Counterfeit Airbags  |  SB37

SB37 makes it a crime to knowingly sell, import, install, or reinstall a replacement airbag that does not comply with federal safety regulations specific to the vehicle’s make, model, and year. Airbag fraud is classified as a class A misdemeanor or a class C felony if it results in death or serious physical injury to another person due to the manufacture, sale, importation, installation, or reinstallation of a replacement airbag.

The Alaska State Senate passed SB37 on May 8, 2023 by a vote of 20 to 0. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this bill infringes on the rights of individuals and businesses by imposing excessive government control over the sale and installation of replacement airbags. States should not hand over sovereignty by adopting federal safety regulations.

Medicaid Expansion  |  SB58

SB58 expands Medicaid eligibility to include postpartum mothers for up to 12 months, up from 60 days. Additionally, the Department of Health must submit necessary amendments to the state plan to raise the income threshold for pregnant women and extend postpartum benefits.

The Alaska State Senate passed SB58 on May 5, 2023 by a vote of 19 to 1. We have assigned pluses to the nays because neither health care nor social welfare is the legitimate object of government. Medicaid, as with many other ‘entitlement programs,’ discriminatorily and unjustly provides “eligible” low-income persons, who have little or no tax liability, with government funds at the expense of other hard-working citizens. Alaska must reject the use of taxpayer dollars for this ever-expanding and unsustainable federal-state program that is not authorized under Article 1, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution.

Juneteenth  |  SB22

SB22 establishes Juneteenth Day as a legal holiday.

The Alaska State Senate passed SB22 on May 3, 2023 by a vote of 16 to 4. We have assigned pluses to the nays because the United States observes 10 federal holidays and the state of Alaska already observes 11. At the federal level, Juneteenth was designated as “National Independence Day” instead of July 4, falsely implies differing independence days based on race. This aligns with divisive strategies, akin to communist tactics of “dividing the people.”

Renewable Energy Grant  |  HB62

HB62 continues the renewable energy grant fund until 2033, costing $1.4 million per year.

The Alaska State Senate passed HB62 on April 28, 2023 by a vote of 18 to 0. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this legislation creates more government interference in the free-market economy and advances a Marxist climate change agenda. Bills like this bloat budgets, expand government, and lead to government picking winners and losers with taxpayer funds.

Closed Accounts  |  SB25

SB25 mandates the legislative finance division to review and recommend the repeal of inactive state accounts and funds.

The Alaska State Senate passed SB25 on March 31, 2023 by a vote of 19 to 0. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because it’s not too often that elected officials explicitly take action to shrink the size of government. More states should return unused funds and close inactive state accounts.

Federalism  |  HJR10

HJR10 is a resolution that states the Alaska State Legislature opposes the National Park Service’s proposed rule limiting non-subsistence hunting methods, asserting it infringes on state wildlife management authority established by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Alaska Constitution, and federal laws.

The Alaska State Senate passed HJR10 on March 27, 2023 by a vote of 18 to 2. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because Article VIII of the Alaska Constitution states that “The legislature shall provide for the utilization, development, and conservation of all natural resources belonging to the State, including land and waters, for the maximum benefit of its people,” and “Wherever occurring in their natural state, fish, wildlife, and waters are reserved to the people for common use.” Additionally, many other rights allow people to use public lands as they see fit, as these lands are paid for by the taxpayers. However, the National Park Service and “federally owned” land are not authorized under the U.S. Constitution. The National Park Service should hand these lands over to the states and not impede their state constitutions, as the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

Sound Money  |  HB3

HB3 designates specie as legal tender in Alaska and prohibits boroughs and cities from levying sales and use taxes on the sale or exchange of specie. It also defines “specie” as gold or silver valued primarily by metal content, in coin or bullion form, and includes provisions for additional forms of legal tender.

The Alaska State House of Representatives passed HB3 on May 11, 2023 by a vote of 25 to 15. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this bill is a strong step toward restoring constitutional money in compliance with Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution and returning to the gold standard.

Closed Accounts  |  SB25

SB25 mandates the legislative finance division to review and recommend the repeal of inactive state accounts and funds.

The Alaska State House of Representatives passed SB25 on May 10, 2023 by a vote of 40 to 0. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because it’s not too often that elected officials explicitly take action to shrink the size of government. More states should return unused funds and close inactive state accounts.

Renewable Energy Grant  |  HB62

HB62 continues the renewable energy grant fund until 2033, costing $1.4 million per year.

The Alaska State House of Representatives passed HB62 on May 3, 2023 by a vote of 35 to 3. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this legislation creates more government interference in the free-market economy and advances a Marxist climate change agenda. Bills like this bloat budgets, expand government, and lead to government picking winners and losers with taxpayer funds.

Medicaid Expansion  |  SB58

SB58 expands Medicaid eligibility to include postpartum mothers for up to 12 months, up from 60 days. Additionally, the Department of Health must submit necessary amendments to the state plan to raise the income threshold for pregnant women and extend postpartum benefits.

The Alaska State House of Representatives passed SB58 on May 3, 2023 by a vote of 35 to 3. We have assigned pluses to the nays because neither health care nor social welfare is the legitimate object of government. Medicaid, as with many other ‘entitlement programs,’ discriminatorily and unjustly provides “eligible” low-income persons, who have little or no tax liability, with government funds at the expense of other hard-working citizens. Alaska must reject the use of taxpayer dollars for this ever-expanding and unsustainable federal-state program that is not authorized under Article 1, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution.

Protected Rights  |  HB61

HB61 Amendment 2 removes a segment of the bill that allows government to shut down gun stores if they equally shut down every other store at the same time. The bills intent is to restrict the ability of state or municipal authorities to regulate firearms and other weapons during declared disaster emergencies, and this amendment ensures that government has no authority at all to shut down businesses.

The Alaska State House of Representatives rejected HB61 Amendment 2 by a vote of 3 to 36. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this amendment removes the draconian language that would allow the government to shut down businesses just like they did during the Covid-19 pandemic. Whether there is a state of emergency or not, our God-given rights as U.S. citizens should not be infringed upon.  The protections listed in this legislation are all covered under the Bill of Rights in the Constitution.

Federalism  |  HJR10

HJR10 is a resolution that states the Alaska State Legislature opposes the National Park Service’s proposed rule limiting non-subsistence hunting methods, asserting it infringes on state wildlife management authority established by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Alaska Constitution, and federal laws.

The Alaska State House of Representatives passed HJR10 on March 20, 2023 by a vote of 31 to 5. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because Article VIII of the Alaska Constitution states that “The legislature shall provide for the utilization, development, and conservation of all natural resources belonging to the State, including land and waters, for the maximum benefit of its people,” and “Wherever occurring in their natural state, fish, wildlife, and waters are reserved to the people for common use.” Additionally, many other rights allow people to use public lands as they see fit, as these lands are paid for by the taxpayers. However, the National Park Service and “federally owned” land are not authorized under the U.S. Constitution. The National Park Service should hand these lands over to the states and not impede their state constitutions, as the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

Expanding the Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Authority  |  HB127

HB127 permits the Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Authority to issue up to $1 billion in loans to the University of Alaska and regional health organizations.

The Senate passed HB127 on May 17, 2022, by a vote of 16 to 1. We have assigned minuses to the yeas because municipal bonds are tools of state-sanctioned public debt, which immorally and unconstitutionally coerce future taxpayers to subsidize various projects conceived outside the limited purpose and scope of local government. Alaska ought not to disparage its citizens of their property rights or income.

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement  |  SJR15

SJR15 recognizes the “importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement” in providing the “framework for much of [the] bilateral trade” between the “integrated economies” of Canada and Alaska, as well as “important updates to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).”

The Senate passed SJR15 on March 18, 2022, by a vote of 17 to 0. We have assigned minuses to the yeas because the U.S. should withdraw from the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)—a dangerous replacement of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which unconstitutionally seeks to end U.S. national sovereignty by advancing regional integration and establishing a North American Union.

Prohibiting Medicaid-Covered Abortions  |  SA13 (HB69)

SA13 would amend HB69, Alaska’s budget bill for fiscal year 2021-22, to prohibit Medicaid-covered abortions or services relating to abortion.

The Senate failed to pass SA13 on May 19, 2021, by a vote of 10 to 10. We have assigned pluses to the yeas because Alaska should act to ban abortion (not to mention taxpayer-funded Medicaid services) and secure the right to life for all persons. The right to life is the most fundamental, God-given, and unalienable right asserted in the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed by the 5th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

No State Funds for Employers Mandating COVID-19 Vaccines  |  SA11 (HB69)

SA11 would amend HB69, Alaska’s budget bill for fiscal year 2021-22, to ensure that no state funds be expended on an entity that mandates its employees to receive a vaccine approved under an Emergency Use Authorization granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The Senate failed to pass SA11 on May 19, 2021, by a vote of 10 to 10. We have assigned pluses to the yeas because vaccine mandates should be opposed, as an individual’s non-injurious activities, including personal health care decisions, are private matters that should not be under federal, state, or local jurisdiction in the United States. To compel American citizens to receive medical treatment would be to violate their fundamental rights protected by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Defunding Critical Race Theory  |  SA3 (HB69)

SA3 would amend, HB69, Alaska’s budget bill for fiscal year 2021-22, to prevent public funds from being used to teach critical race theory in public schools.

The Senate failed to pass SA3 on May 19, 2021, by a vote of 9 to 11. We have assigned pluses to the yeas because education–let alone efforts to indoctrinate children with false, race-based historical narratives–is not the role of government. Rather, a child’s education is the responsibility of, as well as a fundamental right of choice retained by, his or her parents. Forcing American citizens to furnish taxpayer money for a compulsory, failing, and government-run K-12 school system violates individual protections guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment. 

Limiting the Governor’s Emergency Powers  |  SA39 (HB76)

SA39 would amend HB76, which extends the COVID-19 public health disaster emergency declared by the Governor on January 15, 2021, to include the following provisions: the Governor may not declare a disaster emergency unless authorized by a majority vote of the Legislature; and the Legislature may terminate a disaster emergency by a majority vote.

The Senate failed to pass SA39 on April 28, 2021, by a vote of 4 to 16. We have assigned pluses to the yeas because Article II, Section 1, of the Alaska Constitution vests lawmaking power in the Senate and the House of Representatives, not the Governor. Each state, under Article IV, Section 4, of the U.S. Constitution, is guaranteed a republican form of government, which requires a limitation and separation of powers.

Right to Keep and Bear Arms  |  HA6 (SB136)

HA6 would amend SB136, which pertains to limitations on firearms restrictions during a declared disaster emergency, by removing the specified requirement that a person be “qualified under state law” to possess a firearm.

The House failed to pass HA6 on May 18, 2022, by a vote of 2 to 38. We have assigned pluses to the yeas because the fundamental right of the American people to keep and bear arms should not be infringed, as guaranteed by the 2^nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. State government has a duty to secure the individual and unalienable right to self-defense of one’s life, liberty, and property, regardless of a declared “disaster emergency.”

Prohibiting COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates  |  SB156

SB156 would prohibit a state agency or political subdivision from requiring an individual to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and protect an individual against unlawful discrimination by a person, employer, or government entity based on their COVID-19 vaccination status.   

The House failed to discharge SB156 from committee on May 15, 2022, by a vote of 14 to 21. We have assigned pluses to the yeas because vaccine mandates should be opposed, as an individual’s non-injurious activities, including personal health care decisions, are not the legitimate object of government, nor should be under federal, state, or local jurisdiction in the United States. To compel American citizens to receive medical treatment would be to violate their fundamental rights protected by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement  |  SJR15

SJR15 recognizes the “importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement” in providing the “framework for much of [the] bilateral trade” between the “integrated economies” of Canada and Alaska, as well as “important updates to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).”

The House passed SJR15 on March 16, 2022, by a vote of 37 to 2. We have assigned pluses to the nays because the U.S. should withdraw from the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)—a dangerous replacement of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which unconstitutionally seeks to end U.S. national sovereignty by advancing regional integration and establishing a North American Union.

Excluding Abortion-Inducing Drugs from Telehealth  |  HA2 (SB3006)

HA2 would amend SB3006, which relates to telemedicine, to exclude the prescribing of an abortion-inducing drug from telehealth services that can be provided without first conducting an in-person physical examination.  

The House failed to pass HA2 on September 12, 2021, by a vote of 15 to 21. We have assigned pluses to the yeas because Alaska should act to ban abortion and secure the right to life for all persons. The right to life is the most fundamental, God-given, and unalienable right asserted in the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed by the 5th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Cutting State Spending  |  HA57 (HB69)

HA57 would amend HB69, Alaska’s budget bill for fiscal year 2021-22, by directing state agencies to identify additional means of cutting spending so that per capita state spending is reduced to not more than twice the national average by the end of FY 2023.      

The House failed to pass HA57 on May 10, 2021, by a vote of 12 to 27. We have assigned pluses to the yeas because Alaska routinely has the nation’s highest annual per capita state spending, far above the national average. Much of this spending involves the use of federal taxpayer money for purposes not authorized under Article 1, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution.  

Limiting the Governor’s Emergency Powers  |  HA4 (HB76)

HA4 would amend HB76, which extends the COVID-19 public health disaster emergency declared by the Governor on January 15, 2021, to include the following provisions: the Governor may not declare a disaster emergency unless authorized by a majority vote of the Legislature; and the Legislature may terminate a disaster emergency by a majority vote.

The House failed to pass HA4 on March 25, 2021, by a vote of 17 to 21. We have assigned pluses to the yeas because Article II, Section 1, of the Alaska Constitution vests lawmaking power in the Senate and the House of Representatives, not the Governor. Each state, under Article IV, Section 4, of the U.S. Constitution, is guaranteed a republican form of government, which requires a limitation and separation of powers.