Alaska 2023-2024 Regular Session

Alaska Senate Bill SB138 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1
2		-	~~SB0138C~~ -1- CSSB 138(~~FIN~~)
	2	+	SB0138B -1- CSSB 138(STA)
3	3		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
4	4
5		-	33-LS0783\U
	5	+	33-LS0783\S
6	6
7	7
8	8
9	9
10		-	CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 138(~~FIN~~)
	10	+	CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 138(STA)
11	11
12	12		IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
13	13
14	14		THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION
15	15
16		-	BY THE SENATE ~~FINANCE~~ COMMITTEE
	16	+	BY THE SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
17	17
18		-	Offered: 5/13/23
19		-	Referred: ~~Today's Calendar~~
	18	+	Offered: 5/3/23
	19	+	Referred: Finance
20	20
21	21		Sponsor(s): SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
22	22		A BILL
23	23
24	24		FOR AN ACT ENTITLED
25	25
26	26		"An Act relating to elections; relating to voters; relating to voting; relating to offices of 1
27	27		the Alaska Public Offices Commission; relating to the crime of unlawful interference 2
28	28		with voting in the first degree; relating to campaign signs; relating to the reporting of 3
29	29		financial and business interests by certain municipal officers and former officers and 4
30	30		candidates for municipal office; relating to the Redistricting Board; and providing for 5
31	31		an effective date." 6
32	32		BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 7
33		-	* Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section 8
	33	+	"* Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section 8
34	34		to read: 9
35	35		LEGISLATIVE INTENT: TRANSPARENCY. It is the intent of the legislature that 10
36	36		the division of elections, in order to increase transparency and ensure trust in the integrity of 11
37	37		the state's vote counting and tabulation process and to allow members of the public to verify 12
38		-	the accuracy of ranked-choice tabulations, 13 33-LS0783\U
39		-	CSSB 138(~~FIN~~) -2- ~~SB0138C~~
	38	+	the accuracy of ranked-choice tabulations, 13 33-LS0783\S
	39	+	CSSB 138(STA) -2- SB0138B
40	40		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
41	41
42	42		(1) in accordance with national best practices for reporting results of ranked-1
43	43		choice voting elections, include preliminary ranked-choice tabulations when releasing 2
44	44		preliminary election results; and 3
45	45		(2) periodically throughout the vote counting process post updated cast vote 4
46	46		record files that include anonymized records indicating the ranking order of each ballot cast. 5
47	47		* Sec. 2. AS 15.05.010 is amended to read: 6
48	48		Sec. 15.05.010. Voter qualification. A person may vote at any election who 7
49	49		(1) is a citizen of the United States; 8
50	50		(2) is 18 years of age or older; 9
51	51		(3) has been a resident of the state and of the house district in which 10
52	52		the person seeks to vote for at least 30 days just before the election; and 11
53	53		(4) has registered [BEFORE THE ELECTION] as required under 12
54	54		AS 15.07 and is not registered to vote in another jurisdiction. 13
55	55		* Sec. 3. AS 15.05.020 is amended to read: 14
56	56		Sec. 15.05.020. Rules for determining residence of voter. For the purpose of 15
57	57		determining residence for voting, the place of residence is governed by the following 16
58	58		rules: 17
59	59		(1) A person may not be considered to have gained a residence solely 18
60	60		by reason of presence nor may a person lose it solely by reason of absence while in the 19
61	61		civil or military service of this state or of the United States or of absence because of 20
62	62		marriage to a person engaged in the civil or military service of this state or the United 21
63	63		States, while a student at an institution of learning, while in an institution or asylum at 22
64	64		public expense, while confined in public prison, while engaged in the navigation of 23
65	65		waters of this state or the United States or of the high seas, while residing upon an 24
66	66		Indian or military reservation, or while residing in the Alaska Pioneers' Home or the 25
67	67		Alaska Veterans' Home. 26
68	68		(2) The residence of a person is that place in which the person's 27
69		-	physical habitation is fixed, and to which, whenever absent, the person has an 28
70		-	articulable and reasonable plan [THE INTENTION] to return. If a person resides in 29
	69	+	physical habitation is fixed, and to which, whenever absent, the person has a definite, 28
	70	+	articulable, and reasonable plan [THE INTENTION] to return. If a person resides in 29
71	71		one place, but does business in another, the former is the person's place of residence. 30
72		-	Temporary work sites do not constitute a dwelling place. 31 33-LS0783\U
73		-	~~SB0138C~~ -3- CSSB 138(~~FIN~~)
	72	+	Temporary work sites do not constitute a dwelling place. 31 33-LS0783\S
	73	+	SB0138B -3- CSSB 138(STA)
74	74		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
75	75
76	76		(3) [A CHANGE OF RESIDENCE IS MADE ONLY BY THE ACT 1
77	77		OF REMOVAL JOINED WITH THE INTENT TO REMAIN IN ANOTHER 2
78	78		PLACE.] There can only be one residence. 3
79	79		(4) A person does not lose residence if the person leaves home and 4
80	80		goes to another country, state, or place in this state for temporary purposes only and 5
81	81		with the intent of returning to the person's residence. 6
82	82		(5) A person does not gain residence in any place to which the person 7
83	83		comes without the present intention to establish a permanent dwelling at that place. 8
84	84		(6) A person loses residence in this state if the person establishes 9
85	85		residence in another state or votes in another state's election, either in person or by 10
86	86		absentee ballot, and will not be eligible to vote in this state until again qualifying 11
87	87		under AS 15.05.010. 12
88	88		(7) The term of residence is computed by including the day on which 13
89	89		the person's residence begins and excluding the day of election. 14
90	90		(8) The address of a voter as it appears on the official voter registration 15
91	91		record is presumptive evidence of the person's voting residence. This presumption is 16
92	92		negated [ONLY] if the voter notifies the director in writing of a change of voting 17
93	93		residence. When a voter's qualification is questioned under AS 15.15.210 or 18
94	94		challenged in accordance with the procedure adopted in regulation under 19
95	95		AS 15.20.215, the presumption may be rebutted by providing evidence to the 20
96	96		division that the voter has established residence in another state or place in this 21
97	97		state or evidence that the voter is not a resident under (2) - (7) of this section. 22
98	98		* Sec. 4. AS 15.07.060(a) is amended to read: 23
99	99		(a) Each applicant who requests registration or reregistration shall supply the 24
100	100		following information: 25
101	101		(1) the applicant's name and sex; 26
102	102		(2) if issued, the applicant's State of Alaska driver's license number or 27
103	103		State of Alaska identification card number, or the last four digits of the applicant's 28
104	104		social security number; 29
105	105		(3) the applicant's date of birth; 30
106		-	(4) the applicant's Alaska residence address; 31 33-LS0783\U
107		-	CSSB 138(~~FIN~~) -4- ~~SB0138C~~
	106	+	(4) the applicant's Alaska residence address; 31 33-LS0783\S
	107	+	CSSB 138(STA) -4- SB0138B
108	108		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
109	109
110	110		(5) a statement of whether the applicant has previously been registered 1
111	111		to vote in another jurisdiction, and, if so, the jurisdiction and the address of the 2
112	112		previous registration; 3
113	113		(6) a declaration that the applicant will be 18 years of age or older 4
114	114		within 90 days after the date of registration; 5
115	115		(7) a declaration that the applicant is a citizen of the United States; 6
116	116		(8) the date of application; 7
117	117		(9) the applicant's signature or mark, or an electronic image of the 8
118	118		applicant's signature submitted in the format and according to the process 9
119	119		specified by the division in regulation; 10
120	120		(10) any former name under which the applicant was registered to vote 11
121	121		in the state; 12
122	122		(11) an attestation that the information provided by the applicant in (1) 13
123	123		- (10) of this subsection is true; and 14
124	124		(12) a certification that the applicant understands that a false statement 15
125		-	on the application may make the applicant subject to prosecution for a ~~misdemeanor~~ 16
126		-	under this title or AS 11. 17
	125	+	on the application may make the applicant subject to prosecution [FOR A 16
	126	+	MISDEMEANOR] under this title or for perjury under AS 11. 17
127	127		* Sec. 5. AS 15.07.060 is amended by adding new subsections to read: 18
128	128		(g) The division shall provide an applicant the opportunity to designate, from 19
129	129		among the written languages in which the division is required to print election 20
130	130		materials under 52 U.S.C. 10503, as amended, the language in which the applicant 21
131	131		prefers to receive ballots and other election materials printed for an election. The 22
132	132		division shall provide the applicant with ballots and election materials in the 23
133	133		applicant's designated language unless the applicant designates a language in which 24
134	134		the division is not required to print ballots and election materials. The division shall 25
135	135		notify an applicant when ballots and election materials printed in the designated 26
136	136		language are not available and allow the applicant another opportunity to designate a 27
137	137		language under this subsection. The division shall provide an applicant with ballots 28
138	138		and election materials in the designated language until the earlier of the date that 29
139	139		(1) the applicant's voter registration is inactivated or cancelled; or 30
140		-	(2) the division is no longer required under 52 U.S.C. 10503, as 31 33-LS0783\U
141		-	~~SB0138C~~ -5- CSSB 138(~~FIN~~)
	140	+	(2) the division is no longer required under 52 U.S.C. 10503, as 31 33-LS0783\S
	141	+	SB0138B -5- CSSB 138(STA)
142	142		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
143	143
144	144		amended, to print ballots and election materials in the designated language. 1
145	145		(h) An applicant who requests registration within 30 days before an election 2
146	146		shall supply a declaration stating whether the applicant established residency at least 3
147	147		30 days before the date of the election in 4
148	148		(1) the state; 5
149	149		(2) the house district in which the applicant seeks to vote at the 6
150	150		election. 7
151	151		* Sec. 6. AS 15.07.070(c) is amended to read: 8
152	152		(c) The names of persons submitting completed registration forms by mail that 9
153	153		are postmarked at least 30 days before the next election, or submitting completed 10
154	154		registration forms by facsimile or other electronic transmission approved by the 11
155	155		director under AS 15.07.050 that are received at least 30 days before the next election, 12
156	156		shall be placed on the official registration list for that election. If a registration form 13
157	157		received by mail less than 30 days before an election does not have a legible and dated 14
158	158		postmark, the name of the person submitting the form shall be placed on the official 15
159	159		registration list for that election if the form was signed and dated by the person at least 16
160	160		30 days before the election and if the form is received by the director or election 17
161	161		supervisor at least 25 days before the election. The name of a person submitting a 18
162	162		completed registration form by mail or by facsimile or other electronic transmission 19
163	163		that does not meet the applicable requirements of this subsection may not be placed on 20
164	164		the official registration list for that election but shall be placed on the master register 21
165	165		after that election. A person submitting a completed registration form that does 22
166	166		not meet the requirements of this subsection for placement on the master register 23
167	167		for the next election but who complies with AS 15.07.060(h) may vote an 24
168	168		absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot at that election. 25
169	169		* Sec. 7. AS 15.07.070(d) is amended to read: 26
170	170		(d) Qualified voters may register in person before a registration official or 27
171	171		through a voter registration agency at any time throughout the year. A qualified voter 28
172	172		who registers [, EXCEPT THAT A PERSON REGISTERING] within 30 days before 29
173	173		or on the day of an election may vote only an absentee, special needs, or 30
174		-	questioned ballot [PRECEDING AN ELECTION IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE] at 31 33-LS0783\U
175		-	CSSB 138(~~FIN~~) -6- ~~SB0138C~~
	174	+	questioned ballot [PRECEDING AN ELECTION IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE] at 31 33-LS0783\S
	175	+	CSSB 138(STA) -6- SB0138B
176	176		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
177	177
178	178		that election. The division may not reject the absentee, special needs, or 1
179	179		questioned ballot of a qualified voter who registers within 30 days before or on 2
180	180		the day of an election on the grounds that the voter is not on the official 3
181	181		registration list for the election. Upon receipt and approval of the registration forms, 4
182	182		the director or the election supervisor shall forward to the voter an acknowledgment in 5
183	183		the form of a registration card, and the voter's name shall immediately be placed on 6
184	184		the master register. Names of persons registering 30 or more days before an election 7
185	185		shall be placed on the official registration list for that election. 8
186	186		* Sec. 8. AS 15.07.090(b) is amended to read: 9
