Alaska 34th Alaska State Legislature Status: To Executive 4 D cosponsors

HB 23 — An Act renaming the State Commission for Human Rights the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to investigations and conciliation by the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to removal of commissioners of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to reports from the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to the definition of 'employer' for the purposes of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to local civil rights commissions; and providing for an effective date.

Last action — (H) VETOED BY GOVERNOR 6/18/26

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

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced January 22, 2025. It awaits signature.

Vetoed by Governor Mike Dunleavy (Republican) on June 20, 2026.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 70% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    1 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (4 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill renames and updates the functions of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights.

This bill changes the name of the State Commission for Human Rights to the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights and modifies its investigative procedures. It also updates definitions and protocols related to the commission's operations.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

112 added · 21 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended version of HB 23 changes the name of the State Commission for Human Rights to the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights. This update not only renames the commission but also clarifies its role in investigations, conciliation processes, and commissioner removals. Additionally, it adjusts the definition of "employer" under the commission's jurisdiction, which could impact who is considered an employer in civil rights matters. These changes are important as they aim to modernize the commission's functions and improve how civil rights issues are addressed in Alaska.

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34-LS0249\A HOUSE BILL NO.
LAWS OF ALASKA Source Chapter No.
23 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION BY REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON Introduced:
SCS CSHB 23(FIN)(edf add S) _______ AN ACT Renaming the State Commission for Human Rights the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights;
1/22/25 Referred:
relating to investigations and conciliation by the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights;
Labor and Commerce, Finance A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to the definition of 'employer' for the purposes of the State Commission for Human Rights." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
relating to removal of commissioners of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights;
* Section 1.
relating to reports from the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights;
relating to the definition of "employer" for the purposes of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights;
relating to local civil rights commissions;
and providing for an effective date.
_______________ BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
THE ACT FOLLOWS ON PAGE 1 Enrolled HB 23 AN ACT Renaming the State Commission for Human Rights the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights;
relating to investigations and conciliation by the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights;
relating to removal of commissioners of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights;
relating to reports from the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights;
relating to the definition of "employer" for the purposes of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights;
relating to local civil rights commissions;
and providing for an effective date.
_______________ * Section 1.
AS 18.80.010 is amended to read:
Sec.
18.80.010.
Creation.
There is created in the office of the governor an Alaska [A] State Commission for Civil [HUMAN] Rights.
* Sec.
2.
AS 18.80.020 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
(b) The governor may remove a commissioner from office for cause.
For -1- Enrolled HB 23 purposes of this subsection, cause includes incompetence, neglect of duty, and misconduct in office and public statements and public or private actions that undermine the commission's work or violate this chapter.
To remove a commissioner for cause, the governor shall provide a copy of the charges to the commissioner and offer an opportunity for the commissioner to be publicly heard in person, or by counsel, in the commissioner's defense, upon not less than 10 days' notice.
If a commissioner is removed for cause, the governor shall file with the lieutenant governor a complete statement of all charges made against the commissioner and the governor's findings based on the charges, together with a complete record of the proceedings.
* Sec.
3.
AS 18.80.110 is amended to read:
Sec.
18.80.110.
Investigation and conciliation.
The executive director or a member of the commission's staff designated by the executive director shall informally investigate the matters set out in a filed complaint, promptly and impartially.
If the complainant, executive director, and respondent agree to a remedy before the investigator makes a determination on the complaint, the agreement must be reduced to writing and signed by the complainant, executive director, and respondent.
If an agreement is not reached before the investigator makes a determination and the investigator determines that there is substantial evidence of an unlawful discriminatory practice under this chapter, the investigator shall immediately try to eliminate or remedy the discriminatory practice through an agreement reached by conference, conciliation, and persuasion.
If an agreement is reached, it must be reduced to writing and signed by the complainant, executive director, and respondent.
An [THE] agreement reached under this section before or after the investigator makes a determination on the complaint is binding and enforceable under this chapter as an order of the commission.
Show all 84 changed rows (44 more)
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An agreement reached under this section may include the compromise of damages authorized under this chapter.
* Sec.
4.
AS 18.80.150 is amended to read:
Sec.18.80.150.Annualreport.Eachyear,the[THE]commissionshallreview all data [REPORT ANNUALLY TO THE GOVERNOR] on civil rights problems the commission [IT] has encountered in the preceding year [,] and produce a report by November 15 of each year on those problems.
The report may include Enrolled HB 23 -2- recommendations for [RECOMMEND] legislative action.
[THE COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE THE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AGENCY WITH 40 COPIES OF THE REPORT DURING THE WEEK PRECEDING THE CONVENING OF THE ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION FOR LIBRARY DISTRIBUTION.] The commission shall make [COPIES OF] the report available to the public electronically and notify the governor and the legislature that the report is available.
* Sec.
5.
AS 18.80.220 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
(e) In an action brought under (a)(1) of this section, it is an affirmative defense that (1) the employer is a religious corporation, association, educational institution, or society that hires employees of a particular religion to perform work connected with carrying on the corporation, association, educational institution, or society and its activities;
and (2) the employee is hired to engage in activities that are ecclesiastical, spiritual, orreligious andtheemployee's job responsibilitiesincludefurthering thestudy or advancement of religion.
* Sec.
6.
AS 18.80.290(a) is amended to read:
(a) The legislative body of a municipality may, by ordinance or resolution, authorize the establishment of membership in and support of a local civil [HUMAN] rights commission.
The number and qualifications of the members of a local commission and their terms and method of appointment or removal shall be as determined by the legislative body, except that a member may not hold office in a political party.
* Sec.
7.
AS 18.80.300(2) is amended to read:
(2) "commission" means the Alaska State Commission for Civil [HUMAN] Rights;
* Sec.
8.
(5) "employer" means a person, including the state and a political subdivision of the state, who has one or more employees in the state but does not include an [A CLUB THAT IS] exclusively social [,] or [A] fraternal organization that is not organized for private profit [, CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL,] or a religious association or corporation that [, IF THE CLUB, ASSOCIATION, OR CORPORATION] is not organized for private profit;
(5) "employer" means a person, including the state and a political subdivision ofthe state, whohas oneormore employees inthestatebut does not include an organization [A CLUB] that is exclusively social [,] or [A] fraternal and [, CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, OR RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATION OR -3- Enrolled HB 23 CORPORATION, IF THE CLUB, ASSOCIATION, OR CORPORATION] is not organized for private profit;
HB0023a -1- HB 23 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
* Sec.
9.
AS 18.80.300(7) is amended to read:
(7) "executivedirector" means theexecutivedirector ofthe AlaskaState Commission for Civil [HUMAN] Rights;
* Sec.
10.
AS 24.60.039(b) is amended to read:
(b) IfapersonfilesacomplaintwiththecommitteeunderAS 24.60.170alleging a violation of this section, the committee may refer the complainant to the Alaska State Commission for Civil [HUMAN] Rights and may defer its consideration of the complaint until after the complainant establishes to the satisfaction of the committee that the commission has completed its proceedings in the matter.
* Sec.
11.
AS 39.50.200(b)(13) is amended to read:
(13) Alaska State Commission for Civil [HUMAN] Rights (AS 18.80.010);
* Sec.
12.
AS 44.62.330(a)(42) is amended to read:
(42) Alaska State Commission for Civil [HUMAN] Rights, where procedures are not otherwise expressly provided in AS 18.80;
* Sec.
13.
This Act takes effect January 1, 2027.
Enrolled HB 23 -4-
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How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill renames the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights to the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights and makes several amendments regarding its operations and definitions.

