The Select Committee on Legislative Ethics has two public member appointments expiring in 2026 and is soliciting applications from anyone interested in serving on the committee. Public members are selected by the Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court and ratified by two thirds of the full membership of the legislature. Public members serve a three-year term.
The Legislative Ethics Committee was instituted by the Legislative Ethics Act, which seeks to hold legislators accountable to “high moral and ethical standards” in order to “assure the trust, respect, and confidence of the people of this state.” The Legislative Ethics Act was first made law in 1984 and underwent a major rewrite in 1992 that restructured the Ethics Committee from having three public members and six legislators to having five public members and four legislators.
Currently seated on the Legislative Ethic Committee: Public members Conner Thomas, Joyce Anderson, Skip Cook, Deb Fancher, Carl White; Senate President Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) and Senator Rob Yundt (R-Wasilla); and Representatives Kevin McCabe (R-Big Lake) and Alyse Galvin (NA-Anchorage).
Joyce Anderson and Skip Cook may either be replaced or reconfirmed for another term. All four legislators will either be replaced or reconfirmed at the beginning of the 2027 legislative session.
The Legislative Ethics Committee is involved in a dispute that went to the Alaska Supreme Court, and which may reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Former Senator Lora Reinbold sued the State and the Legislative Ethics Committee after a complaint was filed alleging she blocked a constituent from her official Facebook page and removed the constituent’s comments. Reinbold argued that her rights to due process were violated in the proceedings conducted by the Legislative Ethics Committee. The Alaska Supreme Court ruled that due process was not violated. Reinbold’s legal team is considering appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Apply to be a public member of the committee by sending a letter of interest along with a resume to:
Chief Justice Susan Carney
Alaska Supreme Court
303 K St.
Anchorage, AK 99501
Include your political party affiliation as noted on your voter registration on file with the Alaska Division of Elections. Applications (letters of interest and resumes) should be submitted before November 30, 2026, to allow time for evaluation and processing.
Inquiries and letters of interest may be sent to [email protected] for processing.
The Chief Justice will forward appointees to the legislature in January for ratification.
If applicants have questions about the committee, please contact the administrator at 907-269-0150 or [email protected].
