Reporters press senators on PFD, voter‑roll purges, per diem and SB146; lawmakers promise hearings and legal review
February 17, 2026 | 2026 Legislature Alaska, Alaska
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A sequence of reporters' questions produced several short but substantive exchanges about separate topics.
On the Permanent Fund Dividend, Will Courtney asked about reports that the House Finance Committee had zeroed the PFD. Senator Stedman called reports that the PFD would be zero "absolute nonsense," said the dividend will be set late in the budget process and estimated it would likely be "somewhere right in at around $1,000," while noting a lower oil price would reduce that amount.
On voter-rolls, Mark Sabatini asked whether the Legislature should investigate recent news that federal officials had asked Alaska to remove certain registrations. Senators expressed concern, said removing registrations at federal request may violate Alaska law and the National Voter Registration Act, and reported that legislative attorneys are preparing a legal opinion and that a joint hearing of State Affairs and Judiciary is likely; Senator Wilkowski said he expects hearings and that the chair of State Affairs is preparing a letter to the Division of Elections.
On per diem and legislative compensation, Jeff Landfill noted increases in per diem. Senators said per diem follows federal levels and that a previous request to index legislative salaries to inflation had been turned down.
On Senate Bill 146 regarding REAA, Ira Samuels asked why the bill was brought back after a prior veto. Senator Stedman said, "let's pass the bill," and said he wants Mount Edgecumbe included with other rural schools.
What happens next: Senators said legal review and committee hearings are expected on voter‑roll questions; the PFD amount will be finalized later in the budget process; and SB146 is being pursued in the legislature.
On the Permanent Fund Dividend, Will Courtney asked about reports that the House Finance Committee had zeroed the PFD. Senator Stedman called reports that the PFD would be zero "absolute nonsense," said the dividend will be set late in the budget process and estimated it would likely be "somewhere right in at around $1,000," while noting a lower oil price would reduce that amount.
On voter-rolls, Mark Sabatini asked whether the Legislature should investigate recent news that federal officials had asked Alaska to remove certain registrations. Senators expressed concern, said removing registrations at federal request may violate Alaska law and the National Voter Registration Act, and reported that legislative attorneys are preparing a legal opinion and that a joint hearing of State Affairs and Judiciary is likely; Senator Wilkowski said he expects hearings and that the chair of State Affairs is preparing a letter to the Division of Elections.
On per diem and legislative compensation, Jeff Landfill noted increases in per diem. Senators said per diem follows federal levels and that a previous request to index legislative salaries to inflation had been turned down.
On Senate Bill 146 regarding REAA, Ira Samuels asked why the bill was brought back after a prior veto. Senator Stedman said, "let's pass the bill," and said he wants Mount Edgecumbe included with other rural schools.
What happens next: Senators said legal review and committee hearings are expected on voter‑roll questions; the PFD amount will be finalized later in the budget process; and SB146 is being pursued in the legislature.
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