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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB188

Welcoming Alaska Office Act

Last scannedSep 10, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law creates a new state office to help immigrants, refugees, and newcomers find jobs, start businesses, and access services in Alaska.

What it does

  • Establishes the Welcoming Alaska Office within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to promote full participation of newcomers in economic, social, and civic life.
  • Creates a Welcoming Alaska Advisory Committee with members from business, education, legal aid, health care, criminal justice, community groups, and state legislators to guide policy.
  • Requires every principal department in the executive branch to name one staff member as a liaison to share information about services for newcomers.
  • Allows the office to offer grants and run a multilingual hotline if funding is approved by lawmakers.
  • Replaces the old Office of Citizenship Assistance with this new structure.

Who it affects

  • Immigrants, refugees, and other newcomers living in Alaska.
  • State government agencies that provide services to residents.
  • Local governments working on visa applications or housing support for newcomers.
  • Businesses looking to hire immigrant workers or start new businesses.

Limits and unknowns

  • The office can only offer grants and run the multilingual hotline if the legislature approves funding.
  • Some details about how long advisory committee members serve are cut off at the end of the provided text, though voting terms appear to be four years.

Plain language

Terms to know

Liaison
A staff member in a state department who connects that agency with the Welcoming Alaska Office and shares information about available services.
Appropriation
Money officially set aside by lawmakers to fund specific programs or grants, which is required for certain office activities like offering grants or running a hotline.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

WELCOMING ALASKA OFFICE An Act establishing the welcoming Alaska office; establishing the welcoming Alaska center; establishing the Welcoming Alaska Advisory Committee; repealing the office of citizenship assistance; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) COSPONSOR(S): CARRICK2426
  2. (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE2302
  3. (H) FN3: ZERO(GOV/VARIOUS DEPTS)2302
  4. (H) FN2: (LWF)2302
  5. (H) FN1: (DOH)2302
  6. (H) AM: VANCE, ST. CLAIR2302
  7. (H) NR: MCCABE2302
  8. (H) DP: HOLLAND, HIMSCHOOT, STORY, CARRICK2302
  9. (H) STA RPT CS(STA) NEW TITLE 4DP 1NR 2AM2302
  10. (H) Moved CSHB 188(STA) Out of CommitteeText
  11. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:15 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  12. (H) Heard & HeldText
  13. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:15 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  14. (H) Heard & HeldText
  15. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:15 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  16. (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --Text
  17. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:15 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  18. (H) Scheduled but Not HeardText
  19. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:15 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  20. (H) Heard & Held -- Delayed to 3:45 pm --Text