Senate Resources Committee advances resolution backing Alaska Native participation in federal 8(a) program

The Alaska Senate Resources Committee on March 9 voted to move Senate Joint Resolution 26 from committee with individual recommendations and no fiscal note. The committee’s chair, Senator Giesel, called the roll and opened the meeting before members considered the nonbinding resolution.

Paige Brown, staff to Senator Giesel, told the committee the resolution affirms "the Alaska Legislature's support for maintaining Alaska Native corporation and tribally owned business participation in the federal 8(a) business development program," and said the program has helped generate economic opportunity and jobs in both urban and rural communities. Senator Dunbar disclosed past work with Chugach Government Solutions and said his experience reinforced that 8(a) contracting provides broad economic benefits across Alaska.

Senator Wilikowski moved the resolution from committee "with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note," and the chair announced no objections. The committee will sign committee documents as appropriate.

The resolution does not itself change state law; it states a legislative position Alaska officials can cite during federal review of the 8(a) program. The committee did not amend the resolution and took no separate fiscal action at the hearing.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for March 11 at 3:30 p.m., when other pending items will return to the agenda.