House Community and Regional Affairs moves HJR46 backing relocation for typhoon‑hit Y‑K Delta villages

Juneau — The Alaska House Community and Regional Affairs Committee on May 15 adopted a committee substitute and moved HJR46, a resolution supporting community relocation for villages damaged by last October's Typhoon Halong, out of committee with no fiscal note.

Rachel Gunn, staff to Representative Jimmy, told the committee that the storm left the village of Kitbuk “90% destroyed” and Kwigumiak “30% destroyed,” and said tribal leaders have told staff their communities are no longer safe to return to and want to relocate together, either to an interim village or a permanent site. “We have a federal trust responsibility to these communities, and we must listen,” Gunn said.

The resolution, which sponsors said is intended to elevate the voices of affected tribal leaders, was amended to broaden references to Alaska’s congressional delegation so the request is directed to the state’s full U.S. senators and representatives rather than naming individuals. Representative Saint Clair moved the conceptual amendment, and Gunn said it was “a friendly amendment.”

Members' questions focused on who decides where a community moves, how land ownership affects relocation, and how relocation would be funded. Gunn said land ownership in Southwest Alaska is a mosaic of federal, state and tribal holdings and that some candidate village sites have been identified; she added that the federal Stafford Act authorizes federal disaster spending for rebuilding in place but does not provide a clear framework to fund community relocations.

“FEMA, primarily under the Stafford Act, has authority to spend federal funds… unfortunately, in the Stafford Act, that doesn't cover relocation,” Gunn said, noting there is no established federal mechanism to relocate an entire community and referencing the SAFROD Act as an example of legislation that would create relocation authority.

Representative Kai Holland asked whether the resolution should press for long‑term funding beyond emergency relief; Gunn and members described relocation as a decades‑long process with lessons from prior moves. Representative Mike Prox warned of the likely cost, saying he expected it would be “hundreds of millions, minimum.” Gunn and others referenced past relocations that drew federal funds from BIA, FEMA, Denali Commission, HUD and other agencies.

Committee staff noted the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), Director Brian Fisher and other state agencies have been coordinating storm response and testing, with DMVA taking the lead on operations. Gunn said the resolution is meant to start the conversation and to urge federal and state partners to move quickly on community‑centered solutions.

There was no in‑room or remote public testimony on HJR46. After brief final remarks and removal of objections, Co‑chair Donna Meares moved HJR46 (work draft as amended) out of committee “with the attached 0 fiscal note and individual recommendations,” and the motion carried by voice vote. The committee authorized legislative legal to make necessary technical or conforming changes. Senator Hoffman is carrying a similar resolution in the Senate, and sponsors said further hearings and coordination with the congressional delegation were expected.

The committee adjourned at 09:33 a.m.