Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-04-25 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0883 HB 16 The following was read the second time: HOUSE BILL NO. 16 "An Act amending campaign contribution limits for state and local office; directing the Alaska Public Offices Commission to adjust campaign contribution limits for state and local office once each decade beginning in 2031; and relating to campaign contribution reporting requirements." with the: Journal Page STA RPT CS(STA) NEW TITLE 4DP 2DNP 1NR 663 FN1: ZERO(ADM) 663 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original bill: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 16(STA) "An Act requiring a group supporting or opposing a candidate or ballot proposition in a state or local election to maintain an address in the state; amending campaign contribution limits for state and local office; directing the Alaska Public Offices Commission to adjust campaign contribution limits for state and local office once each decade beginning in 2031; relating to campaign contribution reporting requirements; relating to administrative complaints filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission; relating to state election expenditures and contributions made by a foreign-influenced corporation or foreign national; and providing for an effective date." There being no objection, it was so ordered. Amendment No. 1 was offered by Representative Saddler: Page 1, line 8, following "national;"(title amendment): 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0884 Insert "relating to write-in candidates for President and Vice- President of the United States;" Page 4, following line 30: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 13. AS 15.15.030 is amended to read: Sec. 15.15.030. Preparation of official ballot. The director shall prepare all official ballots to facilitate fairness, simplicity, and clarity in the voting procedure, to reflect most accurately the intent of the voter, and to expedite the administration of elections. The following directives shall be followed when applicable: (1) The director shall determine the size of the ballot, the type of print, necessary additional instruction notes to voters, and other similar matters of form not provided by law. (2) The director shall number ballots in series to ensure simplicity and secrecy and to prevent fraud. (3) The director shall contract for the preparation of ballots under AS 36.30 (State Procurement Code). (4) The director may not include on the ballot, as a part of a candidate's name, any honorary or assumed title or prefix but may include in the candidate's name any nickname or familiar form of a proper name of the candidate. (5) The names of the candidates shall be placed in separate sections on the state general election ballot under the office designation to which they were nominated. If a candidate is registered as affiliated with a political party or political group, the party affiliation, if any, may be designated after the name of the candidate, upon request of the candidate. If a candidate has requested designation as nonpartisan or undeclared, that designation shall be placed after the name of the candidate. If a candidate is not registered as affiliated with a political party or political group and has not requested to be designated as nonpartisan or undeclared, the candidate shall be designated as undeclared. The lieutenant governor and the governor shall be included under the same section. Provision shall be made for voting for write-in candidates within each section. Paper ballots for the state general election shall be printed on white paper. (6) The names of the candidates for each office shall be set out in the same order on ballots printed for use in each house district. The director shall randomly determine the order of the 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0885 names of the candidates for state representative for each house district. The director shall rotate the order of placement of the names of candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, United States senator, United States representative, and state senator on the ballot for each house district. (7) The general election ballot shall be designed with the names of candidates of each political party, and of any independent candidates qualified under AS 15.30.026, for the office of President and Vice-President of the United States placed in the same section on the ballot rather than the names of electors of President and Vice-President. Provision shall be made for voting for write-in candidates for President and Vice- President. (8) The general or special election ballot shall be designed with the title and proposition for any initiative, referendum, or constitutional amendment formulated as prescribed by law and placed on the ballot in the manner prescribed by the director. When placed on the ballot, a state ballot proposition or ballot question shall carry the number that was assigned to the petition for the proposition or question. Provision shall be made for marking the proposition "Yes" or "No." (9) The general or special election ballot shall be designed with the question of whether a constitutional convention shall be called placed on the ballot in the following manner: "Shall there be a constitutional convention?" Provision shall be made for marking the question "Yes" or "No." (10) A nonpartisan ballot shall be designed for each judicial district in which a justice or judge is seeking retention