  • AS 18.80.010

    Alaska [A] State Commission for Civil [HUMAN] Rights. → Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights.

    Renames the commission from 'Human Rights' to 'Civil Rights'.

  • AS 18.80.020

    The governor may remove a commissioner from office for cause. For purposes of this subsection, cause includes incompetence, neglect of duty, and misconduct in office and public statements and public or private actions that undermine the commission's work or violate this chapter. To remove a commissioner for cause, the governor shall provide a copy of the charges to the commissioner and offer an opportunity for the commissioner to be publicly heard in person, or by counsel, in the commissioner's defense, upon not less than 10 days' notice. If a commissioner is removed for cause, the governor shall file with the lieutenant governor a complete statement of all charges made against the commissioner and the governor's findings based on the charges, together with a complete record of the proceedings.

    Establishes a formal process for the removal of commissioners by the governor.

  • AS 18.80.110

    An [THE] → An

    Clarifies that agreements reached under this section are binding and enforceable as an order of the commission.

  • AS 18.80.150

    [THE] commission shall review all data [REPORT ANNUALLY TO THE GOVERNOR] → Each year, the commission shall review all data on civil rights problems the commission has encountered in the preceding year and produce a report by November 15 of each year on those problems.

    Changes reporting procedures to provide an annual review and report on civil rights issues encountered.

