SESSION UPDATE - March 4, 2024

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Have you ever thought about the fact that today’s date (March 4th) is a "command"? March forth! When I think about marching forth, the immediate question that comes to my mind is “Where are we marching? Where are we going?”

Today is a good day to think about where we’re headed. Am I headed simply to survive another week? To get through the legislative session? What about you?

We all need short term goals, especially when we’re faced with tough stuff, but without long term goals, we will wander, get little done, find little or no reward, but most tragically, miss out on our destiny.

Now there’s a profound topic: destiny. It can be scary but don’t avoid contemplating why you were put on this big old earth. Without being or sounding too philosophical or grandiose, I’d like you to know I consider what I do here on your behalf, tackling issues relevant to Alaskans, as part of my life’s plan.

This past week, I worked on an issue I know in my gut is going to come home to roost in a way we will all regret if we don’t take care of it: protecting students and staff in the event of an active shooter in a school.

SB 173 More Support Than Oppose: Concealed Carry by Trained School Staff

Finally, the testimony coming into the Capitol better reflected Alaskans at large than what we typically see! About 300 weighed in to support my bill, SB 173, while about 95 opposed it. Too often a vocal minority weighs in and the silent majority remains silent – and good bills often stall and die because of this.

This past Friday concerned Alaskans stepped up. More than 60 sent emails supporting the bill; 233 signed a petition in support, and about 20 called in to verbally testify advocating for the passage of SB 173. The opposition consisted primarily of the “Moms Demand Action” group who used part of their testimony time to advocate for red flag type bills.

Only one of the testifiers calling in was not from Alaska, but his testimony was powerful and you should know about it. Ryan Petty of Florida testified briefly but did not mince words. He’s the Vice Chair of the Florida State School Board and a Technology Executive but neither of those are the reasons he called in. Ryan lost his 14-year-old daughter Alaina in the tragic school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine’s Day, 2018. He urged committee members to support SB 173 to prevent the loss of lives in schools in Alaska.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who took the time to write or call in support! I wish I could say our work is done but read on to find out why it is not… 

One Committee Passes SB 173 But Next Committee May Not

The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee passed SB 173 out after adding an amendment for districts to receive reimbursement from the state for training costs. The bill moves next to the Senate Judiciary Committee where the Chair, Senator Matt Claman, has indicated he does not support SB 173 and has no plans to move it forward. This bill will also receive a Senate Finance Committee referral due to the amendment.

AGAIN PLEASE: Speak up Silent Majority

Tell Chair Claman to hear and pass out SB 173

► Choose one of two ways:

1. Click HERE to quickly sign a petition (or the ad below).
2. Email Sen.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov, Sen.Matt.Claman@akleg.gov, SJUD@akleg.gov, Sen.Donny.Olson@akleg.gov, and SFIN@akleg.gov

Catch the Latest: SB 140 Hardball

Education is still the hot topic here in the Capitol building. It’s getting extremely interesting to say the least. See my article below or here: SB 140 Hardball.

Pivoting to More Than Oil

We’ve relied heavily on oil for a very long time. It’s been good to us; it’s been the lifeblood for our state. It’s time though to develop other sectors more fully. Let’s talk about one of them. See my article below or here: New Economic Horizons in Alaska.

Watch for a Vote on PFD Policy This Week

The House heard amendments last week to HJR 7 and is expected to vote on the full resolution this week.

HJR 7 proposes putting a question on the ballot whether to adopt a constitutional amendment to remove the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) from the annual budget process and instead make it an automatic payment to Alaskans calculated according to whatever prescribed formula is in statute at the time.

Those concerned the statutory formula would be frequently changed and reduced if the PFD is constitutionalized without the formula embedded, need not worry. History shows the legislature is extremely reluctant to change the formula, and getting a bill through to do so is no small task.

The PFD is certainly important to Alaskans and our economy and has certainly been a political football for the last eight years, but there’s another, even more important reason we need to settle this matter. See my article below or here: HJR 7: It’s so much more than just the PFD.

Upcoming Attractions

Hope to see some of you at the Arctic Winter Games starting this weekend! I hope to pop back to Mat-Su from Juneau and catch a little of this wonderful and major event in our region! Big, big thanks to all those who’ve been working hard for a long time to orchestrate this unique opportunity for Mat-Su. Special thanks too to the many volunteers. Let’s all be safe and have fun as we celebrate our Alaskans youth and the visiting youth from afar!

If you're interested in food security and agriculture, consider testifying to the Alaska Food Strategy Task Force this Friday at 11am. See details in the hearing notice in the set of images below. As the Chair of this task force, I'd be honored to hear your input!

Be sure to tune in to our Facebook Live tonight at 6pm, where we'll delve into hot happenings and topics here in the Capitol building. My next Coffee Chat is Saturday, March 30, 2024. Details will be forthcoming.

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,

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

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

SB 140: The Question to Ask About Education Funding

When too many schools are failing, is any proposed increased funding targeted to improve student achievement?

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 stated on the floor she would concur with the changes to SB 140 because it was a step in the right direction, but would also support the Governor if he chose to veto the bill to send it back to the drawing board so missing but important elements targeted to improve student outcomes could be added. "After the vote, the ball will be in the governor's court. If he wants to play hardball, I'll be on his team." Sen. Hughes is urging her colleagues to pass the missing components in another bill before the SB 140 March 14 deadline to prevent its veto.



(Photo courtesy of The Peninsula Clarion)

Senator Hughes recapping SB173 Safe Schools Act in Senate Labor & Commerce Committee before the hearing was opened for public testimony.

Targeted school shootings: 44% of the attacks lasted one minute. 83% lasted less than five minutes. Outside law enforcement average response: 5-10 minutes.*

*Report: Protecting America’s Schools, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States Secret Service, National Threat Assessment Center 2019. https://www.secretservice.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/Protecting_Americas_Schools.pdf

The chart above shows that red flag laws do not solve the problem of school shootings as much as the group "Moms Demand Action" wants us to think they do.

Other resource Links

• Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990
• Gun Laws by State
• State Gun Laws - 2020
• The effects of state and Federal Gun control laws on school shootings
• Licensing
• SRO Study
• Stats Before and After SROs

Members of the University of Alaska Student Coalition came and spoke with us at our office about funding concerns the UA campuses are facing and legislative bills that might help. Pictured are Sen. Hughes' Chief of Staff Anneliese Roberts, and students Deborah Weisser, Josie Josephson, constituent Joe Pavia-Jones, and Cole Osowski.

Kalb Stevenson and Chris Gerteisen from Nova Minerals met with Senator Hughes to point out the critical minerals found in the West Susitna area, including antimony, and what their mining project could mean for Alaska and our nation. Right now the United States relies on adversarial nations for antimony, an essential component of thousands of items.

Lori VanDiest dropped in to visit with Senator Hughes and caught up with staffer Stephen Knouse who was a student during her former Colony High days.

Education Commissioner Deena Bishop and Division Director Kathy Moffitt came by the office to speak with Senator Hughes about education issues related to current efforts and the Alaska Reads Act passed in 2022.

Senator Hughes and Speaker Tilton hosted a Lunch and Learn featuring Set Free Alaska to give the organization the opportunity to report on their pilot program that is designed to reduce the rate of recidivism for inmates re-entering society post-incarceration.

68% of inmates in Alaska released into our communities after serving their incarceration commit a crime and return to prison within one year. This is the spinning revolving door Set Free Alaska is working to stop. Their pilot project so far has brought the recidivism rate for their clients down to 21%.

