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Alaska2026Vetoed

HB23

Renaming the State Commission for Human Rights and Updating Its Rules

Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 12:25 AM

In one sentence

This bill changes the name of Alaska's civil rights agency to the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights, updates how it handles complaints and reports, defines who counts as an employer, sets rules for removing commissioners, and adds protections for religious groups.

What it does

  • Changes the official name from the State Commission for Human Rights to the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights.
  • Allows the governor to remove a commissioner for cause, which includes incompetence, neglect of duty, misconduct in office, or actions that undermine the commission's work.
  • Requires investigators to try to solve complaints through written agreements before making a final decision on discrimination claims if substantial evidence exists.
  • Updates the annual report requirement so the commission must publish findings online and notify state leaders by November 15 each year.
  • Adds an exception for religious groups that hire employees of a specific religion to perform spiritual or religious work connected with their activities.
  • Changes the definition of 'employer' to exclude non-profit social, fraternal, charitable, educational, or religious organizations.

Who it affects

  • The Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights and its commissioners
  • Employers in Alaska, including state agencies and private businesses
  • Religious corporations, associations, and educational institutions
  • Local civil rights commissions established by municipalities

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill was vetoed by the governor on June 18, 2026, so it did not become law unless lawmakers later overrode the veto.
  • If this text becomes law, it would take effect on January 1, 2027.

Plain language

Terms to know

Conciliation
The process of trying to settle a disagreement through discussion and agreement rather than a formal legal decision.
Affirmative defense
A reason given by the person being accused that, if true, stops them from breaking the law even if the other facts are correct.
Cause for removal
Specific reasons like incompetence or misconduct that allow a governor to fire a commissioner before their term ends.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill textStored full record

Official summary

STATE COMMISSION FOR CIVIL RIGHTS An Act renaming the State Commission for Human Rights the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to investigations and conciliation by the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to removal of commissioners of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to reports from the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to the definition of 'employer' for the purposes of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to local civil rights commissions; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) VETOED BY GOVERNOR 6/18/263114
  2. (H) 10:44 A.M. 6/1/26 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR3039
  3. (H) TITLE CHANGE: SCR 322942
  4. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE2942
  5. (H) CONCUR AM OF (S) Y402942
  6. (H) CONCUR MESSAGE TAKEN UP2941
  7. (H) CONCUR MESSAGE READ AND HELD2757
  8. (S) VERSION: SCS CSHB 23(FIN)(EFD ADD S)2738
  9. (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) AS AMENDED2738
  10. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE2713
  11. (S) PASSED Y20 N-2713
  12. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME SCS CSHB 23(FIN)(EFD ADD S)2712
  13. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC2712
  14. (S) ...CHANGES TITLE OF LEGISLATION2712
  15. (S) AM NO 1 ADOPTED UC2712
  16. (S) FIN SCS ADOPTED UC2712
  17. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME2712
  18. (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/17/20262711
  19. (S) FN3: (GOV)2684
  20. (S) NR: KAUFMAN, CRONK, MERRICK2684

Changes

Amendments

1 stored

AM 1

This amendment sets a specific start date of January 1, 2027, for the new laws in this bill.