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State/Local Government Watch
- HB 144, removing the sunset provision on education tax credits, is set for a hearing on April 22 at 9am in the House Finance Committee.
- HB 273, granting flexibility to the Alaska Housing Finance Corp. with respect to loan-to-value ratios, is set for a hearing on April 22 at 1:30pm in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.
- SB 257, creating an open-access power transmission network on the Railbelt, is scheduled for a hearing on April 22 at 1:30pm before the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.
- HB 253, relating to federally designated refrigerants, is scheduled for a hearing on April 22 at 1:30pm before the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.
- HB 226, relating to the Board of Pharmacy, patient choice and pharmacy benefits managers, is scheduled for a hearing on April 22 at 3:15pm before the House Labor and Commerce Committee.
- HB 187, which aims to reduce the wait time for certain health care services, is scheduled to be heard in the House Labor and Commerce Committee on April 22 at 3:15pm.
- HB 375, prohibiting restrictions on the energy source for motor vehicles, is scheduled to be heard in the House Labor and Commerce Committee on April 22 at 3:15pm.
- HJR 27, supporting U.S. trade policies that hold foreign adversaries accountable and reward domestic companies for environmental performance, is scheduled to be heard on April 22 at 3:15pm before the House Labor and Commerce Committee.
- HB 104, related to timber sales, is set for a hearing on April 22 at 3:30pm in the Senate Resources Committee.
- HB 50, related to carbon storage, is set for hearings on April 22 and April 24 at 3:30pm in the Senate Resources Committee.
- SB 77, allowing municipalities to tax blighted properties, is set for a hearing in the House Rules Committee on April 22 at 5:30pm.
- The Fairbanks City Council meets on April 22 at 5:30pm for a work session in council chambers to discuss the Downtown Fairbanks 2040 plan followed by a regular meeting when it will take up a series of resolutions, including a resolution related to economic development powers. View the agenda here: agenda_packet_04-22-2024.pdf (fairbanksalaska.us).
- HB 89, related to education tax credits, childcare tax credits and childcare subsidies, is set for a hearing on April 23 at 9am before the Senate Finance Committee.
- HB 349, creating a framework for leasing state land for renewable energy projects, is set to be heard before the House Energy Committee on April 23, 25 and 27 at 10:15am.
- HB 328, related to community energy facilities, is set to be heard April 23, 25 and 27 before the House Energy Committee at 10:15am.
- SB 152, increasing options for renewable energy development, is set to be heard April 23, 25 and 27 before the House Energy Committee at 10:15am.
- HB 233, adding time allowances to the schedule of compensation for warranty work on motor vehicles, is set to be heard in the House Transportation Committee on April 23 at 1pm.
- HB 332, relating to the sale of the Alaska Railroad Corp., is set for a hearing in the House Transportation Committee on April 23 1pm.
- SB 187, the capital budget, is set for hearings on April 23 and 23 at 1:30pm in the House Finance Committee.
- HB 155, establishing a statewide Military Affairs Commission, is set to be heard in the Senate Finance Committee on April 23 at 1:30pm.
- The FNSB Economic Development Commission meets on April 23 at 2:30pm in the Mona Lisa Drexler Borough Assembly Chambers and will discuss the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency program, updating the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and the local Housing Tax Incentive Program. View the agenda here: Economic Development Commission • Fairbanks North Star Borough • CivicClerk.
- The FNSB Planning Commission meets on April 23 at 6pm in the Mona Lisa Drexler Borough Assembly Chambers to make a recommendation to the Assembly about the Downtown Fairbanks 2040 development plan. View the agenda here: Planning Commission Meeting • Fairbanks North Star Borough • CivicClerk.
- HB 145, removing special exemptions allotted to certain lenders, is set for a hearing on April 24 at 9am before the House Finance Committee.
- HB 268, the 2024-2025 state operating budget, is scheduled to be before the Senate Finance Committee on April 24 at 9am.
- The FNSB Chena Riverfront Commission meets on April 24 at noon in the Mona Lisa Drexler Borough Assembly Chambers and will discuss pending riverfront projects along with the Downton Fairbanks 2040 development plan. View the agenda here: Chena Riverfront Commission Meeting • Fairbanks North Star Borough • CivicClerk.
- SB 161, creating a framework for more generous tax exemptions for farmland and structures, is scheduled to be heard on April 24 at 1pm in the House Resources Committee.
- HB 119, reducing the marijuana excise tax, is set to be heard on April 24 at 1:30pm before the House Finance Committee.
- HB 97, requiring storage facility owners to include specific information regarding the facility owner’s lien rights in the rental agreement, is set to be heard on April 24 at 1:30pm before the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.
- HB 325, making state business licenses free for the first year, is set to be heard on April 24 at 3:15pm before the House Labor and Commerce Committee.
- HB 307, redesigning electric utility cost-recovery practices to reduce rates, is scheduled for a hearing on April 25 at 10am before the House Finance Committee.
- HB 154, creating a “green bank” for financing opportunities for renewable energy projects, is scheduled for a hearing on April 25 at 10am before the House Finance Committee.
- SB 127, requiring vehicle rental platform companies, such as Turo and Getaround, to collect the existing state vehicle rental tax, is set to be heard on April 25 at 1pm in the House Transportation Committee.
- The FNSB Assembly meets on April 25 at 6pm in the Mona Lisa Drexler Borough Assembly Chambers and will discuss the woodstove changeout program, denial of local planning authority for the Chena Flood Control Bridge Replacement Project, establishing April 28 as Workers’ Memorial Day and more. View the agenda here: Regular Assembly Meeting • Fairbanks North Star Borough • CivicClerk.
- HB 368, creating a clean energy transferrable tax credit, is set to be heard on April 26 at 1:30pm before the House Finance Committee.
- HB 298, adding cancer to alcoholic beverage warning labels, is set to be heard on April 26 at 3:15pm before the House Labor and Commerce Committee.
- The FNSB Assembly tentatively reconvenes its Finance Committee to discuss the 2024-2025 operating budget on April 27 at 9am in the Mona Lisa Drexler Borough Assembly Chambers.
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ADVOCACY ACTIONS
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Advocacy Letters and Materials
Current Advocacy Actions
PRESS RELEASE: Top Priorities Announcement
Education & Workforce Development
- 2024 Support for SB 196, adding saliva tests to employee drug-testing statute
- 2024 Support for SB 183, Protecting the Workers' Compensation Benefits Guarantee Fund
- 2024 Support for HB 189, Permitting Restaurant Staff Aged 18 and Older to Serve Alcohol
- 2024 Support for HB 273, Enhancing Housing Finance Options
- 2024 Support for the Technical Vocational Education Program
- 2024 Letter of Support for HB 89, Childcare Subsidies and Tax Credits
- 2024 Support for Universal Temporary Licensure SB 83 & HB 85
- 2023 Letter of Support for Preliminary Childcare Taskforce Recommendations
- 2023 Letter of Support for UAF Childcare Proposal
- 2023 Letter of Support for Licensure Compacts - Audiology and Physical Therapy
- 2023 Support for Alaska's Education Tax Credits SB 120 and HB 144
- 2023 Opposition of HB 63 & SB 60 Repeal of Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission
- 2023 Letter of Support of Universal Temporary Licensure SB 83 & HB 85
- 2022 Letter of Support for Senate Bill 111 - Alaska Reads Act
- 2021 WWAMI Thank You Letter
- Support Reopening of Schools Quickly and Safely 2020
