Joint override session pension veto fails, flurry of votes on other bills set for Legislature’s penultimate day

33-27 vote on bill boosting retirement benefits for public employees unchanged from previous floor votes, seven shy of tally needed for override

The Alaska Legislature fails to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a public employee pension bill on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Independent)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

The Alaska Legislature failed on Tuesday to override a veto by Gov. Mike Dunleavy on a bill reviving a traditional pension system for public employees, with a 33-27 vote falling seven shy of the necessary total.

House Bill 78 passed the House last year by a 21-19 vote and the Senate this April by a 12-8 tally. The bill was vetoed late Monday night by the governor following the Legislature’s inability to pass a bill advancing a natural gas pipeline by the end of the day, with that legislation ultimately stalling in the House.

The 90-minute joint override session occurred on the second-to-last day of the scheduled regular session, with the Legislature facing an adjournment deadline of 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, said scheduling the override vote with little time left in the session was worthwhile even if the outcome was unchanged.

"I think a lot of people wanted to express their displeasure with the governor's veto and that's their right to do," he said.

House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, said at the beginning of Tuesday’s floor session the intent is to push through as many bills with support to pass as possible.

"Our intent is to work as vigorously as we can these last two days," he said. "There are a lot of bills before both bodies, and I would ask the indulgence of the members in terms of our ability to move as briskly as possible, while certainly simultaneously giving everyone the opportunity to have their just due in terms of consideration of any legislation that might be in front of us."

The House and Senate must also pass the compromise operating budget by the adjournment deadline.

Dunleavy on Tuesday afternoon ordered the Legislature to convene in a special session to consider the gas line bill beginning Thursday.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.