2026-05-07                     Senate Journal                      Page 2506
SB 290                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 290 BY THE SENATE 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 Finance Committee.                                                                  

2026-05-07                     Senate Journal                      Page 2507
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
         Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Military and Veterans                                                          
        Affairs                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated May 6:                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Stevens:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
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                                                              
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