Senate Finance puts constitutional amendment on dedicated education fund on hold after process objections

Senate Joint Resolution 29, a proposed constitutional amendment asking Alaskan voters whether education should be elevated to a dedicated fund, was set aside by the Senate Finance Committee on March 19 after objections and a subsequent withdrawal of the motion to report.

The chair explained that SJR 29 would present to voters the question of establishing education as a dedicated fund but does not specify revenues or funding sources. Senator Stedman moved to report the resolution from committee with an attached fiscal note and individual recommendations. Senators raised procedural concerns about the amendment process — one senator said the office received notice of an amendment only minutes before the deadline — and objections followed.

After discussion, Senator Stedman withdrew his motion and the resolution was placed aside for further consideration at a later time. The committee did not adopt SJR 29 on March 19.