Keeping Law SimpleLegislation, clearly explained
Back to Alaska
Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB138

Alaska Behavioral Health Crisis Surcharge and Fund

Last scannedSep 21, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law adds a monthly fee to phone bills in Alaska to create a fund for behavioral health crisis services.

What it does

  • Adds a $0.98 monthly surcharge to each wireless telephone number and wireline local exchange access line.
  • Requires telephone companies to collect the fee from customers with billing addresses or service locations in Alaska.
  • Limits large business accounts so they only pay the surcharge on their first 100 lines.
  • Allows phone companies to keep up to $150 or one percent of collected fees, whichever is greater, for administrative costs before sending the rest to the state.
  • Creates a fund where money is deposited and can be appropriated by the legislature to the Department of Health for crisis services.

Who it affects

  • Customers with wireless phone numbers in Alaska
  • Customers with wireline local exchange telephone lines in Alaska
  • Local exchange and wireless telephone companies operating in Alaska
  • The State of Alaska Department of Administration and Department of Health

Limits and unknowns

  • The law explicitly states that it does not create a dedicated fund.
  • Telephone companies are not required to take legal action if customers do not pay the surcharge, though they must attempt collection if pursuing other unpaid debts.
  • Money in the fund can only be used for specific purposes after the legislature appropriates it.

Plain language

Terms to know

Surcharge
An extra fee added to a bill for a specific purpose.
Wireline telephone
A phone connected by physical wires, such as landlines.
Local exchange access line
The connection between a customer's home or business and the local telephone network for wireline service.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text
Read the official summary

BEH. HEALTH CRISIS SURCHARGE & FUND An Act establishing a behavioral health crisis services surcharge; establishing the behavioral health crisis services fund; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) Scheduled but Not Heard -- Delayed to a Call of the Chair --Text
  2. (H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519Text
  3. (H) Scheduled but Not Heard -- Delayed to 9:00 am --Text
  4. (H) FINANCE at 08:00 AM ADAMS 519Text
  5. (H) Scheduled but Not Heard -- Recessed to a Call of the Chair --Text
  6. (H) FINANCE at 06:00 PM ADAMS 519Text
  7. (H) -- Public Testimony -- -- Delayed to a Call of the Chair --Text
  8. (H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519Text
  9. (H) -- Public Testimony -- -- Delayed to a Call of the Chair --Text
  10. (H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519Text
  11. (H) Heard & Held -- Delayed to 2:15 pm --Text
  12. (H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519Text
  13. (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --Text
  14. (H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519Text
  15. (H) Heard & Held -- Delayed to a 9:00 A.M. --Text
  16. (H) FINANCE at 08:00 AM ADAMS 519Text
  17. (H) PRIME SPONSOR CHANGED: JIMMIE REPLACED MINA2425
  18. (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE1170
  19. (H) FN2: INDETERMINATE(REV)1170
  20. (H) FN1: INDETERMINATE(DOH)1170