in office. The ballot shall be divided into four parts. Each part must bear a heading indicating the court to which the candidate is seeking approval, and provision shall be made for marking each question "Yes" or "No." Within each part, the question of whether the justice or judge shall be approved or rejected shall be set out in substantially the following manner: (A) "Shall ..... be retained as justice of the supreme court for 10 years?"; (B) "Shall ...... be retained as judge of the court of appeals for eight years?"; (C) "Shall ...... be retained as judge of the superior court for six years?"; or 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0886 (D) "Shall ..... be retained as judge of the district court for four years?" (11) When the legislature by law authorizes a state debt for capital improvements, the director shall place the question of whether the specific authorization shall be ratified by placing the ballot title and question on the next general election ballot, or on the special election ballot if a special election is held for the purpose of ratifying the state debt for capital improvements before the time of the next general election. Unless specifically provided otherwise in the Act authorizing the debt, the ballot title shall, by the use of a few words in a succinct manner, indicate the general subject of the Act. The question shall, by the use of a few sentences in a succinct manner, give a true and impartial summary of the Act authorizing the state debt. The question of whether state debt shall be contracted shall be assigned a letter of the alphabet on the ballot. Provision shall be made for marking the question substantially as follows: "Bonds....... Yes" or "Bonds....... No," followed by an appropriate oval. (12) The director may provide for the optical scanning of ballots where the requisite equipment is available. (13) The director may provide for voting by use of electronically generated ballots by a voter who requests to use a machine that produces electronically generated ballots. (14) The director shall include the following statement on the ballot: A candidate's designated affiliation does not imply that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by the political party or group or that the party or group approves of or associates with that candidate, but only that the candidate is registered as affiliated with the political party or political group. (15) Instead of the statement provided by (14) of this section, when candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States appear on a general election ballot, the director shall include the following statement on the ballot: A candidate's designated affiliation does not imply that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by the political party or political 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0887 group or that the political party or political group approves of or associates with that candidate, but only that the candidate is registered as affiliated with the party or group. The election for President and Vice- President of the United States is different. Some candidates for President and Vice- President are the official nominees of their political party. (16) The director shall design the general election ballots so that the candidates are selected by ranked-choice voting. (17) The director shall design the general election ballot to direct the voter to mark candidates in order of preference and to mark as many choices as the voter wishes, but not to assign the same ranking to more than one candidate for the same office. * Sec. 14. AS 15.15.360(d) is amended to read: (d) Write-in votes shall be counted according to the following rules: (1) writing in the name of a candidate whose name is printed on the ballot does not invalidate a write-in vote unless the director determines, on the basis of other evidence, that the ballot was so marked for the purpose of identifying the ballot; (2) in order to vote for a write-in candidate, the voter must write in the candidate's name in the space provided and fill in the oval opposite the candidate's name in accordance with (a)(1) of this section; (3) a vote for a write-in candidate, other than a write-in vote for governor and lieutenant governor or for President and Vice-President of the United States, shall be counted if the oval is filled in for that candidate and if the name of the candidate, as it appears on the write-in declaration of candidacy, or the last name of the candidate is written in the space provided; (4) if the write-in vote is for governor and lieutenant governor, the vote shall be counted if the oval is filled in and the names of the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, as they appear on the write-in declaration of candidacy, or the last names of the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, or the name of the candidate for governor, as it appears on the write- in declaration of candidacy, or the last name of the candidate for governor is written in the space provided; 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0888 (5) if the write-in vote is for President and Vice- President of the United States, the vote shall be counted if the oval is filled in and the names of the candidates for President and Vice-President, as they appear on the write-in declaration of candidacy, or the last names of the candidates for President and Vice-President, or the name of the candidate for President, as it appears on the write-in declaration of candidacy, or the last name of the candidate for President is written in the space provided; (6) in counting votes for a write-in candidate, the director shall disregard any abbreviation, misspelling, or other minor variation in the form of the name of a candidate if the intention of the voter can be ascertained. * Sec. 15. AS 15.25.105 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (d) A write-in candidate running for the office of President of the United States must file a letter with the director certifying the information required under AS 15.30.026(b)." