SESSION UPDATE - April 29, 2024

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

With the month of May two days away, for some reason I’m reminded of the childhood game, “Mother May I”. 

Mother May I?

Lately it seems like the response “No, you may not!” is echoing across the state based on Judge Zeman’s ruling in the Alexander v. Acting Commissioner Heidi Teshner lawsuit pertaining to public correspondence homeschool students.

Judge Zeman stuck down the core statutes of the public correspondence homeschool program, including those pertaining to per student allotments. With one in five students impacted, this ruling and the effort to appeal it in the Alaska Supreme Court is of great consequence to many families.

The number of emails I’m receiving from concerned parents is immense, many who would be hard-pressed to afford to educate their students in the public correspondence program without the allotments. Most do not support the band-aid approach offered by the bills filed last week in the legislature to revert to old regulations; they view the rules as discriminatory as compared to how public funds can be spent on public neighborhood school students. I have to agree. More on these bills further down in my letter under “Relevant or Not” section.

Meanwhile, Alaskans are taking interest in the fact that the particular judge who handed down the ruling, Judge Adolf Zeman, is under review for retention purposes and will be on the ballot in November. Read my thoughts here on the topic and learn how to submit your public testimony to the Alaska Judicial Council. Maybe Alaskans will tell this judge, “No, you may not!”

Have hope, my friends, and be patient. I still think the judge’s ruling is actually a blessing in disguise and that when this issue is all said and done, we will have increased options for students. NEA certainly has egg on its face for the mess it has created, and although the plaintiffs wanted to shut down certain educational spending for homeschoolers, as this issue moves through the courts, I believe there’s a great chance it will actually open up new doors for all students. In the end, we likely will hear, “Yes, you may!”

Operating Budget Due Up on Senate Floor While Is PFD Down

The Senate Finance Committee has made some changes to the operating budget (HB 268) but the major difference is in the amount of the PFD compared to the House’s version of the budget. The House is proposing a $2700 PFD which includes an energy rebate, while the Senate’s number is $1600 which also include the energy rebate.

Amendments to HB 268 are expected to be taken into consideration this Wednesday on the Senate floor with a vote on the bill the same day. The House will likely take up a concurrence vote (whether to agree or disagree with the Senate’s changes) by the end of the week. If it’s like most years, the House will not concur with the changes, and a conference committee will be appointed.

The agreed upon plan to wrap up the legislative session by mid-May included the date of May 6 for the official appointment of conference committee membership. As of this writing, we are on track for that date – but you never know! Things can change in a flash!

You can find the operating budget documents, including a comparison with the Governor’s proposed budget and the House’s version of the budget here.

Energy Tonight

Energy is a big issue in this final stretch of the legislative session. Join me this evening during my Monday Nite Live broadcast with my guest, Chair of the House Energy Committee, Rep. George Rauscher, to catch up on action on several fronts. Whether it’s drilling gas, storing gas, updating our electrical “highway”, or more, let’s get your questions answer, understand what’s at stake, and decide on next steps. We will air live on my Senator Shelley Hughes Facebook page at 6pm.

Better Late Than Never So They Say

Although I am tremendously thankful my A.I. bill finally moved out of the Senate State Affairs Committee last week, I am not tremendously thrilled – to say the least – that even though I pre-filed it prior to the start of the legislative session, the Chair, Senator Scott Kawasaki, let it linger in committee for three months.

It is troubling that for an issue as important as this, for which we have zero parameters for state agency use, for which we have no way to deter political deepfakes in our upcoming election season, that the bill has been slow-rolled.

Despite the fact that Alaskans have made comments such as, “This likely is the most important and impactful bill before the legislature,” the bill has been slow-rolled. This, I’m sorry to say, is due to politics. It’s the legislature’s job to ensure that AI tools are used safely and responsibly by state agencies – and when some let politics get in the way of good policy, it’s not only a sad day, but it’s a bad day because it raises the risk of harm to individuals. That’s why I won’t give up!

My AI bill (SB 177) now awaits a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Let’s hope the Chair, Senator Claman, will choose to hear it quickly. Whether or not he will is an unknown, and to be frank (I always strive to be frank, by the way!), the odds aren’t great. I have two other pieces of legislation in his committee I’ve requested to be heard, neither of which he’s scheduled – again due to politics! We not be deterred nor walk away, so stay tuned to see what transpires!

Relevant or Not?

Although many bills are on the schedule, the two hot items are new bills attempting to address the correspondence school dilemma caused by the court ruling.

SB 266 Correspondence Study Program; Student Accounts - removes right of parents to opt a student out of standards-based assessment or state test; prohibits use of correspondence school allotments for services or materials from a private or religious educational institution and for other items such as P.E. equipment, student desks, and field trips; and discontinues carryover of allotment funds for student (unexpended funds returned to school district each year).

Public Testimony Wednesday 3:30 p.m. Senate Education Committee

HB 400 Correspondence Study Program; Student Accounts - retains right of parents to opt a student out of standards-based assessment or state test; prohibits use of correspondence school allotments for services or materials from a private or religious educational institution and for other items such as P.E. equipment, student desks, and field trips; discontinues carryover of allotment funds in 2030 (funds returned to school district each year). Public testimony has not yet been scheduled. Hearings on the bill in the House Education Committee are scheduled for Wednesday and Friday at 8:00 a.m.

Upcoming Attractions

Hope you join us this evening as we broadcast live from the Capitol, Room 7. Tonight, Rep. George Rauscher will be joining me to discuss the big issue of ENERGY and the related bills that are moving toward the finish line. Monday evenings at 6pm during the session, we come to you via Facebook Live to discuss the hot issues and overview the upcoming bill hearings and public testimony opportunities. Your comments and questions are always part of the conversation, so hop on my page and engage!

Until We Meet Again

My responsibility to you is always front and center, whether I am on the Senate floor, drafting policy, in a meeting, out and about in our community, or communicating with you. I will strive to be available in multiple ways to hear from you and what concerns you most. I am on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at AKShelleyHughes (links at bottom of email). You can also email me at Sen.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.com or call my office (907)465-3743 (Session) or (907)376-3725 (Interim) to get in touch.

As I state on my Facebook Senator page, mention in live broadcasts, and tell many of you in one-on-one conversations, with the volume of contacts I receive daily (multiple hundreds), my staff and I work hard to read and listen to everything so I can understand what you, our district, and the rest of the state is thinking. If you would like to ensure you receive my feedback on your issue and ideas, please call my office to set up a phone call with me or come by one of my constituent meetings so we can connect in-person. Hearing your input continues to be a top priority to me!

Working on your behalf,

Our hearts and prayers are with Jason's family during this time of loss. We will all remember him as the Christmas Tree guy who made sure we all got a little light and joy on dark winter nights as we passed along the Glenn Highway.

It's a First in Alaska and It's Needed: Artificial Intelligence Bill

Introducing SB 177: AI, Data Privacy, Cybersecurity, Deepfakes

A Call for Responsibility: Rejecting SB88 and Prioritizing No-Risk Solutions

Where have all the fiscal conservatives gone?

SB 173 Safe Schools Act Will Deter Active Shooters Taking Lives

When seconds matter for students

Evil Lurks – Trafficking Is Occurring in Alaska

We must pass HB 68 - doing what I can to get the bill moving in the Senate.

Food Security Focus Continues In 2024

Supporting the agriculture industry, promoting locally products, and increasing food security.

Senator Hughes is frequently in the news and mention of the projects from our office also show up from time to time. She is typically on the radio once per week or more on a variety of shows. Below are some links to recent news items.

Senator Hughes made remarks regarding SB 171 as it relates to Alaskan students who attend school out of state, grandparents who leave the state temporarily for health reasons, and members of our military who are gone for periods serving. The bill applies PFD eligibility rules to in-state hunting and fishing licenses which could jeopardize some Alaskans' access to our fish and game resources. Senator Hughes voted against the bill.

In addition, Senator Hughes explained the importance of the passage of SJR20 urging the inclusion of language in the FAA Reauthorization Act currently before Congress to address the maintenance of Automated Weather Observing Systems at our rural airports. On any one given day, 1 in 3 is not working. This creates delays and dangerous situations for pilots and passengers. Senator Hughes is grateful that Senate Community and Regional Affairs Chair, Senator Dunbar, filed the resolution on her behalf as a committee bill.

Here's a rare view revealing most of what the camera does NOT show during our Monday Nite Lives on Facebook. Lots of gear, computers, cords, and lighting to ensure just about everything Senator Hughes may need for the broadcast is quite literally at the push of a button. It looks a little messy, but it gets the job done!

A group representing Make Us Visible Alaska stopped in to visit with Senator Hughes as part of an Asian American and Pacific Islander Advocacy Day. Pictured are (L to R) Sala Malietufa, Lusiana Hansen, Etevise MacDonald, Kay Roldan, Shayne Nuesca, and Jeffrey Gu.

Joseph Casey (a constituent) was in Juneau and stopped in to visit with Senator Hughes. His parents were friends with her parents in Hoonah in the 1980's after Senator Hughes had married and moved away.

Senator Hughes along with staffer Stephen Knouse at the final hearing in front of Senate State Affairs for the SB177 AI Deepfakes and Cybersecurity bill. It was passed out with a committee substitute, and my aide Stephen has submitted my hearing request to the Senate Judiciary Committee Chair.

As the amended SB240 was in third reading before the vote, Senator Hughes spoke again to her concerns of removing parental knowledge of students 16 years or older receiving mental health treatment under the current bill's language.

Senator Hughes testified with others on the AWOS resolution SJR20 in front of the House Community and Regional Affairs. Chair McCormick moved the resolution out of committee and it heads to the floor soon. Senator Hughes joined the meeting by zoom as she was enroute to Standford University for the weekend where she spoke on a legislative panel on the topic of A.I. at a leadership conference.

"Got to change the legislature. 90% of the Democrats and 1/2 the Republicans are pretty bad."

"Can you tell me yet how many trans athletes have competed in Alaska in the last 10 years? …Do you not care about the truth, or are you simply avoiding the truth, while dishonestly fear-mongering about a nonexistent problem?"

"Senator Shelley Hughes, you are doing the right thing in opposing these horrendous changes to Title IX. …It is insane to me that people now have no problem with a man changing in front of girls and women? Now people have no problem with biological men destroying women's sports? These people should be ashamed of themselves."

"It is so strange to me that people are…fighting against females rights to compete against each other without men."

"I am totally against these [Title IX] changes just like [Senate] Bill 240. And I so appreciate everything you do.."

"I feel correspondence school opponents are taking the opportunity to capitalize on a terrible ruling by an uninformed judge and attempting to impede on parental decision-making for their children's educational options."

"I am writing to make my voice be heard on HB 400 and SB 266 [correspondence school legislation]. I have reviewed the bills and have grave concerns."

"I urge the senate to discard this bill in its entirety and allow the state correspondence program to continue in its current form. . . . We do not need additional rules, we simply need the current rules to be enforced as written."

"My wife and I were really looking forward to getting this year's PFD because we've been struggling due to medical expenses and the PFD would have given us a little relief from it all. Almost all of my paychecks are going to covering medical bills and I wish legislators would know how much that hurts.

"Thank you for all you do!!"

O P P O R T U N I T I E S   F O R   Y O U   T O   W E I G H   I N   T H I S   W E E K

If you’d like to provide public testimony for any bill, enter the bill number (for example "HB 22") into the search bar here to learn the date and time. Scroll down toward the bottom of this newsletter or view the highlighted bill images to find the public testimony call-in phone numbers.

The following "News from Hughes Alerts" are highlighted bills for this week but please note that this is not an exhaustive list. 

🖱️ Click on the image to view the referenced bill.

Click the button below to see all public testimony opportunities occurring within the next seven days.

The 📣 indicates that the topic is slated to be accepting public testimony at its hearing.

MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1:30pm

SENATE LABOR & COMMERCE COMMITTEE

Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:

Alaska Labor Relations Agency: Jennifer Yuhas, Emily Hall, & Tammy Schultz

MONDAY, APRIL 29, 3:30pm

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:

Board of Education & Early Development: Bob Griffin

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 10:00am

HOUSE FISHERIES COMMITTEE

Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:

Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission: Michael Porcaro

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 3:00pm

HOUSE HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:

Board of Social Work Examiners: Anne Wells

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 3:15pm

HOUSE LABOR & COMMERCE COMMITTEE

Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:

Too Many to List Here: View full list on AKLeg.gov

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 3:00pm

HOUSE HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:

Board of Marital & Family Therapy: Shawnmarie Carpenter

Use DOT&PF’s Alaska Project Exchange tools to learn more about all of DOT&PF’s active construction projects statewide!

Want to know how construction will impact road traffic?

Visit 511.alaska.gov.

Check out articles from our senators as we post them, take surveys, and more by clicking the picture above.

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Visit the new central hub to access all things Hughes. See articles, past newsletters, links to legislative activity, and other information.

Senate Assignments:

• Senate Minority, Ranking Member
• Alaska Food Strategy Task Force, Chair
• Food and Farm Caucus, Co-Chair
• Special Committee on World Trade
• Victims’ Advocate Selection Committee
• Law Finance Subcommittee

Other Appointments and Assignments:

• NCSL Law and Public Safety Committee, Vice Chair
• State Agricultural and Rural Leaders, National Board Member
• Article V Phoenix Correspondence Commission, National Commissioner
• NCSL AI & Cybersecurity Task Force
• CSG-West Canada Relations
• CSG Interbranch Committee

Click the bill code in green to see more details and follow the individual bill's progress online.

