2026-01-23                     Senate Journal                      Page 1518
SB 223                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 223 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                               
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
               "An Act relating to an appropriation limit; and                                                                 
          providing for an effective date."                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Office of the Governor                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22:                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Stevens:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the statutory                                                                
appropriation limit. Current law allows total appropriations to grow by                                                         
up to five percent plus population and inflation. This bill sets a more                                                         
disciplined standard by limiting appropriations in a fiscal year to no                                                          
more than one percent above the prior fiscal year.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Alaskans deserve a stable, rules-based fiscal system that avoids the                                                            
boom-and-bust cycle and reduces pressure for new taxes. A                                                                       
meaningful limit on spending growth will protect essential services,                                                            
improve budget predictability, and keep the size of government                                                                  
aligned with what Alaskans can sustain over time.                                                                               

2026-01-23                     Senate Journal                      Page 1519
This measure is part of a broader approach to restoring trust in state                                                          
finances, controlling growth in government, and ensuring long-term                                                              
fiscal certainty.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor