Alaska House of Representatives

Lower house in the Alaska Legislature

Alaska House of Representatives

Alaska State Legislature
Type
Type|

Lower house

Term limits

| None
History

New session started

| January 17, 2023
Leadership

Speaker

Cathy Tilton (R-C)
since January 18, 2023

Majority Leader

Dan Saddler (R-C)
since January 19, 2023

Minority Leader

Calvin Schrage (I)
since January 18, 2023

Structure
Seats| 40

Political groups

Majority coalition caucus (23)

* Republican (20)
* Coalition Independent (1)
* Coalition Democrat (2)

Minority caucus (16)

* Democratic (11)
* Independent (4)
* Republican (1)

Other (1)

* Non-caucusing Republican (1)

Length of term

| 2 years
Authority| Article 2, Alaska Constitution
Salary| $50,400/year + per diem
Elections

Voting system

| Nonpartisan blanket primary / Instant-runoff voting
(Beginning in 2022)

Last election

| November 8, 2022
(40 seats)

Next election

| November 5, 2024
(40 seats)
Redistricting| Alaska Redistricting Board
Meeting place
House of Representatives chamber
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska
Website
Alaska House of Representatives
Rules
Alaska State Legislature Uniform Rules

The Alaska State House of Representatives is the lower house in the Alaska State Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alaska. The House is composed of 40 members, each of whom represents a district of approximately 17,756 people per 2010 census figures. Members serve two-year terms without term limits. With 40 representatives, the Alaska House is the smallest state legislative lower chamber in the United States. The House convenes at the State Capitol in Juneau.

## Powers and process

[edit]

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives are responsible for a portion of the process of making and amending state law. The first step of the legislative process is filing a bill by giving it to the chief clerk of the Alaska House of Representatives.[1] The chief clerk will then assign bills a number.[1]

Bills are introduced and read the first time with the number, sponsor or sponsors, and the title of the bill and then referred to a committee(s).[1] Committee chairs can choose whether or not hear a bill and committees can vote to approve a bill in its original form or make modifications through a committee substitute.[1] Once bills or substitutes are approved, the legislation is referred to the next committee of assignment or to the Rules Committee, which can further amend the bill or assign it to the daily floor calendar.[1]

Once a bill is scheduled on the floor, it appears on the calendar in Second Reading. The bill is again read by number, sponsor or sponsors, and title along with the standing committee reports. A motion is made on the floor to adopt any committee substitutes.[1] Amendments can also be offered and voted on.[1] Third Reading is where the motion is made to vote on the bill.[1]

### Senate action

[edit]

After final passage in the Alaska House of Representatives, a bill is engrossed and sent to the Alaska Senate to go through the same process of introduction, committee referral and three readings. Likewise, bills that have been approved on Third Reading in the Alaska Senate are engrossed and sent to the Alaska House of Representatives.[1]

### Enrollment or conference

[edit]

When a bill is not modified in the second house, it can be sent to the governor on Third Reading, through enrollment. If the bill is modified, the house of origin must vote to accept or reject amendments by the opposite house. A Fourth Reading, in the case of acceptance, will send the bill to the governor, through enrollment. If amendments are rejected, the bill can be sent to conference, where members of the Senate and House hash out a final version and send it to a Fourth Reading in both houses.[1]

### Governor and veto override

[edit]

The governor can choose to sign or veto the legislation. In the case of the veto, a two-thirds majority of a joint session can override the veto. An appropriations bill requires a three-fourths majority vote in a joint session to override a veto. If signed or approved by a veto override, the legislation becomes law.[1]

## Membership

[edit]

### Terms and qualifications

[edit]

State representatives must be a qualified voter and resident of Alaska for no less than three years, and a resident of the district from which elected for one year immediately preceding filing for office.[2] A state representative must be 21 years of age at the time the oath of office is taken.[2] The Alaska House of Representatives may expel a member with the concurrence of two-thirds of the membership of the house.[2]

Legislative terms begin on the second Monday in January following a presidential election year and on the third Tuesday in January following a gubernatorial election.[3] State representatives serve for terms of two years.[3]

### Leadership

[edit]

House of Representatives member directory in the hallway of the Capitol building. Taken in 2009, this shows the House membership during the 26th Legislature.

The Speaker of the House presides over the House of Representatives. The Speaker is elected by the majority party caucus followed by confirmation of the full House through the passage of a House Resolution. In addition to presiding over the body, the Speaker is also the chief leadership position, and controls the flow of legislation and committee assignments. Other House leaders, such as the majority and minority leaders, are elected by their respective party caucuses relative to their party's strength in the chamber.