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 5, line 3: Delete "This Act does" Insert "Sections 1 - 12 and 16 of this Act do" Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 be adopted. Representative Carrick objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 1 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 16(STA) Second Reading Amendment No. 1 YEAS: 17 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0889 Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes Excused: Allard Absent: Johnson And so, Amendment No. 1 was not adopted. Representative McCabe placed a call of the House. Amendment No. 2 was offered by Representative McCabe: Page 2, following line 3: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 2. AS 15.13.040(g) is amended to read: (g) The provisions of (a), (b), and (l) of this section do not apply to a (1) delegate to a constitutional convention, a judge seeking judicial retention, or a candidate for election to a municipal office under AS 15.13.010, if that delegate, judge, or candidate (A) [(1)] indicates, on a form prescribed by the commission, an intent not to raise and not to expend more than $5,000 in seeking election to office, including both the primary and general elections; (B) [(2)] accepts contributions totaling not more than $5,000 in seeking election to office, including both the primary and general elections; and (C) [(3)] makes expenditures totaling not more than $5,000 in seeking election to office, including both the primary and general elections; (2) group, if the group (A) indicates, on a form prescribed by the commission, an intent not to raise and not to expend more than $5,000 in a calendar year; (B) accepts contributions totaling not more than $5,000 in a calendar year; and (C) makes expenditures totaling not more than $5,000 in a calendar year. 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0890 * Sec. 3. AS 15.13.040(m) is amended to read: (m) Information required under this chapter shall be submitted to the commission electronically, except that the following information may be submitted in clear and legible black typeface or hand-printed in dark ink on paper in a format approved by the commission or on forms provided by the commission: (1) information submitted by [(A)] a candidate for election to a borough or city office of mayor, membership on a borough assembly, city council, or school board, or any state office, who (A) [(i)] meets the requirements of (g)(1) [(g)(1) - (3)] of this section; (B) [OR (ii)] does not have reasonable access to the technology necessary to file electronically; in this subparagraph [SUB-SUBPARAGRAPH], a candidate is considered not to have reasonable access to the technology necessary to file electronically if the candidate does not own a personal computer or does not have broadband Internet access at the candidate's residence; in this subparagraph [SUB- SUBPARAGRAPH], "broadband Internet access" means high-speed Internet access that is always on and that is faster than traditional dial-up access; or (C) [(B)] a candidate for municipal office for a municipality with a population of less than 15,000; in this subparagraph, "municipal office" means the office of an elected borough or city (i) mayor; or (ii) assembly, council, or school board member; (2) information submitted by a group that meets the requirements of (g)(2) of this section; or (3) any information if the commission determines that circumstances warrant an exception to the electronic submission requirement." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Representative McCabe moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 2 be adopted. Representative Schrage objected. 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0891 **The presence of Representative Johnson was noted. The call was satisfied. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 2 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 16(STA) Second Reading Amendment No. 2 YEAS: 18 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes Excused: Allard And so, Amendment No. 2 was not adopted. Representative McCabe lifted the call. Amendment No. 3 was offered by Representative McCabe: Page 2, following line 3: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 2. AS 15.13.040(e) is amended to read: (e) Each person required to report under (d) of this section shall file a full report in accordance with AS 15.13.110(h) on a form prescribed by the commission. The report must contain (1) the name, address, principal occupation, and employer of the individual filing the report; (2) an itemized list of all expenditures made, incurred, or authorized by the person; (3) the name of the candidate or the title of the ballot proposition or question supported or opposed by each expenditure and whether the expenditure is made to support or oppose the candidate or ballot proposition or question; 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0892 (4) the name and address of each officer and director, when applicable; (5) the aggregate amount of all contributions made to the person, if any, for the purpose of influencing the outcome of an election; for all contributions, the date of the contribution and amount contributed by each contributor; and, for a contributor (A) who is an individual, the name and address of the contributor and, for contributions in excess of $50 in the aggregate during a calendar year, the name, address, principal occupation, and employer of the contributor; or (B) that is not an individual, (i) the name and address of the contributor; (ii) [AND] the name and address of each officer and director of the contributor; and (iii) when applicable, the address of the contributor's agent registered under AS 15.13.050(d)." