April 24, 2026
House and Senate Exchange Operating and Capital Budgets; Legislators Hear Presentation from UAA Chancellor and College of Health Leaders on “Building Alaska’s Health Talent Pipeline”
The House’s version of the FY27 operating budget and the Senate’s version of the FY27 capital budget were officially exchanged this week, meaning each body will now review the budgets crafted by their colleagues and begin making changes. In the coming weeks, the Senate will pass their amended version of the operating budget, while the House works on amending and passing the capital budget. Once both bodies have made changes to the budget bills, they will be returned to their house of origin for a vote on whether to accept the changes, or appoint a conference committee to work out the differences.
Senate Finance Committee Continues Work on Operating Budget
Senator Hoffman, Co-Chair for the operating budget, released a new draft of the state’s FY27 budget this week. The latest version of incorporates the actions taken by each of the Senate Finance subcommittees, while also making some changes.
For the University of Alaska, the employee compensation funding and the support for expanded student recruitment at all three universities remain in the Senate’s budget. In addition, Senator Hoffman added receipt authority provisions for UAF’s Alaska Critical Minerals Accelerator program. While the addition of this receipt authority does not come with any state funding, »¨˝·Ö±˛Ącontinues to advocate for state support to help unlock the $160 million federal grant from the National Science Foundation.
UAA Leaders Highlight Health Programs
The House Health and Social Services Committee invited UAA Chancellor Cheryl Siemers, along with College of Health Associate Deans Cary Moore and Andre Rosay to Juneau to testify on the great work UAA is doing to build Alaska’s health talent pipeline. The presentation highlighted the many academic programs offered at UAA to train Alaska’s future health workforce, including the School of Nursing, the Doctor of Pharmacy Program, the WWAMI School of Medical Education, the Department of Psychology, the School of Social Work, and many others that all help meet the high demands of Alaska’s health-related fields.
A recording of the committee hearing is available on the .
House Bill 10 (HB10) - Bill to Add a Faculty Member to the Board of Regents is Heard in Senate Finance Committee
Rep. Carrick’s was heard in the Senate Finance Committee on April 22. The bill would add a UA faculty member to the Board of Regents. In Senate Finance, the committee is most interested in the fiscal impact to the state. The fiscal note provided estimates that most costs will be related to expected travel expenses as the Board meets at different campuses around Alaska.
Senate Bill 181 (SB181) - UAA/ISER Data Sharing Bill Moves from the House Labor and Commerce Committee
Senator Stevens’s moved from the House Labor and Commerce Committee on April 22. If historical precedent holds, its next destination is the House Floor. If the bill is unamended on the Floor, it will have passed both bodies “as is” originally envisioned, and will make its way to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
Senate Bill 287 (SB287), Which Creates a Joint Legislative Task Force on Alaska Native Languages, Was Introduced Today by the Senate Education Committee
would create a Joint Legislative Alaska Native Languages Academic Task Force. The task force shall consist of three members of the House of Representatives, and three members of the Senate and will hold public meetings and solicit input from communities and experts in the field of Alaska Native languages. The task force is expected to issue a final report, with findings and recommendations, on a number of issues, including examining the legislature’s original intent in establishing the Alaska Native Language Center.
The first committee of referral is the Senate State Affairs Committee.
What We’re Watching
Monday, April 27
- 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: Presentation: Governor’s Amendments by Office of Management and Budget. : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations.
Tuesday, April 28
- 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations.
- 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.
- 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations.
Wednesday, April 29
- 8:00 a.m. - House Education: Presentation: Teacher Education Programs by Dr. Bridget Weiss, Alaska College of Education Consortium, University of Alaska.
- 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.
- 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Peace Officers/Firefighters: Disability. : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations.
- 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: : Employer Contributions.
- 4:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations.
Public Testimony
Thursday, April 30
- 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations.
Friday, May 1
- 9:00 a.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Capital/Funds/Supplementals/Reappropriations.
Saturday, May 2
- 3:30 p.m. - Senate State Affairs: : University of Alaska Fees.
For more information, contact Director of State Relations for the University of Alaska System Chad Hutchison, cell 907-378-3946, email clhutchison@alaska.edu. You can also follow the University of Alaska Government Relations on our .