HOUSE
BETTYE B.DAVIS
17th-27th Legislature (1991 -2012)

Representative Bettye B.Davis

District: 21
Party: Democrat
Legislative Service
1991-1996 Representative
2001-2012 Senator

:

Born May 17, 1938, Bettye Davis is among Alaska’s top advocates of Children, Education, Health and Social issues. Born in Homer, Louisiana Davis grew up in Louisiana, earning her nursing degree from St. Anthony’s College. Davis attended Grambling State University where she received her BSW in 1971 and worked as an Assistant Director at the YWCA in San Bernardino, California from 1971 to 1972. Davis arrived in Anchorage, Alaska in 1972 and pursued her higher education at the University, Alaska Anchorage. Davis began her career in family services working at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute as a Nurse and Social Worker from 1972 to 1975. From 1975 to 1989, Davis worked in various positions within the Department of Health and Social Services: Childcare Specialist, Social Worker and Foster Care Coordinator.

Davis began her long political career when she was elected to the Anchorage School Board from 1982 to 1990 - serving two terms as board president. Davis became the first African-American woman elected to serve in the Alaska State House of Representatives. Davis served three terms (1990-1996). After an unsuccessful bid to the Alaska State Senate in 1996, Davis was re-elected to the Anchorage School Board and appointed to the State Board of Education in 1997. Davis also served as the president of the National Association of Black School Board Members and the president of the Alaska Black Leadership Conference. In 2000, Davis became the first African-American to be elected to the Alaska State Senate. Davis continues to serve in the Alaska State Senate and remains the "Conscious of the Legislature" - passing legislation that influences education, social issues and economic development.

Locally, Davis served on the Alaska Healthcare Strategy Council (2007-2008); Alaska 2000 Education Project; the Governor’s Task Force on Tolerance (2000-2001); and the Governor’s Commission on Youth and Justice (1995-96). Nationally, Davis serves as a Board Member for Women In Government; Treasurer, National Association of Black Elected Legislative (NOBEL)/Women; State Director, WiLL (Women’s Legislative Lobby); Legislative Advisory Committee Member, WICHE (Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education); Vice Chair, National Conference of State Legislators - Health Committee; and the Interstate Commission on Higher Education Legislative Advisory Board. Davis also served as Energy Chair for both the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and the National Foundation for Women Legislators.

Senator Davis is the recipient of countless awards to include, but not limited to: 2010 Pioneer Woman of the Year, Business and Professional Women (BPW) - North to the Future; 2010 Celebrate Liberty Award, Alaska Civil Liberties Union of Alaska; 2010 Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame, Alaska Women’s Network; Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation of Alaska Humanitarian Award; Mayor’s Award for Public Service; Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau Meeting Champion Award; YWCA Woman of Achievement; Alaska Black Caucus Presidents Award; Wells Fargo Bank CheckPoint Alaska Award; 2000 Notable American Women; Who’s Who of American Women; and the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska Award.

Davis is a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and is affiliated with various organizations to include, but not limited to: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (life member), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (life member), Business and Professional Women/USA, Alaska Women’s Political Caucus, Athena Society, Special Olympics, Zonta Anchorage, Campfire, Alaska Center for Children and Families; and March of Dimes.

Davis cares greatly about the community and strives to promote exemplary service at the local, state and national level.

Date and Place of Birth:
May 17, 1938 Homer, Louisiana

Occupation:
Social Worker

Spouse:
Troy (Deceased)

Residency in Alaska:
Alaska resident since 1973

Education:
Grambling University, B.S.W. Social Work, 1956-59, 1970-71; University of Alaska, Anchorage, Graduate Studies in Family Counseling, 1973-74.

Political and Government Positions:
Senator Bettye Davis has been appointed Presiding officer to serve on the NCSL Health Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures for the 2007-2008 Biennium. Served on the Governor's Tolerance Task Commission 2000-2001. Appointed as the Chair of NBCSL Energy Committee. Served on the Anchorage School Board, 1982-89, two years as president. Elected to the House of Representatives in 1990, 1992 and 1994, served as both Majority and Minority Whip. Re-elected to the Anchorage School Board in 1998. Appointed by Gov. Tony Knowles to the State Board of Education (1998). Elected to the State Senate in 2000.

