Alaska lawmakers have filed 89 new bills and five proposed constitutional amendments ahead of next week’s legislative session. Several bills have been sponsored by the legislators representing areas throughout the Kenai Peninsula.
Proposals on the agenda this year include reviving Alaska’s state income tax, creating a state lottery, banning the use of chokeholds by police officers, moving the Legislature to Anchorage, and making Daylight Saving Time permanent across Alaska.
Senator Peter Micciche of District O is fronting an act regarding powers of the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, specifically establishing a buy-back program for certain set net entry permits.
Senator Gary Stevens of District P is sponsoring a number of bills, including an act establishing the Alaska middle-college program for public school students, as well as an act to establish public schools through state-tribal compacts.
Representative Sarah Vance of District 31 has her name stamped upon a bill regarding the Tutka Bay Hatchery.
The full list of pending pieces of legislation can be found here.
All this comes as lawmakers still wrestle with who will be in charge of the House and Senate. The Legislature convenes on January 19.