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.

34th Legislature (2025-2026)

Extends Alaska’s 2025 West Coast Storm disaster emergency to June 30, 2026, ratifying related declarations and funding to support ongoing response and recovery.

(H) REFERRED TO COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS

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Summary of HB 391 (Session 34, Alaska)

Purpose and intent

HB 391 proposes to extend and formalize the status of the governor’s disaster emergency declaration tied to the 2025 West Coast Storm.

The bill ratifies previously issued declarations and financing plans and extends the duration of the disaster emergency to June 30, 2026, allowing continued emergency response and funding.

Key provisions and changes

Findings section:

Acknowledges that the governor declared a disaster emergency on October 9, 2025 in response to the 2025 West Coast Storm.
Notes extensions of the disaster emergency occurred in November 2025 through April 2026, with the latest expiration date initially set for May 7, 2026.
States the continuing severity of effects and ongoing need for emergency actions and infrastructure support.
Cites AS 26.23.020(c), which limits a disaster emergency declaration to 30 days unless extended by the legislature.
Justifies an additional legislative extension to support ongoing emergency response.

Section 2: Approval, ratification, and extension

(a) Ratifies and approves the governor’s disaster emergency declarations and the related financing plans issued during November 2025 through April 2026.
(b) Extends the governor’s October 9, 2025 disaster emergency for the 2025 West Coast Storm until June 30, 2026, under AS 26.23.020(c).

Section 3: Retroactivity

Establishes retroactive applicability of Section 2(b) to May 7, 2026.

Section 4: Effective date

Act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who or what would be affected

Alaska state government agencies managing disaster response and recovery programs.

The 2025 West Coast Storm response operations, infrastructure repair, and associated financing mechanisms.

Legislative authority to authorize continued emergency funding and actions beyond the initial 30-day period without new separate emergency declarations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill explicitly extends the duration of the disaster emergency beyond the initial period, aligning with the continued needs identified by agencies.

It retroactively makes the extension effective as of May 7, 2026, and formally extends the disaster declaration through June 30, 2026.

Immediate effectiveness means the extension could affect ongoing contracts, funding allocations, and interagency coordination without delay.

Notable details

The extension is contingent on Alaska statutes permitting an annual or multi-month extension of a disaster declaration by legislative action (AS 26.23.020(c)).

The bill focuses on the 2025 West Coast Storm and related emergency financing plans, not on broader or other future disasters.

This summary provides a concise overview of HB 391's aims, the specific extension of emergency authority and funding, and the practical implications for Alaska’s disaster response framework.