February 20, 2026
House Advances Supplemental Budget with Critical Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF) Repayment; UA Outlines Highest Budget Priorities in House Subcommittee; Legislators Meet with UAS/UAA/UAF Alumni in Juneau
The budget to cover cost overruns for the current fiscal year advanced to the House Floor this week, where members debated some amendments to the bill, but a final vote on the supplemental budget will not take place until next week.
The supplemental budget bill, House Bill 289, contains the nearly $130 million repayment to the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF) that university voices have been advocating for throughout this legislative session. In order to pay those funds back, HB 289 requires a three-quarter vote, or thirty out of forty total votes in the House, to access the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund (CBR), which is essentially the state’s last remaining savings account.
The three-quarter vote is a high threshold to reach and one that often becomes a sticking point during the budget process, but along with repaying the HEIF, this fast-track supplemental bill would also fund disaster relief efforts related to Typhoon Halong recovery and the “meet the match” DOT funds for the summer construction season, which are both huge priorities for individuals and businesses across the state.
The House floor vote on HB 289 is expected to take place as early as Monday.
UA House Finance Subcommittee on FY27 Budget Requests
At the start of this week, the University of Alaska House Finance Subcommittee held its second meeting, during which members heard details on UA budget requests for employee compensation, public safety, student mental health services, and strategies to increase recruitment, retention, and graduation. Also highlighted during the presentation was the university’s teacher preparation programs, which are of particular interest to subcommittee Chair Alyse Galvin, who is focused on strengthening the state’s K-12 education system.
The third House UA subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 23 at 9:00 a.m. In that meeting, the UA team will address questions posed by members during the previous meeting and share an overview of the university’s critical role in meeting Alaska’s workforce needs.
SB140, the Fire Station Grant Program Bill, Advances
Senator Stedman’s SB140 moved to the Senate Rules Committee. This is the last committee of referral before a potential vote on the Senate floor. This bill has the potential to secure the funding needed for fire stations across the state, including at UAF.
Rep. Carrick Honors the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
Dean Brad Moran, from UAF’s College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS), will receive a 65th Anniversary Legislative Citation on behalf of the college today in the Capitol, sponsored by Rep. Carrick. Since its creation in 1960, CFOS has developed into a regional and world-class research center, built strong graduate and undergraduate education programs, and provided outstanding service to the state and the nation in fisheries and marine sciences, research and workforce development.
University Alumni Visit Juneau
Alumni from UAS, UAF, and UAA were in the Capitol this week talking to Senators and Representatives about UA priorities and urging support for university funding and priorities.
What We’re Watching
Monday, February 23
- 9:00 a.m. - House University of Alaska Finance Subcommittee: Presentation: Budget Overview.
- 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: House Bill 34: Alaska Innovation Council.
Tuesday, February 24
- 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: House Bill 263: Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.
Wednesday, February 25
- 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: House Bill 263: Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.
- 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: House Bill 289: Appropriations: Supplemental.
- 3:30 p.m. - Senate Education: House Bill 176: University of Alaska Fees.
- 3:30 p.m. - Senate Resources: Presentation: Critical Minerals & Accelerator Project by Dr. Lee Ann Munk, Director, Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative.
Thursday, February 26
- 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: Senate Bill 213: Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Senate Bill 214: Appropriations: Capital, Funds, Supplemental, Reappropriations. House Bill 289: Appropriations: Supplemental.
- Public Testimony for Juneau, Southeast, Prince William Sound, Kodiak, Off-Net Callers.
- 12:00 p.m. - Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) sponsored by Senator Olson.
- 1:30 p.m. - Senate Arctic Affairs: Presentation: Rural Energy Costs and Nuclear Power Generation by Gwen Holdmann, Chief Scientist, Program Lead, UAF Alaska Center for Energy and Power.
- 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: Senate Bill 213: Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Senate Bill 214: Appropriations: Capital, Funds, Supplemental, Reappropriations. House Bill 289: Appropriations: Supplemental.
- Public Testimony for Nome, Bethel, Kotzebue, Utqiagvik, Unalaska, Dillingham, Off-Net Callers.
Friday, February 27
- 9:00 a.m. - Senate Finance: Senate Bill 213: Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Senate Bill 214: Appropriations: Capital, Funds, Supplemental, Reappropriations. House Bill 289: Appropriations: Supplemental.
- Public Testimony for Fairbanks, Interior, Copper River Valley, Off-Net Callers.
- 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: House Bill 263: Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental.
- 1:30 p.m. - Senate Finance: Senate Bill 213: Appropriations: Operating Budget; Amend; Supplemental. Senate Bill 214: Appropriations: Capital, Funds, Supplemental, Reappropriations. House Bill 289: Appropriations: Supplemental.
- Public Testimony for Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Kenai Peninsula.
For more information, contact Director of State Relations for the University of Alaska System Chad Hutchison, cell 907-378-3946, email clhutchison@alaska.edu. You can also follow the University of Alaska Government Relations on our Twitter page.