HB221 • 2026

ARTS AND CULTURE DAY

An Act establishing the first Friday of every October as Alaska Arts and Culture Day; and providing for an effective date.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: REPRESENTATIVES HALL, Galvin, Story, Eischeid, Josephson SENATORS Claman, Yundt, Kawasaki, Dunbar
Last action: 2026-07-03
Official status: CHAPTER 51 SLA 26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill establishes the day but does not specify how it must be celebrated, only that observation is permitted.

Alaska Arts and Culture Day

This law establishes the first Friday of every October as Alaska Arts and Culture Day.

What This Bill Does

Sets aside the first Friday of every October as Alaska Arts and Culture Day.

Limits and Unknowns

The law states that schools, community groups, agencies, and individuals may observe the day with events or activities.
Observing the day is optional because the text says it 'may be observed'.

Bill History

2026-07-03 3160
(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW 7/4/26
2026-07-03 3160
(H) LAW W/O GOV SIGNATURE 6/30 CH 51 SLA 26
2026-06-17 3094
(H) 10:55 A.M. 6/16/26 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR
2026-05-15 2665
(S) VERSION: CSHB 221(STA)
2026-05-15 2665
(S) RETURN TO (H), TRANSMIT TO GOV NEXT
2026-05-15 2670
(S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): YUNDT, KAWASAKI, DUNBAR
2026-05-15 2665
(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
2026-05-15 2665
(S) PASSED Y20 N-
2026-05-15 2665
(S) READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 221(STA)
2026-05-14 2645
(S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): CLAMAN
2026-05-14 2643
(S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/15 CAL
2026-05-14 2643
(S) READ THE SECOND TIME
2026-05-14 2643
(S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/14/2026
2026-05-11 2566
(S) FN1: ZERO(GOV/COMBINED)
2026-05-11 2566
(S) NR: TILTON, BJORKMAN
2026-05-11 2566
(S) DP: KAWASAKI, GRAY-JACKSON
2026-05-11 2566
(S) STA RPT 2DP 2NR
2026-05-07 Text
(S) Moved CSHB 221(STA) Out of Committee
2026-05-07 Text
(S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
2026-04-28 2383
(S) STA
2026-04-28 2383
(S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
2026-04-27 2315
(H) VERSION: CSHB 221(STA)
2026-04-27 2315
(H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
2026-04-27 2314
(H) COSPONSOR(S): STORY, EISCHEID, JOSEPHSON
2026-04-27 2311
(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
2026-04-27 2311
(H) PASSED Y37 N3
2026-04-27 2311
(H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 221(STA)
2026-04-27 2310
(H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC
2026-04-27 2310
(H) STA CS ADOPTED UC
2026-04-27 2310
(H) READ THE SECOND TIME
2026-04-24 2292
(H) COSPONSOR(S): GALVIN
2026-04-24 2290
(H) HELD TO 4/27 CALENDAR
2026-04-24 2286
(H) MOVED TO BOTTOM OF CALENDAR
2026-04-24 2286
(H) RULES TO CALENDAR 4/24/2026
2026-03-16 1855
(H) FN1: ZERO(GOV/COMBINED)
2026-03-16 1855
(H) NR: HIMSCHOOT
2026-03-16 1855
(H) DP: HOLLAND, STORY, CARRICK
2026-03-16 1855
(H) STA RPT CS(STA) NEW TITLE 3DP 1NR
2026-03-12 Min
(H) Minutes (HSTA)
2026-03-12 Text
(H) Moved CSHB 221(STA) Out of Committee -- Delayed to 10 minutes Following Session --
2026-03-12 Text
(H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
2026-03-11 1827
(H) COSPONSOR REMOVED: JOHNSON
2026-03-10 Text
(H) Heard & Held
2026-03-10 Text
(H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
2025-05-07 1044
(H) STA
2025-05-07 1044
(H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

Official Summary Text

ARTS AND CULTURE DAY
An Act establishing the first Friday of every October as Alaska Arts and Culture Day; and providing for an effective date.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Enrolled HB 221
LAWS OF ALASKA

2026

Source Chapter No.
CSHB 221(STA) _______

AN ACT

Establishing the first Friday of every October as Alaska Arts and Culture Day; and providing
for an effective date.

_______________

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

THE ACT FOLLOWS ON PAGE 1

-1- Enrolled HB 221

AN ACT

Establishing the first Friday of every October as Alaska Arts and Culture Day; and providing 1
for an effective date. 2
_______________ 3
* Section 1. AS 44.12 is amended by adding a new section to article 2 to read: 4
Sec. 44.12.197. Alaska Arts and Culture Day. Alaska Arts and Culture Day is 5
established on the first Friday of October each year. Alaska Arts and Culture Day may 6
be observed by schools, community groups, and other public and private agencies and 7
individuals with celebratory events, projects, and activities directed at or involving 8
people of all ages to increase awareness and appreciation of arts and culture in the state. 9
* Sec. 2. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c). 10