Upcoming Weekly Business Presentations
*registration required*


Mar 9: Update from Foundation Health Partners

Mar 16: Get your Business Noticed Online with Google Tools

Mar 23: Diversity & Inclusion Series | Equality of Opportunity Initiative

Interested in sponsoring a presentation? It's only $250 and benefits can be found HERE.
Email Katie if you're interested!
New in 2021

As we strive to bring a better virtual experience to our members and community we have adopted a new platform for our Weekly Business Presentations.

Please read the instructions that can be found on the event page.

Your Registration includes a private link, the ability to network and interact with your fellow attendees, and a recording of the presentation emailed to you by the following Friday.

*If it is your first time attending a Hopin event, you will be prompted to create a very simple account.
Do you read this newsletter every Monday because you are interested in business advocacy or policy research? Do you scroll to the bottom anxiously to see what issues our committees are working on this week or whether your favorite bill has a hearing in the legislature? This one is for you!

Advocacy Program Manager

The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce is seeking a proactive individual to join our team as the Advocacy Program Manager. This role will be focused on managing the Chamber’s advocacy efforts to create a positive environment for businesses of all sizes to prosper in our region. You will be responsible for leading maintenance and implementation of the Chamber’s Advocacy Agenda, communicating the Chamber’s positions, drafting resolutions and letters of support in cooperation with Chamber leadership, supporting the Chamber’s advocacy committees, and leading successful advocacy events.
Donlin Gold and Desert Air send water and
other resources to Tuluksak

Donlin Gold and Desert Air are partnering to send water and other resources to the community of Tuluksak after a fire destroyed the village’s only source of clean water. On Monday, a Desert Air DC-3 delivered multiple 200-gallon water tanks, pumps, hoses, garbage cans, totes, baby wipes and other paper products, along with a supply of drinking water to the village.

“We made a commitment to the people of the Yukon-Kuskokwim region to support communities with resources in their time of need, particularly when it comes to health and safety,” said Kristina Woolston, Donlin Gold’s External Affairs Manager. “We will continue working with Tuluksak’s Tribal Administrator and forming partnerships to provide aid for as long as it takes for a permanent solution to materialize.”

Donlin Gold previously sent 50 cases of water and other basic items to Tuluksak, and shortly afterward, developed a partnership for another shipment of supplies with Desert Air. “The villages make up the entirety of our business, so when we recognized there was a need in the region, we reached out to Donlin Gold to combine our efforts to help out,” said Joey Benetka, President, Desert Air. “Freight is expensive to send to rural Alaska, so we wanted to offer a flight we know would be well utilized and full to maximum capacity.”
Upcoming Committee Meetings

Please note that all committee meetings
will occur via videoconference until further notice.

February 23, 9:00-10:00 AM | Government Relations
2021 Borough Legislative Priorities
featuring Mayor Bryce Ward, FNSB

February 24, 7:30-8:30 AM | Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
Clean Water On Demand
featuring Jon Dufendach, Camp Water

February 25, 7:00-8:00 AM | Transportation & Infrastructure
Airport Update
featuring Angie Spear & Theresa Harvey, Fairbanks International Airport

March 2, 9:00-10:00 AM | Government Relations

March 4, 7:00-8:00 AM | Transportation & Infrastructure
National Build by the Fourth of July Initiative
featuring Marty Durbin, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

March 5, 9:00-10:00 AM | Education & Workforce Development


Contact Jinnel with any questions about our advocacy committees.
The Fairbanks Chamber tracks bills moving through the Alaska Legislature which may impact the business climate in the greater Fairbanks area. The presence of a bill on this list indicates only that we are monitoring its progress. Official stances of the Fairbanks Chamber can be found on the Advocacy Agenda and Advocacy Actions pages.

