Alaska
State legislators, governor prepare for session’s start this week
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – While dozens of bills were shared with the public last week as part of the Alaska State Legislature’s prefiled bills releases, lawmakers are gearing up for a session that will see a range of topics considered by the House and Senate, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy does the same.
“I look forward to the next 121 days of working with lawmakers on what matters most to Alaskans,” Dunleavy said in a prepared statement from his office. “While we may have different opinions on policy issues, we are all striving to reach the same goal of making Alaska a better place to live and raise a family.”
Dunleavy’s office wrote that improving public safety and public education outcomes, making sure people know Alaska is “open for business,” and honing in on energy opportunities across the state are also among his priorities.
At the same time, a couple of the lawmakers who chose to file legislation ahead of the start of the session also spoke Monday about their decisions to introduce bills early, as well as some of the other priorities they see going into this session.
One of them is Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, who introduced a bill that would require that school districts assign certain highly-trained individuals to carry a concealed firearm on school grounds.
“We’re being very thoughtful about that,” she said, “because we want parents and community members and leaders to feel comfortable with this, that this role is being assigned to someone, not on a willy-nilly basis, but under a very careful process.”
Hughes said a retired teacher who lives in Palmer – a constituent, who was a teacher at the time of a shooting at Bethel Regional High School in 1997 and is left of center, according to Hughes – came to her with the idea for the bill.
“I believe this, also, is bipartisan,” Hughes said, adding that response times in certain schools could be much longer than in others, even when simply based on access to communities. “Our students should not go to school with any fear like this. They should know that they can relax, and be there to do what they’re supposed to do: learn, and be prepared and equipped to be productive citizens.”
The state senator is also leading the charge when it comes to multiple other prefiled bills, such as SB 172, which would extend senior benefits while lengthening the time before the Legislature must review that program, pushing that to 2034.
Another bill she sponsored, SB 177, targets artificial intelligence, deepfakes, cybersecurity and data transfers. If passed, it would demand that election campaigns using any sort of deepfakes disclose that use and bars the transfer of data between state agencies, unless the individual whose data is being shared consents first.
“It took a little longer than usual for the drafting of this bill, because it’s so brand new,” Hughes said. “I believe it’s the very first bill on AI in our state. So when it came back, there wasn’t really time to go back and forth, back and forth, tweaking every word and getting everything exactly right.
“So I expect there to be changes, and I want there to be improvements,” she said, adding that this bill – like others of hers – is about protecting Alaskans. “Once the bill is filed, it goes into the hands of committees, where those improvements are going to be made. So I don’t want anybody to think that right now, this bill is in perfect condition.”
Hughes said she also expects to spend a great deal of time on agricultural industry policies, plans to help push through trafficking laws, and hopes to see increased educational funding attached to improving academic performances in areas across the state.
Among other pieces of legislation, Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, filed HB 261, which would, in part, establish a vehicular homicide offense in state statute.
“Forty-seven of 50 states do have a separate vehicular homicide statute,” he explained. “The benefit is that it’s more intuitive, I think, for a jury to understand how the offense happened, the nature of the offense, why it is a crime — because under current law, we use homicide and assault statutes to proscribe or to criminalize what is really vehicular homicide.”
Like Hughes, Josephson has multiple prefiled bills he submitted. His HB 239 would add post-traumatic stress disorder as an allowable claim for workers’ compensation under certain circumstances and for specific groups, such as fire fighters, police, emergency dispatchers, emergency medical technicians and others.
“The idea of affording fire and police the opportunity to have some period under workers’ comp benefits while they are dealing with post-traumatic stress is something, again, that other states have,” he explained. “We know that police and fire in Alaska have sought this sort of reform for a long time. No doubt, municipalities will be concerned about the cost to workers’ comp premiums and what that kind of impact that would have on their treasuries, but that’s a reform that our first responders have wanted.”
Several of his other bills are healthcare-related, to include HB 248, which would require separate consent for any sort of pelvic examination, whether by a full health care provider or students receiving instruction or individuals participating in clinical training.
Josephson also explained part of his thinking in filing a large number of bills ahead of the session, noting that prefiling is a privilege afforded to legislators, and that, come February of the second session of each legislature, personal legislation can no longer be filed.
“You don’t know what’s going to catch on,” he said. “The advantage of a prefile bill is that you’re utilizing the entire 121 days, theoretically. But the other advantage is, it sort of lights a fire under the legislative office to get the work done so that you’re not busy in February writing bills.”
