The first batch of bills that have been pre-filed for the upcoming legislative session are now published.
Among them, Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson has filed a bill to make it illegal for police officers to use chokeholds. She has also filed a bill relating to de-escalation procedures used by police officers, and the reporting of misconduct of officers. Another of her bills relates to justification of use of force by police and would prohibit an officer shooting from a moving vehicle. Gray-Jackson has another bill establishing Juneteenth as a legal holiday.
Rep. George Rauscher of the Mat-Su has a bill that would provide for audits of the CARES Act funds that have been expended for community assistance programs and to municipalities. Rauscher also has a bill that would relocate the place that the Legislature meets from Juneau to Anchorage.
Rep. DeLena Johnson has a bill to add cybersecurity attacks affecting critical infrastructure to the list of crises that are included in the official definitions of disasters.
Rep. Andy Josephson has reintroduced a bill adding more duties to the State Commission for Human Rights, to prevent discrimination based on gender identity or expression.
Rep. Sarah Hannan has an income tax bill that has many complicated provisions relating to various forms of income.
Rep. Daniel Ortiz has a bill to move Alaska to Alaska Standard Time throughout the year.
There are also bills relating to abortion, the Alaska Judicial Council, restricting of binding caucuses in the Legislature, and more.
Must Read Alaska will be combing through the list and providing more detail, but readers can begin their own research at this link:
A second batch of pre-filed bills will be published next week.
