Advocates push for HB26 to codify statewide public and community transit planning in Alaska
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Summary
Supporters testified that House Bill 26 would expand the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities’ duties to include public and community transit, improve multimodal planning (including rural areas and marine/rail modes) and help the state leverage federal funding; committee took the bill under further consideration with no vote.
Representative Genevieve Mina presented House Bill 26 on Jan. 27, saying the bill would modernize the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities’ (DOT&PF) duties to explicitly include public and community transit, broaden study of alternative transportation modes to rural and remote areas, and codify public engagement in statewide transportation planning.
Rep. Mina said the bill was brought forward by the Alaska Mobility Coalition and the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education and that it aims to help communities access federal funding and to make DOT&PF planning more multimodal and inclusive. The bill’s definition of public transit, she noted, would explicitly include the Alaska Marine Highway System and the Alaska Railroad.
Support came from disability and mobility advocates. Patrick Reinhardt, executive director of the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education and a founding member of the Alaska Mobility Coalition, said Alaska lacks a cohesive system of public and community transportation and that HB26 could help identify gaps and leverage state and federal funding. Melly Ryan, board chair of the Alaska Mobility Coalition, said codifying transit responsibilities in statute would prioritize public and community transportation in DOT’s workload and improve access for seniors and people with disabilities.
Community providers also urged support. Michelle Geral, executive director of Hope Community Resources and board chair of the Key Coalition of Alaska, told the committee lack of affordable and accessible transportation is one of the top five barriers for people with disabilities and said HB26 would create a coordinated plan to improve accessibility statewide. David Leslie of Fairbanks said improved transit would help caregiving, daily activities and tourism, and suggested long-term ambitions such as intercity connections.
Senator Dunbar asked about the bill’s fiscal note. Committee members noted a zero fiscal note; Rep. Mina said DOT&PF has been doing parts of this work already and the bill seeks to codify and prioritize ongoing efforts, though that depends on department and administration leadership. The committee had representatives from the department available if members wanted further detail.
No vote was held. The committee set House Bill 26 aside for further consideration and closed the hearing. The committee announced its next meeting for Feb. 3, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.