The program was made possible in part by a $1 million grant from the state Senator Hughes and others worked to get into the budget in 2020. The pilot project has already saved the state over $6 million in public safety, court, and prison costs. Set Free Alaska has gained international recognition for their comprehensive residential model that provides the necessary support and guidance for their clients to stand on their own feet, break addiction cycles, get training and a job, develop healthy relationships, secure and pay for their housing and more.

The model is poised to scale up to expand its reach. Set Free Alaska hopes to provide a proven template that can be replicated across Alaska as well as elsewhere.

Special Olympics competitor and business owner Rebecca Alley stopped in to visit Senator Hughes. Rebecca is a bowling champion and certainly is a better bowler than Sen. Hughes!

Senator Hughes introduced Faith Horcsik (a constituent from Palmer and a Master of Social Work program candidate) on the floor this past week.

Constituent and member of Service Employees International Union Shawn Lyle came in to meet Senator Hughes to talk about Medicaid reimbursements for in-home care for clients who need 24-hour oversight.

Weslie Senden is a constituent who was in Juneau as part of the Conoco Phillips program. She explained her work and responsibilities on the North Slope, and the two spoke about various issues before the legislature this year.

A group of directors from Tribal Behavioral Health met with Senator Hughes about priorities of concern. Pictured are Ronto Roney, Alexiss Santoni, Dinetta Morris, and Gillian Wright.

Some of the hearty souls who braved the fierce winds to attend Saturday’s Coffee Chat stuck around until the doors locked and posed graciously in the bright sunshine at Senator Hughes’ request. 

"Solar is laughable for Alaska for most of the year.

Never close the door on oil, gas, [and] coal"

"HJR7 is a start and we support it!"

"Our police officer at Colony and our safety coordinator are AMAZING, we need [SB173]."

"I’m quite concerned about the current version of SB140. Simply increasing the BSA is reckless. . . . Alaska needs genuine reform to improve our children's education."

"Who do you work for as well as

where is the money coming from to pay this amount from now on?"

"Physicians involved in helping children make the decision to change their sex are child abusers. How can children make such decisions until they are adults?"

"@AKShelleyHughes You are my hero. 🖤❤️🤍💙🖤"

"Criminal shooters know schools are vulnerable, because schools are designated as 'a gun free zone'. Schools have a duty and responsibly to protect our students and teachers."

"Make background checks mandatory, enforce red flag laws, do something positive to get this runaway problem under control, please. But DO NOT put guns in schools, it will not help."

"It is imperative that we have capable, trained, armed individuals poised to safeguard our children in educational settings statewide. The alarming surge in violent gun-related incidents within schools underscores the urgent need for proactive measures."

"The number of independent pharmacies in Alaska has decreased by 25% in less than 6 years. SB 121 / HB 226 offers protection to our local pharmacies by prohibiting PBMs from reimbursing our pharmacies less than what they would reimburse their affiliated pharmacies."

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.

MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1:30pm

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:

Violent Crimes Compensation Board: Anna Cometa

Alaska Police Standards Council: Ron Dupee & Jeff Brown

TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 3:30pm

SENATE HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Consideration of Governor's Appointees:

Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority: John Sturgeon & Brent Fisher

State Medical Board: David Barnes & David Wilson

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1:30pm

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:

Public Defender: Terrence Haas

Commission on Judicial Conduct: Robert Sheldon

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1:00pm

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Consideration of Governor's Appointees:

State Commission for Human Rights: Rebecca Carrillo & William Craig

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1:00pm

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Consideration of Appointees:

Select Committee on Legislative Ethics

Honor the outstanding volunteers in your community. Let them be recognized by fellow Alaskans for their positive contributions and impact in our state.

For details, click the image above or visit

https://gov.alaska.gov/first-lady-volunteer-awards

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

Then check out and follow our social media platforms

for even more up-to-the-minute info!

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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 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 May 2023 and held a hearing on the bill this past Wednesday.

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.

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.

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 may be scheduled soon.

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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& THEN JOIN US LIVE TONIGHT AT 6PM!

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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