State Senator Mike Cronk, who represents most of our readers, has sponsored a slate of nine bills for the upcoming legislative session. I asked if there were any bills he specifically wanted to highlight. Cronk highlighted SB 63, SB 161, SB 204, and SB 136.
SB 63 would designate one seat on the Local Boundary Commission (LBC) for a resident of the Unorganized Borough. According to Cronk, this would “ensure that Alaskans living in the Unorganized Borough will have a voice on the LBC during its deliberations.”
According to the State of Alaska website, the LBC’s role is “to receive, review and make final decisions on petitions” to make a variety of changes to boroughs or municipalities. Currently, the Commission consists of five governor-appointed commissioners: Four from each of Alaska’s judicial districts and one, at large, chair.
Cronk stated “[SB 161] would ban all bottom trawling in state waters starting on Jan. 1, 2028, and would require ADF&G to conduct a comprehensive study on the impacts of bottom trawling.”
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Bycatch of salmon and other non-target species along with potential damage to marine habitat are the concerns addressed by this bill. Trawling classified as “midwater” fishing, but that makes “substantial contact with the sea floor” would be included in the ban. Fishing off the coast of Alaska in federal waters would not be impacted by this bill.
SB 204 has two provisions. It would prohibit convicted felons from serving on a school board and it would allow regional school board members to substitute teach.
School board members currently can not work for districts due to conflict of interest regulations. Cronk stated the exception for subbing “would help our school districts - especially in rural areas - bridge staffing needs and have our school board members get paid for helping in our schools, where needed.”
SB 136 would prohibit payment systems from denying, reporting, or tracking lawful firearms purchases. Cronk states it “would also prevent financial institutions and payment card networks from keeping records or lists of transactions involving – and owners of - firearms, ammunition, or firearm components.”
SB 136 is a response to electronic payment systems, such as PayPal, prohibiting their use to purchase “ammunition, firearms, or certain firearm parts or accessories.” This primarily affects online sales of firearm related products. Major credit cards can be used for legal firearm and ammunition purchases.
The bill is also a response to a 2022 request by Amalgamated Bank to create a specific Merchant Category Code (MCC) for firearm and ammunition credit card purchases, as opposed to the general “sporting goods” code. California, Colorado, and New York now require an MMC code specifically for firearms sold within the state, while over twenty other states have passed legislation prohibiting use of a specific code.
Senator Cronk’s legislative aide Paul Menke added, “Sen. Cronk believes that the right to bear arms is a critically necessary constitutional right, and that financial institutions declining lawful firearm transactions is a blatant impediment on that right.”
Additional Bills Cover a Range of Topics
SB 33 would prohibit “synthetic media,” such as videos created by artificial intelligence, in electioneering communication.
An amended version of SB 114 would require a direct spur line to the City of Fairbanks and Fairbanks North Star Borough in the development of an in-state natural gas pipeline.
SB 152 would rename Ruby Airport as Harold Esmailka Airport.
SB 162 would prohibit a sales tax on specie at the city or borough level. Specie is defined within the bill as “gold or silver valued primarily based on its metal content and in the form of coin or bullion that is stamped or imprinted with its weight and purity.”
Cronk is also a cosponsor of 25 additional bills, the text of which can be found by searching for the Senator on akleg.gov and clicking on the “Legislature Bill Sponsorship” tab.
What do you think of this proposed legislation? You can reach Senator Cronk at Senator.Mike.Cronk@akleg.gov or (907)465-4527 to express support or (hopefully civil) disagreement. You can also read the full text of all bills and track bills through the legislative process at akleg.gov
We will discuss legislation sponsored by Representative Becky Schwanke in an upcoming issue.
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