Business and Professional Positions:
Alaska Federation of Business & Professional Women Club, President, 1999-2000 Governor's Conference on Youth and Justice, At Risk Work Group, appointed 1995-96 National Black Caucus of State Legislators Chair, Region 12, 1995-96 Athena Society, Member 1994-present, Zonta Club of Anchorage, 1994- present Winning with Stronger Education Committee Member, 1991-present Alaska 2000 Education Project, Member, 1991- present; YWCA of Anchorage, Member 1988-present, Past Board Member, 1989-90 Served as National President of the National Association of Black School Administrators. National Alliance of Black School Educators, Member, 1986-present, Elections and Resolutions Committee.

Memberships:
She is currently a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Business and Professional Women/USA, the NAACP and is a member of the Alaska Women's Political Caucus, Anchorage Young Women's Christian Association, Athena Society, Church Women United, and Zonta. Mrs. Davis has served on various boards such as Special Olympics, Campfire, Alaska Center for Children and Families and the March of Dimes.

Special Interests:
Grandchildren (Anthony, Alesha, Philecia, Taylor), cooking, charitable fundraising

Legislative Service:

Prime Sponsorship
BillShort TitlePrime Sponsor(s)Current StatusStatus Date
HB 11 CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER/DEMO PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) HES 01/16/1995
HB 12 AUTHORIZING CHARTER SCHOOLS REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) HES 01/16/1995
HB 14 BUSINESSES STARTED BY AFDC RECIPIENTS REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) STA 01/16/1995
HB 30 SCHOOL DRESS CODES REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
HELD TO 5/7 CAL(S) 05/06/1996
HB 37 BREAST IMPLANTS AND REMOVALS REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) L&C 02/22/1995
HB 55 PUPIL\TEACHER RATIO IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) STA 01/16/1995
HB 56 SECONDARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR PILOT PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) STA 01/16/1995
HB 60 IMPAIRMENT RATING GUIDES FOR WORKERS COMP REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
HELD TO 5/7 CAL(S) 05/06/1996
HB 61 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR PILOT PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) STA 01/16/1995
HB 67 PROHIBIT INSURANCE REDLINING REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) L&C 01/16/1995
HB 87 AUTHORIZING YOUTH COURTS REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
CHAPTER 98 SLA 95 06/29/1995
HB 88 COMPULSORY EDUCATION AGE REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) HES 01/17/1995
HB 90 CONVENING LEGISLATURE AFTER GOV ELECTION REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
CHAPTER 72 SLA 96 06/19/1996
HB 114 APPROP: K-12 SUPPORT & DEBT RETIREMENT REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) HES 01/25/1995
HB 139 INFLATION PROOF FOUNDATION FORMULA REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) HES 02/01/1995
HB 143 PATIENT'S ACCESS TO MEDICAL RECORDS REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) HES 04/08/1995
HB 186 WORKERS' COMP FOR WORK-STUDY STUDENTS REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) HES 02/27/1995
HB 193 FORWARD FUNDING PROCEDURE FOR EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) HES 02/27/1995
HB 194 APPROP: FORWARD FUNDING OF EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) HES 02/27/1995
HB 196 CIVIL LIABILITY FOR BREAST IMPLANTS REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) HES 02/27/1995
HB 323 MEDICAID FOR CERTAIN PREGNANT WOMEN REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) HES 04/26/1995
HB 430 PERS BENEFITS FOR JUV INSTIT EMPLOYEES REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) HES 01/19/1996
HB 464 ELECTIVE SHARE OF SURVIVING SPOUSE REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) STA 02/02/1996
HB 470 COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH INSURANCE ACT REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) HES 02/05/1996
HB 490 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO BIDCO REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
CHAPTER 114 SLA 96 06/28/1996
HB 499 PERM.FUND CONTRIB. TO CHILDREN'S TRUST REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) HES 02/12/1996
HB 505 STATE SCHOOL FOR DEAF REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) HES 02/12/1996
HCR 3 WORKERS' COMPENSATION PAMPHLET ERRORS REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) L&C 01/17/1995
HCR 6 PRESIDING OFFICER PRO TEMPORE REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
(H) RLS 01/25/1995
HCR 8 WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH REPRESENTATIVE B.DAVIS
LEGIS RESOLVE 11 04/07/1995



