Alaska 33rd Legislature (2023-2024) Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 15 D · 4 I · 3 R cosponsors

HB 26 — An Act relating to the official languages of the State of Alaska; renaming the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council as the Council for Alaska Native Languages; relating to the transfer of the Council for Alaska Native Languages from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to the Department of Education and Early Development; and relating to the Council for Alaska Native Languages.

Last action — (H) LEG FINANCE APPROPRIATION MESSAGE REVISED 10/15

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 19, 2023. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Mike Dunleavy (Republican) on October 09, 2024.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 82% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 27 sponsors

    1 primary, 26 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 3 parties (15 D · 4 I · 3 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Mixed recorded votes

    4 passed, 1 failed in recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

93 added · 39 removed

Plain-language change summary

The bill HB 26 has been updated to rename the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council to the Council for Alaska Native Languages and to transfer its oversight from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Education. These changes reflect a commitment to better support the preservation and revitalization of Alaska Native languages by placing the council under a department focused on education, which may enhance its effectiveness and outreach. This helps ensure that Alaska Native languages receive the necessary attention and resources within the educational framework of the state.

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33-LS0266\A HOUSE BILL NO.
LAWS OF ALASKA Source Chapter No.
26 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION BY REPRESENTATIVES STORY, Galvin, Hannan, Mina, McCormick, Dibert, Armstrong, Groh, Josephson, Schrage, Gray, Fields, Ortiz, Himschoot, Edgmon, Stapp, Cronk, C.Johnson, Mears Introduced:
SCS CSHB 26(FIN) _______ AN ACT Relating to the official languages of the State of Alaska;
1/19/23 Referred:
renaming the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council as the Council for Alaska Native Languages;
House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs, Finance A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act renaming the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council as the Council for Alaska Native Languages;
relating to the transfer of the Council for Alaska Native Languages from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to the Department of Education and Early Development;
and relating to the Council for Alaska Native Languages." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
and relating to the Council for Alaska Native Languages.
* Section 1.
_______________ BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
AS 44.33.520(a) is amended to read:
THE ACT FOLLOWS ON PAGE 1 Enrolled HB 26 AN ACT Relating to the official languages of the State of Alaska;
(a) The Council for Alaska Native Languages [ALASKA NATIVE LANGUAGE PRESERVATION AND ADVISORY COUNCIL] is established in the department for the purpose of recommending the establishment or reorganization of programs to support the preservation, restoration, and revitalization of Alaska Native languages.
renaming the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council as the Council for Alaska Native Languages;
* Sec.
relating to the transfer of the Council for Alaska Native Languages from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to the Department of Education and Early Development;
2.
and relating to the Council for Alaska Native Languages.
AS 44.33.520(c) is amended to read:
_______________ * Section 1.
(c) The governor shall appoint to the council established in this section seven [FIVE] voting members who are professional language experts and who represent diverse regions of the state.
AS 14.07 is amended by adding a new section to read:
In addition, one member of the senate appointed by the HB0026a -1- HB 26 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0266\A president of the senate and one member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives shall serve on the council as nonvoting members.
Sec.
14.07.200.
Council for Alaska Native Languages.
(a) The Council for Alaska Native Languages is established in the department for the purpose of recommending the establishment or reorganization of programs to support the preservation, restoration, and revitalization of Alaska Native languages.
(b) The council established under this section shall -1- Enrolled HB 26 (1) advise both the governor and legislature on programs, policies, and projects to provide for the cost-effective preservation, restoration, and revitalization of Alaska Native languages in the state;
(2) meet at least twice a year to carry out the purposese council;
members may participate in meetings telephonically;
and (3) prepare reports of its fidings and recommendations for the governor's and the legislature's consideration on or before January 1 of each even- numbered year.
(c) The governor shall appoint to the council established in this section seven voting members who are professional language experts and who represent diverse regions of the state.
In addition, one member of the senate appointed by the president of the senate and one member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives shall serve on the council as nonvoting members.
(d) The members appointed by the governor shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.
(e) Members of the council shall serve without compensation but are entitled to per diem and travel expenses as provided under AS 39.20.180.
(f) The department shall provide staff as needed to support the council;
the staff must demonstrate competency in an Alaska Native language.
2.
AS 44.12.310(a) is amended to read:
(a) The English, Inupiaq, Siberian Yupik, Central Alaskan Yup'ik, Cup'ig, Alutiiq, Unanga/Cx, Dena'ina, Deg Xinag, Holikachuk, Koyukon, Upper Kuskokwim, Gwich'in, [TANANA,] Upper Tanana, Sahcheeg xut'een xneege' (Middle Tanana), Benhti Kokhwt'ana Kenaga' (Lower Tanana), Tanacross, Hän, Ahtna, Wetał (Ts'etsa'ut), Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian languages are the official languages of the State of Alaska.
* Sec.
AS 44.12.320 is amended to read:
Enrolled HB 26 -2- Sec.
44.12.320.
Scope.
[THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IS THE LANGUAGE TO BE USED BY ALL PUBLIC AGENCIES IN ALL GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS AND ACTIONS.] The English language shall be used in the preparation of all official public documents and records, including all documents officially compiled, published, or recorded by the government.
* Sec.
4.
AS 44.33.520 is repealed.
* Sec.
5.
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As soon as practicable after the effective date of sec.
(a) The employees of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development who, on the day before the effective date of this Act, provide services to the Council for Alaska Native Languages under former AS 44.33.520, repealed by sec.
2 of this Act, the governor shall appoint to the Council for Alaska Native Languages the two additional voting members created by sec.
4 of this Act, do not become employees of the Department of Education and Early Development as a result of the transfer of the Council for Alaska Native Languages from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to the Department of Education and Early Development under AS 14.07.200, added by sec.
2 of this Act.
1 of this Act.
HB 26 -2- HB0026a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
(b) Orders and regulations issued or adopted under authority of a law amended or repealed by this Act remain in effect for the term issued, uil revoked, vacated, or otherwise modified under the provisions of this Act.
All contracts, rights, liabilities, and obligations created by or under a law amended or repealed by this Act and in effect on the effective date of this Act remain in effect notwithstanding this Act's taking effect.
Records, reports, equipment, and other property of the Council for Alaska Native Languages whose functions are transferred under this Act shall be transferred to implement the provisions of this Act.
(c) A council member serving on the Council for Alaska Native Languages on the day before the effective date of this Act shall continue to serve as a council member of the Council for Alaska Native Languages, transferred from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to the Department of Education and Early Development under AS 14.07.200, added by sec.
1 of this Act, to the same extent that the council member would have remained a member if the council had not been transferred.
(d) As soon as practicable after the effective date of AS 14.07.200(c), added by sec.
1 of this Act, the governor shall appoint to the Council for Alaska Native Languages the two -3- Enrolled HB 26 additional voting members created by AS 14.07.200(c), added by sec.
1 of this Act.
Enrolled HB 26 -4-
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Action History

