The second regular session of the Alaska 34th Legislature comes to a close tomorrow, May 20, 2026. Here is a summary of what bills have passed the 34th State Legislature during its second session and were signed into law by Governor Dunleavy, which bills passed but were vetoed, and which bills have been transmitted to the Governor but await signature.
Passed and Signed into Law
There are 3 bills that passed and were signed into law during the 34th State Legislature’s second regular session: HB 33, SB 40, and HB 289.
HB 33: “An Act relating to participation in matters before the Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game by the members of the respective boards; and providing for an effective date.”
House Bill 33 amends AS 39.52.120(b) to allow board members of the Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game to deliberate but not vote on a matter in which they have a personal or financial interest. Prior to this law, board members were prohibited from deliberating in these matters where they have a conflict of interest.
A long list of fishing and hunting groups and individuals supported the bill, claiming the current law as written often prevents the board member with the most expertise on a certain issue from weighing in. Three letters in opposition were submitted to the Legislature, arguing that allowing board members to deliberate on matters in which they have a personal or financial interest loosens the Boards’ ethical standards and creates unfair advantage.
The bill was sponsored by Representative Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak) and cosponsored by Representatives Rebecca Himshoot (NA-Sitka) and Sara Hannan (D-Juneau). It passed the House 28-12 during the first session of the 34th Legislature and then passed the Senate 15-4 (1 excused) during the second session. It was signed by Governor Dunleavy and became effective on April 30, 2026.
SB 40: “An Act establishing the period between September 15 and October 15 of each year as Hispanic Heritage Month.”
Senate Bill 40 establishes Hispanic Heritage Month to be observed “observed by schools, community groups, and other public and private agencies and individuals with appropriate activities to honor and recognize the contributions that Hispanic Americans have made in the history and culture of this state and the United States.”
The bill was sponsored by Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson (D-Anchorage) and cosponsored by Representatives Andy Josephson (D-Anchorage) and Alyse Galvin (NA-Anchorage). It passed the Senate 20-0 during the first session and passed the House 36-3 (1 excused) during the second session. The Governor signed it into law May 11, 2026 and becomes effective August 6, 2026.
HB 289: “An Act making appropriations, including supplemental appropriations, capital appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; amending appropriations; capitalizing funds; and providing for an effective date.”
House Bill 289 is the appropriations bill signed into law during the second regular session. A complete look at the State’s appropriated funds in this bill can be viewed here: HB0289Z
This bill was sponsored by the House Rules Committee by Request of the Governor. After several amendments, it passed the House 24-16. After amendments by the Senate, it was passed back to the House 20-0. After amendments in Conference Committee, the House passed the final version 40-0 and Governor Dunleavy signed the legislation on April 10, 2026.
Passed But Vetoed
There were 2 bills passed by the 34th State Legislature in its second session that were vetoed by Governor Dunleavy: HB 78 and SB 64.
HB 78: “An Act relating to the public employees’ retirement system and the teachers’ retirement system; and providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the public employees’ retirement system and the teachers’ retirement system.”
House Bill 78 attempted to reestablish a defined benefits retirement plan for public employees. It was sponsored by the House Finance Committee and passed the House 21-19. It then was passed 12-8 in the Senate after several amendments. The House concurred with the Senate’s amendments 21-18 and it was transmitted to the Governor’s Office. Dunleavy vetoed the legislation on May 18, 2026. A veto override was attempted but failed. The governor’s veto was sustained 33-17.
SB 64: “An Act relating to elections; relating to voters; relating to voting; relating to voter registration; relating to election administration; relating to campaign contributions; relating to write-in candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States; relating to the crimes of unlawful interference with voting in the first degree, unlawful interference with an election, and election official misconduct; relating to voter registration on permanent fund dividend applications; relating to the duties of the commissioner of revenue; and providing for an effective date.”
Senate Bill 64 attempted to reform Alaska’s election system to better enhance election integrity, security, and efficiency in Alaska. The bill was sponsored by the Senate Rules Committee. The bill passed the Senate 14-6. After amendments, it passed the House 23-16 (1 excused). The Senate concurred with amendments with a vote of 16-4 and transmitted it to the Governor’s Office. Dunleavy vetoed the bill on May 1, 2026. An override was attempted but the veto was sustained 38-22.
Transmitted to Governor
There are four bills that have been transmitted to the Governor and are currently awaiting either signature or veto:
| Bill | Prime Sponsor | Description | Full Text |
| HB 1 | Rep. Kevin McCabe (R-Big Lake) | “An Act relating to specie as legal tender in the state; and relating to borough and city sales and use taxes on specie.” | HB0001Z.PDF |
| HB 26 | Rep. Genevieve Mina (D-Anchorage) | “An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; and relating to a statewide public and community transit plan.” | HB0026Z.PDF |
| HB 48 | Rep. Sara Hannan (D-Juneau) | “An Act relating to appropriations to the civil legal services fund.” | HB0048Z.PDF |
| SB 192 | Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikisiki) | “An Act relating to evacuation designation levels; and relating to the Alaska Disaster Act.” | SB0192Z.PDF |