The lawmaker out of Alaska’s largest city said he expects contention over a number of bills, to include a bill that focuses on the sharing of information regarding reproductive health of female patients across state lines.
“We’re concerned that this is pretextual, that this is merely a means of punishing someone,” Josephson said. “There shouldn’t be a sort of fishing expedition that goes on because she chose to do that.”
While many bills this session are modeled off legislation from other states, it will be up to the Legislature as a whole to decide what moves through each body and gets to the governor for consideration.
As for Dunleavy, he expanded on some of his priorities on Monday as well, saying in the prepared release from his office that a “major” focus of his for this session is affordability.
“Alaska can be an expensive place to live,” he said, “but we can also do something about it. Food and energy security, childcare, access to land, and healthcare are the key areas we need to work on to make Alaska an even better place to live.
“But as we work to solve these issues,” he continued, “we must ensure that we are not focused only on the short term, but that our work sets up Alaska to be prosperous over the next 50 years.”
The second session of the 33rd Legislature begins on Jan. 16, 2024.
Copyright 2024 KTUU. All rights reserved.
Two US soldiers were wounded by a brown bear during a training exercise in Alaska on Thursday, the US Army stated.
Anchorage Daily News reported that the soldiers were from the 11th Airborne Division, and that the exercise had been a “land navigation training event” near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
State wildlife officials said that the bear attack seemed to be a defensive one, from a bear which had recently emerged from its den. Staff members from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game collected evidence at the scene in an attempt to learn more about the bear, such as its species and gender.
“The incident is currently under investigation, and we are working closely with installation authorities and local wildlife officials to gather all relevant information and ensure the safety of all personnel in the area,” the 11th Airborne Division said in a statement, reported ABC News.
ABC News also cited an 11th Airborne Division spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Jo Nederhoed, who said that the two soldiers had been seriously wounded, but were receiving care at a hospital in Anchorage, and had shown improvement by Saturday morning.
“We hope both individuals have a full and quick recovery, and our thoughts are with them during this time,” Fish and Game Regional Supervisor Cyndi Wardlow said in a statement reported by Anchorage Daily News. “In this case, having bear spray with them in the field may have saved their lives.”
Both of the soldiers reportedly had and used bear spray during the attack.
The bear’s condition and whereabouts are currently unknown.
Up, up and away … that’s where most travel prices are going.
It’s true. Not only are our nation’s geopolitical thrusts in the Mideast affecting the cost of your fill-ups, every component of your trip from airfares to car rentals and hotel stays are subject to price hikes.
Imagine filling up a jetliner with jet fuel that’s doubled in price. It’s enough to melt your credit card, regardless of the number of points you get for every dollar spent!
Because the price of oil affects everything, higher prices are eating away at your travel budget in many ways.
Bag fees
There’s lots of press on this. All airlines are increasing their checked-bag fees because of the jump in fuel prices.
Back in 2009, Alaska Airlines instituted a $15 fee for the first checked bag and $25 for the second bag. At the time, there was no charge for the first bag and a second bag was $25.
Last week, Alaska Airlines, along with other major airlines, increased its fees to $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second bag. Delta Air Lines charges the same.
Even if the cost of oil comes down, I don’t expect bag fees will ever be reduced.
Travelers who live in Alaska are somewhat insulated from the new hikes because both Delta and Alaska Airlines offer two free checked bags, with conditions:
1. Alaska offers two free checked bags for travelers flying to or from Alaska who are enrolled in Club 49. This does not affect other flights on Alaska. Separately, ATMOS credit card holders can get a free checked bag. Also, elite members of the ATMOS scheme get one or two free checked bags systemwide.
2. Delta offers two free checked bags for travelers flying to or from Alaska who are SkyMiles members who live in Alaska. Again, this does not apply to other Delta flights. Separately, Delta American Express cardholders can get a free checked bag.
3. Elite-level travelers with the oneworld airline cartel, including Alaska Airlines, can get one or two checked bags on American, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Qantas or other oneworld carriers.
[Anchorage’s international airport rolls out self-driving wheelchairs]
Main Cabin vs. Basic Economy
The spread between the lowest available price, Basic Economy, and a more flexible ticket, Main Cabin, has increased. While the difference used to be $20-$30 each way when the Basic Economy scheme was introduced in 2018, the round-trip upcharge now can exceed $100.
For example, the lowest Basic fare to Portland is $337 round-trip on Alaska Airlines. The upcharge to Main Cabin, with full loyalty points, pre-assigned seats and more flexibility on changes and cancellations, is $447, a 33% upcharge.
This trend is not specifically attributable to the new Iran War. It’s just a cost that continues to rise.
