AlaskaAlaska bill would set rules for civil rights complaints and commission
Vetoed HB 23 proposed rules for removing commission members, resolving discrimination complaints, reporting civil rights problems, and religious hiring defenses.
What it does
The governor could remove a commission member for specified reasons, after giving at least 10 days' notice and a chance to respond.
People in a discrimination complaint could make a written agreement before a decision; if substantial evidence is found, the investigator must try to reach one.
Each year, the commission would report on civil rights problems it encountered during the prior year and make the report available online.
Certain religious organizations could defend hiring someone of a particular faith when that person's job involves religious work.
The enrolled text calls the state body the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights and lets municipalities authorize and support local civil rights commissions.
Argument forPeople in discrimination complaints could settle before or after an investigation decision, and signed agreements would be enforceable as commission orders.
Argument againstEmployees bringing discrimination claims could face a defense when a religious organization hires someone of a particular faith for work that advances religion.
More detail
The governor could remove a commission member for cause. This applies to commissioners on the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights. Cause includes incompetence, neglect of duty, misconduct, or statements or actions that undermine the commission's work or violate the law. The governor must give at least 10 days' notice and offer a public hearing, in person or through a lawyer. If a member is removed, the governor must file the charges, findings, and full proceeding record.
Commission staff must investigate complaints, and the investigator must try to resolve some complaints through agreement. This applies to complaints investigated under the state's civil rights law. Before a decision, the complainant, executive director, and respondent may agree to a remedy. If there is no earlier agreement and the investigator finds substantial evidence of unlawful discrimination, the investigator must try to resolve the matter through discussion and persuasion. Any agreement must be written and signed by all three; it is enforceable as a commission order and may include reduced damages. An agreement may be reached before or after the investigator decides the complaint.
The commission must review civil rights problems from the prior year and make a yearly report available online. This applies to the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights. The report may include recommendations for laws. The commission must notify the governor and legislature when the report is available. The report is due by November 15 each year.
The text defines which organizations count as employers and describes a defense for certain religious hiring. The defense concerns an employment discrimination action under the state's civil rights law. An employer does not include an organization that is exclusively social or fraternal and is not organized for private profit. The defense applies only when a religious corporation, association, school, or society hires someone of a particular religion for connected work, and the employee's religious duties further the study or advancement of religion.
The text renames the state commission and allows municipalities to authorize local civil rights commissions. The name applies to the state commission; municipal authority applies to local civil rights commissions. A municipality may authorize local commission membership and support by ordinance or resolution. Local commission members may not hold office in a political party.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 20(H) VETOED BY Governor Mike Dunleavy 6/18/26Latest
- Jun 4(H) 10:44 A.M. 6/1/26 Transmitted to GovernorTo Governor
- May 19(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
- Vote recorded (H) CONCUR AM OF (S) Y40 #2942. Result: pass.Lower
- May 19(H) CONCUR AM OF (S) Y40
- May 19(H) TITLE CHANGE: SCR 32
- May 19(H) CONCUR MESSAGE TAKEN UP
- May 18(H) CONCUR MESSAGE READ AND HELD
- May 17(S) VERSION: SCS CSHB 23(FIN)(EFD ADD S)
- Vote recorded (S) PASSED Y20 N- #2713. Result: pass.Upper
- May 17(S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) AS AMENDEDMajor
- May 17(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
- May 17(S) PASSED Y20 N-Major
- May 17(S) READ THE THIRD TIME SCS CSHB 23(FIN)(EFD ADD S)Minor
- May 17(S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UCMinor
- May 17(S) ...CHANGES TITLE OF LEGISLATION
- May 17(S) AM NO 1 ADOPTED UCMajor
- May 17(S) FIN SCS ADOPTED UC
- May 17(S) READ THE SECOND TIMEMinor
- May 17(S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/17/2026
- May 16(S) FN3: (GOV)
- May 16(S) NR: KAUFMAN, CRONK, MERRICK
- May 16(S) DP: OLSON, HOFFMAN, KIEHL
- May 16(S) TITLE CHANGE: SCR 32
- May 16(S) FIN RPT SCS 3DP 3NR NEW TITLE
- May 15(S) Minutes (SFIN)
- May 15(S) Moved SCS CSHB 23(FIN) Out of Committee -- Please Note Time Change --
- May 15(S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532
- May 13(S) Scheduled but Not Heard
- May 13(S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
- Apr 21(S) Minutes (SFIN)
- Apr 21(S) Heard & Held
- Apr 21(S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
- 2025
- May 17(S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): KAWASAKI, GRAY-JACKSON, CLAMAN
- May 17(S) FIN
- May 17(S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALSMinor
- May 16(H) VERSION: CSHB 23(L&C)
- Vote recorded (H) PASSED Y39 E1 #1241. Result: pass.Lower
- May 16(H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)Passed Senate
- May 16(H) PASSED Y39 E1Passed House
- May 16(H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 23(L&C)Minor
- May 14(H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/16 CALENDARMinor
- May 14(H) L&C CS ADOPTED UC
- May 14(H) READ THE SECOND TIMEMinor
- May 14(H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/14/2025
- Apr 25(H) FN2: (GOV)
- Apr 25(H) NR: BYNUM
- Apr 25(H) DP: HANNAN, GALVIN, JIMMIE, FOSTER, JOSEPHSON, SCHRAGE
- Apr 25(H) FIN RPT CS(L&C) NEW TITLE 6DP 1NR
- Apr 24(H) Minutes (HFIN)
- Apr 24(H) Moved CSHB 23(L&C) Out of Committee -- Please Note Time Change --
- Apr 24(H) FINANCE at 10:00 AM ADAMS 519
- Apr 15(H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
- Apr 15(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
- Apr 9(H) Minutes (HFIN)
- Apr 9(H) Heard & Held
- Apr 9(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
- Mar 27(H) Minutes (HFIN)
- Mar 27(H) Heard & Held -- Delayed to 2:10 pm --
- Mar 27(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
- Feb 28(H) FN1: (GOV)
- Feb 28(H) NR: NELSON, SADDLER, COULOMBE
- Feb 28(H) DP: CARRICK, BURKE, HALL, FIELDS
- Feb 28(H) L&C RPT CS(L&C) NEW TITLE 4DP 3NR
- Feb 26(H) Minutes (HL&C)
- Feb 26(H) Moved CSHB 23(L&C) Out of Committee -- Delayed to a Call of the Chair --
- Feb 26(H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124
- Feb 24(H) Minutes (HL&C)
- Feb 24(H) Heard & Held
- Feb 24(H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124
- Feb 19(H) Minutes (HL&C)
- Feb 19(H) Heard & Held
- Feb 19(H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124
- Jan 22(H) L&C, FIN
- Jan 22(H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALSMinor
- Jan 22(H) Prefile released 1/10/25Introduced
Civil Rights & VotingGovernment & Ethics