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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

SB136

Firearm Financial Privacy Act

Last scannedSep 10, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law stops banks and payment companies from treating gun sellers differently based on how sales are coded, bans making lists of private gun owners with limited exceptions, and sets rules for courts to handle violations.

What it does

  • Requires financial institutions and payment networks to treat firearm retailers the same as general merchandise or sporting goods stores when using transaction codes.
  • Prohibits banks from refusing service, charging higher fees, or limiting business with customers who buy firearms based on how a sale is coded.
  • Bans state agencies, local governments, and private people from creating lists of privately owned guns or their owners, except for criminal investigations or if required by law.
  • Allows gun sellers or buyers to ask the Attorney General to investigate if they believe these rules were broken.
  • Sets a 30-day waiting period before court orders stopping violations can take effect and requires courts to award legal fees to winners in lawsuits.

Who it affects

  • Financial institutions such as banks
  • Payment networks like credit card associations
  • Firearm retailers selling guns or ammunition
  • Customers who purchase firearms

Limits and unknowns

  • The rules about the 30-day waiting period for court orders and awarding legal fees only work if both houses of the legislature vote for them with a two-thirds majority.
  • The bill does not state an effective date, so it is unclear when these rules will start.

Plain language

Terms to know

firearm code
A label used by payment systems to identify if a sale involves a gun, ammo, parts, or accessories.
financial record
Documents held by banks showing details about who bought what using a card that are sorted based on firearm codes.
injunction
A court order that forces someone to stop doing something illegal, which cannot take effect for 30 days after it is issued under this law.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

FIREARM FINANCIAL PRIVACY An Act relating to the privacy of firearm transactions; relating to discrimination against firearm retailers by financial institutions and payment networks; relating to the disclosure of financial records by financial institutions and payment networks; and amending Rules 65 and 82, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (S) Minutes (SJUD)Min
  2. (S) Heard & HeldText
  3. (S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205Text
  4. (S) REFERRED TO JUDICIARY1254
  5. (S) FN1: ZERO(CED)1254
  6. (S) AM: DUNBAR1254
  7. (S) NR: GRAY-JACKSON1254
  8. (S) DP: BJORKMAN, MERRICK, YUNDT1254
  9. (S) L&C RPT 3DP 1NR 1AM1254
  10. (S) Minutes (SL&C)Min
  11. (S) Moved SB 136 Out of Committee -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --Text
  12. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  13. (S) Minutes (SL&C)Min
  14. (S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>Text
  15. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  16. (S) Minutes (SL&C)Min
  17. (S) Heard & HeldText
  18. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  19. (S) COSPONSOR(S): BJORKMAN, MYERS565
  20. (S) L&C, JUD563