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Bill

HB 138

An Act establishing a behavioral health crisis services surcharge; establishing the behavioral health crisis services fund; and providing for an effective date.

34th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Alyse Galvin and 5 co-sponsors

Alaska bill establishes surcharge-funded crisis behavioral health services, pending details on surcharge scope and expected revenues.

(H) Scheduled but Not Heard -- Delayed to a Call of the Chair --
#communications #fees #funds #health&socialservices #mentalhealth
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Bill Summary · HB 138

Legislative bill overview

HB 138 establishes a new surcharge on certain transactions or services to fund behavioral health crisis services in Alaska. The bill creates a dedicated Behavioral Health Crisis Services Fund to collect and allocate these revenues. The measure aims to provide dedicated, sustainable funding for crisis intervention and behavioral health emergency response.

Why is this important

Alaska faces significant gaps in behavioral health crisis response capacity, with limited immediate intervention resources in many communities. Dedicated funding could expand 988 crisis line services, mobile crisis teams, and emergency stabilization facilities. This addresses a public health priority while establishing a new revenue mechanism during a period of fiscal constraint.

Potential points of contention

  • Surcharge design ambiguity: The bill's specific surcharge mechanism (what services/transactions trigger it, rate structure) is not detailed in available summaries, making it unclear who bears the cost and by how much
  • Fiscal impact uncertainty: The fiscal note indicates "indeterminate" cost, suggesting the revenue projections are unclear or depend on undefined surcharge parameters
  • Opposition indicators: Two committee members registered "Did Not Prefer" votes, suggesting concerns about the approach or funding mechanism among some legislators
  • Regressive burden concerns: Depending on implementation, a surcharge could disproportionately affect lower-income Alaskans if applied broadly to healthcare, utilities, or essential services

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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