  • AS 18.80.220

    In an action brought under (a)(1) of this section, it is an affirmative defense that the employer is a religious corporation, association, educational institution, or society that hires employees of a particular religion to perform work connected with carrying on the corporation, association, educational institution, or society and its activities; and the employee is hired to engage in activities that are ecclesiastical, spiritual, or religious and the employee's job responsibilities include furthering the study or advancement of religion.

    Establishes an affirmative defense for religious organizations regarding employment discrimination.

  • AS 18.80.290(a)

    local civil [HUMAN] rights commission. → local civil rights commission.

    Renames local civil rights commissions to remove 'Human'.

  • AS 18.80.300(2)

    Civil [HUMAN] Rights; → Civil Rights;

    Updates the definition of 'commission' to reflect the new name.

  • AS 18.80.300(5)

    organization [A CLUB] that is exclusively social [,] or [A] fraternal and [, CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, OR RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATION OR CORPORATION, IF THE CLUB, ASSOCIATION, OR CORPORATION] is not organized for private profit; → organization that is exclusively social or fraternal and is not organized for private profit;

    Clarifies and simplifies the definition of 'employer'.

  • AS 18.80.300(7)

    Civil [HUMAN] Rights; → Civil Rights;

    Updates the definition of 'executive director' to reflect the new name.

  • AS 24.60.039(b)

    Alaska State Commission for Civil [HUMAN] Rights → Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights

    Revises the reference to the commission to reflect the new name.

  • AS 39.50.200(b)(13)

    Alaska State Commission for Civil [HUMAN] Rights → Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights

    Updates the statute to use the new name for the commission.

  • AS 44.62.330(a)(42)

    Alaska State Commission for Civil [HUMAN] Rights, where → Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights, where

    Changes the name in another reference to the commission.

Action History

  1. (H) VETOED BY GOVERNOR 6/18/26

  2. (H) 10:44 A.M. 6/1/26 Transmitted to Governor

  3. (H) TITLE CHANGE: SCR 32

  4. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE

  5. (H) CONCUR AM OF (S) Y40

  6. (H) CONCUR MESSAGE TAKEN UP

  7. (H) CONCUR MESSAGE READ AND HELD

  8. (S) VERSION: SCS CSHB 23(FIN)(EFD ADD S)

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

  10. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE

  11. (S) PASSED Y20 N-

  12. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME SCS CSHB 23(FIN)(EFD ADD S)

  13. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC

  14. (S) ...CHANGES TITLE OF LEGISLATION

  15. (S) AM NO 1 ADOPTED UC

  16. (S) FIN SCS ADOPTED UC

  17. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME

  18. (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/17/2026

  19. (S) FN3: (GOV)

  20. (S) NR: KAUFMAN, CRONK, MERRICK

  21. (S) DP: OLSON, HOFFMAN, KIEHL

  22. (S) TITLE CHANGE: SCR 32

  23. (S) FIN RPT SCS 3DP 3NR NEW TITLE

  24. (S) Minutes (SFIN)

  25. (S) Moved SCS CSHB 23(FIN) Out of Committee -- Please Note Time Change --

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

  27. (S) Scheduled but Not Heard

  28. (S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532

  29. (S) Heard & Held

  30. (S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532

  31. (S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): KAWASAKI, GRAY-JACKSON, CLAMAN

  32. (S) FIN

  33. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  34. (H) VERSION: CSHB 23(L&C)

  35. (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)

  36. (H) PASSED Y39 E1

  37. (H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 23(L&C)

  38. (H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/16 CALENDAR

  39. (H) L&C CS ADOPTED UC

  40. (H) READ THE SECOND TIME

  41. (H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/14/2025

  42. (H) FN2: (GOV)

  43. (H) NR: BYNUM

  44. (H) DP: HANNAN, GALVIN, JIMMIE, FOSTER, JOSEPHSON, SCHRAGE

  45. (H) FIN RPT CS(L&C) NEW TITLE 6DP 1NR

  46. (H) Minutes (HFIN)

  47. (H) Moved CSHB 23(L&C) Out of Committee -- Please Note Time Change --

  48. (H) FINANCE at 10:00 AM ADAMS 519

  49. (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --

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

  51. (H) Minutes (HFIN)

  52. (H) Heard & Held

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

  54. (H) Minutes (HFIN)

  55. (H) Heard & Held -- Delayed to 2:10 pm --

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

  57. (H) FN1: (GOV)

