Senators prefile bills ahead of Tuesday session

All 60 legislators have begun making their way to Juneau as the capitol is set to become abuzz with the second half of the 31st legislature on Tuesday.

Senators Shelley Hughes (R — Palmer) and David Wilson (R — Wasilla) filed bills ahead of the start of session. While only nine of the 60 legislators represent Valley constituents, the Valley delegation held a town hall to hear from constituents in early January and are eager to begin work in the state capitol.

“Every one of us endured just a heck of a session last year. That was so much coming at us,” said Rep. DeLena Johnson.

With the release of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s ‘flat’ budget in mid-December, much of the decisions on whether or not to cut the budget will remain in the hands of the legislature, as Dunleavy has said while making the rounds to the Palmer and Wasilla Chamber of Commerces.

Hughes prefiled Senate Bill 135 dealing with an incentive program and health insurance information. Hughes’ bill offers amendments to the Alaska Health Care Consumer’s Right to Shop Act. During the Town Hall held at the Wasilla Area Seniors Inc., Hughes mentioned other legislation she is planning on introducing this session including a state audit and an education bill. Wilson also prefiled a bill on health insurance. Wilson’s Senate Bill 134 is entitled “An Act relating to medical assistance reimbursement for the services of licensed professional counselors; and providing for an effective date.”

Wilson was one of many legislators to encourage the crowd full of fans at WASI to continue to contact legislators outside their own districts. With possible caucus removal looming for some Valley Senators, questions remain as to the makeup of the Majority in the Senate and the Minority in the House prior to the start of session on Tuesday.