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 3, following line 28: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 10. AS 15.13.110(h) is amended to read: (h) An independent expenditure report required under AS 15.13.040(e) shall be filed with the commission not later than 10 days after an independent expenditure has been made. However, a person making an independent expenditure shall report to the commission within 24 hours after the person (1) makes an independent expenditure if the expenditure [THAT] exceeds $250 and [THAT] is made within nine days of an election [SHALL BE REPORTED TO THE COMMISSION NOT LATER THAN 24 HOURS AFTER THE EXPENDITURE IS MADE]; (2) receives a contribution that exceeds $1,000 if the person uses or intends to use the contribution to make an independent expenditure." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Representative McCabe moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 3 be adopted. 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0893 Representative Schrage objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 3 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 16(STA) Second Reading Amendment No. 3 YEAS: 17 NAYS: 22 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Prax, Schrage, Story, Stutes Excused: Allard And so, Amendment No. 3 was not adopted. Amendment No. 4 was offered by Representative McCabe: Page 3, lines 20 - 22: Delete all material and insert: "(h) An individual, group, or nongroup entity may contribute not more than $3,000 each year to a group or nongroup entity that makes only independent expenditures." Page 3, following line 28: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 9. AS 15.13.110(h) is amended to read: (h) An independent expenditure report required under AS 15.13.040(e) shall be filed with the commission not later than 10 days after an independent expenditure has been made. However, a person making an independent expenditure shall report to the commission within 24 hours after the person (1) makes an independent expenditure if the expenditure [THAT] exceeds $250 and [THAT] is made within nine days of an election [SHALL BE REPORTED TO THE COMMISSION NOT LATER THAN 24 HOURS AFTER THE 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0894 EXPENDITURE IS MADE]; (2) receives a contribution that exceeds $1,000 if the person uses or intends to use the contribution to make an independent expenditure." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Representative McCabe moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 4 be adopted. Representative Schrage objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 4 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 16(STA) Second Reading Amendment No. 4 YEAS: 16 NAYS: 23 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Prax, Schrage, Story, Stutes Excused: Allard And so, Amendment No. 4 was not adopted. Amendment No. 5 was offered by Representative McCabe: Page 1, line 5, following "requirements;"(title amendment): Insert "requiring certain groups and nongroup entities to register with the Alaska Public Offices Commission as out-of- state-funded entities;" Page 3, following line 28: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 9. AS 15.13 is amended by adding a new section to read: 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0895 Sec. 15.13.073. Group or nongroup entity required to register as out-of-state-funded entity. A group or nongroup entity that accepts more than 30 percent of its total contributions during a calendar year from individuals who are not residents of the state, and groups and nongroup entities that are not incorporated in the state, shall register with the commission, on forms provided by the commission, as an out-of-state-funded entity." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 4, following line 5: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 11. AS 15.13.110 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (l) A group or nongroup entity registered as an out-of-state- funded entity under AS 15.13.073 that receives a contribution exceeding $500 shall, within 24 hours, report to the commission the name, address, principal occupation, and employer of the contributor and the date and amount of the contribution." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Representative McCabe moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 5 be adopted. Representative Carrick objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 5 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 16(STA) Second Reading Amendment No. 5 YEAS: 18 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0896 Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes Excused: Allard And so, Amendment No. 5 was not adopted. Amendment No. 6 was offered by Representative McCabe: Page 1, line 5, following "2031;"(title amendment): Insert "requiring certain disclosures in communications funded by independent expenditures;" Page 3, following line 28: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 9. AS 15.13.090 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (h) In addition to other applicable disclosures of this section, if, during a calendar year, more than 30 percent of the contributions accepted by a person making an independent expenditure for a communication described in (a) of this section are from individuals who are not residents of the state and groups and nongroup entities that are not incorporated in the state, the person shall ensure that a communication paid for by the person that (1) includes a print or video component has the following statement placed in the communication so as to be easily discernible and, for a broadcast, cable, satellite, or Internet or other digital communication, that the statement remains onscreen throughout the entirety of the communication: "MORE THAN 30 PERCENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO (PERSON'S NAME) CAME FROM OUTSIDE THE STATE OF ALASKA"; and (2) is transmitted through radio or other audio media or that has an audio component includes the following statement read in a manner that is easily heard: "More than 30 percent of contributions to (person's name) came from outside the State of Alaska."" Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0897 Representative McCabe moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 6 be adopted. Representative Schrage objected. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Tomaszewski be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 6 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 16(STA) Second Reading Amendment No. 6 YEAS: 16 NAYS: 22 EXCUSED: 2 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Ruffridge, Schrage, Story, Stutes Excused: Allard, Tomaszewski And so, Amendment No. 6 was not adopted. Amendment Nos. 7 and 8 were not offered. Amendment No. 9 was offered by Representative McCabe: Page 1, line 2, following "state;"(title amendment): Insert "limiting contributions and independent expenditures from nonresident persons that are intended to influence the outcome of a ballot proposition election;" Page 2, following line 19: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 4. AS 15.13.065(c) is amended to read: (c) Except for reports required by AS 15.13.040 and 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0898 15.13.110, [AND EXCEPT FOR] the requirements of AS 15.13.050, 15.13.060, and 15.13.112 - 15.13.114, and the limit in AS 15.13.072(i), the provisions of AS 15.13.010 - 15.13.116 do not apply to limit the authority of a person to make contributions to influence the outcome of a ballot proposition. In this subsection, in addition to its meaning in AS 15.80.010, "proposition" includes (1) an issue placed on a ballot to determine whether (A) a constitutional convention shall be called; (B) a debt shall be contracted; (C) an advisory question shall be approved or rejected; or (D) a municipality shall be incorporated; (2) an initiative proposal application filed with the lieutenant governor under AS 15.45.020." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 3, following line 28: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Sec. 10. AS 15.13.072 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (i) A group or nongroup entity making independent expenditures for or against a ballot proposition may not solicit or accept more than $500 each year in contributions from an (1) individual who is not a resident of the state at the time the contribution is made; or (2) entity organized under the laws of another state. * Sec. 11. AS 15.13.074 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (j) A person who is not a resident of the state may not contribute more than $500 each year in total to all groups and nongroup entities for the purpose of influencing the outcome of an election concerning a ballot proposition. * Sec. 12. AS 15.13.084 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (b) A person who is not a resident of the state may not make independent expenditures of more than $500 each year for or against a ballot proposition." 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0899 Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Representative McCabe moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 9 be adopted. Representative Schrage objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 9 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 16(STA) Second Reading Amendment No. 9 YEAS: 15 NAYS: 22 EXCUSED: 2 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes Excused: Allard, Tomaszewski Absent: Ruffridge And so, Amendment No. 9 was not adopted. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Ruffridge be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Amendment No. 10 was offered by Representative McCabe: Page 1, line 1, following "Act"(title amendment): Insert "requiring the disclosure of certain persons who coordinate and aggregate individual campaign contributions;" Page 2, following line 3: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 2. AS 15.13 is amended by adding a new section to read: Sec. 15.13.042. Bundled contribution disclosures. (a)Each 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0900 candidate shall make a full report, on a form prescribed by the commission, (1) listing (A) the name, address, and employer of each person reasonably known by the candidate to be a person who provided bundled contributions to the candidate in an aggregate amount greater than $10,000 during an election cycle; and (B) the aggregate amount of bundled contributions provided by each person who provided bundled contributions to the candidate during the election cycle; (2) filed in accordance with AS 15.13.110 and certified correct by the candidate or campaign treasurer. (b) In this section, '"bundled contribution"' means a contribution (1) forwarded from a contributor or contributors to a candidate by a person; or (2) received by a candidate from a contributor or contributors but credited by the candidate to a person through a record, designation, or other recognition that the person was responsible for raising the contribution." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 3, following line 28: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 10. AS 15.13.110(a) is amended to read: (a) Each candidate, group, and nongroup entity shall make a full report in accordance with AS 15.13.040 and 15.13.042 for the period ending three days before the due date of the report and beginning on the last day covered by the most recent previous report. If the report is a first report, it must cover the period from the beginning of the campaign to the date three days before the due date of the report. If the report is a report due February 15, it must cover the period beginning on the last day covered by the most recent previous report or on the day that the campaign started, whichever is later, and ending on February 1 of that year. The report shall be filed (1) 30 days before the election; however, this report is not required if the deadline for filing a nominating petition or 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0901 declaration of candidacy is within 30 days of the election; (2) one week before the election; (3) 105 days after a special election; and (4) February 15 for expenditures made and contributions received that were not reported previously, including, if applicable, all amounts expended from a public office expense term account established under AS 15.13.116(a)(8) and all amounts expended from a municipal office account under AS 15.13.116(a)(9), or when expenditures were not made or contributions were not received during the previous year." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Representative McCabe moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 10 be adopted. Representative Carrick objected. HB 16 The following was before the House in second reading with Amendment No. 10 (page 899) moved and pending: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 16(STA) "An Act requiring a group supporting or opposing a candidate or ballot proposition in a state or local election to maintain an address in the state; amending campaign contribution limits for state and local office; directing the Alaska Public Offices Commission to adjust campaign contribution limits for state and local office once each decade beginning in 2031; relating to campaign contribution reporting requirements; relating to administrative complaints filed with the Alaska Public Offices 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0902 Commission; relating to state election expenditures and contributions made by a foreign-influenced corporation or foreign national; and providing for an effective date." The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 10 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 16(STA) Second Reading Amendment No. 10 YEAS: 16 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes Excused: Allard, Ruffridge, Tomaszewski And so, Amendment No. 10 was not adopted. Amendment No. 11 was offered by Representative Bynum: Page 2, line 23: Delete "$2,000" Insert "$5,000" Page 2, line 27: Delete "$5,000 each [PER]" Insert "$8,000 each [$5,000 PER]" Page 3, lines 2 - 3: Delete all material and insert: "(2) $5,000 each year to another group or [,] to a nongroup entity; (3) $8,000 each year [, OR] to a political party." Page 3, lines 10 - 11: Delete all material and insert: 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0903 "(2) $5,000 each year to another group; (3) $8,000 each year [, TO A GROUP, OR] to a political party." Page 3, line 15: Delete "$4,000" Insert "$10,000" Page 3, line 20, following "(c)(2)": Insert "and (3)" Representative Bynum moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 11 be adopted. There was objection. Amendment No. 1 to Amendment No. 11 was offered by Representative Bynum: Page 1, lines 5-7: Delete all material and insert "Page 2, line 27: Delete all material and insert: "(2) $5,000 each year to another group. (3) $8,000 each year to a political party."" Representative Bynum moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 to Amendment No. 11 be adopted. Objection was heard and withdrawn. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 1 to Amendment No. 11 was adopted. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 11 as amended be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 16(STA) Second Reading Amendment No. 11 as amended YEAS: 14 NAYS: 23 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0904 Yeas: Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Saddler, Stapp, Tilton, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Schwanke, Story, Stutes Excused: Allard, Ruffridge, Tomaszewski And so, Amendment No. 11 as amended was not adopted. Amendment No. 12 was offered by Representative Vance: Page 1, line 5, following "2031;"(title amendment): Insert "prohibiting certain state and municipal contractors and agents or immediate family members of those contractors from making contributions in state or local elections;" Page 3, following line 28: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 9. AS 15.13.074 is amended by adding new subsections to read: (j) If payment for the performance of a state or municipal contract for goods and services in an amount of $100,000 or more, or property or construction in the amount of $250,000 or more, includes funds appropriated by the legislature, the person under contract may not make a contribution to a candidate, group, or nongroup entity during the term of the contract. An agent or immediate family member of a person subject to this subsection may not make a contribution to a candidate, group, or nongroup entity during the term of the person's contract. (k) A person who enters into a contract subject to (j) of this section shall provide the state or municipality with a list of the person's agents or immediate family members. The state or municipality shall provide the commission with the information necessary to administer (j) of this section. The state or municipality shall report the information electronically to the commission. The commission shall then make the information available to the candidate, group, and nongroup entity on an electronic, password-protected basis. (l) In this section, 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0905 (1) "immediate family member" has the meaning given in AS 39.52.960; (2) "state or municipal" includes state and municipal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 4, following line 5: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 11. AS 15.13.114 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (c) Notwithstanding (a) of this section, if a candidate, group, or nongroup entity does not return a contribution prohibited by AS 15.13.074(j) within 10 days after receipt of the contribution, the contribution shall be delivered to the Department of Revenue as unclaimed property under AS 34.45." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Representative Vance moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 12 be adopted. Representative Schrage objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 12 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 16(STA) Second Reading Amendment No. 12 YEAS: 10 NAYS: 27 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Moore, Schrage, Schwanke, Stapp, Story, Stutes Excused: Allard, Ruffridge, Tomaszewski And so, Amendment No. 12 was not adopted. 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0906 Amendment No. 13 was offered by Representative Vance: Page 2, line 23: Delete "election cycle [$500 PER YEAR]" Insert "[$500 PER] year" Page 2, line 31: Delete "election cycle" Insert "year" Page 3, line 7: Delete "election cycle [$1,000 A YEAR]" Insert "[$1,000 A] year" Page 3, lines 15 - 16: Delete "election cycle [$1,000 PER YEAR]" Insert "[$1,000 PER] year" Page 3, lines 17 - 18: Delete "election cycle [$2,000 PER YEAR]" Insert "[$2,000 PER] year" Representative Vance moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 13 be adopted. Representative Schrage objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 13 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 16(STA) Second Reading Amendment No. 13 YEAS: 16 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0907 Excused: Allard, Ruffridge, Tomaszewski And so, Amendment No. 13 was not adopted. Amendment No. 14 was offered by Representative Rauscher: Page 1, following line 9: Insert new bill sections to read: "* Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read: LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. The legislature finds that the people of the state believe that political power and influence with public officials should not be allocated solely based on wealth. Instead, reasonable limits on the amount of campaign contributions are necessary to secure equal rights for Alaskans and to preserve the integrity of our elections. * Sec. 2. AS 15.13.050(a) is amended to read: (a) Before making an expenditure in support of or in opposition to a candidate or before making an expenditure in support of or in opposition to a ballot proposition or question or to an initiative proposal application filed with the lieutenant governor under AS 15.45.020, each person other than an individual shall (1) register, on forms provided by the commission, with the commission; and (2) provide the person's physical address in the state or the physical address of the person's agent registered under (d) of this section. * Sec. 3. AS 15.13.050 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (d) A person may not register under (a) of this section unless the person has a physical address in the state or registers with the commission an individual resident of the state who maintains a physical address in the state or a domestic corporation authorized to transact business in this state as the person's agent. A person shall notify the commission within 10 days after a change to the person's in- state address, registered agent, or the physical address of the person's registered agent. * Sec. 4. AS 15.13.070(b) is amended to read: (b) Except as provided in (h) of this section, an [AN] individual may contribute