New fees
I’m impressed at the creativity of airline people who dream up new fees. Here are some of my favorites from Alaska Airlines:
1. Phone reservations: $15
2. Partner award booking fee: $12.50
3. Pet travel fee: $100 in the cabin, $200 in the baggage compartment with a kennel
4. Left on board item return fee: $20
On Condor Airlines, operating the only nonstop service from Anchorage to Europe, travelers can choose from four different bundles in economy class. The least-expensive, Economy Zero, from $840 round-trip, features fees for travelers:
1. Carry-on bag fee, up to 8kg: $35; a small bag like a purse always is included for free
2. Checked bag: $75
3. Airport check-in: $30
All three of these fees are included in the next-highest fare bucket, Economy Classic, from $900 round-trip. It’s cheaper to buy the bundle than it is to buy the components a la carte. Seat assignments are additional, from $25 for economy.
Airfares on the rise
There are a few good deals available for travel to select West Coast/Intermountain destinations in May, including:
1. Anchorage-San Francisco on Alaska Airlines, from $307 round-trip. Fly May 15-28 only. Add $90 round-trip for Main cabin.
2. Anchorage-Los Angeles on Alaska Airlines, from $317 round-trip. May 15-25 only. Add $90 round-trip for Main.
3. Anchorage-Phoenix on United, Delta or Alaska, from $267-$287 round-trip. Fly May 8-June 9 only. Add $90-$100 for Main.
4. Anchorage-Denver $357 round-trip on Delta. Fly May 8-June 9 only. Add $90 round-trip for Main.
For travel to other destinations, or later in the summer, be prepared to pay more.
Flying to Hawaii? Alaska Air’s nonstop prices out at $706 round-trip between May 30 and June 6. Add $110 round-trip for Main.
Nonstop flights from Anchorage to Salt Lake City start at $669 round-trip with Delta on May 17. That’s $100 more than the cost for the same flights last month. Add $90 more for Main.
Hotel costs continue to rise, accompanied by pesky resort fees.
The Outrigger on the Beach in Waikiki is a very nice beachfront hotel. It’s not plush, or the nicest property. But it’s solid. The cost is $334 per night.
But there’s more: a $50 per night resort fee, plus a variety of taxes and charges, totaling $112.55 per night.
Down in Seattle, the Sound Hotel in the Belltown neighborhood is marketed by Hilton. The discounted rate for “Honors” members — it’s free to join — is $313.34 per night for a king room in late May. Taxes and fees add an extra $56.40 per night.
There’s no appreciable bump yet for hotel rates as a result of the oil price surge. Yet. But if these hotel rates seem high, they’re in line with hotel rates in Anchorage this summer. At the Sheraton in Anchorage in June, it’s $450 per night, plus $54 in taxes and fees, when booked at Expedia.
Car rentals are not cheap
My go-to site for car rentals is the Costco site, which compares major brands and automatically includes Costco discounts.
In Las Vegas, for a one-day rental in May, Budget charges $67 per day, which includes taxes and fees of $22.77. In Anchorage, the same kind of car, medium SUV, costs $92.97 with Alamo.
The biggest differences so far in car rental rates seems to be the bill you’ll pay when you fill up the tank before returning. There’s no appreciable jump in prices because of the new war.
When it comes to making travel arrangements for the spring and summer, it’s more risky making completely non-refundable arrangements.
I made the decision to purchase most of my summer travel plans in advance, but only after determining I would not need to change the dates. Particularly with airline tickets, it’s expensive to change your dates.
There’s lots of uncertainty regarding travel arrangements, particularly international travel. As fuel prices go up due to oil shortages, travel companies will look for ways to recoup the increased costs. In most cases, those higher costs will be borne by travelers.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has led to a decrease in oil prices nationally, but Alaska’s senior senator said the state faces a different situation that could threaten rural communities.
“If you can’t produce power because you don’t have the diesel or you just can’t pay the prices, your little communities can collapse,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said at a Friday press conference at the Arctic Encounter Summit in Anchorage.
The price of oil has been a double-edged sword for Alaska. On one hand, the increased price of North Slope oil brings more revenue to the state, but consumer prices can also rise.
North Slope oil prices were $106.36 a barrel on Thursday.
“This is a very precarious time,” Murkowski said. “Our state has enjoyed a bounty because we have benefited from the higher prices of oil that goes into our treasury, but it’s the Alaskans in … the off-road communities that are threatened to be hit most hard.”
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Copyright 2026 KTUU. All rights reserved.
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