Alaska2026Passed Legislature
SB195
Alaska Bill on Slow Onset Disasters
Last scannedSep 10, 2026, 12:32 AM
In one sentence
This bill updates Alaska's disaster laws to include slow onset disasters and other climate-related events as official purposes of state emergency planning.
What it does
- Adds a new purpose to the state law that includes mitigating slow onset disasters and other disasters caused by a changing climate.
- Requires the state emergency plan to identify potential slow onset disasters and list measures to reduce their impact.
- Directs officials to seek advice from climate scientists when creating or updating disaster plans.
- Creates a register of people with specific training, including climate scientists, who can help with disaster prevention and recovery.
- States that it is the policy of the state for funds to always be available for both sudden emergencies and slow onset disasters.
Who it affects
- The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
- Local emergency planning committees in cities, villages, and rural areas
- Climate scientists and other experts involved in disaster planning
Limits and unknowns
- The bill states funds should be available but does not specify how much money will be set aside.
- Funding for local committees is limited by whether an appropriation exists in a specific paragraph of the law.
- The effective date is not listed in the official status information.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Slow onset disasters
- Disasters that happen gradually over time.
- Mitigate
- To make something less severe or to reduce the damage it causes.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
SLOW ONSET DISASTERS An Act relating to slow onset disasters; and relating to the Alaska Disaster Act.
Official activity
Bill history
- (S) Heard & HeldText
- (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
- (S) REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS1303
- (S) STA, FIN1303
- (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1303