It became clear that the largest stumbling block is how much and how quickly to scale back tax credits for the oil and gas industry.
State Government
Bill would require physical activity at school
Bills are on the move as the 29th Legislature goes into overtime, and one of several that passed last week would require school districts to provide a certain amount of physical activity every day.
Renewable Energy Fund, casualty of budget crunch, may get new lifeline
So far this year, the state budget includes no money for the fund. But a bill passed by the Senate this week would try to replace some of that funding in years to come.
Alaska lawmakers spare public radio but propose cutting public TV funding
“I think people made the case on radio that it was very important to rural Alaska,” Sen. Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, said in an interview after the meeting. He added: “TV, not so much.”
Legislature confirms Hopkins to AGDC board, Williams as corrections chief
A joint session of both houses voted 31-27 to confirm Hopkins to the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation board.
Gov. Walker pushes reset button on water protection bills
The federal government requires states have a process for designating extraordinary water bodies for high levels of protection, which is what these bills were intended to establish.
Bill to update Alaska’s ‘toothless’ military justice code advances
Investigators looking into allegations of sexual assault and harassment within the Alaska National Guard two years ago found no real recourse for cracking down on perpetrators. This bill would give the outdated military code teeth.
How a drill rig ended up in no-drill rig zone in Homer’s port
Lawmakers designated Kachemak Bay a critical habitat area in 1974, which was incompatible with Homer Port and Harbor activity. The port director says normal operations technically violated the area’s environmental protections.
Bill to reform minor consuming penalties nears passage
The bill also would let state public safety officials run criminal background checks on applicants for commercial cannabis permits.
Walt Monegan reappointed to head Department of Public Safety
Monegan will replace outgoing Commissioner Gary Folger, who is retiring at the end of May.