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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

SB169

Creating the Welcoming Alaska Office and Center

Last scannedSep 22, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill creates a new state office to help immigrants, refugees, and newcomers find jobs and access services while removing an older citizenship assistance office.

What it does

  • Establishes the Welcoming Alaska Office within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to promote participation in economic, social, and civic life.
  • Creates a Welcoming Alaska Center with a toll-free multilingual hotline for service referrals if funding is approved by the legislature.
  • Forms a 13-member advisory committee to guide policies on immigration and newcomer support.
  • Requires each principal state department to assign one staff member as a liaison to coordinate services for newcomers.
  • Repeals the existing Office of Citizenship Assistance.

Who it affects

  • Immigrants, refugees, and other newcomers living in Alaska.
  • State government departments required to appoint liaisons.
  • Local governments that may receive support for visa applications or housing costs if funding is approved.
  • Community-based organizations serving immigrants and refugees.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill states that grants, the new center, and assistance to local governments can only be funded if the legislature approves money (appropriation).
  • The text does not specify when this law will officially take effect.
  • Some details about how the office will operate depend on future rules written by state officials.

Plain language

Terms to know

Welcoming Alaska Office
A new state office created to help newcomers find jobs, access services like health care and housing, and start businesses.
Liaison
A staff member in each major state department who connects that agency with the Welcoming Alaska Office.
Advisory Committee
A group of 13 people, including lawmakers and community leaders, who give advice on policies for newcomers.

Official record

Sources

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

WELCOMING ALASKA OFFICE An Act establishing the welcoming Alaska office; establishing the welcoming Alaska center; establishing the Welcoming Alaska Advisory Committee; repealing the office of citizenship assistance; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (S) REFERRED TO FINANCE2484
  2. (S) FN2: (LWF)2484
  3. (S) FN1: ZERO(GOV/VARIOUS)2484
  4. (S) NR: WIELECHOWSKI, TILTON, BJORKMAN2484
  5. (S) DP: GRAY-JACKSON2484
  6. (S) AM: KAWASAKI2484
  7. (S) STA RPT CS 1DP 3NR 1AM NEW TITLE2484
  8. (S) Moved CSSB 169(STA) Out of CommitteeText
  9. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  10. (S) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --Text
  11. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 10:00 AM BUTROVICH 205Text
  12. (S) Scheduled but Not HeardText
  13. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  14. (S) STA, FIN782
  15. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS782