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Senate subcommittee approves FY26 Department of Public Safety recommendation, asks agency to discuss policing powers with organized boroughs
Summary
The Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee voted to report its fiscal year 2026 budget recommendation for the Alaska Department of Public Safety — totaling about $339.2 million and 1,045 positions — and included intent language directing the department to work with organized boroughs on policing powers.
Senator Scott Kawasaki, chair of the Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Public Safety, called the meeting to order at 5:42 p.m. April 14 and the subcommittee reported its fiscal year 2026 recommendations to the Senate Finance Committee.
Kellie Good, staff to Senator Olson, told the subcommittee the recommendation includes $272,000,819 in unrestricted general funds, $9,214,000 in designated general funds, $16,047,000 in other funds and $41,124,000 in federal funds, for a total of $339,206,000. The recommendation lists 1,002 permanent full-time positions, 12 part-time positions and 31 temporary positions, for a total of 1,045 positions.
The subcommittee denied the department’s requests for new general fund increments and made no new additions to the governor’s amended budget, Good said. The subcommittee accepted several technical and fund-source changes, including a $151,000 decrement associated with one officer position, an increase in interagency receipt authority for maintenance and operations, a decrement in the recidivism reduction fund, replacement of $123,000 in general funds with restorative justice funds, and acceptance of mental health trust authority authorized receipts.
In addition to adopting the attached budget action and agency totals, the subcommittee’s worded report included intent language asking the Department of Public Safety to work with organized boroughs to discuss policing powers in those boroughs. The worded report states the legislature wishes to direct public safety funds to areas of the state that do not have the tax base to provide needed policing services.
Senator Clayman moved to report the attached final budget action and worded reports from the subcommittee and to direct the Legislative Finance Division to make any appropriate conforming or technical changes. With no objections, the motion was reported from committee. The chair adjourned the meeting at 5:46 p.m.
The action reported from the subcommittee will be transmitted to the full Senate Finance Committee for consideration.