  1. (H) LEG FINANCE APPROPRIATION MESSAGE REVISED 10/15

  2. (H) FN3: (CED)

  3. (H) FN2: (EED)

  4. (H) FN(S) ATTACHED TO APPROP. BILL HB 268

  5. (H) LEG FINANCE APPROPRIATION MESSAGE 8/30/24

  6. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW 11/29/24

  7. (H) LAW W/O GOV SIGNATURE 8/30 CH 48 SLA 24

  8. (H) 2:30 P.M. 8/8/24 Transmitted to Governor

  9. (H) TITLE CHANGE: SCR 11

  10. (H) CONCURRED AM OF (S) Y38 N1 A1

  11. (H) CONCUR TAKEN UP Y34 N5 A1

  12. (H) CONCUR READ AND HELD

  13. (S) VERSION: SCS CSHB 26(FIN)

  14. (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) AS AMENDED

  15. (S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): CLAMAN, KAWASAKI, WIELECHOWSKI, STEVENS

  16. (S) PASSED Y19 N- E1

  17. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME SCS CSHB 26(FIN)

  18. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/6 CAL

  19. (S) FIN SCS ADOPTED UC

  20. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME

  21. (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/3/2024

  22. (S) TITLE CHANGE: SCR 11

  23. (S) FN3: (CED)

  24. (S) FN2: (EED)

