Alaska2026Passed Legislature
HB76
Alaska School Rules on Attendance, Phones, Reading Grants, and Funding
Last scannedSep 8, 2026, 12:47 AM
In one sentence
This law updates rules for choosing schools, sets limits on using personal phones in class, offers grants to districts where students meet reading goals, creates a new way to apply for charter schools directly with the state board, lists specific funding amounts for student buses starting July 2025, and allows special payments to help keep teachers.
What it does
- Allows parents to apply for their child to attend any public school if there is space, while requiring districts to report on enrollment numbers and reasons for denying applications.
- Requires each school district to make a rule that stops students from using personal phones or tablets during the day unless an emergency happens, health needs arise, it is part of a special education plan, or a teacher allows it for learning.
- Gives $450 in grant money to school districts for every student in kindergarten through sixth grade who meets reading goals on state tests.
- Creates a new process where people can apply directly to the State Board of Education and Early Development to start charter schools, with decisions made within 90 days.
- Lists specific dollar amounts per student that each school district receives for funding bus transportation services starting in July 2025.
Who it affects
- Public school students and their parents who choose where to attend school or use mobile devices at school.
- School districts that receive reading grants, manage charter schools, or operate student buses.
- Teachers who may be eligible for lump sum payments as incentives to stay in the profession.
Limits and unknowns
- The law says reading grant money is 'subject to appropriation,' meaning the legislature must still vote to provide the funds before districts receive them.
- School choice rules only apply if a school has enough space and follows its own policy for prioritizing siblings or application order.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Charter School
- A public school that operates with more freedom than traditional schools, often created through a special application process.
- ADM (Average Daily Membership)
- The count of students in a district used to calculate how much funding the state sends for things like buses and grants.
- Mobile Communication Device
- A phone, tablet, or similar tool that can send voice messages or show pictures.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
EDUCATION:SCHOOLS; GRANTS; FUNDING; DEBT An Act relating to education; relating to public school attendance; relating to mobile communication devices in schools; relating to reading proficiency incentive grants; relating to authorization of charter schools; relating to transportation of students; relating to school bond debt reimbursement; relating to funding and reporting by Alaska technical and vocational education programs; authorizing lump sum payments for certain teachers as retention and recruitment incentives; and providing for an effective date.
Official activity
Bill history
- (H) Minutes (HEDC)Min
- (H) Heard & HeldText
- (H) EDUCATION at 08:00 AM DAVIS 106Text
- (H) Minutes (HEDC)Min
- (H) Heard & HeldText
- (H) EDUCATION at 08:00 AM DAVIS 106Text
- (H) REFERRED TO EDUCATION111
- (H) GOVERNOR'S TRANSMITTAL LETTER111
- (H) FN9: (EED/FUND CAP)111
- (H) FN8: ZERO(EED/DEBT SERVICE)111
- (H) FN7: (EED)111
- (H) FN6: (EED)111
- (H) FN5: (EED)111
- (H) FN4: (EED)111
- (H) FN3: (EED)111
- (H) FN2: (EED)111
- (H) FN1: ZERO(EED)111
- (H) EDC, FIN111
- (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS111