Alaska2026Passed Legislature

SB79

Alaska Law on Payroll Cards and Wage Payments

Last scannedSep 10, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law allows employers to pay workers using payroll cards if the worker agrees or has not chosen direct deposit, while setting rules for fees, account access, and insurance.

Allows employers to put wages onto a payroll card instead of cash or checks with employee permission or if they did not choose direct deposit.
Requires employers to tell employees about payment choices, all possible fees from the issuer, how to get money without paying extra costs, and how to check their balance for free.
Mandates that payroll cards must allow at least one free withdrawal per week or pay period up to the full net wage amount.
Requires unlimited free ways to check account balances using a phone system and another electronic method.
Prohibits charges for applying for a card, getting an initial card, replacing it once a year, moving wages into the account, or making purchases with the card.
Requires that money in payroll cards be protected by federal insurance programs like FDIC.

This law does not stop workers from using unions to negotiate for better payment methods than the minimum rules listed here.
The bill notes that cards may be subject to additional fees beyond those charged by the card issuer, though it does not list specific examples of these other fees.

Plain language

Payroll Card Account: An employee's account established through an employer to which the employer transfers wages or other compensation.
Net Wages: The amount of money a worker earns after taxes and other required deductions are taken out, used here as the limit for free withdrawals.

Official record

Validated

PAYMENT OF WAGES; PAYROLL CARD ACCOUNT An Act relating to wage payments; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity