View source for Alaska State Legislature

{{Short description|Legislative branch of the state government of Alaska}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Primary sources|date=September 2013}}
{{Missing|the legislature's history|date=April 2022}}
}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2011}}
{{Infobox legislature
 | name              = Alaska State Legislature
 | coa_pic           = Seal of the State of Alaska.svg
 | term_limits       = None
 | new_session       = January 21, 2025
 | session_room      = Alaska State Capitol, Juneau.jpg
 | house_type        = Bicameral
 | houses            = {{ubl|[[Alaska Senate|Senate]]|[[Alaska House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]}}
 | house1            = [[Alaska Senate|Senate]]
 | house2            = [[Alaska House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
 | leader1_type      = Senate President
 | leader1           = [[Gary Stevens (politician)|Gary Stevens]]
 | party1            = ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Coalition government|C]])
 | election1         = January 21, 2025
 | leader2_type      = [[List of Speakers of the Alaska House of Representatives|House Speaker]]
 | leader2           = [[Bryce Edgmon]]
 | party2            = ([[Independent politician|I]]-C)
 | election2         = January 21, 2025
 | authority         = Article 2, [[Alaska Constitution]]
 | salary            = $84,000/year + per diem
 | members           = * 20 senators
* 40 representatives
 | structure1        = Alaska State Senate 2025-2027.svg
 | structure1_res    = 250px
 | political_groups1 = 
'''Majority coalition caucus (14)'''
* {{Color box|#3333FF|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;[[Alaska Democratic Party|Democratic]]&nbsp;(9)

* {{Nowrap|{{Color box|#ff95b3ff|border=darkgray}} [[Alaska Republican Party|Republican]] (5)}}

'''Minority caucus (6)'''
* {{Color box|#ff3333|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;[[Alaska Republican Party|Republican]]&nbsp;(6)
 | structure2        = Alaska House 2025-2027.svg
 | structure2_res    = 250px
 | political_groups2 = 
;Majority coalition caucus (21)
* {{Color box|#3700FF|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;[[Alaska Democratic Party|Democratic]]&nbsp;(14)
* {{Color box|#cac8ff|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;[[Independent politician|Independent]]&nbsp;(5)
* {{Color box|#f75381|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;[[Alaska Republican Party|Republican]]&nbsp;(2)
;Minority caucus (19)
* {{Color box|#FF0000|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;[[Alaska Republican Party|Republican]]&nbsp;(19)
 | last_election1    = [[2024 Alaska Senate election|November 5, 2024]]<br />(10 seats)
 | next_election1    = [[2026 Alaska Senate election|November 3, 2026]]<br />(10 seats)
 | last_election2    = [[2024 Alaska House of Representatives election|November 5, 2024]]
 | next_election2    = [[2026 Alaska House of Representatives election|November 3, 2026]]
 | redistricting     = Alaska Redistricting Board
 | meeting_place     = [[Alaska State Capitol]]<br />[[Juneau, Alaska|Juneau]]
 | website           = [https://akleg.gov/index.php Alaska State Legislature]
 |constitution=[[Constitution of Alaska]]| legislature       =[[34th Alaska State Legislature]] 
}}
The '''Alaska State Legislature''' is the [[state legislature (United States)|state legislature]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alaska]]. It is a [[Bicameralism|bicameral]] institution consisting of the 40-member [[Alaska House of Representatives]] ([[lower house]]) and the 20-member [[Alaska Senate]] ([[upper house]]). There are 40 House Districts (1–40) and 20 Senate Districts (A–T).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.akredistricting.org/Files/2013_PROCLAMATION/DistrictDescriptions2013Proclamation.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=August 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120135/http://www.akredistricting.org/Files/2013_PROCLAMATION/DistrictDescriptions2013Proclamation.pdf |archive-date=August 26, 2014 }}</ref> With a total of 60 lawmakers, the Alaska State Legislature is the smallest bicameral state legislature in the United States and the second-smallest of all state legislatures (only the 49-member [[unicameral]] [[Nebraska Legislature]] is smaller). State representatives are elected by [[Instant-runoff voting|ranked-choice voting]]. There are no term limits for either chamber. The Alaska State Legislature meets in the [[Alaska State Capitol]] in [[Juneau, Alaska|Juneau]]. The current meeting, since January 21, 2025 is the [[34th Alaska State Legislature]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alaska State Legislature |url=https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Home/Archive |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=www.akleg.gov}}</ref> The previous meeting, [[33rd Alaska State Legislature]], met from 2023 to 2025. Before that, the [[32nd Alaska State Legislature]], met from 2021 to 2023.

==Organization==

===Non-professional legislature===
Unlike other state legislatures with longer sessions, the Alaska State Legislature's comparatively short session allows many lawmakers to retain outside employment, especially in the state's many [[seasonal industry|seasonal industries]], such as [[fishery|fishing]] and [[tourism]]. In this, the Alaska State Legislature retains some of the [[Volunteering|volunteer]] nature that characterized most state legislatures until the middle of the 20th century. This has led to recurring but minor controversy around the potential for [[conflict of interest]] inherent in legislators' outside employment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/011306/opi_20060113001.shtml|title=Alaska editorial: Let a commission help decide legislator's pay|date=January 13, 2006|publisher=[[Juneau Empire]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024235124/https://www.juneauempire.com/stories/011306/opi_20060113001.shtml|archive-date=October 24, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=August 23, 2006}}</ref>

===Terms and qualifications===
[[File:28th Alaska Legislature - Senate Swear In Ceremony.jpg|thumb|left|The swearing-in ceremony for the 28th Alaska State Legislature.]]
A candidate for legislative office must be a qualified voter and resident of Alaska for no less than three years, and a resident of the district from which elected for one year immediately preceding filing for office.<ref name="handbk">{{cite web|url=http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/docs/pdf/handbook.pdf|title=Alaska Handbook to State Government|date=September 2011|publisher=State of Alaska Legislative Affairs Agency|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222021438/http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/docs/pdf/handbook.pdf|archive-date=December 22, 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=April 25, 2013}}</ref> A [[Alaska Senate|senator]] must be at least 25 years of age and a representative 21 years of age at the time the oath of office is taken.<ref name="handbk"/>

Each chamber of the legislature may expel a member with the concurrence of two-thirds of the membership of that house.<ref name="handbk"/> This has happened only once in the legislature's history. On February 5, 1982, the Alaska Senate of the 12th Legislature expelled [[Bethel, Alaska|Bethel]] senator [[George Hohman]] from the body. Hohman was convicted of bribery in conjunction with his legislative duties on December 24, 1981, and had defiantly refused to resign from his seat. Expulsion was unnecessary during the more recent [[Alaska political corruption probe]], as legislators targeted by the probe resigned, lost renomination or re-election, or did not seek re-election.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

The [[Alaska Constitution]] gives the legislature the authority to set the term start date. Legislative terms begin on the second Monday in January following a presidential election year and on the third Tuesday in January following a gubernatorial election.<ref name="const">{{cite web|url=http://ltgov.alaska.gov/treadwell/services/alaska-constitution/article-ii-96A0the-legislature.html|title=Article 2 of the Alaska Constitution|publisher=Lieutenant Governor's Office|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222032055/http://ltgov.alaska.gov/treadwell/services/alaska-constitution/article-ii-96A0the-legislature.html|archive-date=December 22, 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=April 26, 2013}}</ref> Representatives have a two-year term, and senators have a four-year term. One-half of the senators shall be elected every two years.<ref name="const"/>

===Meetings===
Annual sessions begin in January and are limited by statute to 90 calendar days. Special sessions of 30 calendar days may be convened by a consensus of two-thirds of each house.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alaska State Legislature |url=https://akleg.gov/pages/legbranch.php |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=akleg.gov}}</ref>

In the 2006 elections, a voter initiative was passed that reduced the statutory length of the session from 121 days to 90 days. The 2008 session was the first 90-day session. Although the session adjourned on time, opponents of the shorter session claimed that legislation was rushed and public input was jeopardized.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/374722.html|title=Legislature adjourns on time|work=[[Anchorage Daily News]]|date=April 13, 2008|access-date=September 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920053413/http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/374722.html|archive-date=September 20, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Legislative process==

===Introduction===
Legislators introduce a bill by giving it to the Chief Clerk of the Alaska House of Representatives or the Secretary of the [[Alaska Senate]].<ref name="process">{{cite web|url=http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/docs/pdf/legprocess.pdf|title=Legislative Process|publisher=Alaska Legislature|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222033634/http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/docs/pdf/legprocess.pdf|archive-date=December 22, 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=April 25, 2013}}</ref> Bills submitted by the governor are introduced through a Rules Committee in either chamber. The chief clerk of the house or the senate secretary assigns each bill a number.<ref name="process"/>

During session, a bill is introduced and first read by number, sponsor or sponsors, and title. The bill is then referred to a committee or multiple committees.<ref name="process"/> Both chambers have the following committees: Finance; Health, Education and Social Services; Judiciary; Labor and Commerce; Community and Regional Affairs; Resources; Rules; State Affairs and Transportation; and any subcommittees created by committee chairs.<ref name="process"/>

===Committee work===
Committee chairs can choose whether or not to hear a bill, and committees can vote to approve a bill in its original form or make modifications through a committee substitute.<ref name="process"/> Once bills or substitutes are approved, the legislation is referred to the next committee of assignment or to the Rules Committee, which can further amend the bill or assign it to the chamber's daily calendar.<ref name="process"/>

===Floor action===
Once the Rules Committee has scheduled a bill on the chamber floor, it appears on the calendar in Second Reading. The bill is again read by number, sponsor or sponsors, and title, along with the standing committee reports. A motion is made on the floor to adopt any committee substitutes.<ref name="process"/> Amendments can also be offered and voted on.<ref name="process"/> Third Reading is where the motion is made to vote on the bill.<ref name="process"/>

===Opposite chamber===
After final passage in either the Alaska House of Representatives or Alaska Senate, a bill is engrossed and sent to the opposite house to go through the same process of introduction, committee referral, and three readings.<ref name="process"/>

===Enactment===
When a bill is not modified in the second house, that house can send it to the governor on Third Reading, through enrollment. If the bill is modified, the house of origin must vote to accept or reject amendments by the opposite house. A Fourth Reading, in the case of acceptance, will send the bill to the governor, through enrollment. If amendments are rejected, the bill can be sent to conference, where members of the Senate and House hash out a final version and send it to a Fourth Reading in both houses.<ref name="process"/>

The governor can choose to sign or veto the legislation. In the case of the veto, a two-thirds majority can override the veto. If signed or approved by a veto override, the legislation becomes law.<ref name="process"/> Unlike in many states, the governor does not have the power of the [[pocket veto]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.akhistorycourse.org/articles/article.php?artID=404 |title=Alaska History and Culture: Legislative Branch |access-date=June 19, 2014 |archive-date=April 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408234606/http://www.akhistorycourse.org/articles/article.php?artID=404 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Caucuses==
Unlike many other state legislative chambers in the United States, both houses of the Alaska State Legislature have a longstanding tradition of majority caucuses encompassing members of both major parties ([[Alaska Republican Party|Republican]] and [[Alaska Democratic Party|Democratic]]). Democrats caucusing with the majority are colloquially known as "Bush Democrats," a reference to the [[The Bush (Alaska)|Alaskan bush country]] from which they typically hail.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.alaskapublic.org/2013/04/14/house-passes-oil-tax-bill/|agency=Alaska Public Media|title=House Passes Oil Tax Bill
|first=Alexandra|last=Gutierrez|date=April 14, 2013|access-date=January 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Democrat Hoffman joins Republican Alaska Senate majority|url=http://www.adn.com/article/20141106/democrat-hoffman-joins-republican-alaska-senate-majority|agency=Alaska Dispatch|date=November 6, 2014|access-date=January 20, 2015|first=Rich|last=Mauer}}</ref> Members of the minority party caucusing with the majority are treated as members of the majority for purposes of committee assignments and caucus meetings.

==See also==
{{Portal|Alaska}}
* [[Impeachment in Alaska]]
* [[Alaska political corruption probe]]
* [[Alaska State Capitol]]
* [[List of Alaska State Legislatures]]
* [[Statewide Suicide Prevention Council]]
* [[Political party strength in Alaska]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
<!-- Per [[WP:ELMINOFFICIAL]], choose one official website only -->
* {{Official website|https://akleg.gov/index.php}}
* {{Ballotpedia|Alaska_State_Legislature}}

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{{Alaska State Legislatures}}
{{United States legislatures}}
{{Alaska House of Representatives}}
{{Alaska State Senators}}
{{Alaska}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Alaska Legislature| ]]
[[Category:Bicameral legislatures]]