Position | Representative | Caucus | Party | Residence | District

|
|
|
|
|

Speaker of the House | Cathy Tilton | Rep-Coalition | Rep | Wasilla | 26
Majority Leader | Dan Saddler | Rep-Coalition | Rep | Eagle River | 24
Majority Whip | George Rauscher | Rep-Coalition | Rep | Sutton | 29
Minority Leader | Calvin Schrage | Dem-Coalition | Ind | Anchorage | 12
Minority Whip | Louise Stutes | Dem-Coalition | Rep | Kodiak | 5

### Current composition

[edit]

The 23-member majority caucus consists of 20 Republicans, 1 Independent and 2 Democrats from the Bush Caucus. The 16-member minority caucus consists of 11 Democrats, 4 Independents and 1 Republican. Representative David Eastman is not a member of either caucus. [4]

|  |
20 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 11
Republican | I | D | R | R | I | Democratic
Affiliation  | Party

(Shading indicates majority caucus)

| Total  |

|
|
|

|  |  |
Republican | Independent  | Democratic | Vacant
End of 28th Legislature  | 26  | 0  | 4  | 10  | 40  | 0
Begin 29th Legislature (2015)  | 23  | 1  | 4  | 12  | 40  | 0
End of 29th (2016)  | 1  | 22
30th Legislature (2017–2018)  | 18  | 3  | 2  | 17  | 40  | 0
Begin 31st Legislature (2019)  | 15  | 8  | 2  | 15  | 40  | 0
End 31st (2020)  | 16  | 1  | 5  | 39  | 1
Begin 32nd Legislature (2021)  | 20  | 1  | 4  | 15  | 40  | 0
End 32nd (2022)  | 17  | 2  | 2  | 4  | 15
Begin 33rd Legislature (2023)[5] | 21  | 6  | 13  | 40  | 0
January 18, 2023[6] | 1  | 1  | 19  | 2  | 4  | 2  | 11
October 10, 2023[7] | 1  | 39  | 1
November 13, 2023[8] | 20  | 40  | 0
Latest voting share  | 2.5%  | 40%  | 57.5%  | 40%  | 57.5%  | 40%  |

Past partisan compositions can be found on Political party strength in Alaska.

## Committees

[edit]

Current committees include:[9]

* Judiciary
* Resources
* State Affairs
* Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, and the Arctic
* Fisheries
* Committee on Committees
* Task Force on Sustainable Education
* Community & Regional Affairs
* Education
* Energy
* Military & Veterans' Affairs
* Health & Social Services
* Labor & Commerce
* Transportation
* Rules
* Finance
* Education & Early Development
* Governor
* Labor & Workforce Development
* Health & Social Services
* Legislature
* Military & Veterans' Affairs
* Natural Resources
* Public Safety
* Revenue
* Transportation & Public Facilities
* University Of Alaska
* Administration
* Commerce, Community & Economic Dev
* Corrections
* Court System
* Environmental Conservation
* Fish & Game
* Law
* Fiscal Policy

## Current members (33rd Alaska State Legislature)

[edit]

Alaska House of Representatives
33rd Alaska State Legislature, 2023–25  District | Name | Party | Coalition | Residence | Assumed
office

|
|
|
|
|

1 | Dan Ortiz | Ind | Minority | Ketchikan | 2015
2 | Rebecca Himschoot | Ind | Minority | Sitka | 2023
3 | Andi Story | Dem | Minority | Juneau | 2019
4 | Sara Hannan | Dem | Minority | Juneau | 2019
5 | Louise Stutes | Rep | Minority | Kodiak | 2015
6 | Sarah Vance | Rep | Majority | Homer | 2019
7 | Justin Ruffridge | Rep | Majority | Soldotna | 2023
8 | Ben Carpenter | Rep | Majority | Nikiski | 2019
9 | Laddie Shaw | Rep | Majority | Anchorage | 2019
10 | Craig Johnson | Rep | Majority | Anchorage | 2023
(2005–2017)
11 | Julie Coulombe | Rep | Majority | Anchorage | 2023
12 | Calvin Schrage | Ind | Minority | Anchorage | 2021
13 | Andy Josephson | Dem | Minority | Anchorage | 2013
14 | Alyse Galvin | Ind | Minority | Anchorage | 2023
15 | Tom McKay | Rep | Majority | Anchorage | 2021
16 | Jennie Armstrong | Dem | Minority | Anchorage | 2023
17 | Zack Fields | Dem | Minority | Anchorage | 2019
18 | Cliff Groh | Dem | Minority | Anchorage | 2023
19 | Genevieve Mina | Dem | Minority | Anchorage | 2023
20 | Andrew Gray | Dem | Minority | Anchorage | 2023
21 | Donna Mears | Dem | Minority | Anchorage | 2023
22 | Stanley Wright | Rep | Majority | Anchorage | 2023
23 | Jamie Allard | Rep | Majority | Eagle River | 2023
24 | Dan Saddler | Rep | Majority | Eagle River | 2023
(2011–2019)
25 | DeLena Johnson | Rep | Majority | Palmer | 2017
26 | Cathy Tilton | Rep | Majority | Wasilla | 2015
27 | David Eastman | Rep | None | Wasilla | 2017
28 | Jesse Sumner | Rep | Majority | Wasilla | 2023
29 | George Rauscher | Rep | Majority | Sutton | 2017
30 | Kevin McCabe | Rep | Majority | Big Lake | 2021
31 | Maxine Dibert | Dem | Minority | Fairbanks | 2023
32 | Will Stapp | Rep | Majority | Fairbanks | 2023
33 | Mike Prax | Rep | Majority | North Pole | 2019[a]
34 | Frank Tomaszewski | Rep | Majority | Fairbanks | 2023
35 | Ashley Carrick | Dem | Minority | Fairbanks | 2023
36 | Mike Cronk | Rep | Majority | Tok | 2021
37 | Bryce Edgmon | Ind | Majority | Dillingham | 2007
38 | Conrad McCormick | Dem | Majority | Bethel | 2023
39 | Neal Foster | Dem | Majority | Nome | 2009[a]
40 | Thomas Baker | Rep | Majority | Kotzebue | 2023[a]