Health Insurance Info; Incentives /Agreements

The bill includes the Alaska Health Care Consumers Right to Shop Act as well as authorizes Direct Primary Care Agreements in order to nudge down the cost of healthcare in Alaska by introducing competition and free market principles.

Alaska Sunset Commission

SB 9 establishes the Alaska Sunset Commission, an independent entity charged with meticulously reviewing each state agency to make recommendations to legislature to improve the efficacy of, or disband, that agency. The agency auto-sunsets if legislature doesn't take up recommendations in bill form. S State Affairs heard SB 9 March 2023. H Ways & Means Committee filed companion HB 190, moved the bill out February 14, and H State Affairs heard it March 12 and 19.

Constitutional Amendment: Abortion/Funding

This proposed constitutional amendment will prevent judges from ruling that statutes which protect babies in the womb are unconstitutional. A hearing request was submitted March 2023 to Senate Judiciary Chair Matt Claman.

School/University Employee Health Insurance

SB 110 gives districts the option to participate in the state employee health plan, AlaskaCare. If passed, Senate Bill 110 could ease the financial burden of school districts and give the State of Alaska more leverage to negotiate with healthcare providers, improving services, and leaving more funds for classroom use. Senate Education hearings held April 2023. This bill would free up millions for districts. Unfortunately the Education Chair has chosen to not advance the bill. NEA has not supported the legislation.

Rejecting Commission's Recommendation to Raise Salaries

SB 111 rejects the recent recommendation in the Alaska State Officers Compensation Commission report to raise legislators' salaries by 67%. It rejects the salary increases and provides a vehicle for changes to the compensation commission process. Hearing request submitted to Senate Finance March 2023.

Extending Alaska Senior Benefits

This bill would extend senior benefits in Alaska for one decade to June 30, 2034 to prevent the program from expiring. Our office has submitted hearing request to Sen. Olson, Senate Finance Co-Chair. A similar bill, SB 170 passed the Senate that removes the sunset date of June 20, 2024.

Safe Schools Act

We must not wait until an active shooter tragedy occurs in one of our schools to start the policy discussion on how to protect lives. This bill requires districts to assign one or more highly trained, stable and responsible individuals to conceal-carry on school grounds and coordinate with local law enforcement. Every second makes a difference. An on-site immediate response will save lives. Second hearing held March 1 by Senate Labor & Commerce. Public testimony held. Amendment adopted for state to reimburse districts for training costs. Bill moved to the next committee, Senate Judiciary. A hearing has been requested but the Chair has indicated he had no plans to move the bill.

Artificial Intelligence

This bill works to protect individuals from potential harm due to use of artificial intelligence by state entities, regulates personal data storage and collection, and use of deepfakes in political media. First hearing was in front of Senate State Affairs February 1st with quite a line-up of expert testimonies. Another hearing occurred April 4th, adopting a committee substitute with brief opportunity for amendment. Bill was passed out of committee April 23 with an updated committee substitute and is now headed to Senate Judiciary. We have filed for a hearing.

For Information on bills I'm co-sponsoring

For information on all bills filed during this session

Keep up with updates, notices, news, and photos throughout the week and live broadcasts every Monday evening at 6pm

Join Shelley on Facebook Live each week to ask questions and give input.

We typically broadcast Mondays at 6:00 pm, but watch for a notification on Facebook as the day/time is subject to change.

Be sure to "like" the "Senator Shelley Hughes" Facebook page www.facebook.com/AKShelleyHughes

so you'll get a heads-up each time we air! 

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Alaska State Legislature web site is the place to track bills, locate and contact your legislators, and access committee information. Questions? Try the help wizard or call 1-800-478-4648.

SMS Bill Tracking! Once you know what bill(s) you want to monitor, here’s a convenient way to track what’s happening. Text any bill number (ex: SB1) to 559-245-2529 to enroll in text alerts for that particular piece of legislation. You’ll receive an enrollment confirmation as well as instructions on how to unsubscribe.

How to Get in Touch with Shelley! Give our office a call at 907-465-3743 or 800-565-3743 or send an email to Sen.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov. If you need assistance, want a response, or need other follow-up, please call rather than email.

Anneliese Roberts

Chief of Staff

Anneliese.Roberts@akleg.gov

907-465-5025

Stephen Knouse

Legislative Aide

Stephen.Knouse@akleg.gov

907-465-3743

Lisa Murkowski - Senator

Anchorage: 907-271-3735

Mat-Su: 907-376-7665

Dan Sullivan - Senator

Anchorage: 907-271-5915

Mat-Su: 907-357-9956

Mary Peltola - Representative

Anchorage: 907-921-6675

You can watch senate floor sessions, typically Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:00 am and Fridays at 10:30 am online or on your local 360North television channel.

Best regards,

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