Capitol Report: February 27, 2026

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.

Ů�źϼ� Land Management Director Adrienne Stolpe in between meetings with legislators.

Ů�źϼ� Leaders, Including Students and Faculty Alliance, in Juneau

We love our faculty! Ů�źϼ� faculty from left to right: Ů�źϼ�A Professor Jackie Cason, Ů�źϼ�F Associate Professor Jennie Carroll, Ů�źϼ�S Associate Professor David Cox, Ů�źϼ�F Professor Debu Misra

Coalition of Students Leaders Visit Capitol Alaska’s future and present leaders (from left to right): Jackson Nelson, Arel Gutierrez, Senator (and former Speaker of the House) Tilton, Jessica DeRocher, Jonni Myers

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

Senator Dunbar delivers a legislative citation to ANSEP leadership

Many gathered in Anchorage for the celebration of ANSEP's 30th anniversary.

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.

Helpful Resources

To learn more about issues important to the University of Alaska and Ů�źϼ� priorities for the 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.

For more information, contact Director of State Relations for the University of Alaska System Chad Hutchison, cell 907-378-3946, email clhutchison@alaska.edu. You can also follow the University of Alaska Government Relations on our .