187	187		(b) A voter shall reregister if the voter's registration is cancelled as provided in 10
188	188		AS 15.07.130. A person reregistering under this subsection may vote only an 11
189	189		absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot until [THE REREGISTRATION IS 12
190	190		EFFECTIVE FOR] the next election that occurs at least 30 days after the date of 13
191	191		reregistration. The division may not reject the absentee, special needs, or 14
192	192		questioned ballot of a qualified voter who reregisters within 30 days before or on 15
193	193		the day of an election on the grounds that the voter is not on the official 16
194	194		registration list for the election. 17
195	195		* Sec. 9. AS 15.07.090(c) is amended to read: 18
196	196		(c) The director shall transfer the registration of a voter from one precinct to 19
197	197		another within a house district when requested by the voter. If a [THE] request is 20
198	198		[SHALL BE] made within 30 [OR MORE] days before [THE] election day or on 21
199	199		election day, a person transferring registration to a new precinct may vote only 22
200	200		an absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot. The division may not reject the 23
201	201		absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot of a qualified voter who transfers 24
202	202		registration within 30 days before or on the day of an election on the grounds 25
203	203		that the voter is not on the official registration list for the election. The director 26
204	204		shall transfer the registration of a voter from one house district to another when 27
205	205		requested by the voter. The voter must reside in the new house district for at least 30 28
206	206		days in order to vote a ballot for that district. 29
207	207		* Sec. 10. AS 15.07.090(d) is amended to read: 30
208		-	(d) A person who claims to be a registered voter, but for whom no evidence of 31 33-LS0783\U
209		-	~~SB0138C~~ -7- CSSB 138(~~FIN~~)
	208	+	(d) A person who claims to be a registered voter, but for whom no evidence of 31 33-LS0783\S
	209	+	SB0138B -7- CSSB 138(STA)
210	210		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
211	211
212	212		registration in the precinct can be found, may vote only an absentee, special needs, 1
213	213		or questioned ballot. The division may not reject the absentee, special needs, or 2
214	214		questioned ballot of a qualified voter who registers within 30 days before or on 3
215	215		the day of an election on the grounds that the voter is not on the official 4
216	216		registration list for the election [SHALL BE GRANTED THE RIGHT TO VOTE 5
217	217		IN THE SAME MANNER AS THAT OF A QUESTIONED VOTER AND THE 6
218	218		BALLOT SHALL BE TREATED IN THE SAME MANNER. THE BALLOT 7
219	219		SHALL BE CONSIDERED TO BE A "QUESTIONED BALLOT" AND SHALL BE 8
220	220		SO DESIGNATED. THE DIRECTOR OR THE DIRECTOR'S REPRESENTATIVE 9
221	221		SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER THE VOTER IS REGISTERED IN THE HOUSE 10
222	222		DISTRICT BEFORE COUNTING THE BALLOT. A VOTER WHO HAS FAILED 11
223	223		TO OBTAIN A TRANSFER AS PROVIDED IN (c) OF THIS SECTION SHALL 12
224	224		VOTE A "QUESTIONED BALLOT" IN THE PRECINCT IN WHICH THE VOTER 13
225	225		RESIDES]. 14
226	226		* Sec. 11. AS 15.07.130(a) is amended to read: 15
227	227		(a) Periodically, at times of the director's choosing, but not [NO] less 16
228	228		frequently than in January of each calendar year, the director shall examine the master 17
229	229		register maintained under AS 15.07.120 and shall send, by forwardable 18
230	230		[NONFORWARDABLE] mail to the voter's registration mailing address, and to the 19
231	231		voter's electronic mail address, if available, a notice requesting address 20
232	232		confirmation or correction. The notice must explain that the voter's registration 21
233	233		will be inactivated unless the voter responds to the notice within 45 days after the 22
234	234		date the notice is sent. The director shall send the notice to each voter 23
235	235		(1) whose mail from the division has been returned to the division in 24
236	236		the two years immediately preceding the examination of the register; 25
237	237		(2) who has not contacted the division in the two years immediately 26
238	238		preceding the examination of the register and [; OR (3)] who has not voted or 27
239	239		appeared to vote in the two years [GENERAL ELECTIONS] immediately preceding 28
240	240		the examination of the register; or 29
241	241		(3) who, after registering to vote in this state and in the two years 30
242		-	immediately preceding the examination of the register, has 31 33-LS0783\U
243		-	CSSB 138(~~FIN~~) -8- ~~SB0138C~~
	242	+	immediately preceding the examination of the register, has 31 33-LS0783\S
