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SB270

Alaska Grand Jury Rules Update

Last scannedSep 20, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill changes Alaska grand jury rules to require alternate jurors, provide written instructions, allow citizens and individual jurors to request public safety investigations, define subpoena powers, and set penalties for obstructing these groups.

What it does

  • Requires every grand jury panel to include at least two alternate jurors designated by the judge when the jury is selected.
  • Mandates that courts provide written instructions including state statutes relating to grand juries when a grand jury starts work.
  • Allows individual grand jurors or citizens who are not on the jury to request investigations into matters of public welfare or safety, excluding private civil claims.
  • Gives grand juries the power to issue subpoenas for witnesses and documents after a majority vote approves them following due consideration.
  • Sets penalties as a class A misdemeanor for people who intentionally stop others from cooperating with a grand jury investigation.

Who it affects

  • Grand jurors serving in Alaska courts
  • Prosecuting attorneys, the Department of Law, and the Attorney General
  • Citizens who want to report public safety concerns or speak with a grand jury
  • Witnesses asked to provide information

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill does not state the specific effective date when these new rules will begin.
  • Grand juries cannot investigate private lawsuits or civil claims between individuals as matters of public welfare.
  • If a grand jury uses evidence that might be unfair at trial, they may request to transfer an indictment to another grand jury.

Plain language

Terms to know

Grand Jury
A group of citizens selected by a court to investigate crimes and decide if there is enough evidence for a trial.
Subpoena
An official order that requires a person to appear in court or provide documents, which grand juries can issue with majority approval.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

GRAND JURIES An Act relating to grand juries; amending Rules 5(e), 6, and 6.1, Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; repealing Rules 6.1(b)(2) and (3), Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (S) Minutes (SSTA)Min
  2. (S) Heard & HeldText
  3. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  4. (S) COSPONSOR(S): MYERS1874
  5. (S) REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS1757
  6. (S) STA, JUD1757
  7. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1757