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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB258

Statewide Spay and Neuter Assistance Program

Last scannedSep 10, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill creates a new state fund to help pay for spaying and neutering pets owned by low-income families in Alaska.

What it does

  • Creates the Statewide Spay and Neuter Assistance Fund as an account within the general fund, noting that it is not a dedicated fund.
  • Establishes a program that reimburses veterinarians, shelters, or nonprofits for surgeries done at no cost or reduced rates for eligible pet owners.
  • Allows people to buy special license plates with an extra $100 fee on first issuance and replacement, with excess fees going into the new fund.
  • Lets residents who file their Permanent Fund Dividend application online choose to donate part of their payment directly to this fund.
  • Requires the Department of Environmental Conservation to publish a list of participating providers and report yearly spending to lawmakers.

Who it affects

  • Pet owners in Alaska with household incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
  • Veterinarians, animal shelters, and nonprofit organizations that provide spay and neuter services.
  • Motor vehicle owners who choose to buy special request license plates for this cause.
  • Residents receiving Permanent Fund Dividends who wish to donate a portion of their payment.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill does not create a dedicated fund, meaning the legislature must still approve spending from this account each year.
  • The specific rules for checking if a family qualifies and the exact reimbursement rates will be set later by department regulations.

Plain language

Terms to know

Spay and Neuter
Surgical procedures that prevent dogs and cats from having babies.
Permanent Fund Dividend
An annual payment made to eligible Alaska residents from the state's oil revenue fund.
Reimbursement
Payment given back to a provider after they have performed a service for an eligible person.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

STATEWIDE SPAY & NEUTER PROGRAM An Act establishing a statewide spay and neuter assistance fund; establishing the statewide spay and neuter assistance program; relating to municipal control of feral domestic dogs and cats; relating to companion animal spay and neuter special request registration plates; relating to contributions from permanent fund dividends; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) Scheduled but Not Heard -- Recessed to a Call of the Chair --Text
  2. (H) FINANCE at 06:00 PM ADAMS 519Text
  3. (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Delayed to a Call of the Chair --Text
  4. (H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519Text
  5. (H) Heard & Held -- Delayed to 2:00 pm --Text
  6. (H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519Text
  7. (H) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --Text
  8. (H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519Text
  9. (H) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --Text
  10. (H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519Text
  11. (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE1625
  12. (H) FN2: (DEC)1625
  13. (H) FN1: INDETERMINATE(REV)1625
  14. (H) AM: HALL, MEARS, DIBERT, FRIER1625
  15. (H) NR: COULOMBE, PRAX1625
  16. (H) DP: FIELDS, ELAM1625
  17. (H) RES RPT CS(RES) NEW TITLE 2DP 2NR 4AM1625
  18. (H) Moved CSHB 258(RES) Out of CommitteeText
  19. (H) RESOURCES at 01:00 PM BARNES 124Text
  20. (H) -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- -- MEETING CANCELED --Text