not more than 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0908 (1) $2,000 each election cycle [$500 PER YEAR] to a nongroup entity for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of a candidate, to a candidate, or to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign as a candidate [, OR TO A GROUP THAT IS NOT A POLITICAL PARTY]; (2) $5,000 each [PER] year to a political party or other group. * Sec. 5. AS 15.13.070(c) is amended to read: (c) Except as provided in (h) of this section, a [A] group that is not a political party may contribute not more than [$1,000 PER YEAR] (1) $4,000 each election cycle to a candidate [,] or to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign as a candidate; (2) $5,000 each year to another group, to a nongroup entity, or to a political party. * Sec. 6. AS 15.13.070(f) is amended to read: (f) Except as provided in (h) of this section, a [A] nongroup entity may contribute not more than (1) $4,000 each election cycle [$1,000 A YEAR] to another nongroup entity for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of a candidate, to a candidate, or to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign as a candidate; (2) $5,000 each year [, TO A GROUP, OR] to a political party or other group. * Sec. 7. AS 15.13.070(g) is amended to read: (g) Where contributions are made to a joint campaign for governor and lieutenant governor, (1) an individual may contribute not more than $4,000 each election cycle [$1,000 PER YEAR]; and (2) a group may contribute not more than $8,000 each election cycle [$2,000 PER YEAR]. * Sec. 8. AS 15.13.070 is amended by adding new subsections to read: (h) The contribution limits set out in (b)(1), (c)(2), and (f) of this section do not apply to an individual, group, or nongroup entity contributing to a group or nongroup entity that makes only independent expenditures. (i) Beginning in the first quarter of calendar year 2031 and once every 10 years thereafter, the commission shall by regulation adjust the contribution limits set out in this section by a percentage equal to the percentage of increase over the preceding 10-year period in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers for urban Alaska 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0909 prepared by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, rounded to the nearest $50 increment. * Sec. 9. AS 15.13.110(i) is amended to read: (i) During an election cycle [A CAMPAIGN PERIOD], the commission may not change the manner or format in which reports required of a candidate under this chapter must be filed. [IN THIS SUBSECTION, "CAMPAIGN PERIOD" MEANS THE PERIOD BEGINNING ON THE DATE THAT A CANDIDATE BECOMES ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER THIS CHAPTER AND ENDING ON THE DATE THAT A FINAL REPORT FOR THAT SAME CAMPAIGN MUST BE FILED.] * Sec. 10. AS 15.13.380(e) is amended to read: (e) If the commission accepts the complaint for consideration on a regular rather than an expedited basis, the commission shall notify the respondent within seven days after receiving the complaint and shall investigate the complaint. The commission shall complete an investigation under this section within 90 days after the date the commission receives the complaint unless the commission extends the investigation for good cause. The respondent may answer the complaint by filing a written response with the commission within 15 days after the commission notifies the respondent of the complaint. The commission may grant the respondent additional time to respond to the complaint only for good cause. The commission shall hold a hearing on the complaint not later than 45 days after the respondent's written response is due. Not later than 10 days after the hearing, the commission shall issue its order. If the commission finds that the respondent has engaged in or is about to engage in an act or practice that constitutes or will constitute a violation of this chapter or a regulation adopted under this chapter, the commission shall enter an order requiring the violation to be ceased or to be remedied and shall assess civil penalties under AS 15.13.390. * Sec. 11. AS 15.13.380 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (l) Beginning 50 days after a complaint is filed, the commission shall provide the complainant a report on the status of the commission's investigation at least every 10 days. * Sec. 12. AS 15.13.400 is amended by adding a new paragraph to read: (20) "election cycle" means the period beginning on the date that a candidate becomes eligible to receive campaign 2025-04-25 House Journal Page 0910 contributions under this chapter and ending on the date that a final report for that same campaign must be filed. * Sec. 13. AS 15.13.068(b) and 15.13.068(c) are repealed. * Sec. 14. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read: APPLICABILITY. This Act does not apply to contributions made to influence the outcome of an election that occurred before the effective date of this Act. * Sec. 15. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c)" Renumber the following sections accordingly. Representative Rauscher moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 14 be adopted. There was objection. Representative Rauscher moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw Amendment No. 14. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that CSHB 16(STA) be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. CSHB 16(STA) will advance to third reading on the April 28 calendar.