Alaska 34th Alaska State Legislature Status: Passed Senate

SB 185 — An Act relating to the business of insurance; relating to exceptions to prohibited rebates; relating to the powers of the director of the division of insurance; relating to prohibited practices in the advertisement of insurance; and providing for an effective date.

Last action — (H) Scheduled but Not Heard -- Delayed to a Call of the Chair --

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

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced April 25, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

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

Advancing 46% · moderate confidence

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

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

In plain language

The bill clarifies practices related to insurance rebates and advertising in Alaska.

This legislation amends existing laws regarding insurance practices, specifically around exceptions for rebates and advertising. It aims to regulate how insurers may interact with policyholders and outline acceptable promotional activities.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

94 added · 98 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of SB 185 has modified some provisions related to value-added products or services offered by insurers. Notably, it removed the specific cost limits for these products, which had previously set a cap at either $250 per policy term or five percent of the policy premium. This change is significant because it allows insurers more flexibility in determining how they value-added services, potentially leading to more options for customers. However, it also means that there is less oversight on the costs associated with these offerings, which could impact consumers' expenses.

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34-LS0721\I CS FOR SENATE BILL NO.
34-LS0721\N SENATE BILL NO.
185(L&C) IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY THE SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE Referred:
185 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY THE SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE Introduced:
Rules6 Sponsor(s):
4/25/25 Referred:
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to the business of insurance;
Community and Regional Affairs, Labor and Commerce A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to the business of insurance;
Nothing in SB0185B -1- CSSB 185(L&C) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0721\I AS 21.36.090, 21.36.100, and AS 21.54.100 may be construed as including within the definition of discrimination or rebates any of the following practices:
Nothing in SB0185A -1- SB 185 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0721\N AS 21.36.090, 21.36.100, and AS 21.54.100 may be construed as including within the definition of discrimination or rebates any of the following practices:
CSSB 185(L&C) -2- SB0185B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0721\I (E) alternative standards are available for an individual who is unable to participate in a reward program because of a health condition;
SB 185 -2- SB0185A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0721\N (E) alternative standards are available for an individual who is unable to participate in a reward program because of a health condition;
SB0185B -3- CSSB 185(L&C) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0721\I * Sec.
SB0185A -3- SB 185 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0721\N * Sec.
(b) Except as provided in (c) of this section, an insurer or insurance producer offering a value-added product or service in accordance with (a)(6) of this section shall ensure that (1) the cost to the insurer or producer of offering the product or service to a customer is reasonable relative to that customer's premium or insurance coverage for the policy class, the aggregate cost of a value-added product or service offered under this subsection does not exceed the greater of $250 for each policy term or five percent of the premium for the applicable policy, and that a value-added product or service is not offered solely to an individual negotiating or procuring a group or association policy on behalf of others;
(b) Except as provided in (c) of this section, an insurer or insurance producer offering a value-added product or service in accordance with (a)(6) of this section shall ensure that (1) the cost to the insurer or producer of offering the product or service to a customer is reasonable relative to that customer's premium or insurance coverage for the policy class;
(d) An insurer or insurance producer may (1) offer or give noncash gifts, items, or services to, including provision of meals to or charitable donations made on behalf of, a customer in connection with the marketing, sale, purchase, or retention of a contract of insurance if CSSB 185(L&C) -4- SB0185B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0721\I (A) the offer is made in a manner that is not unfairly discriminatory;
(d) An insurer or insurance producer may (1) offer or give noncash gifts, items, or services to, including provision of meals to or charitable donations made on behalf of, a customer in connection with the marketing, sale, purchase, or retention of a contract of insurance if (A) the offer is made in a manner that is not unfairly discriminatory;
and (C) the cost of the noncash gift, item, or service does not exceed an amount determined by the director to be reasonable for each term of a policy year;
SB 185 -4- SB0185A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0721\N and (C) the cost of the noncash gift, item, or service does not exceed an amount determined by the director to be reasonable for each term of a policy year;
and (F) a participant is not required to purchase, continue to purchase, or renew a policy in exchange for participation in the raffle or SB0185B -5- CSSB 185(L&C) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0721\I drawing.
and (F) a participant is not required to purchase, continue to purchase, or renew a policy in exchange for participation in the raffle or drawing.
An insurer, insurance producer, or representative of an insurer or producer may not (1) offer or provide insurance as an incentive for purchasing another policy;
An insurer, insurance SB0185A -5- SB 185 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0721\N producer, or representative of an insurer or producer may not (1) offer or provide insurance as an incentive for purchasing another policy;
7 of this Act, this Act takes effect January 1, 2027.
7 of this Act, this Act takes effect January 1, 2026.
CSSB 185(L&C) -6- SB0185B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
SB 185 -6- SB0185A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
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Action History

  1. (H) Scheduled but Not Heard -- Delayed to a Call of the Chair --

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

  3. (H) Scheduled but Not Heard -- Delayed to 9:00 am --

  4. (H) FINANCE at 08:00 AM ADAMS 519

  5. (H) Scheduled but Not Heard -- Recessed to a Call of the Chair --

  6. (H) FINANCE at 06:00 PM ADAMS 519

  7. (H) -- Public Testimony -- -- Delayed to a Call of the Chair --

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

  9. (H) -- Public Testimony -- -- Delayed to a Call of the Chair --

  10. (H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519

  11. (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE

  12. (H) FIN REFERRAL ADDED AFTER L&C

  13. (H) FN3: (CED)

  14. (H) NR: CARRICK, SADDLER, D.NELSON

  15. (H) DP: FRIER, HALL, FIELDS

  16. (H) PENDING TITLE CHANGE HCR

  17. (H) L&C RPT HCS(L&C) NEW TITLE 3DP 3NR

  18. (H) Moved HCS CSSB 185(L&C) Out of Committee

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

  20. (H) Heard & Held

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

  22. (H) L&C

  23. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  24. (S) VERSION: CSSB 185(L&C)

  25. (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)

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

  27. (S) PASSED Y20 N-

  28. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME CSSB 185(L&C)

  29. (S) NOT TAKEN UP 4/3 - ON 4/7 CALENDAR

  30. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 4/3 CAL

  31. (S) L&C CS ADOPTED UC

  32. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME

  33. (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 4/1/2026

  34. (S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>

  35. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  36. (S) FN2: ZERO(CED)

  37. (S) NR: DUNBAR, GRAY-JACKSON, YUNDT

  38. (S) DP: BJORKMAN

  39. (S) L&C RPT CS 1DP 3NR SAME TITLE

  40. (S) Moved CSSB 185(L&C) Out of Committee

  41. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  42. (S) Heard & Held

  43. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  44. (S) FN1: ZERO(CED)

  45. (S) AM: DUNBAR

  46. (S) DP: YUNDT

  47. (S) NR: MERRICK, GRAY-JACKSON

  48. (S) CRA RPT 2NR 1DP 1AM

  49. (S) Minutes (SCRA)

  50. (S) Moved SB 185 Out of Committee

  51. (S) COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  52. (S) Minutes (SCRA)

  53. (S) Heard & Held

  54. (S) COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  55. (S) CRA, L&C

  56. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

Sponsors

  • Senate Labor & Commerce · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 64 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Senate Labor & Commerce

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (64)

64 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 64 →

"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

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 →

Subjects

finance health-insurance
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 SB 185?
SB 185 is sponsored by Senate Labor & Commerce.
What is the current status of SB 185?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced April 25, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB 185?
Track SB 185 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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