Cosponsored Bills
BillShort TitlePrime Sponsor(s)Current StatusStatus Date
HB 1 PUBLIC SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY
WITHDRAWN BY SPONSR 02/01/1995
HB 10 PAYMENT OF COSTS OF DWI ACCIDENTS REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES
CHAPTER 87 SLA 95 06/20/1995
HB 22 STATE LONG-TERM PLANNING REPRESENTATIVE PARNELL
VETOED BY GOVERNOR 06/06/1996
HB 26 DEPOSITIONS IN CRIMINAL CASES REPRESENTATIVE PARNELL
CHAPTER 12 SLA 95 04/26/1995
HB 27 DNA TESTING OF VIOLENT OFFENDERS REPRESENTATIVE PARNELL
CHAPTER 10 SLA 95 04/26/1995
HB 31 DNA TESTING OF CONVICTED SEX OFFENDERS REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY
(H) JUD 01/16/1995
HB 35 SEXUAL MISCONDUCT BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE PARNELL
CHAPTER 52 SLA 95 05/27/1995
HB 39 AUTHORITY TO PRONOUNCE DEATH REPRESENTATIVE THERRIAULT
CHAPTER 53 SLA 95 05/27/1995
HB 50 ENTERPRIZE ZONES REPRESENTATIVE BRICE
(H) CRA 01/16/1995
HB 62 CHILD SUPPORT NONPAYMENT/LICENSING BAN REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES
WITHDRAWN BY SPONSR 05/01/1995
HB 65 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY LOAN GUARANTEES REPRESENTATIVE PORTER
CHAPTER 65 SLA 95 06/05/1995
HB 74 ASSAULT BY ADULTS ON CHILDREN REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE
CHAPTER 54 SLA 95 05/27/1995
HB 82 LOCAL CONTRIBUTION FOR EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVES ELTON, ROBINSON
(H) CRA 01/16/1995
HB 109 PHONE LISTING/SOLICITATIONS/ADS/POLLS REPRESENTATIVE BROWN
CHAPTER 142 SLA 96 08/06/1996
HB 110 CONFIDENTIALITY OF MOTOR VEHICLE RECORDS REPRESENTATIVE BARNES
CHAPTER 67 SLA 96 06/18/1996
HB 142 JUVENILES CONVICTED OF ADULT OFFENSES REPRESENTATIVE BROWN
(H) HES 02/01/1995
HB 160 NATIVE LANGUAGE EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVE NICHOLIA
(H) HES 03/24/1995
HB 167 AK NATIVE LANGUAGE & CULTURE PROGRAMS REPRESENTATIVE NICHOLIA
(H) HES 03/24/1995
HB 216 EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE KOTT
(S) HES 04/26/1996
HB 306 PHYSICIAN'S LIENS REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY
CHAPTER 135 SLA 96 07/03/1996
HB 314 DOMESTIC VIOL.& CRIME VICTIMS & WITNESSES REPRESENTATIVE PARNELL
CHAPTER 64 SLA 96 06/17/1996
HB 318 MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT DECLARATIONS REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY
(H) RLS 03/19/1996
HB 339 TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RTS OF PRISONERS REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG
CHAPTER 89 SLA 96 06/20/1996
HB 372 LIQUOR LICENSES REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG
CHAPTER 136 SLA 96 07/08/1996
HB 374 RESTAURANT LIQUOR LICENSE REPRESENTATIVE BROWN
(H) STA 01/08/1996
HB 381 OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION & RECOVERY REPRESENTATIVE GREEN
(H) RLS 04/22/1996
HB 385 SENTENCING FOR KIDNAPPING REPRESENTATIVE BRICE
(H) STA 01/08/1996
HB 386 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS REPRESENTATIVE GRUSSENDORF
(S) FIN 04/11/1996
HB 388 OIL & GAS LEASING/ BEST INT. FINDINGS REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG
CHAPTER 138 SLA 96 07/10/1996
HB 389 BEST INTEREST FINDINGS OIL LEASES REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG
(H) O&G 01/08/1996
HB 395 INSURANCE FOR DOMESTIC VIOL. VICTIMS REPRESENTATIVE ELTON
(H) HES 01/08/1996
HB 403 CONSUMER PROTECTION:USED CAR & MAIL ORDER REPRESENTATIVE BROWN
(H) JUD 04/19/1996
HB 458 MANDATORY INSURANCE FOR COSTS OF BIRTH REPRESENTATIVE ROBINSON
(H) HES 01/30/1996
HB 460 STATE EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE AWARD REPRESENTATIVE ROBINSON
(H) L&C 01/31/1996
HB 462 DRUNK DRIVING: EVIDENCE & SENTENCING REPRESENTATIVE PORTER
(S) JUD 03/26/1996
HB 507 G.O. BONDS: SCHOOLS & UNIV. REPRESENTATIVE MACKIE
(H) HES 02/12/1996
HB 510 ENFORCEMNT COST SURCHARGE ON OCC LICENSES REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES
(H) L&C 02/12/1996
HCR 1 LONG RANGE FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS
LEGIS RESOLVE 6 03/06/1995
HCR 2 LONG RANGE FINANCIAL PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE WILLIS
(H) FIN 01/16/1995
HCR 15 ALCOHOL-RELATED BIRTH DEFECTS AWARENESS REPRESENTATIVE NICHOLIA
(H) HES 02/29/1996
HJR 7 EXPORT OF ALASKA OIL REPRESENTATIVE FINKELSTEIN
LEGIS RESOLVE 5 03/06/1995
HJR 13 ENDORSING ANWR LEASING REPRESENTATIVE NAVARRE
LEGIS RESOLVE 4 07/25/1995
HJR 47 AK NAT'L GUARD YOUTH CORPS CHALLENGE PROG REPRESENTATIVE BRICE
HELD TO 5/7 CAL(S) 05/06/1996
HJR 54 FAVOR TRANS-ALASKA GAS SYSTEM & LNG SALES REPRESENTATIVE KUBINA
LEGIS RESOLVE 46 04/17/1996
HR 12 UNIV. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING CONTRACT REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS
HELD TO 5/7/96 (H) 05/06/1996
SB 26 DEADLY WEAPON OFFENSES BY JUVENILES SENATOR DONLEY
(H) FIN 05/06/1995
SB 88 PILOT PROGRAM FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS SENATOR SHARP
CHAPTER 77 SLA 95 06/08/1995
SB 159 MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT DECLARATIONS SENATOR RIEGER
CHAPTER 63 SLA 96 06/17/1996
SB 163 APPROVE U OF A DEBT FOR STUDENT HOUSING SENATOR KELLY
CHAPTER 26 SLA 96 05/14/1996
SB 191 ELECTION CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM SENATOR KELLY
CHAPTER 48 SLA 96 05/30/1996
SB 193 MANDATORY INSURANCE FOR COSTS OF BIRTH SENATOR SALO
CHAPTER 49 SLA 96 05/31/1996
SB 194 CRIMES: GANG-RELATED & MISC. SENATOR KELLY
CHAPTER 60 SLA 96 06/12/1996
SB 197 INS:DOMESTIC VIOL. VICTIMS & DISCLOSURES SENATOR DONLEY
(S)AWAIT CONC/RECED 05/06/1996
SB 211 VULNERABLE PEOPLE:NEGLECT/ASSAULT/ABUSE SENATOR ELLIS
CHAPTER 61 SLA 96 06/12/1996
SB 268 PRETRIAL RELEASE FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES SENATOR LEMAN
CHAPTER 37 SLA 96 05/23/1996
SB 296 NURSING HOME & ASSTD LIVING EMPLOYEES SENATOR ELLIS
CHAPTER 35 SLA 96 05/22/1996
SCR 13 100TH YEAR OF WOMEN IN STATE LEGISLATURES SENATOR LINCOLN
LEGIS RESOLVE 24 08/07/1995