News from Hughes » January 16, 2024

SESSION UPDATE – January 16, 2024

We’re gaveling in today, ready to work on your behalf. As always, I’m available by email, phone, or in person if you’re in Juneau. Let me know how I can help!

Working on your behalf,

Senator Hughes joined fellow Mat-Su legislators last Monday for a townhall at the WASI hall to hear about what issues are important to you, the voters, before heading back to Juneau for the second session of the 33rd Legislature. Senator Hughes listens as Speaker Tilton addresses attendees.

The packing prep for Juneau began this weekend after a long trip back from a legislative conference! (And big thanks to my expert shoe-shiner!)

Heavy snow since Friday greeted Senator Hughes when she arrived in Juneau. Our office was not the only one that had vehicles stuck yesterday as we trekked toward the Capitol. Senator Hughes spent an hour stuck on a snow berm until help from fellow staff, legislators (Thanks Robb Myers), and kind-hearted individuals, allowed everyone in our office to make it in so we could prepare for the upcoming session that started today.

Stock Photo Courtesy Eva Bronzini: https://www.pexels.com/photo/snow-covered-tree-branches-and-trees-6372804/

Alaska’s children are not for sale! Join with me and other Alaskans, including the Alaska Stop Human Trafficking Alliance, to stand in support of HB68 Crime of Sex/Human Trafficking. I plan to do my best to help get Governor Dunleavy’s bill across the finish line in Juneau this session. January is National Human & Sex Trafficking Awareness Month, and Thursday was Wear Blue Day where we made the point to declare, enough is enough – let’s pass HB68! Hands off our children! You can read an overview of HB68 here.

Serving You in These Roles🏛️

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

For information on bills I’m co‑sponsoring

Click Here

For information on all bills filed during this session,

Click Here

SB 172

Extending the Alaska Senior Benefits

This bill would allow senior benefits in Alaska to continue for the next decade instead of shutting down next year.

SB 173

Safe Schools Act

We do not need to wait until a tragedy arises in one of our schools to start the discussion on protecting our students’ lives. This bill encourages districts to have an individual that can conceal-carry and augment local law enforcement response times when every second could make a difference.

SB 177

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.

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Bills I’ve Filed on Your Behalf

SB 3

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. The Right to Shop Act would, through natural market forces, nudge down the cost of healthcare in Alaska by introducing competition. A consumer would receive a shared savings check if the consumer chose a provider who charged less than the average going rate. If the insurance is provided by an employer, the employer would also receive a shared savings check. The Agreement provision in the bill allows a healthcare provider to offer access to a patient to a set of agreed upon services for a regularly scheduled payment (such as monthly). The bill has been referred to the Senate Labor and Commerce and Judiciary Committees. A request for a hearing in the first committee of referral has been submitted – and so far ignored. Send your support for SB 3 to Sen.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov and Senate.Labor.and.Commerce@akleg.gov.

SB 9

Alaska Sunset Commission

SB 9 establishes the Alaska Sunset Commission as an apolitical, independent, and objective entity charged with reviewing, via detailed and robust audits, each department by division in the state on a rotating schedule. The Commission will make recommendations to the legislature pertaining to the mission, duties, performance, structure and costs of executive agencies. To prevent a division from sunsetting and its statutory duties falling to the department’s office of the commissioner, the legislature will need to take up and act on the audit report. The bill has been referred to Senate State Affairs, Judiciary, and Finance Committees. A request for a hearing was granted by the Chair of the first committee of referral. The bill was heard in Senate State Affairs last March 14. Senator Hughes and aide Stephen Knouse presented the bill. Please email your support to our office at Sen.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov and to Senate.State.Affairs@akleg.gov and ask the Chair to move the bill out of committee.

SJR 2

Constitutional Amendment: Abortion/Funding

This proposed constitutional amendment will prevent judges from ruling that statutes that protect babies in the womb are unconstitutional. The amendment reads: “To protect human life, nothing in this constitution may be construed to secure or protect a right to an abortion or require the State to fund an abortion. SJR 2 has been referred to the Senate Judiciary and Health & Social Service Committees. A request for a hearing has been submitted to the Judiciary Chair, Sen. Matt Claman. Email your support for SJR2 to Sen.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov and to Senate.Judiciary@akleg.gov (and ask Sen. Claman to schedule a hearing for SJR2).

SB 110

School/University Employee Health Insurance

School districts across Alaska are facing increasing costs of healthcare which diverts funds away from classroom instruction. 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 for participating Alaskans. SB 110 would allow millions of dollars statewide to be directed to the classroom to help improve student learning. Senate Bill 110 is a companion legislation to House Bill 21. E-mail your support for SB 110 to Sen.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov and to Senate.Education@akleg.gov. SB 110 was heard in the Senate Education Committee on April 3 and 12. The House companion bill, HB 21 has had hearings in the House and will hopefully pass and come to the Senate soon.

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

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Join Shelley on Facebook Live each week to ask questions and give input.
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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
907-465-1172

Juneau Office
Alaska State Capitol Rm 7
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-465-3743
800-565-3743

Mat-Su Office (closed while in Juneau)
600 E. Railroad Avenue
Wasilla, Alaska 99654
907-376-3725

HAVE A FEDERAL ISSUE???

Contact Alaska’s US Senators and Congressman

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,

News from Hughes » January 16, 2024

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