Capitol Report May 22, 2026

The 2026 regular legislative session ended late Wednesday evening, just a few hours before the constitutional adjournment deadline. In addition to passing the final versions of the FY27 operating and capital budgets and sending them on to the governor for consideration, legislators spent hours on the floor approving a number of bills before the clock ran out.

With the regular session now over, any bills that did not pass are no longer in play, and would have to be reintroduced next year to start the entire legislative process over again. The only exceptions are the bills related to the proposed gas line, which Governor Dunleavy placed on the agenda for the 30-day special session that officially began yesterday. Given that many legislators and their staff already made travel arrangements to return home following adjournment, the House Finance Committee plans to hold meetings in Anchorage beginning next week, while the Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to begin considering the governor's legislation.

Operating Budget Supports UA Student Services, Safety, & Recruitment

The conference committee on the FY27 operating budget reached a compromise to fund the following increases for the University of Alaska:

Compensation increases for eligible employees and increased health care plan costs:

• $11.5 million

Student Mental Health Services:

• UAA: $340K

• UAF: $300K

• UAS: $145K

Campus Public Safety:

• UAA: $370K

• UAF: $131K

• UAS: $200K

Student Recruitment (one-time funding):

• UAA: $375K

• UAF: $338K

• UAS: $500K

UAF Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative:

• $500K - one-time funding contingent on receiving a multi-million dollar federal grant award from the National Science Foundation.

These funding increases will help UA continue its positive enrollment trends, expand student services, improve the campus experience, and leverage federal dollars to keep the university moving forward. The legislature, especially those who serve on the finance committees, worked diligently to ensure UA received adequate state support, and their efforts are greatly appreciated.

The operating budget now goes to the governor's desk, where he will have the opportunity to consider line-item vetoes of any appropriation in the budget.

Capital Budget Invests in Critical University Deferred Maintenance, Workforce Development Programs, & Project Completion

The FY27 capital budget approved by the legislature prioritizes much needed maintenance of aging UA facilities, bolsters workforce development programs to support the proposed gas line project, and provides the final dollars needed to complete projects already under construction at UAA and UAS.

The following appropriations for UA are included in the capital budget, which is now on its way to the governor for consideration:

University of Alaska System-Wide Deferred Maintenance:

• $32.46 million - The top six DM priorities at each university can be addressed with these dollars, funding a total of 18 DM projects across the UA system.

UAA Welding and Non-Destructive Testing Renovation:

• $3 million - Supporting AKLNG Project Workforce Development.

UAA Industrial Cutting Systems and Electrical Distribution Upgrades:

• $260K - Supporting AKLNG Project Workforce Development.

UAF Campus Transit Fleet Maintenance Facility:

• $1.38 million in university receipts and $5.44 million in federal receipt authority for a federal grant award.

UAS Sitka Campus New Dock and Mariculture Training Facility - Phase II:

• $2 million - Contingent on $80 or higher average per-barrel oil price between July 1 - December 31, 2026.

UAA Alaska Leaders Archive Consortium Library Renovation:

• $1.25 million - Contingent on $80 or higher average per-barrel oil price between July 1 - December 31, 2026.

House Bill 79 (HB79), Which Renames the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) at UAA, Has Passed the Senate

On May 18, HB79, which has been amended to name ISER the "Vic Fischer Institute of Social and Economic Research," passed the Senate Floor. The vote was 19-1 on the floor. The bill then traveled back to the House and was concurred to. The bill awaits transmission to the Governor's office.

UAA/ISER Data Sharing Bill Passes Legislature

SB181, after rolling around on the House Floor docket for a few days, finally passed on May 19. The vote was 40-0. Senator Stevens and his staff, Tim Lamkin, did a terrific job working with our UA and ISER team on a bill that will help ISER assist/advise on state policy, especially when it comes to employment in Alaska's seafood industry. The bill will head to the Governor's desk next.

House Bill 176 (HB176), the Student Fee Bill, Goes To Governor for Consideration

HB176, which will do nothing substantively new for the UA, will go to the Governor for veto consideration. A few points about how our student fees process actually works:

• The UA already itemizes its student fees.

• Consolidated fees at UAA/UAF/UAS, and where they go, are already open and transparent. Not just to students, but to the public at large.

• For example, here are UAF's (https://www.uaf.edu/finserv/uaf-tuition-committee/consolidated-fee.php):

  • Student Health & Counseling Center: 18.5%

  • eCampus (Center for Teaching & Learning): 12.0%

  • Athletics: 11.5%

  • Nanook Recreation: 11.5%

  • Center for Student Engagement: 10.0%

  • Libraries and Digital Resources: 9.5%

  • Nanook Technology Services: 6.5%

  • ASUAF (Student Government/Media): 6.5%

  • Student Success Center: 5.0%

  • Transportation: 4.0%

  • Graduate School & Community Campuses: 4.0%

• Notice of fee changes, currently done by the UA, are already beyond the requirements in the bill.

• At UAA, the process for creating/adjusting the fees intended in this bill involves months of work with the elected student representatives at the university where the action is being considered. This includes, for example, USUAA holding public hearings where administrative departments present details regarding existing fees and any proposed changes. They then pass resolutions regarding the proposals that weigh heavily on the administration regarding the final decision.

House Bill 10 (HB10), Which Adds a Faculty Member to the Board of Regents, Passes Senate Floor

HB 10, passed the Senate Floor on May 15 and was concurred to by the House on May 16. The bill will go to the Governor next for consideration.

Senate Bill 140 (SB140), the Fire Station Grant Program Bill, Did Not Pass

SB140 has been supported by the UA and, specifically, our great UAF firefighters throughout the last two years. Unfortunately, because of timing and other legislative matters, it was not able to pass this year.

The topic will remain for legislative consideration in the years to come.

Senate Bill 287 (SB287), Which Creates a Task Force that Would Analyze the Alaska Native Language Center (ANLC) Ran Out of Time

SB287 would have created an Alaska Legislative Task Force to analyze Native languages and give statutory recommendations affecting the ANLC going into 2027. However, time again, got too tight as the session closed on May 20.

The UA will look to have an ongoing discussion with legislators, like Sen. Tobin, in the months ahead.