2026-05-07                     House Journal                      Page 2439
HB 391                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 391 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act extending the governor's October 9, 2025, declaration of                                                           
     a disaster emergency in response to the 2025 West Coast Storm;                                                             
     and providing for an effective date."                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional                                                                
Affairs and Finance Committees.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Zero, Dept. of Military & Veterans' Affairs                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated May 6 follows:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the ongoing recovery                                                         
efforts for the 2025 West Coast Storm.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
This legislation serves as a critical extension of the disaster emergency                                                       
declaration first issued on October 9, 2025. While the initial                                                                  
emergency response began in late 2025, the severity of the damage to                                                            
infrastructure and the complexity of the ongoing emergency actions                                                              
require a sustained state-level response.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
The current disaster emergency is set to expire on May 7, 2026.                                                                 
Without legislative intervention, the legal framework allowing state                                                            
agencies to deploy resources and coordinate emergency response                                                                  
efforts would lapse. The bill ratifies and approves the previous                                                                
monthly extensions issued from November 2025 through April 2026.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Additionally, the bill formally extends the disaster emergency until                                                            
June 30, 2026, providing the necessary window for agencies to                                                                   
stabilize affected regions and continue reconstruction. To ensure there                                                         
is no gap in legal authority or resource allocation, the bill is retroactive                                                    
to May 7, 2026. Finally, the legislation provides for an immediate                                                              

2026-05-07                     House Journal                      Page 2440
effective date to provide certainty to the communities and agencies                                                             
currently operating under the emergency declaration.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
This extension will help ensure that the State of Alaska remains able to                                                        
protect the health, safety, and property of Alaskans affected by the                                                            
2025 West Coast Storm.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"