Civil Division absorbs labor-relations unit; statehood-defense funding and federal cases remain under review

Corey Mills, deputy attorney general overseeing the Civil Division, told the House Finance subcommittee on Jan. 26 that the labor-relations unit has been moved into the Department of Law through an administrative order and follow-up budget actions and that the transferred positions are now filled.

Mills said the transfer brought four positions into the department but a supervisory attorney position (an "attorney 5") was initially excluded; the division later filled the supervisory role with a non-attorney, Matthew Gendarcina. Mills said standing up the unit and filling vacancies was a major effort and that the division is now "in a good spot" with the labor-relations function operating inside Department of Law.

On statehood-defense funding, Mills said multi-year appropriations around some matters (including the Tongass National Forest) had been repealed in technical language but the governor vetoed the repeal in the veto process, effectively allowing the funding to remain available through FY26. He noted that litigation patterns have shifted with changes at the federal level: many cases are stayed, some have settled (he cited a navigability case settlement that saved costs), and some issues — notably litigation tied to the federal roadless rule — could prompt renewed activity depending on national developments and Alaska’s decision whether to intervene.

Mills told the committee he is watching litigation trends and anticipated potential future hearings focused on statehood-defense funding and choices about intervention in federal rule challenges.