On April 1, 2026, the Alaska State Senate unanimously passed SB 63, a bill which adds a sixth member to the Commission to represent the Unorganized Borough and extends the term limit to six years.
The Local Boundary Commission will now consist of one member from each judicial district, one member from the Unorganized Borough, and one state-appointed member. SB 63 also adds language to existing statute to ensure that “members from each judicial district maintain a principal place of abode and be registered to vote in a precinct in that district. The member from the Unorganized Borough must also reside principally and be registered to vote in a precinct in the Unorganized Borough.
The bill also allows the Commission to choose its Chair from among its members. Previously, the law mandated the Chair be the state-appointed member.
SB 63 is sponsored by Senator Mike Cronk (R-Tok/ Northway) and co-sponsored by Jesse Kiehl (D-Juneau) and George Rauscher (R-Sutton).
According to Senator Cronk, “This bill is rooted in the core principle that government should be built from the people up and not imposed from the State down.”
In a press release, the Senate Republicans stated that SB 63’s updates to the Local Boundary Commission’s rules and regulations “empower local communities and amplify Alaskan voices.”
