Alaska2026Passed Legislature
SB36
Alaska SB36: Changes to Spending Limits and Governor's Budget Reports
Last scannedSep 20, 2026, 12:32 AM
In one sentence
This bill sets a spending limit at 12 percent of the state's average real gross domestic product from the five years before the previous fiscal year, requires the governor to report on how budget proposals fit this limit, and makes these changes effective only if voters approve a matching constitutional amendment.
What it does
- Sets a spending cap at 12 percent of the average real gross domestic product for the five calendar years immediately preceding the previous fiscal year.
- Removes rules that allowed extra spending based on population growth and inflation rates.
- Requires the governor to submit a report showing how budget proposals fit within this new spending limit.
- Updates the governor's reporting duties when they send supplemental bills or budget changes to the legislature.
- Deletes an existing section of state law regarding appropriation limits.
Who it affects
- The Governor, who must calculate and report on appropriations under this new limit.
- State agencies that receive funding from the general treasury for fiscal years starting July 1, 2025, if the bill takes effect.
- Legislators who review budget bills against the updated spending cap.
Limits and unknowns
- This bill only takes effect if voters approve a specific change to the Alaska Constitution that matches these new rules.
- The text does not show what happens if the constitutional amendment is rejected by voters.
- The final effective date depends on whether and when the required constitutional amendment passes.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Appropriation limit
- The maximum amount of money the state is allowed to spend from its treasury in a fiscal year, excluding specific funds like bonds and disaster relief.
- Real gross domestic product (GDP)
- A measure of the total value of goods and services produced by Alaska, adjusted for inflation as estimated by federal officials.
- Fiscal year
- The 12-month period used by the government for budgeting and accounting purposes.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
APPROPRIATION LIMIT; GOV BUDGET An Act relating to an appropriation limit; relating to the budget responsibilities of the governor; and providing for an effective date.
Official activity
Bill history
- (S) Minutes (SJUD)Min
- (S) Heard & HeldText
- (S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205Text
- (S) REFERRED TO JUDICIARY35
- (S) JUD, FIN35
- (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS35
- (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/10/2535