The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly adopted its 2026 state legislative priorities on Tuesday after debate and several amendments that reshaped the list of top requests the borough will press with state lawmakers in Juneau.

The measure, resolution 25‑072, ultimately was passed as amended to place fisheries issues first, followed by trooper staffing, a Port MacKenzie corporate tax holiday, health-care policy priorities, state land transfers to the borough and a four‑year school‑board term. Assemblymember Bill Gamble moved the resolution and introduced two amendments on behalf of the borough Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission amendments — adopted without recorded roll call — revised language on salmon monitoring, added wording about providing harvest opportunities while meeting Northern Cook Inlet escapement goals, and supported Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) designations for coho salmon stocks. “I move to amend resolution 25‑072, action priority, section j, fishery management as follows,” Gamble said when offering the changes.

The assembly also approved a separate amendment to remove support for modifying Alaska Statute 34.08, the Common Interest Ownership Act, from the borough priorities. A motion to remove that item won a recorded affirmation after debate; the clerk announced the amendment “passed” with several members recorded as opposed during the roll call.

Assemblymembers argued over how many top priorities to present to state lawmakers. After discussion the assembly approved a motion to create a two‑section priorities list with a “top six” action priorities. Assemblymember Maxwell Sumner led the effort to limit the top section to no more than six items; members later filled that list in a series of votes and secondary amendments. One later amendment to add health care as a sixth top priority passed over two members’ objections.

Assemblymembers pressed for clarity about what the list means for borough staff. Manager Brown told the assembly the resolution does not itself commit funding; it directs staff to present a prioritized list the borough will use to lobby and to inform legislators. Several members said limiting the list helps make the borough’s requests clearer to lawmakers; others warned that too‑tight prioritization could reduce flexibility if legislative opportunities arise during session.

Public testimony at the meeting did not include speakers on the priorities item; the assembly opened and closed a public hearing earlier in the agenda with no sign‑ups. The adopted priorities will be transmitted to the borough’s state delegation and used to determine the borough’s legislative outreach next session.

The assembly’s final vote on the amended resolution was announced after a period of unanimous consent; the clerk recorded that resolution 25‑072 had passed as amended.

Looking ahead, assembly members said they expect staff to return with any needed clarifications and to track which priorities receive legislative movement during the 2026 session.