## Past composition of the House of Representatives

[edit]

Main article: Political party strength in Alaska

## See also

[edit]

* Alaska portal

* Alaska Senate
* Alaska State Capitol
* List of Alaska State Legislatures
* Impeachment in Alaska

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Originally appointed.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Legislative Process Archived December 22, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, Alaska Legislature (accessed April 27, 2013)
2. ^ a b c Alaska Handbook to State Government Archived December 22, 2019, at the Wayback Machine (accessed April 25, 2013)
3. ^ a b Article 2 of the Alaska Constitution, Lieutenant Governor's Office (accessed April 26, 2013)
4. ^ "Alaska's Republican former House speaker joins Democrat-led minority". Alaska Division of Elections. February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
5. ^ Legislature sworn in January 17, 2023 without a governing majority
6. ^ Speaker elected and majority formed
7. ^ Independent Josiah Patkotak (District 40) resigned. [1]
8. ^ Republican Thomas Baker was sworn in to succeed Patkotak. [2]
9. ^ "Alaska House Committees". Open States. Sunlight Foundation. April 9, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2014.

## External links

[edit]

* Alaska State Legislature
* Alaska House Republicans House Republicans website
* Alaska House Coalition Minority Coalition website (Coalition of Democrats, Independents and Republicans)

* v
* t
* e

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives

33rd Alaska Legislature (2023)

Speaker of the House
▌Cathy Tilton (R)
Majority Leader
▌Dan Saddler (R)
Minority Leader
▌Calvin Schrage (I)

1. ▌Dan Ortiz (I)
2. ▌Rebecca Himschoot (I)
3. ▌Andi Story (D)
4. ▌Sara Hannan (D)
5. ▌Louise Stutes (MCR)
6. ▌Sarah Vance (R)
7. ▌Justin Ruffridge (R)
8. ▌Ben Carpenter (R)
9. ▌Laddie Shaw (R)
10. ▌Craig Johnson (R)
11. ▌Julie Coulombe (R)
12. ▌Calvin Schrage (I)
13. ▌Andy Josephson (D)
14. ▌Alyse Galvin (I)
15. ▌Tom McKay (R)
16. ▌Jennie Armstrong (D)
17. ▌Zack Fields (D)
18. ▌Cliff Groh (D)
19. ▌Genevieve Mina (D)
20. ▌Andrew Gray (D)
21. ▌Donna Mears (D)
22. ▌Stanley Wright (R)
23. ▌Jamie Allard (R)
24. ▌Dan Saddler (R)
25. ▌DeLena Johnson (R)
26. ▌Cathy Tilton (R)
27. ▌David Eastman (NCR)
28. ▌Jesse Sumner (R)
29. ▌George Rauscher (R)
30. ▌Kevin McCabe (R)
31. ▌Maxine Dibert (D)
32. ▌Will Stapp (R)
33. ▌Mike Prax (R)
34. ▌Frank Tomaszewski (R)
35. ▌Ashley Carrick (D)
36. ▌Mike Cronk (R)
37. ▌Bryce Edgmon (CI)
38. ▌Conrad McCormick (CD)
39. ▌Neal Foster (CD)
40. ▌Thomas Baker (R)

Majority Coalition (23)
▌Republican (20)
▌Coalition Democrat (2)
▌Coalition Independent (1)
Minority Caucus (16)
▌Democratic (11)
▌Minority Caucus Republican (1)
▌Independent (4)

Others
▌Non-Caucusing Republican (1)

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