- Childcare Necessary for Economic Recovery 2020
Energy, Natural Resources & Environment
- PRESS RELEASE: Joint industry news release objecting to Ambler Road decision
- 2024 Support for grant application for Railbelt grid improvements
- 2024 Support for HB 227, clarifying electric utility liability
- 2024 Support for Grid Modernization
- 2024 Support for Carbon Sequestration Research
- PRESS RELEASE: Chamber commends EPA for seeking practical solutions on pollution
- 2023 Opposition to FNSB Resolution Climate Action Plan
- 2023 Opposition to SB 114 Oil & Gas Production Tax
- 2023 Support for Timber Industry Bills HB 93 & 104 and SB 87
- 2023 Section 404 Clean Water Act SOA Primacy
- 2023 Support HJR 11 Address Air Pollution in Fairbanks
- 2022 Letter on Ambler Project SEIS
- 2022 Support Willow Project
- 2022 Fairbanks North Star Borough Serious Non-Attainment Area
- 2022 Support Manh Choh Wetlands Permit
- 2021 Support Wishbone Hill Permit Renewal
- 2020 Comments on Fort Wainwright Heat and Electrical Upgrades
- 2020 Amendment Comments on Air Quality Serious SIP
- Support Recission of the Alaska Supplement to the Army Corps 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual 2020
- Support Usibelli Coal Mine Wishbone Permit 2020
- Support Willow Project 2020
- Support Electric Reliability Organizations 2020
- Support Simplifying and Clarifying State Mining Policy 2020
- Support NEPA Implementing Regulations Update 2020
- Support Responsible Development of NPR-A 2020
- Support Willow Project 2019
- Support AK LNG Project 2019
- Support Exploration of Road Belt Electrical Line 2019
- Support Natural Resource Water Nomination/Designation 2019
- Support Extending Natural Gas Tax Credit 2019
- Support ANWR 1002 Exploration and Development 2019
- Support Oil Search Pikka Project EIS Public Comment Letter 2018
- Oppose Wood Burning Ballot Initiative Position Statement 2018
- Support EIS and Scoping for ANWR to Include Economic Impacts – Letter to Bureau of Land Management 2018
- Oppose HB 199 Fish Habitat and Permits - Coalition Letter 2018
- Support HB80 Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) 2017
- Oppose HB111 Oil & Gas Production Tax 2017
- Oppose HB14 Legislative approval of Bristol Bay Sulfide Mine – Alaska Miners Association Memo 2017
- Support Federal Land Transfer to State of Alaska - Letter to Norther Alaska Environmental Center 2017
- Support Access and Development of NPR-A – Letter to Bureau of Land Management 2017
- Support ANWR 1002 Area Exploration and Development – Letter to Sen Murkowski 2017
- Support Hilcorp’s Liberty Energy Project – Public Comment to Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 2017
Economic & Community Development
- 2023 FNSB Ordinance 2023-57 Non Conforming Property
- Community Perspective on FNSB Health Social Services Power Proposition
- 2022 Letter Urging Fiscal Discipline
- Priority Reminder - As Session Closes
- Support Cruise Travel to Alaska 2021
- Support Virtual Meetings for Corporations 2021
- Support University Funding in FY21 Budget 2020
- Support University of Alaska Position Statement 2019
- Oppose Definition of Recreation and Gaming by AMCO 2019
- August Comments to Board of Regents - Essential Role of UA in Fairbanks 2019
- Oppose Initiative Severability 2019
- Support University of Alaska Land Grant 2019
- Support for University of Alaska Fairbanks 2019
- Fiscal Plan Position Statement 2019
- Oppose Targeted Industry Taxes Position Statement 2018
- Support Use of the Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve for Fiscal Plan 2018
- Support Education Tax Credit SB 116 and HB 233 2018
- Comment on Notice of Proposed Changes Regarding Distillery Licenses 2017
- Support Timely FY18 Capital Budget - Letter to AK Leg 2017
- State Budget Reminder Letter 2017
