SENATE
JAMES KAUFMAN
32nd-34th Legislature (2021 -2026)
Email: [email protected]
District: F
Party: Republican
Toll-Free: 800-478-4950
State Capitol Room 510
Juneau AK, 99801
Phone: 907-465-4949
Interim Contact
1500 W Benson Blvd
Anchorage AK, 99503
Phone: 907-269-0244
2021-2022 Representative
2023-2024 Senator
2025-2026 Senator
Biography::
I came to Alaska with my wife Nancy, and we found our home in District 28 on the Anchorage Hillside. I accepted a position to live and work in Alaska as a resource projects Quality Manager and Team Lead. My job was to help project management teams improve the quality and efficiency of their North Slope projects to deliver greater value for the money spent on capital improvements. I retired from that position in 2017.
I have been and continue to be active in our local Community Councils, and Anchorage Hillside Home and Landowners Organization (HALO). I have also served as Hillside Lead for the Coalition of Community Patrols. The primary focus of my work in those organizations has been the safety and security of our local community.
In late 2019 early 2020, I helped organize public events to improve our community resilience in the face of potential disasters such as fire, earthquake, eruptions, and pandemics. In 2020, I ran for public office for the first time and was elected twice, winning the primary and then the general election.
A career in quality management on large and complex oil and gas projects has taught me a range of skills that are beneficial in my role as State Representative for District 28. These skills include the ability to analyze complex and expensive scenarios, determine the root cause of failure, find efficient solutions, identify improvements, and manage changes to avoid unforeseen consequences and impacts.
For the 32nd Legislative Session I am a member of the following committees: State Affairs, Labor & Commerce, Energy, and Legislative Budget & Audit.
Legislative Service:
| Bill | Short Title | Prime Sponsor(s) | Current Status | Status Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APPROPRIATION LIMIT; GOV BUDGET | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
(S) FIN | 04/17/2024 | ||
| STRATEGIC PLANS FOR STATE AGENCIES | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
(S) FIN | 04/21/2023 | ||
| REPEALING FUNDS, ACCOUNTS, AND PROGRAMS | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
CHAPTER 6 SLA 23 | 06/13/2023 | ||
| LICENSE PLATES: FALLEN PEACE OFFICERS | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
(S) FIN | 02/20/2023 | ||
| RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANT FUND | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
(S) FIN | 02/17/2023 | ||
| CITIZEN ADVISORY COMM ON FEDERAL AREAS | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
CHAPTER 40 SLA 24 | 08/29/2024 | ||
| INS. DATA SECURITY; INFO. SECURITY PRGRMS | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
CHAPTER 39 SLA 24 | 08/29/2024 | ||
| WORKERS' COMP.; EXTND SR BENEFITS PAYMENT | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
CHAPTER 12 SLA 24 | 07/11/2024 | ||
| ESTABLISH STATE LOTTERY BOARD/LOTTERIES | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
(S) L&C | 05/13/2023 | ||
| STATE AGENCY PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
(S) FIN | 03/20/2024 | ||
| OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
(S) FIN | 04/08/2024 | ||
| AHFC AUTHORITY TO ACQUIRE BUILDING | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
CHAPTER 30 SLA 24 | 08/16/2024 | ||
| REGULATORY SANDBOX PROGRAM | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
(S) L&C | 02/21/2024 | ||
| DNR BIG GAME HUNTING PRGRM/PILOT PROJECT | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
(S) RES | 04/08/2024 | ||
| CONST. AM: APPROP LIMIT | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
(S) FIN | 04/17/2024 | ||
| CONST. AM: PERMANENT FUND, DIVIDENDS | SENATOR KAUFMAN |
(S) JUD | 03/10/2023 |
Cosponsored Bills
| Bill | Short Title | Prime Sponsor(s) | Current Status | Status Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRIC-ASSISTED BICYCLES | REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK |
VETOED BY GOVERNOR | 07/20/2023 | ||
| FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH | REPRESENTATIVE MINA |
CHAPTER 18 SLA 23 | 07/20/2023 | ||
| VETERINARIANS; CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE DATA | REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE |
CHAPTER 14 SLA 23 | 07/06/2023 | ||
| EMERGENCY MED. SVCS: REVIEW ORGANIZATIONS | REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT |
(S) RLS | 04/08/2024 | ||
| LIMITATIONS ON FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS | REPRESENTATIVE TILTON |
CHAPTER 21 SLA 23 | 07/29/2023 | ||
| RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANT FUND | REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON |
CHAPTER 5 SLA 23 | 05/25/2023 | ||
| EXTEND ALASKA MINERALS COMMISSION | REPRESENTATIVE CRONK |
CHAPTER 11 SLA 23 | 06/21/2023 | ||
| TIMBER SALE: EXPEDITED/SALVAGE/NEGOTIATED | REPRESENTATIVE CRONK |
CHAPTER 17 SLA 24 | 07/29/2024 | ||
| STUDENT HUNT/FISH LIC;ANIMAL ADOPT RECORD | REPRESENTATIVE TOMASZEWSKI |
(S)FLD RECEDE (S)AM | 05/15/2024 | ||
| COUNSELORS/THERAPISTS/REVIEW ORGS | REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT |
CHAPTER 44 SLA 24 | 08/30/2024 | ||
| ESTABLISH AK MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMISSION | REPRESENTATIVE STAPP |
CHAPTER 18 SLA 24 | 07/29/2024 | ||
| TEACHERS:OUT-OF-STATE EXPERIENCE, RETIRED | REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT |
CHAPTER 36 SLA 24 | 08/26/2024 | ||
| TEMPORARY PERMIT FOR LAPSED NURSE LICENSE | REPRESENTATIVE PRAX |
CHAPTER 19 SLA 24 | 07/29/2024 | ||
| PROPERTY ASSESSMENT | REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE |
(S) RLS | 05/14/2024 | ||
| HONORING VIETNAM WAR VETERANS | REPRESENTATIVE SHAW |
LEGIS RESOLVE 21 | 09/10/2024 | ||
| CONCEALED HANDGUN RECIPROCITY B/W STATES | REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER |
LEGIS RESOLVE 34 | 09/23/2024 | ||
| HONORING THE ALASKA-KOREA RELATIONSHIP | REPRESENTATIVE MINA |
LEGIS RESOLVE 4 | 03/31/2023 | ||
| NAT'L PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA | REPRESENTATIVE PATKOTAK |
LEGIS RESOLVE 2 | 02/28/2023 | ||
| NAT'L PARK SERVICE; HUNTING IN PRESERVES | REPRESENTATIVE CRONK |
LEGIS RESOLVE 5 | 07/20/2023 | ||
| ADDRESS AIR POLLUTION IN FAIRBANKS | REPRESENTATIVE STAPP |
LEGIS RESOLVE 7 | 07/20/2023 | ||
| SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT REDUCTION REPEAL | REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN |
LEGIS RESOLVE 35 | 09/23/2024 | ||
| NAT'L PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA | REPRESENTATIVE BAKER |
LEGIS RESOLVE 20 | 09/23/2024 | ||
| HUNTING/TRAPPING/FISHING: DISABLED VETS | SENATOR KIEHL |
CHAPTER 4 SLA 23 | 05/24/2023 | ||
| UNIVERSITY: TEXTBOOKS/MATERIALS COST | SENATOR MYERS |
CHAPTER 58 SLA 24 | 09/05/2024 | ||
| WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS | SENATOR CLAMAN |
(H) FIN | 05/09/2024 | ||
| CIVICS EDUCATION | SENATOR STEVENS |
(H) CALENDAR 5/15 | 05/15/2024 | ||
| INTERFERENCE WITH EMERGENCY SERVICES | SENATOR WILSON |
CHAPTER 19 SLA 23 | 07/20/2023 | ||
| DIRECT HEALTH AGREEMENT: NOT INSURANCE | SENATOR WILSON |
CHAPTER 41 SLA 24 | 08/30/2024 | ||
| BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH | SENATOR TOBIN |
CHAPTER 2 SLA 24 | 04/23/2024 | ||
| CONTROLLED SUB. DATA: EXEMPT VETERINARIAN | SENATOR TOBIN |
(S) L&C | 03/10/2023 | ||
| LIMITATIONS ON FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS | SENATOR KAWASAKI |
(S) JUD | 03/22/2023 | ||
| HUNT/FISH LICENSE FOR NONRESIDENT STUDENT | SENATOR WILSON |
(S) FIN | 04/14/2023 | ||
| LUMBER GRADING PROGRAM | SENATOR BJORKMAN |
CHAPTER 26 SLA 23 | 08/30/2023 | ||
| LICENSE PLATES; COMM. DRIVER LICENSES | SENATOR MERRICK |
CHAPTER 46 SLA 24 | 08/30/2024 | ||
| FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM IN SCHOOLS | SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI |
(H) FIN | 03/20/2024 | ||
| CRITICAL NATURAL RESOURCES; REPORTS | SENATOR MERRICK |
CHAPTER 45 SLA 24 | 08/30/2024 | ||
| STATE IDENTIFICATION CARD FOR PRISONERS | SENATOR MYERS |
CHAPTER 23 SLA 23 | 08/05/2023 | ||
| ALASKA VETERANS' POPPY DAY | SENATOR DUNBAR |
CHAPTER 59 SLA 24 | 09/11/2024 | ||
| EXTND SR BENEFITS; REPEAL LONGEVITY BONUS | SENATOR KAWASAKI |
(H) RLS | 05/14/2024 | ||
| HONOR & REMEMBER/HONOR & SACRIFICE FLAGS | SENATOR BJORKMAN |
CHAPTER 27 SLA 24 | 08/13/2024 | ||
| WORKERS' COMP. STAY-AT-WORK PROGRAM | SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON |
(H) FIN | 05/13/2024 | ||
| TEACHERS: BOARD CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE | SENATOR BJORKMAN |
(S) FIN | 02/28/2024 | ||
| PROPERTY ASSESSMENT | SENATOR KIEHL |
(S) CRA | 02/19/2024 | ||
| HONORING THE ALASKA-KOREA RELATIONSHIP | SENATOR TOBIN |
(S) RLS | 03/10/2023 | ||
| WESTERN AK/ARCTIC OIL SPILL RESPONSE | SENATOR KIEHL |
(H) RLS | 05/08/2023 | ||
| SUPPORT STATE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY | SENATOR BISHOP |
LEGIS RESOLVE 24 | 09/23/2024 |