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HB51

HB 51: New Spending Limit and Governor Reporting Rules

Last scannedSep 22, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill sets a new spending limit based on the state's economic output and requires the governor to report how budgets fit within that limit, but it only becomes law if voters approve a matching change to the state constitution.

What it does

  • Sets a rule that most annual government spending cannot exceed 12 percent of the average real gross domestic product from the five years before the previous fiscal year.
  • Removes old rules that allowed spending increases based on population growth and inflation rates.
  • Requires the governor to submit a report showing how proposed budgets fit within this new spending limit.
  • Updates the requirement so the governor must also provide updated reports when submitting supplemental bills or budget amendments.
  • Repeals an older section of law regarding these specific spending limits.

Who it affects

  • The Governor, who must prepare and update reports on appropriations relative to the new limit.
  • State agencies that receive funding through annual appropriations from the treasury.
  • Alaska voters, because this bill only becomes law if they approve a specific constitutional amendment.

Limits and unknowns

  • This law does not take effect on July 1, 2025, unless Alaska voters approve an amendment to Article IX, Section 16 of the State Constitution.
  • The bill lists many exceptions to the spending limit but does not specify how much money is currently in those specific funds.

Plain language

Terms to know

Appropriation
Money officially set aside by the legislature for government spending in a fiscal year.
Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
The total value of goods and services produced in Alaska, adjusted to remove the effects of inflation.
Conditional Effect
A rule stating that this bill will not start working unless a specific change is made to the state constitution by voters.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text
Read the official summary

APPROPRIATION LIMIT; GOV BUDGET An Act relating to an appropriation limit; relating to the budget responsibilities of the governor; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE876
  2. (H) FN1: ZERO(GOV)876
  3. (H) AM: MINA876
  4. (H) NR: KOPP, EISCHEID876
  5. (H) DNP: GRAY876
  6. (H) DP: VANCE, UNDERWOOD, COSTELLO876
  7. (H) JUD RPT 3DP 1DNP 2NR 1AM876
  8. (H) Minutes (HJUD)Min
  9. (H) Moved HB 51 Out of CommitteeText
  10. (H) JUDICIARY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  11. (H) COSPONSOR(S): COSTELLO706
  12. (H) Minutes (HJUD)Min
  13. (H) Heard & HeldText
  14. (H) JUDICIARY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  15. (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --Text
  16. (H) JUDICIARY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  17. (H) Minutes (HJUD)Min
  18. (H) Heard & HeldText
  19. (H) JUDICIARY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  20. (H) JUD, FIN44