Alaska Beacon state and legislative daybook for the week of March 16, 2026
- Alaska Beacon
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Here’s what’s happening in the Alaska Capitol and elsewhere across the state
By Alaska Beacon staff
At the Alaska Beacon, we’re constantly trying to figure out where we should put our attention. There’s always more news than there are people to report it.
Every Thursday, the Alaska Legislature publishes its committee schedule for the coming week. Public notices alert us to meetings and events. The governor’s office occasionally lets us know ahead of time that something’s coming down the pike, too.
Here’s what we know about for the coming week. If you know of something that’s coming up that you should think we should pay attention to, email us at info@alaskabeacon.com.
We can’t cover everything on this list, but we’re interested in them and we think you should know about them in case you’re interested in them, too.
This list is ripped from our notebooks, and it is likely to change over the course of the week. We’ll update it when we can.
Are you trying to keep track of when to testify on a bill? The Legislature has a website for that.
Monday, March 16
Public comments due on Tanana Chiefs Conference fiber optic plan
8 a.m. – House Education Committee hears a bill to expand eligibility for early intervention services; a bill to direct school districts to develop digital harassment and bullying policies; and a bill to expand grants for career and technical education
9 a.m. – Senate Finance Committee will hear a presentation from the Department of Revenue on the state’s spring revenue forecast — now hotly debated topic by lawmakers
10 a.m. – House members are expected to take up the fast-track budget bill, which was delayed Thursday due to a debate on whether to draw from savings or wait for the spring revenue forecast
1 p.m. – House Judiciary will hear a bill banning face masks and disguises for police
1 p.m. – House Resources will hear a bill that would make changes to state wildlife refuges
3:30 p.m. The Education Task Force will discuss school transportation funding
11 a.m. – Statewide Broadband Advisory Board meeting
Tuesday, March 17
8 a.m. – House Tribal Affairs Committee will hear a presentation on traditional healing
9 a.m. – House Finance Committee will continue hearings on the proposed operational budget
9 a.m. – State agriculture board meeting
10 a.m. – Special meeting of the state board of architects, engineers and land surveyors
1 p.m. – House Transportation Committee will hear a presentation on deferred maintenance at state-owned public facilities
3:15 p.m. – House Health and Social Services Committee hears a bill that would close a loophole in criminal law related to sexual assault by a healthcare worker
3:30 p.m. – Senate State Affairs Committee hears a presentation on the court backlog
Wednesday, March 18
8 a.m. House Education considers the governor’s appointment of Pamela Dupras to the State Board of Education
9 a.m. Senate Finance hears a bill that would add one more state judge
9 a.m. – Retirement Management Board meeting
11:30 a.m. – Key Coalition holds a rally on the Capitol steps
12 p.m. – Alaska chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention holds a rally on the Capitol steps
1 p.m. – House Judiciary hears a resolution that would affirm Alaska’s commitment to voter privacy and the right to vote, and express concern at the Alaska Division of Elections’ disclosure of confidential voter information to the U.S. Department of Justice
3:30 p.m. – Senate Education Committee considers the governor’s appointment of Pamela Dupras to the State Board of Education
Thursday, March 19
Public comments due on University of Alaska’s takeover of Watana Creek land
Meet Alaska energy and minerals conference in Anchorage
9 a.m. – Retirement Management Board meeting continues
4 p.m. – State Medical Board meeting
Friday, March 20
Public comments due on University of Alaska’s takeover of Honolulu Pass area
8 a.m. – Rural health transformation advisory committee meeting