Any member of the Fairbanks Chamber may bring bills to our attention to be added to this list. They will be reviewed by the relevant committee.
Education and Workforce Development

Last Action: REFERRED TO EDUCATION (February 18, 2021)
Summary:
An Act relating to the duties of the state Board of Education and Early Development; relating to statewide standards for instruction in social-emotional learning; and providing for an effective date.
Last Action: REFERRED TO EDUCATION (February 18, 2021)
Summary:
An Act relating to eligibility for the Alaska performance scholarship program.
Last Action: COSPONSOR(S): KAWASAKI, GRAY-JACKSON (February 3, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Senator Tom Begich (D)
Summary:
An Act relating to early education programs provided by school districts; relating to school age eligibility; relating to funding for early education programs; establishing early education programs and a voluntary parent program; relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development; relating to certification of teachers; establishing a reading intervention program for public school students enrolled in grades kindergarten through three; establishing a reading program in the Department of Education and Early Development; establishing a teacher retention working group; and providing for an effective date.
Last Action: REFERRED TO EDUCATION (January 22, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Senator Gary Stevens (R)
Summary:
An Act relating to recognition of certificates of out-of-state teachers.
Last Action: REFERRED TO EDUCATION (January 25, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Senator Gary Stevens (R)
Summary:
An Act establishing the Alaska middle college program for public school students; and relating to the powers of the University of Alaska.
Last Action: REFERRED TO LABOR & COMMERCE (January 25, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Senator Jesse Kiehl (D)
Summary:
An Act relating to restoration of tenure for certain disabled individuals; relating to the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system; providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system; and providing for an effective date.
Last Action: REFERRED TO RESOURCES (February 17, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Senator Gary Stevens (R)
Summary:
Urging the Alaska delegation in Congress, the United States Department of the Interior, and the Governor to facilitate the completion of a land grant endowment to the University of Alaska.
Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources

Last Action: REFERRED TO COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS (January 22, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Senator Tom Begich (D)

Scheduled Hearing:
Date: February 25, 2021
Time: 3:30pm (AKST)

Summary:
An Act relating to oil and gas exploration, production, and pipeline transportation property taxes; and providing for an effective date.
Last Action: REFERRED TO RESOURCES (January 29, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: SENATE RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
Summary:
An Act authorizing the commissioner of natural resources to modify a net profit share lease.
Last Action: REFERRED TO RESOURCES (January 29, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: SENATE RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
Summary:
An Act relating to surface use restrictions for oil and gas leases; relating to gas leases in Kachemak Bay; relating to the renewable energy grant fund; and providing for an effective date.
Last Action: REFERRED TO LABOR & COMMERCE (February 3, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Senator Joshua Revak (R)
Summary:
An Act extending an exemption from regulation as a public utility for plants and facilities generating electricity entirely from renewable energy resources; and providing for an effective date.
Government Relations

