Alaska Legislature's Packed Week: Education, Transportation, and More

0:00This is Cory with the story with Anchorage News today, powered by the Daily News Now. Alaska's legislature kicks off a packed week starting Monday, March 23rd, with House and Senate floor sessions each morning and possible. Conference committees popping up early. Key hearings focus on boosting education funding, including a push for $630 more per student next year, plus bills for residential schools, CPR training, and career tech grants. Appointees to various boards and commissions also face scrutiny. On Tuesday, committees dive into hot topics, like tweaking the new sick leave law for fish processors, and legalizing electronic pull tabs beyond tribal, halls. House transportation eyes, rules for self-driving vehicles, while Senate transportation simplifies importing classic cars. Senate Judiciary takes up raising the age of consent from 16 to 18. Wednesday brings budget battles, with senate finance reviewing cuts, depermanent fund transfers, and a major tax bill. House Judiciary debates having the drunk driving limit and governor appointees.

1:03Housing gets attention too, as boards consider $15 million for a Wacilla project, and nearly 150 million in statewide, borrowing. Thursday and Friday, wrap with public records bills, broadband updates, and ethics complaint changes. Senate labor and commerce hears the nurse licensure compact, and how state affairs takes testimony Saturday on ditching daylight saving time. A no-kings rally hits Juno on Saturday too. Expect shifts in the schedule as the week unfolds, so check the legislature's site for the latest on testifying or attending.