- Support a Balanced, Sustainable State Budget - Position Statement 2017
- Support Real ID Act 2017
- Letter to the Editor - REAL ID 2017
- Support for HB132 Let's Ride Alaska Act and Lyft - Coalition Letter 2017
- Support SB26 Use of Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve POMV 2017
Healthcare
- 80th Percentile White Paper 2019
- Support Federal Health Savings Account Increased Contribution Limit 2018
- Support HB123 - Disclosure of Health Care Costs 2018
Military Affairs
- 2024 Support for HB 155, creating a state Military Affairs Commission
- 2023 Support for SB 41 Veterans Cemetery
- 2022 Comments on Draft Environmental Assessment for Redistribution of KC-135 Stratotanker Aircraft to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska
- 2022 Letter of Support for City of Fairbanks Military Facility Zone Designation
- 2022 Support Tax Incentives for Housing in Military Facility Zones
- Support Expedited Military Spouse Licensing and Enhanced License Portability 2021
- Support Expedited Military Spouse Licensing 2020
- Support for Military Spouse Licence Reporting 2019
- Support Professional Licensing Process for Military and Spouses 2018
- Support Special Assistant to the Commissioner Department of Military and Veteran’s Affairs 2018
Transportation & Infrastructure
- 2024 Support for FNSB roads plan
- 2024 Support for Phase 2 John Trigg Ester Library
- 2024 Support for the Alaska Long Trail
- 2024 Opposition to HB 186, Volunteer Labor Compliance Officer Program
- 2023 Support for Ambler Access Project
- 2023 Support for Pike's Landing lease and Public Easement
- 2023 Comments on FNSB Downtown Fairbanks 2040 Plan
- 2023 Support FNSB Ordinance 2023-48 Off-Street Parking
- 2023 Support for UAF Flight Training
- 2023 Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Comments on Draft STIP
- 2023 Alaska Railroad Critical Infrastructure Bridge Funding Support
- 2023 Interior Alaska Transportation Plan Comments
- 2023 FAA Reauthorization Bill Without DCA ACT
- 2023 Support Railbelt Electric Grid Improvement
- Richardson Hwy MP 206-233 PEL Study Comments
- Comments on 2020-2023 STIP Amendment #4
- Letter of Support for State of Alaska Application Exemption for Entry-Level Driver Training
- 2022 Letter Supporting Alaska Long Trail Project
- 2022 Letter Opposing HB 104
- 2022 Ambler Access Project
- 2022 Support Infrastructure Funding for Port of Alaska Modernization Program
- Public Comment on Proposed Changes on the Use of ATVs and Snowmobiles on Roads 2021
- Oppose GO Bond Package 2021
- 2021 Continue Roads and Highways Advisory Board
- Support Chena Riverwalk Stage III Project 2021
- Support Motor Fuel Tax 2021
- Support Motor Fuel Tax Update 2020
- Support Ambler Road Project 2019
- Support Continuation of All Transportation Advisory Boards 2019
- Support Cowles St Project
- Support Expedient Passage of FY20 Capital Budget 2019
- Support Norther Rail Extension 2019
- Request Reduction of State Fire Marshal Review Times 2019
- Support Roads and Highways Board 2019
- Support SB86 AK Rail Road Land Transfer 2018
- Support Ambler Road EIS Scoping - Public Comment 2018
- Support FAA Reauthorization 2017
- Oppose Aircraft Registration Fee - Public Comment 2017
- Oppose DOT & PF Staffing Cuts 2017
- Outsourcing AK DOT & PF Capital Improvement Staff - White Paper 2017
- STIP Amendment #2 Comments 2017
COVID-19
- 2021 Support Replenishment Restaurant Revitalization Fund
- Support Necessary Assistance for Businesses and Economy
- CARES Act Support for Local Public Health
- Rapid Testing as a Tool to Reopen Alaska
Other
- 2023 Alaska Railroad Grant Letter of Support
- 2023 Support for Fairbanks Fire Station - Aurora Subdivision
- 2023 GVEA Letter of Support for DOE Grant
- 2023 Letter of Support for Troth Yeddha' Indigenous Studies Center