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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

SB120

Alaska Climate Change Emergency Response Commission Act

Last scannedSep 10, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law creates a new state commission to address the threats of climate change in Alaska.

What it does

  • Establishes the Alaska Climate Change Emergency Response Commission within the Office of the Governor.
  • Requires the commission to prepare a strategic response plan that identifies areas and economic sectors vulnerable to climate change.
  • Allows the commission to apply for and accept grants, contributions, and funds from federal, international, or private sources.
  • Permits the commission to hire an executive director and contract with scientists or other groups for assistance.
  • Sets rules requiring meetings at least four times a year and requires public records of proceedings.

Who it affects

  • Six state department commissioners who serve on the commission by virtue of their office.
  • Ten municipal representatives, such as mayors or council members, appointed from specific regions across Alaska.
  • The Governor, who appoints the ten municipal representatives and their alternates.

Limits and unknowns

  • The provided text cuts off before listing all the specific options in the strategic response plan.
  • The law does not specify how much money is currently available in the state budget to fund this new group, only that it can seek outside funds.

Plain language

Terms to know

Commission
A group of people created by law to study a problem or manage specific tasks for the state.
Quorum
The minimum number of members who must be present at a meeting so that official business can happen. For this commission, it is three departmental representatives and five municipal representatives.
Per diem
A daily payment given to cover travel and living costs for people working on state business away from home.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION An Act establishing the Alaska Climate Change Emergency Response Commission; and relating to the powers and duties of the Alaska Climate Change Emergency Response Commission.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (S) REFERRED TO FINANCE896
  2. (S) FN1: (GOV)896
  3. (S) NR: WIELECHOWSKI, YUNDT, BJORKMAN896
  4. (S) DP: GRAY-JACKSON896
  5. (S) AM: KAWASAKI896
  6. (S) STA RPT CS 1AM 1DP 3NR SAME TITLE896
  7. (S) Minutes (SSTA)Min
  8. (S) Moved CSSB 120(STA) Out of CommitteeText
  9. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  10. (S) Minutes (SSTA)Min
  11. (S) Heard & HeldText
  12. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  13. (S) Minutes (SSTA)Min
  14. (S) Heard & HeldText
  15. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  16. (S) Minutes (SSTA)Min
  17. (S) Scheduled but Not HeardText
  18. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  19. (S) STA, FIN424
  20. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS424