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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB335

Alaska Animal Disaster Emergency Plan

Last scannedSep 12, 2026, 4:46 AM

In one sentence

This bill requires Alaska to create a plan for evacuating, sheltering, and reuniting pets, service animals, and working animals during disasters while allowing out-of-state veterinarians to assist under specific rules.

What it does

  • Requires the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to prepare an animal disaster emergency plan as part of the state's overall emergency plan.
  • Sets up a process for evacuating, transporting, and temporarily sheltering animals during emergencies.
  • Identifies specific shelters that can accept and house animals during disasters.
  • Creates an identification system so owners separated from their pets can find them again.
  • Requires a public information program to tell animal owners about disaster resources.
  • Allows animals on public transportation if they are in safe cages or carriers, with the commission arranging transport for those that cannot be caged.
  • Establishes procedures allowing veterinarians and technicians from other states to help during disasters under this plan.
  • Adds 'animal care and control personnel' as a required category of members on local emergency planning committees.

Who it affects

  • Owners of pets, service animals, dogs used for mushing or pulling contests, and horses owned for business purposes.
  • Veterinarians and veterinary technicians licensed in Alaska or other states who assist during disasters.
  • The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
  • Local emergency planning committees across the state.

Limits and unknowns

  • The text does not specify when the plan must be finished.
  • The commission may arrange transportation only if an animal cannot be transported in a cage or carrier; it does not detail how this arrangement works beyond that condition.
  • If no one accepts appointment to represent 'animal care and control personnel' on local committees, the requirement for that specific category is suspended until someone agrees.

Plain language

Terms to know

Animal disaster emergency plan
A written guide created by the state that explains how to evacuate, shelter, identify, and reunite animals with owners during a crisis.
Working animal
In this bill, this means a dog primarily owned for mushing or pulling contests, or a horse primarily owned and used for business purposes.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

DISASTER EMERGENCY PLAN FOR PETS An Act relating to veterinarians and veterinarian technicians; establishing a pet and service animal disaster emergency plan; relating to the Alaska State Emergency Response Commission; and relating to local emergency planning committees.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE2277
  2. (H) FN2: (MVA)2277
  3. (H) FN1: (DEC)2277
  4. (H) AM: D.NELSON2277
  5. (H) NR: HALL, FIELDS2277
  6. (H) DNP: SADDLER2277
  7. (H) DP: FRIER, CARRICK2277
  8. (H) L&C RPT CS(L&C) NEW TITLE 2DP 1DNP 2NR 1AM2277
  9. (H) Moved CSHB 335(L&C) Out of CommitteeText
  10. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124Text
  11. (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>Text
  12. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124Text
  13. (H) Heard & HeldText
  14. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124Text
  15. (H) -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- -- MEETING CANCELED --Text
  16. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124Text
  17. (H) L&C, FIN1685
  18. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1685