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Bill

SB 290

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 the governor’s disaster emergency for the 2025 West Coast Storm through June 30, 2026, and ratifies related funding and actions.

(S) REFERRED TO FINANCE
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Bill Summary · SB 290

Overview

Senate Bill 290 (SB 290) from the Alaska Legislature proposes to extend the governor’s disaster emergency declaration related to the 2025 West Coast Storm. The bill ratifies ongoing declarations and related financing plans, and extends the legislative approval window for the disaster emergency through June 30, 2026. It includes a retroactive provision and immediate-effect language.

Purpose and intent

  • Extend the duration of the governor’s disaster emergency declaration for the 2025 West Coast Storm.
  • Approve and ratify the governor’s disaster declarations and associated financing plans issued from November 2025 through April 2026.
  • Ensure continued state authorization for emergency actions, funding, and response activities beyond the initial 30-day or short-term period, in accordance with Alaska statute.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Findings (uncodified law)

    • Acknowledges that:
      • The governor declared a disaster emergency on October 9, 2025, in response to the 2025 West Coast Storm.
      • The disaster declaration was extended through multiple months (November 2025, December 2025, January–April 2026), with the current expiration date on May 7, 2026.
      • The storm’s effects remain severe, and ongoing emergency actions and infrastructure needs persist.
      • Under AS 26.23.020(c), disaster declarations may not last longer than 30 days without legislative extension.
      • An additional extension is necessary to maintain the emergency response and management in place.

  2. Approval, ratification, and extension (uncodified law)

    • The governor’s disaster declarations and financing plans for November 2025 through April 2026 are hereby approved and ratified.
    • The Legislature extends the October 9, 2025 disaster emergency declaration for the 2025 West Coast Storm until June 30, 2026.

  3. Retroactivity

    • The extension approved in Section 2(b) is retroactive to May 7, 2026.

  4. Effective date

    • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who/what is affected

  • State agencies responsible for disaster response and recovery (e.g., emergency management, public safety, infrastructure agencies).
  • State financial mechanisms funding the disaster response (as the bill ratifies the associated financing plans).
  • Alaska residents and communities directly impacted by the 2025 West Coast Storm, particularly those receiving emergency assistance and infrastructure repairs funded under the disaster declaration.
  • Legislative authority to continue funding and coordinating emergency response activities through June 30, 2026.

Procedural or timeline notes

  • Current law allows disaster declarations to be extended only if approved by the legislature via concurrent resolution.
  • SB 290 explicitly provides that extension through June 30, 2026, and retroactively to May 7, 2026, ensuring continued state action beyond the prior expiration.
  • The bill was introduced May 7, 2026, and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Potential impact

  • Maintains uninterrupted state emergency response capabilities and funding for ongoing recovery from the 2025 West Coast Storm.
  • Removes ambiguity about the legal authority to conduct and fund emergency operations beyond the initial declaration period.
  • Provides clarity to affected communities and state agencies on the duration of the emergency framework and expenditure authority through mid-2026.

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

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