Final days of 30th Alaska Legislature

As the statutory time limit for the Alaska Legislature to get its work done approaches each year, legislative action ramps up, work days stretch late into the night and the Capitol is abuzz.

The 30th Alaska Legislature’s second regular session was supposed to end Sunday, April 15. Follow live streams from the Capitol, breaking news and other legislative developments here.

Gavel Alaska coverage

Watch Gavel Alaska coverage of the 29th Alaska Legislature on 360 North television, or at 360north.org.

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Are lawmakers really limited to 90 days?

Alaska voters narrowly established the 90-day limit in state law through a ballot question in 2006 — 50.8 percent to 49.2 percent. The first 90-day session was in 2007. Since then, lawmakers have immediately called themselves back into special session, been immediately called back by the governor, or simply continued to meet beyond midnight of the 90th day nine out of 11 years.

There haven’t been any concrete consequences. Legislative lawyers have said the state constitution‘s 121-day limit trumps the statutory limit. There haven’t been any legal challenges to actions lawmakers have taken beyond the 90th day.

News

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