And: A bill allowing pharmacists to directly write prescriptions for basic ailments passed the Alaska Legislature on its final day, after facing months of opposition from anti-abortion activists.
As a special legislative session kicked off in Juneau, the developer of the Alaska LNG megaproject said financing for the project is contingent in part on the Legislature approving a favorable tax agreement.
The Department of Law has explicitly said the bill would not increase access to medication abortions, but some conservative lawmakers and anti-abortion advocacy groups mounted a campaign claiming otherwise.
Under the law, one-quarter of court system filing fees can be appropriated each year to an existing civil legal services fund, which subsidizes attorneys for low-income Alaskans who need legal representation in civil cases.
A draft proposal would allow for drilling off the California and Florida coasts, including two of the largest areas used for ocean-based military training.
