Committee advances three bills: education head tax, PFD pilot-eligibility fixes, and convictions bill

Chair Kerrick presided over votes and motions on March 24, 2026, advancing multiple bills out of the House State Affairs Committee.

HB 152 (education head tax). Vice Chair Story moved HB 152, as amended, from the committee with individual recommendations, attached fiscal notes and authorization for legal services to make conforming changes. After a roll call, the bill passed committee on a 4–3 vote. Yes: Representative Story, Representative Hemshute, Representative Holland and Chair Kerrick. No: Representative Vance, Representative McCabe and Representative Saint Clair. The amendments adopted earlier in the hearing included Amendment #10 (property tax deduction for primary residences) and a conceptual amendment to add “technical and vocational education” language to funding designations.

HB 295 (PFD eligibility for pilots and flight crew). The committee considered three amendments and adopted them: Amendment 1 (excusable absence for flight attendants with FAA certification), Amendment 2 (technical conforming change), and Amendment 3 (broaden coverage to any federal-required flight crew member). Vice Chair Story moved HB 295 as amended; with no objection the bill was moved from committee with attached fiscal notes and recommendations.

HB 189 (convictions overturned). Representative Mears presented HB 189 seeking relief for people with overturned convictions to restore state services; Vice Chair Story moved the committee substitute (version n) from committee with fiscal notes and technical-conforming authorization. Representative Saint Clair initially objected citing fiscal concerns but later removed the objection and the bill moved from committee.

Other business: HB 214 (motor vehicle proof of insurance) drew public testimony. Kathy Montafo (identified on the record) testified that Alaska currently requires SR-22 for life in her case after an unsatisfied judgment and urged revision; the committee closed public testimony, set an amendment deadline of Monday, March 30 at 5 p.m., and set the bill aside for a future hearing.

What this means: HB 152, HB 295 and HB 189 will be reported out of committee to the next stage with committee recommendations and fiscal notes; each moved bill may be amended further on the floor. HB 235 (PFAS) received an introductory presentation and invited and public testimony and will return to committee for additional hearings.

Speakers quoted or recorded in votes: Vice Chair Story (mover of motions); Chair Kerrick (presiding); Representative Galvin (sponsor of HB 152); Representative McCabe (sponsor of HB 295); Representative Mears (sponsor of HB 189).