Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB58

HB58: Public Advocate Fee Rules and Contract Authority

Last scannedSep 20, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill gives the public advocate authority to set fees for guardian services based on ability to pay, while also allowing them to approve contracts for legal counsel without competitive bidding.

Allows the public advocate, instead of the commissioner of administration, to create fee schedules for public guardian services by regulation.
Requires that these fees be reasonable and may not exceed the actual cost of providing the services.
Permits the office of public advocacy to waive a fee if collecting it is not economically feasible or in the public interest.
Updates state law so the public advocate can make written decisions to award contracts for legal counsel without competitive bidding, similar to the attorney general and public defender.

The official text provided does not state when these changes will officially take effect.
The list of contract exceptions in Section 3 is cut off at item number 30, so the full scope of that section is missing from the source.

Plain language

Public Advocate: A state official appointed to represent people in legal matters, including those who need a guardian.
Ward or Protected Person: An individual for whom the court has assigned someone else to make decisions about their care or finances.

Official record

Validated

OPA: PUBLIC ADVOCATE APPOINTMENT An Act relating to the office of public advocacy; and relating to the public advocate.

Official activity