[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6359135,"mediaKeyId","2202304-518f26f35bf29289a31fcad063a9a1e2","parentId",2202304,"title","Senate introduces bills on wage payments, board sunsets, teacher retirement rates, education and telehealth","audioSeconds",77,"startMs",653000,"endMs",730000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2202304-518f26f35bf29289a31fcad063a9a1e2&start=653&end=730","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2202304-518f26f35bf29289a31fcad063a9a1e2/thumbnail_653000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359135/Alaska/Senate-introduces-bills-on-wage-payments-board-sunsets-teacher-retirement-rates-education-and-telehealth","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359135-1c0174aedf1e99fa95a24eda6a91d39b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157006&Signature=eFMgsUuFvC4BbQEYCXMU5hu-YVTFZJ5F1ZdGWvta6LRiNdBXfcMThGhnAO1D1KuR74lIUk632JIpHoL9tQiSQHPhsghw7uKAHU7QeE6dHjxC2mCdl61uRTXP-ECC5vTXn2IIUBevqXOmXGicSFEx5W84xFkAHHquNS80m8V5DCh8IA3GZj7UJQYLbmh1COQQgdYLlHDQSnj23LeUdBPHVwj2tloIcRty2PBhSbN9T1bGI6-R3y-NotItbUvrslAVc7-34EQvRo3wpXuEDydZybXAg3eIuREDze6x5slCO4njBMtEQ1EfG84FgYfMC8NCYc0ZzbmFtg1nob5mfAVBtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska State Legislature","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","The Alaska Senate recorded the introduction of five bills on Jan. 29 that would affect labor rules, professional board sunsets, teacher and public-employee retirement contributions, public schools and telehealth reimbursement.

The bills were announced by the Senate secretary and sponsors on the floor. The measures are: Senate Bill 79 (Labor and Commerce Committee) relating to wage payments; Senate Bill 80 (Labor and Commerce Committee) extending termination dates for several regulatory boards; Senate Bill 81 (sponsored by Senator Stedman) addressing employer contribution rates for the Teachers' Retirement System and the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; Senate Bill 82 (Senate Rules Committee, by request of the governor), a broad education bill covering attendance, mobile devices in schools, reading proficiency incentive grants, charter school authorization, student transportation, school bond reimbursement, technical and vocational funding and teacher recruitment incentives; and Senate Bill 83 (sponsored by Senator Clayman), relating to insurance reimbursement for health care services provided through telehealth.

Why it matters: together the measures touch core state policy areas — labor and wage enforcement, regulatory-board oversight, retirement funding, K‑12 education policy and telehealth coverage — and if advanced by the committees could lead to hearings and floor action later in the session.

Key details announced on the floor:
- SB 79 was introduced by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee and referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee for consideration.
- SB 80 was introduced by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee and referred to Labor and Commerce; it would extend the termination dates of the Big Game Commercial Services Board, the Board of Massage Therapists and the Marijuana Control Board.
- SB 81, introduced by Senator Stedman, would relate to employer contribution rates for the Teachers' Retirement System and the Public Employees Retirement System and was referred to Labor and Commerce and Finance.
- SB 82, introduced by the Senate Rules Committee at the governor's request, covers multiple education topics and was referred to Education and Finance.
- SB 83, introduced by Senator Clayman and described as relating to telehealth insurance reimbursement, was referred to the Health and Social Services Committee and to Finance.

Next steps: Each bill will proceed to the committee(s named on the floor for hearings and further work. No committee action or votes on the measures were recorded during the Jan. 29 session.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Floor Session - January 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Alaska Senate recorded the introduction of five bills on Jan. 29 that would affect labor, regulatory boards, retirement contribution rates, education policy and telehealth.","taxTitle","Senate, Committees, Legislative, Alaska","taxId",16085,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359126,"Legislative health fair scheduled Feb. 4 in Juneau; low-cost lab packages, including $45 chemistry screen",224,896000,1120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2202304-518f26f35bf29289a31fcad063a9a1e2&start=896&end=1120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2202304-518f26f35bf29289a31fcad063a9a1e2/thumbnail_896000.jpg","/articles/6359126/Alaska/Legislative-health-fair-scheduled-Feb-4-in-Juneau-low-cost-lab-packages-including-45-chemistry-screen","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359126-f8415b41ce0e64efa1a1ed203ddf98f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157006&Signature=OyauT702iFNAUdGsiHbxdaZ98afbFFNxWX83voqnDkjUqaP4Tag0Xr9Gx8N~Azs4Gq7Oc3oHR7u2B2j49CnPMr5~xCqDbkio6AcUklhY~LdLiTurfQgj3vP9A8c2TTgQ~qvTzmnjDRz139xI6AWzQtBQyKI2CJMb1Ul5-j3DiNnBf~9QhSt8WI4nXIZ3ulw1O34BQ3RBS-6RuCcnBut9cdRNBUArgbMe4kIGUA8Q6fuakps-2dgvx1o8JsG4lPU6boDskrcy7d1oZB2IfxPoO15chAx7GWqavyIExsOHxtTj9l881qDAuWGDlswmoWATDYABUrLBobRdbTOgJfcVYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators announced on Jan. 29 that the annual legislative health fair will be held Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 8 a.m. to noon on the second floor gym of the Terry Miller Building in Juneau. The fair is open to legislators and members of the public age 18 and older, with legislators given scheduling priority.

Senator Kiehl, who described himself as a sponsor of the fair along with Representative Genevieve Mina, said the event offers a variety of low-cost lab tests. The chemistry screen, which includes a complete blood count and a lipid panel, is offered at the fair for $45; the senator said the same tests would cost about $100 in a hospital laboratory. The fair also offers A1c testing that reflects average blood glucose over the prior three months, and packaged women's and men's wellness screens. Payment options include Visa, Mastercard, check or cash.

Health considerations announced on the floor:
- A 10-hour fast is recommended before certain chemistry packages (the speaker advised drinking plenty of water and that black coffee without calories is allowed).
- There will be snacks and juice available after testing.
- Attendees will have the option on the requisition form to make a donation to support the Alaska Health Fair, a nonprofit with offices in Anchorage and Fairbanks that provides low-cost testing year-round.

Why it matters: Senate floor remarks emphasized that the health fair provides affordable screening services for Alaskans who may otherwise forgo routine monitoring due to cost. No formal action, funding or legislative endorsement was recorded on the floor beyond the announcement.

Next steps: The health fair is scheduled for Feb. 4; members of the public may attend and pay at the fair or donate to support the nonprofit that runs it.

","Senators announced a legislative health fair for 8 a.m.–noon Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the Terry Miller building gym in Juneau offering low-cost lab tests, including a $45 chemistry screen and A1c testing; fasting recommendations and donation options were noted.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359130,"House resolution urging 'Denali' remain official name sent to Senate; referred to State Affairs",30,390000,420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2202304-518f26f35bf29289a31fcad063a9a1e2&start=390&end=420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2202304-518f26f35bf29289a31fcad063a9a1e2/thumbnail_390000.jpg","/articles/6359130/Alaska/House-resolution-urging-Denali-remain-official-name-sent-to-Senate-referred-to-State-Affairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359130-f81141d8b6fc095149340d5a63289260/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157006&Signature=KpePECXfib8SiMGGtZISEQL1cApXmyeGJQaSSjsn4F4r6dKWmx9qfObcgGelyFf0UffIJUm7Q6nYyZk9RCfcE3f1vFdtjoiRl3mHObiXALjtBJszXY7CAL0M~l-~b71rMhHHk0iyfjzQxbtHcBv6bemsE4VJKNauwgnpSUETCLG7hp5TZNgvglRYu4zZ29y8Rg1H9F5Atw1D2pXW0-C7eoKP85hOFjcj1mLhpSf-Z0f2FlY8-QF91fKNJpGeVV9dEN-Xc95eefbySYKr9APEzjML1KOr8q07r1PiFLqubnaVO9A4QVvrWf78kZo3exg0hsoaWOzycGJRKxFNxeZEsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A message dated Jan. 29 from the Alaska House informing the Senate that the House had passed and transmitted a committee substitute for House Joint Resolution 4 (CS HJR 4) was read on the Senate floor. The resolution urges the president of the United States, the U.S. secretary of the interior, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names and the state's congressional delegation to maintain \"Denali\" as the official name for the tallest mountain in North America.

Senator Kawasaki moved to be shown as a cosponsor of the House joint resolution, and other senators were recorded as cosponsors on the floor. The presiding officer instructed that the resolution be referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee.

Why it matters: the resolution expresses the legislature's preference on the mountain's official name and asks federal and state officials to preserve that name; such nonbinding resolutions serve as a formal statement of legislative intent and may be used to communicate the legislature's position to federal agencies and members of Congress.

Key details:
- The message was read into the Senate record on Jan. 29 and explicitly cited the House Rules Committee as the source of the forwarded resolution.
- The Senate referred CS for HJR 4 to the State Affairs Committee for consideration.
- Multiple senators on the floor moved to be recorded as cosponsors.

Next steps: The referral to State Affairs places the resolution on that committee's agenda; committee action or a formal Senate vote was not recorded during the Jan. 29 session.

","A House message dated Jan. 29 transmitted a concurrent resolution urging federal and state officials to maintain Denali as the official name for North America's tallest mountain. The Alaska Senate referred the message to the State Affairs Committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate introduces bills on wage payments, board sunsets, teacher retirement rates, education and telehealth

Legislative health fair scheduled Feb. 4 in Juneau; low-cost lab packages, including $45 chemistry screen

House resolution urging 'Denali' remain official name sent to Senate; referred to State Affairs