Last Action: REFERRED TO LABOR & COMMERCE (February 18, 2021)
Summary:
An Act providing immunity from liability and disciplinary action for occupational licensees for exposure of clients to COVID-19; providing immunity from liability for persons engaging in business and their employees for exposure of customers to COVID-19; and providing for an effective date.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS (February 18, 2021)
Summary:
An Act relating to the taxation of income of individuals, partners, shareholders in S corporations, trusts, and estates; relating to a payment against the individual income tax from the permanent fund dividend disbursement; repealing tax credits applied against the tax on individuals under the Alaska Net Income Tax Act; and providing for an effective date.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES (February 18, 2021)
Summary:
An Act relating to licensure of nursing professionals; relating to a multistate nurse licensure compact; and providing for an effective date.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO LABOR & COMMERCE (February 18, 2021)
Summary:
An Act relating to occupational licensing; relating to temporary licenses and permits; relating to certification of teachers; and providing for an effective date.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS (February 18, 2021)
Summary:
An Act adding to the powers and duties of the State Commission for Human Rights; and relating to and prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO LABOR & COMMERCE (February 18, 2021)
Summary:
An Act relating to notice of workers' compensation death benefits; relating to the payment of workers' compensation benefits in the case of permanent partial impairment; relating to the payment of workers' compensation death benefits; and providing for an effective date.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS (February 18, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Representative Adam Wool (D)
Summary:
An Act relating to deposits into the dividend fund; relating to income of and appropriations from the earnings reserve account; relating to the taxation of income of individuals, partners, shareholders in S corporations, trusts, and estates; relating to a payment against the individual income tax from the permanent fund dividend disbursement; repealing tax credits applied against the tax on individuals under the Alaska Net Income Tax Act; and providing for an effective date.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO LABOR & COMMERCE (February 18, 2021)
Summary:
An Act relating to presumption of compensability for workers' compensation claims related to contagious diseases; and providing for an effective date.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS (January 22, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Senator Scott Kawasaki (D)
Summary:
An Act relating to temporary courtesy licenses for military spouses; and relating to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO LABOR & COMMERCE (January 22, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Senator Tom Begich (D)
Summary:
An Act relating to the authority and procedures of the State Commission for Human Rights; requiring an annual report concerning the payment of equal pay for comparable work; increasing the minimum wage; relating to and prohibiting wage discrimination based on the sex of an employee; and providing for an effective date.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO EDUCATION (January 22, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Senator Gary Stevens (R)
Summary:
An Act relating to recognition of certificates of out-of-state teachers.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS (January 22, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Senator Joshua Revak (R)
Summary:
An Act relating to proposing and enacting laws by initiative.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES (January 22, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Senator David Wilson (R)
Summary:
An Act repealing the certificate of need program for health care facilities; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO LABOR & COMMERCE (January 25, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Senator Jesse Kiehl (D)
Summary:
An Act relating to restoration of tenure for certain disabled individuals; relating to the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system; providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system; and providing for an effective date.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO FINANCE (January 25, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: SENATE RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
Summary:
An Act making supplemental appropriations; amending appropriations; and providing for an effective date.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO FINANCE (January 25, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: SENATE RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
Summary:
An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making reappropriations; making supplemental appropriations; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO FINANCE (January 25, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: SENATE RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
Summary:
An Act making an appropriation from the earnings reserve account for the payment of permanent fund dividends; and providing for an effective date.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS (January 25, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: SENATE RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR

Scheduled Hearing:
Date: February 23, 2021
Time: 3:30pm (AKST)

Summary:
An Act relating to use of income of the Alaska permanent fund; relating to the amount of the permanent fund dividend; relating to the duties of the commissioner of revenue; relating to an advisory vote on the permanent fund; providing for an effective date by repealing the effective date of sec. 8, ch. 16, SLA 2018; and providing for an effective date.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS (January 22, 2021)
Summary:
Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to the Alaska permanent fund and appropriations from the Alaska permanent fund.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS (January 22, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: SENATE RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR

Scheduled Hearing:
Date: February 23, 2021
Time: 3:30pm (AKST)

Summary:
Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to an appropriation limit; and relating to the budget reserve fund.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS (January 22, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: SENATE RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR

Scheduled Hearing:
Date: February 23, 2021
Time: 3:30pm (AKST)

Summary:
Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to the Alaska permanent fund, appropriations from the permanent fund, and the permanent fund dividend.
 
Last Action: REFERRED TO RESOURCES (February 17, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Senator Gary Stevens (R)
Summary:
Urging the Alaska delegation in Congress, the United States Department of the Interior, and the Governor to facilitate the completion of a land grant endowment to the University of Alaska.
Military Affairs

Last Action: REFERRED TO LABOR & COMMERCE (February 18, 2021)
Summary:
An Act relating to occupational licensing; relating to temporary licenses and permits; relating to certification of teachers; and providing for an effective date.
Last Action: REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS (January 22, 2021)
Primary Sponsor: Senator Scott Kawasaki (D)
Summary:
An Act relating to temporary courtesy licenses for military spouses; and relating to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
Transportation and Infrastructure