2024 Legislative Session Re-Cap from Our Policy Justice Legislative Fellow
August 5th, 2024 | Written By: Lauryn Baldwin
My family has lived in what is now known as “Alaska'' for thousands of years. Both of my parents are Inupiaq; my mom’s family is from Kotzebue, and my dad’s family is from Kiana. I grew up in Anchorage, on Dena’ Ina lands, and have always called Anchorage home. This was my first year working as a fellow on legislative issues. I got onboarded to Native Movement in the middle of the legislative session, and had to learn about bills that aligned with Native Movement and my own values. Navigating my bills was challenging, and finding ways to digest the legislative process often made me feel inferior. I had to give myself patience and time to feel comfortable where almost no one looked like me, knowing that being in new spaces takes time for growth. However, once I became familiar with representatives, senators and the legislative process, navigating bills became less tedious, and seeing movement in bills that aligned with all Alaskans in mind became exhilarating.
Walking between two worlds can be challenging, but putting my values into action is necessary.
More Alaska Native perspectives and worldviews need to be implemented in local legislation for Alaska Natives to be represented accurately. The most important lesson I learned from this experience is how much voting matters, especially on a local level. It is important for communities to engage in local elections in order to elect people that understand the needs of their specific communities.
Key legislation that passed last session was a direct result of engaged representatives, senators, and public pressure from engaged constituents.
Here are some key victories:
Photo by: Kai Monture
Senate Bill 151 creates a police review commission for Missing and Murdered Indigenous people. This is the first bill of its kind in the Alaska Legislature. The passing of this bill is monumental, uplifting MMIP advocates, and Indigenous voices. A police review commission will help bring justice to Indigenous peoples on the ongoing Missing and Murdered Indigenous people epidemic.
Several renewable energy bills were passed, including community solar (SB 152) and the (HB 154) green bank bill. These bills will alleviate financial burden and create more sustainable energy solutions.
We defeated a number of harmful bills, including:
The anti-trans bill (HB 183) that would ban Trans Girls from participating in sports.
HJR 22, which would allow the state of Alaska to manage subsistence on federal lands. This is harmful for Indigenous communities that rely on the lands to feed themselves and their communities.
The anti-protest bill (HB 386), which would have criminalized and chilled peaceful protesters. Alaskans can still practice their first amendment right without fear of fines and criminalization.
Photo by: Jeff Chen
But we didn’t get everything we wanted. Some of the bills we supported didn’t make it through, and some that we didn’t support did. For example:
The Renewable Portfolio Standard bill didn’t pass. HB 121 would lower energy costs for consumers by transitioning to 80 percent renewable energy for electricity by 2040. With Cook Inlets gas prices continuing to skyrocket, this bill would have been beneficial to consumers.
The carbon sequestration bill did pass. HB 50 will allow for carbon capture and sequestration, creating false climate solutions. Carbon sequestration is often pushed by oil companies as a false solution to climate change.
Implementing effective climate solutions into the legislature will be key in moving from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy. This would not only help mitigate climate change but also benefit consumers.
By voting for engaged representatives, Alaskan communities reap the benefits from a successful legislative session by encouraging progressive bills and stopping harmful bills from being passed. Voting in local elections helps people elect effective decision makers who will pass legislation that strives for healthy, strong and equitable communities. 2024 is a big year for elections with the presidential election coming up, but in order to become an engaged community member, constituents should not only vote in presidential elections, but local elections too.
Lauryn Baldwin, Native Movement Policy Justice Legislative Fellow
Hello, my name is Lauryn Lucille Ulaaq Baldwin (she / her). My Iñupiaq name, Ulaaq, is after the late Martha Pruitt of Noatak, Alaska. I am Iñupiaq from Kotzebue and Kiana, and I am Japanese from Kagoshima Prefecture. I grew up in Anchorage and completed a thirteen year Japanese immersion program through the Anchorage School District. Connecting and learning about my Japanese language and culture made me curious to learn more about my Iñupiaq language and culture. I attended Fort Lewis College and completed a Bachelor's degree in Communication Design with a minor in Native American and Indigenous Studies. During my time at Fort Lewis College, I was a fellow for All our Kin Collective, and learned about Indigenous language revitalization and preservation. I am interested in continuing my education and earning a Masters degree in Indigenous Law. In my free time I enjoy backpacking, berry picking, painting, traveling, and spending time with my loved ones.
