SJR 28 — Recognizing the vital role of workers serving in the state under the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, the H-1B Program for specialty occupations, and the H-2B Program for temporary nonagricultural workers in supporting the state's economic security and continuity of critical services.

34-LS1555\N34-LS1555\A CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO.

28(L&C)28 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY THE SENATE LABOREDUCATION AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE Referred:Introduced:

Rules63/10/26 Sponsor(s):Referred:

SENATELabor EDUCATION& COMMITTEECommerce A RESOLUTION Recognizing the vital role of workers serving in the state under the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, the H-1B Program for specialty occupations, and the H-2BH-1B Program for temporaryspecialty nonagriculturaloccupations workers in supporting the state's economic security and continuity of critical services.

and WHEREAS the Department of Labor and Workforce Development reports that visitor-related industries employed 68,386 workers in 2024, reflecting staffing needs that surge during the summer tourism season and require timely access to lawful temporary work SJR028B -1- CSSJR 28(L&C) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1555\N authorizations;

and SJR028A -1- SJR 28 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1555\A WHEREAS within the tourism industry, accommodations and scenic and sightseeing transportation are among the most seasonal components of the industry, and the department reports that these industries draw a large share of workers from outside the state during peak season;

and WHEREAS federal law provides targeted, regulated, temporary visa pathways that support employers and institutions in the state that conduct good-faith domestic recruitment and yet continue to face vacancies, including the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program,Program and the H-1B program for specialty occupations,occupations; and the H-2B program for temporary nonagricultural workers;

and WHEREAS,WHEREAS on September 19, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation CSSJR 28(L&C) -2- SJR028B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1555\N restricting entry of certain H-1B nonimmigrants unless the petition is accompanied or supplemented by a payment of $100,000;

and SJR 28 -2- SJR028A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1555\A WHEREAS a $100,000 per-worker payment requirement effectively prohibits most employers in the state from hiring H-1B workers, including rural hospitals and clinics, seafood processors, tourism businesses, local governments, schools, and contractors, by imposing a cost that cannot be realistically absorbed;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature recognizes and supports the lawful contributions of workers serving in the state under the J-1,J-1 H-1B, and H-2BH-1B visa programs and the role these programs play in the state's economic security and the continuity of critical services and seasonal industries;

and be it FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature urges the members of the Alaska delegation in Congress and other federal policymakers to preserve and strengthen workable J-1,J-1 H-1B, and H-2BH-1B pathways that support the state's unique workforce needs, including improvements to processing times, reductions in avoidable administrative disruptions, support for predictable season-to-season staffing continuity where permitted by law, and prioritization of national-interest considerations for critical and rural services;

the Honorable MarkwayneKristi Mullin,Noem, United States Secretary of SJR028B -3- CSSJR 28(L&C) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1555\N Homeland Security;

Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in SJR028A -3- SJR 28 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS1555\A Congress.

CSSJRSJR 28(L&C)28 -4- SJR028BSJR028A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]