  58. (H) NR: NELSON, SADDLER, COULOMBE

  59. (H) DP: CARRICK, BURKE, HALL, FIELDS

  60. (H) L&C RPT CS(L&C) NEW TITLE 4DP 3NR

  61. (H) Minutes (HL&C)

  62. (H) Moved CSHB 23(L&C) Out of Committee -- Delayed to a Call of the Chair --

  63. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124

  64. (H) Minutes (HL&C)

  65. (H) Heard & Held

  66. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124

  67. (H) Minutes (HL&C)

  68. (H) Heard & Held

  69. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124

  70. (H) L&C, FIN

  71. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  72. (H) Prefile released 1/10/25

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 61 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (61)

61 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 61 →

"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

Concur

Passed 40 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 1000
R 20000
D 14000
N 5000
Total 40000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Steve St. Clair — Yea
Andi Story D Yea
Andrew Gray D Yea
Andy Josephson D Yea
Ashley Carrick D Yea
Carolyn Hall D Yea
Donna Mears D Yea
Genevieve Mina D Yea
Maxine Dibert D Yea
Neal Foster D Yea
Nellie Unangiq Jimmie D Yea
Robyn Niayuq Frier D Yea
Sara Hannan D Yea
Ted Eischeid D Yea
Zack Fields D Yea
Alyse Galvin N Yea
Bryce Edgmon N Yea
Calvin Schrage N Yea
Ky Holland N Yea
Rebecca Himschoot N Yea
Bill Elam R Yea
Chuck Kopp R Yea
Dan Saddler R Yea
David Nelson R Yea
David Nelson R Yea
DeLena Johnson R Yea
Elexie Moore R Yea
Frank Tomaszewski R Yea
Jamie Allard R Yea
Jeremy Bynum R Yea
Jubilee Underwood R Yea
Julie Coulombe R Yea
Justin Ruffridge R Yea
Kevin McCabe R Yea
Louise Stutes R Yea
Mia Costello R Yea
Mike Prax R Yea
Rebecca Schwanke R Yea
Sarah Vance R Yea
Will Stapp R Yea

Official roll call →

Third Reading - Final Passage — Effective Date(s)

Passed 20 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
R 11000
D 9000
Total 20000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (20)
Member Party Vote
Bill Wielechowski D Yea
Donald Olson D Yea
Elvi Gray-Jackson D Yea
Forrest Dunbar D Yea
Jesse Kiehl D Yea
Lyman Hoffman D Yea
Löki Tobin D Yea
Matt Claman D Yea
Scott Kawasaki D Yea
Bert Stedman R Yea
Cathy Giessel R Yea
Cathy Tilton R Yea
Gary Stevens R Yea
George Rauscher R Yea
James Kaufman R Yea
Jesse Bjorkman R Yea
Kelly Merrick R Yea
Mike Cronk R Yea
Robert Myers R Yea
Robert Yundt R Yea

Official roll call →

Third Reading — Final Passage

Passed 39 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 1000
D 13000
R 20001
N 5000
Total 39001
% of votes cast 98%0%0%3%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Robyn Niayuq Burke — Yea
Andi Story D Yea
Andrew Gray D Yea
Andy Josephson D Yea
Ashley Carrick D Yea
Carolyn Hall D Yea
Donna Mears D Yea
Genevieve Mina D Yea
Maxine Dibert D Yea
Neal Foster D Yea
Nellie Unangiq Jimmie D Yea
Sara Hannan D Yea
Ted Eischeid D Yea
Zack Fields D Yea
Alyse Galvin N Yea
Bryce Edgmon N Yea
Calvin Schrage N Yea
Ky Holland N Yea
Rebecca Himschoot N Yea
Bill Elam R Yea
Cathy Tilton R Yea
Chuck Kopp R Yea
Dan Saddler R Yea
David Nelson R Yea
DeLena Johnson R Yea
Elexie Moore R Yea
Frank Tomaszewski R Yea
George Rauscher R Yea
Jamie Allard R Yea
Jeremy Bynum R Yea
Jubilee Underwood R Yea
Julie Coulombe R Yea
Justin Ruffridge R Yea
Kevin McCabe R Yea
Louise Stutes R Yea
Mia Costello R Yea
Mike Prax R Yea
Rebecca Schwanke R Not Voting
Sarah Vance R Yea
Will Stapp R Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights labor education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 23?
HB 23 is sponsored by Matt Claman (D), Elvi Gray-Jackson (D), Scott Kawasaki (D), and Andy Josephson (D).
What is the current status of HB 23?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced January 22, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track HB 23?
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