  25. (S) NR: WILSON, MERRICK

  26. (S) DP: OLSON, BISHOP

  27. (S) FIN RPT SCS 2DP 2NR NEW TITLE

  28. (S) Minutes (SFIN)

  29. (S) Moved SCS CSHB 26(FIN) Out of Committee -- Please Note Time Change --

  30. (S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532

  31. (S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): KIEHL, GRAY-JACKSON, DUNBAR, TOBIN

  32. (S) Heard & Held

  33. (S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532

  34. (S) FN1: (CED)

  35. (S) NR: BJORKMAN

  36. (S) DP: KAWASAKI, WIELECHOWSKI

  37. (S) STA RPT 2DP 1NR

  38. (S) Minutes (SSTA)

  39. (S) Moved CSHB 26(TRB) Out of Committee -- Rescheduled from 3:30 pm --

  40. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 09:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  41. (S) STA WAIVED PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE, RULE 23

  42. (S) STA, FIN

  43. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  44. (S) Minutes (SSTA)

  45. (S) <Pending Referral>

  46. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  47. (H) VERSION: CSHB 26(TRB)

  48. (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)

  49. (H) HIMSCHOOT, EDGMON, STAPP, CRONK, C.JOHNSON, MEARS

  50. (H) COSPONSOR(S): DIBERT, ARMSTRONG, GROH, JOSEPHSON, SCHRAGE, GRAY, FIELDS, ORTIZ,

  51. (H) PASSED Y37 N1 E2

  52. (H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 26(TRB)

  53. (H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC

  54. (H) AM NO 1 FAILED Y1 N37 E2

  55. (H) TRB CS ADOPTED UC

  56. (H) READ THE SECOND TIME

  57. (H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/3/2023

  58. (H) COSPONSOR(S): MINA, MCCORMICK

  59. (H) FN1: (CED)

  60. (H) D.JOHNSON, FOSTER

  61. (H) DP: TOMASZEWSKI, CRONK, ORTIZ, COULOMBE, STAPP, GALVIN, HANNAN, JOSEPHSON,

  62. (H) FIN RPT CS(TRB) NEW TITLE 10DP

  63. (H) Minutes (HFIN)

  64. (H) Moved CSHB 26(TRB) Out of Committee

  65. (H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519

  66. (H) Minutes (HFIN)

  67. (H) Heard & Held

  68. (H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519

  69. (H) COSPONSOR(S): GALVIN, HANNAN

  70. (H) FN1: (CED)

  71. (H) DP: CARPENTER, DIBERT, VANCE, ALLARD, MCCORMICK

  72. (H) TRB RPT CS(TRB) NEW TITLE 5DP

  73. (H) Minutes (HTRB)

  74. (H) Moved CSHB 26(TRB) Out of Committee -- Please Note Time Change --

  75. (H) TRIBAL AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM DAVIS 106

  76. (H) Minutes (HTRB)

  77. (H) Heard & Held

  78. (H) TRIBAL AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM DAVIS 106

  79. (H) Minutes (HTRB)

  80. (H) Heard & Held -- Teleconference <Listen Only> --

  81. (H) TRIBAL AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM DAVIS 106

  82. (H) TRB REPLACED EDC REFERRAL

  83. (H) EDC, FIN

  84. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  85. (H) Prefile released 1/9/23

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 26 co-sponsors · 38 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (26)

Not signed on (38)

38 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 38 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Subjects

civil-rights labor education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 26?
HB 26 is sponsored by Gary Stevens (R), Bill Wielechowski (D), Scott Kawasaki (D), Matt Claman (D), Löki Tobin (D), Forrest Dunbar (D), Elvi Gray-Jackson (D), Jesse Kiehl (D), Donna Mears (D), C.Johnson, Mike Cronk (R), Will Stapp (R), Bryce Edgmon (N), Rebecca Himschoot (N), Ortiz, Zack Fields (D), Andrew Gray (D), Calvin Schrage (N), Andy Josephson (D), Groh, Armstrong, Maxine Dibert (D), Mccormick, Genevieve Mina (D), Sara Hannan (D), Alyse Galvin (N), and Andi Story (D).
What is the current status of HB 26?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 19, 2023. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 26?
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