This session has been dubbed the “M & M Session” for money and marijuana, because they seemed to have consumed most of the time and attention.
State Budget
With House passage of the budget, the activity level of the Legislature is increasing. The Senate will now consider it. The House budget reduced state spending by 10 percent by cutting $229 million in unrestricted general funds. While this is only a first step in getting expenditures in line with revenues, it is a significant reduction.
Marijuana
The Senate is preparing to pass its marijuana measure, Senate Bill 30, to the House early next week. It will then begin closing out its budget subcommittees and working on the state budget, beginning in the Senate Finance Committee.
Smoking
Senate Bill 1, which would prohibit smoking in public places, passed from the Senate Health and Social Services Committee to the State Affairs Committee. NFIB was successful in getting potentials penalties removed that could have affected employment practices by giving applicants a cause of action against an employer who was presumed to not hire the applicant because of previous anti-smoking actions. Legislators were persuaded that employers should not be held accountable to defend themselves against charges of retribution where they are unlikely to know an event had occurred.
Business Income Loss
Senate Bill 5, relative to loss of business income in restitution cases, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and was sent to the Senate Finance Committee. It is scheduled to be heard March 17. Leadership Council Member Chris Nettels has testified in support for NFIB.
Daylight Savings Time
Senate Bill 6, repealing daylight saving time, passed the Senate and starts its trip through the House. It was referred to the House State Affairs Committee.
Business Filings
We have added House Bill 122 to our list of bills. It changes the filing for many corporations from a two-year cycle to a four-year cycle. While there is no saving in fees, the reduction in paperwork is a positive step. Click here for a letter we sent to its legislative sponsor.
Medicaid Reform
Senate Bill 74, by Sen. Pete Kelly is aimed at Medicaid reform. NFIB/Alaska members voted to oppose Medicaid expansion. This bill focuses on reform without expansion, because many legislators are having difficulty with the notion of expanding Medicaid, then discussing reform. This bill reforms first, then discusses expansion after. Senator Kelly has reached out to NFIB/Alaska asking for any other suggestions we might have for reform.
Congressman Don Young Thanked
We thanked Congressman Don Young joining as a cosponsor of House Resolution 928. This bill would repeal the health insurance tax (HIT), part of Obamacare that taxes only those purchasing insurance through the insured market. This hits small businesses, but not those businesses and unions large enough to self-insure.
Sen. Mia Costello Thanked
On Thursday, Leadership Council Member PeggyAnn McConnochie presented Sen. Mia Costello with a certificate recognizing her as a Legislator who is a member of NFIB.
Past Reports
