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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB34

Creating the Alaska Innovation Council

Last scannedSep 21, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law creates a new group called the Alaska Innovation Council to advise state leaders on growing businesses, research, and investment.

What it does

  • Establishes the Alaska Innovation Council inside the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
  • Sets rules for choosing 12 members with experience in business, investing, education, labor, and regional development.
  • Requires the council to give advice on turning research into products and finding new ways to invest money.
  • Orders the council to write a yearly plan about how to improve Alaska's economy through innovation.
  • Sets special rules for the first year of member terms so that seats do not all end at the same time.

Who it affects

  • The Governor, legislature, and state agencies who receive advice from the council.
  • Entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners in Alaska involved in emerging industries or growth businesses.
  • University leaders and students involved in entrepreneurship programs.
  • Regional development organizations that help local economies.

Limits and unknowns

  • The law does not say how much money will be given directly by this council.
  • The exact date when this law becomes active is not listed in the provided text, though it sets deadlines relative to that future date.
  • The bill requires a yearly report with specific topics, but it does not list guaranteed outcomes or goals for what must happen.

Plain language

Terms to know

Commercialization
Turning research from the private sector or higher education into products or services for sale.
Seed capital
Money invested to help start new businesses and promote economic growth in emerging industries.
Regional development organization
A nonprofit group formed to encourage economic development within a specific region of the state.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

AK INNOVATION COUNCIL An Act establishing the Alaska Innovation Council; and relating to financial disclosures for members of the Alaska Innovation Council.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) REFERRED TO RULES1869
  2. (H) FN3: (CED)1869
  3. (H) NR: TOMASZEWSKI, HANNAN, STAPP, MOORE, BYNUM1869
  4. (H) DP: GALVIN, JIMMIE, JOSEPHSON, FOSTER, SCHRAGE1869
  5. (H) FIN RPT CS(FIN) 5DP 5NR1869
  6. (H) Moved CSHB 34(FIN) Out of Committee -- Please Note Time Change --Text
  7. (H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519Text
  8. (H) Heard & Held -- Delayed to 1:45 pm --Text
  9. (H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519Text
  10. (H) Minutes (HFIN)Min
  11. (H) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --Text
  12. (H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519Text
  13. (H) Minutes (HFIN)Min
  14. (H) Heard & Held -- Delayed to 2:30 pm --Text
  15. (H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519Text
  16. (H) Minutes (HFIN)Min
  17. (H) Scheduled but Not Heard -- Delayed to 6:10 pm --Text
  18. (H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519Text
  19. (H) FN2: (CED)281
  20. (H) FN1: ZERO(CED)281