep Alaskan students in Alaska. 

The legislature will begin examining the governor’s proposed budget next week. The Ů�źϼ� team looks forward to working closely with the legislature and the governor as the budget process gets underway. 

What We’re Watching

Wednesday, January 21

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: Presentation: Production Forecast, Department of Natural Resources.

Thursday, January 22

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: Presentation: Revenue Forecast, Department of Revenue. 

Friday, January 23

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: Overview: Governor’s FY27 Operating Budget. 
• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Labor & Commerce: : Retirement Systems; Defined Benefit Option. 

Helpful Resources

To learn more about issues important to the University of Alaska and Ů�źϼ� priorities for the upcoming legislative session, take a look at the Ů�źϼ� Advocacy Materials page. We’ll continue to keep you up to date with our weekly Capitol Report on what’s happening in Juneau.