Juneau — The First Regular Session of the 34th Alaska State Legislature has concluded. Throughout the session, members of the Alaska House Republican Caucus worked to provide a creditable alternative to and fight against the Democrat Majority polices. Our policies and efforts aimed to promote fiscal responsibility, maximize development of our natural resources and limit the size of government.
The House Republicans also exposed a missed opportunity by the Democrat House Majority: their failure to meaningfully engage with energy issues in committee or bring forward serious solutions. While they wasted months chasing symbolic climate goals via a single bill (HB153) that would have forced utilities to use more expensive green energy, they offered no real solutions. This was an unfortunate but albeit predictable outcome.
Multiple bills sponsored by House Republican members were passed with broad support, including legislation to improve public safety, streamline government programs, and better support veterans, families, and small businesses. Other bills we sponsored enhanced infrastructure, reduced regulatory burdens, and brought greater transparency to government spending.
House Republicans also passed resolutions and amendments that reflect Alaska’s priorities, supporting key energy projects like the Alaska LNG pipeline, urging action on workforce development, and reinforcing the importance of national defense and public safety. We advanced improvements to the state budget by offering targeted reductions, eliminating unfunded positions, giving access to veteran retirement access, and state defense readiness. We also worked to make the state’s vehicle rental tax system more efficient and equitable.
Whether it was blocking a dangerous elections bill, upholding the veto of the irresponsible education funding bill HB 69, advocating for increased infrastructure investment, helping move forward legislation that raised the age of sexual consent from 16 to 18 while preserving appropriate legal protections for young people, or putting forward smarter budgeting practices, the House Republican Caucus stood firm in defense of what most Alaskans truly want: a responsible government that listens, protects liberty, and builds a stronger future without leaving them behind.
Resource Development:
- Rep. George Rauscher (R-Sutton) introduced a 404 Primacy amendment, which would have initiated a process where the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) would assume “primacy” from the federal Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) over permitting development activities in wetlands restricted under section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
- Rep. Mia Costello (R-Anchorage) passed HJR18 Supporting the advancement of the Alaska LNG Project; and recognizing its vital role in Alaska’s economy. Sponsor Statement.
- Rep. George Rauscher (R-Sutton) – Amendment #2 to HB 153: Blocked implementation of any renewable energy project under the Renewable Portfolio Standard if it increased costs to ratepayers, ultimately protecting Alaskans from higher energy bills.
- Rep. George Rauscher (R-Sutton) introduced HJR7 Supporting and expressing gratitude to President Donald J. Trump for the Executive Order titled “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential”
Safe Communities:
- Rep. Sarah Vance (Homer-R) introduced HB47 which criminalizes AI generated images of obscene child sexual abuse material. Sponsor Statement.
- Rep. Frank Tomaszewski (R-Fairbanks) introduced HB74 An Act establishing the crime of airbag fraud. Sponsor Statement.
- Rep. Julie Coulombe (R-Anchorage) introduced HB77. An Act making the theft of mail or an article within mail theft in the second degree. Sponsor Statement.
- Rep. Cathy Tilton (R-Wasilla) introduced HB 143. An Act relating to the privacy of firearm transactions.
Healthcare:
- Rep. Will Stapp (R-Fairbanks): House Bill 14 Repeals outdated programs for catastrophic illness and medical assistance for chronic and acute illnesses to better serve Alaskans.
- Rep. Dan Saddler (R-Chugiak/Eagle River) passed HCR4 which proclaims May 2025 as Myositis Awareness Month. Sponsor Statement.
- Rep. Mike Prax (R-North Pole) introduced HB96 which establishes the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board. Sponsor Statement.
- Rep. Mike Prax (R-North Pole) also introduced HB147, a bill that aims to reduce healthcare congestion and costs by expanding naturopathic care, require ongoing education, and establish mechanisms for license oversight. Sponsor Statement.
Supporting Veterans:
- Rep. George Rauscher (R-Sutton): House Bill 17 Allows Veterans who are totally and permanently disabled to access their accrued PERS retirement benefits without penalty. Sponsor Statement.
- Rep. Will Stapp (R-Fairbanks) passed HJR13 Urging the President of the United States to expand evacuation efforts for applicants with approved Special Immigrant Visas for Afghan Relocation Efforts.
- Rep. Jubilee Underwood (R-Wasilla) passed HCR6 Commemorating the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Sponsor Statement.
- Rep. David Nelson (R-Anchorage) introduced HJR20. It urges the United States Congress to establish hiring goals for apprentices and veteran apprentices for U.S. Department of Defense construction projects. Sponsor Statement.
Improving Education:
- Rep. Jeremy Bynum (R-Ketchikan) passed HJR5 Urging the United States Congress and the President of the United States to reinstate the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 and make the funding mechanism in the Act permanent.. Sponsor Statement.
- Fought Unfunded Spending: Successfully supported the Governor’s veto of HB 69, preventing a $1,000 BSA increase without a funding source or any education reform.
- Rep. Jamie Allard (R-Eagle River) introduced HB39. An Act relating to public school students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Sponsor Statement.
- Rep. Elexie Moore (R-Wasilla) introduced HB160. An Act relating to the terms of office of municipal school board members.
- Rep. Rebecca Schwanke (R-Copper River) introduced HB223. An act relating to special needs and intensive services funding for correspondence study programs.
Supporting small businesses and economic development:
- Rep. Kevin McCabe (R-Big Lake): House Bill 123 Known as the Turo Bill, HB123 fixes Alaska’s broken vehicle rental tax system with a smarter, fairer approach. Sponsor Statement.
- Rep. Bill Elam (R-Nikiski) introduced HJR26. Requesting that the United States Congress appropriate authorized federal workforce development funds to train state residents for the development, construction, and operation of the Alaska liquefied natural gas project. Sponsor Statement.
- Rep. Justin Ruffridge (R-Soldotna) introduced HB161 Support small businesses by addressing and correcting key issues stemming from Ballot Measure 1. Sponsor Statement.
Infrastructure:
- Rep. Kevin McCabe (R-Big Lake) passed HJR14 Supporting the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension and the Northern Rail Extension. Sponsor Statement.
- HB 65 – Alaska Railroad Revenue Bonds: Authorizes the Alaska Railroad Corporation to issue revenue bonds to replace the Seward passenger dock and terminal. Supported by the House Republican Caucus for its role in strengthening transportation infrastructure and boosting tourism and freight. Passed the House 36–0 with strong bipartisan support.
Helping and supporting Alaskans:
- Rep. Jeremy Bynum (R-Ketchikan): House Bill 75 HB 75 ensures that time spent in a U.S. merchant marine academy is treated the same as attending college, allowing Alaskans to pursue this vital technical training without losing their PFD eligibility. Sponsor Statement
- Rep. Mike Prax (R-North Pole) introduced HB11. An Act relating to contributions and donations from permanent fund dividends. Sponsor Statement.
- Rep. DeLena Johnson (R-Palmer) introduced HB202. An Act designating giant cabbage as the official state vegetable. Sponsor Statement.