	243	+	CSSB 138(STA) -8- SB0138B
244	244		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
245	245
246	246		(A) registered to vote in another state; 1
247	247		(B) received a driver's license from another state; 2
248	248		(C) registered a vehicle in another state; 3
249	249		(D) received public assistance from another state; 4
250	250		(E) served on a jury in another state; 5
251	251		(F) obtained a resident hunting or fishing license in another 6
252	252		state; 7
253	253		(G) paid the state resident tuition rate for a public 8
254	254		university in another state; 9
255	255		(H) received a homestead or residential property tax 10
256	256		exemption in another state; or 11
257	257		(I) received a benefit available only to residents of another 12
258	258		state. 13
259	259		* Sec. 12. AS 15.07.130(b) is amended to read: 14
260	260		(b) If a registered voter does [HAS] not respond to a notice sent under (a) of 15
261	261		this section within 45 days after the date the notice is sent, the director shall 16
262	262		inactivate the voter's registration [, WITHIN THE PRECEDING FOUR 17
263	263		CALENDAR YEARS, CONTACTED THE DIVISION AND HAS NEITHER 18
264	264		VOTED NOR APPEARED TO VOTE IN A LOCAL, REGIONAL SCHOOL 19
265	265		BOARD, PRIMARY, SPECIAL, OR GENERAL ELECTION DURING THE LAST 20
266	266		FOUR CALENDAR YEARS AND A NOTICE SENT TO THE VOTER UNDER (a) 21
267	267		OF THIS SECTION WAS RETURNED AS UNDELIVERABLE, THE VOTER 22
268	268		SHALL BE ADVISED BY A NOTICE SENT BY FORWARDABLE MAIL TO THE 23
269	269		VOTER'S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS THAT REGISTRATION WILL BE 24
270	270		INACTIVATED UNLESS THE VOTER RESPONDS TO THE NOTICE NO 25
271	271		LATER THAN 45 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE NOTICE SENT UNDER 26
272	272		THIS SECTION]. The director shall maintain on the master register the name of a 27
273	273		voter whose registration is inactivated. The director shall cancel a voter's inactive 28
274	274		registration in accordance with the procedures set out in 42 U.S.C. 1973gg-6 (sec. 8, 29
275	275		National Voter Registration Act of 1993) after the second general election that occurs 30
276		-	after the registration becomes inactive if the voter does not contact the division or vote 31 33-LS0783\U
277		-	~~SB0138C~~ -9- CSSB 138(~~FIN~~)
	276	+	after the registration becomes inactive if the voter does not contact the division or vote 31 33-LS0783\S
	277	+	SB0138B -9- CSSB 138(STA)
278	278		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
279	279
280	280		or appear to vote. 1
281	281		* Sec. 13. AS 15.07.130(d) is amended to read: 2
282	282		(d) The notice sent under (a) [(b)] of this section must include a postage 3
283	283		prepaid and pre-addressed return card on which the voter may state the voter's current 4
284	284		address. The notice must indicate 5
285	285		(1) that the voter should return the card not later than 45 days after the 6
286	286		date of the notice if the voter did not change residence; 7
287	287		(2) that failure to return the card by the 45-day deadline could result in 8
288	288		removal of the voter's name from the official registration list for a subsequent election; 9
289	289		(3) that the voter's registration will be cancelled if the voter does not 10
290	290		contact the division during, or vote or appear to vote in an election held during, the 11
291	291		period beginning on the date of the notice and ending on the day after the last day of 12
292	292		the fourth calendar year that occurs after the date of notice; and 13
293	293		(4) how the voter can continue to be eligible to vote if the voter has 14
294	294		changed residence. 15
295	295		* Sec. 14. AS 15.07 is amended by adding a new section to read: 16
296	296		Sec. 15.07.133. Process to cancel registration. The director shall develop a 17
297	297		process to allow a voter to cancel the voter's registration in person before an election 18
298	298		official or electronically. The director shall prominently display instructions at each 19
299	299		polling place and on the division's Internet website for a voter to cancel the voter's 20
300	300		registration. 21
301	301		* Sec. 15. AS 15.10.170(a) is amended to read: 22
302	302		(a) The precinct party committee, where an organized precinct committee 23
303	303		exists, or the party district committee where no organized precinct committee exists, 24
304	304		or the state party chairperson where neither a precinct nor a party district committee 25
305	305		exists, may appoint one or more [PERSONS AS] watchers in each precinct and 26
306	306		counting center for any election. A [EACH] candidate may appoint one or more 27
307	307		watchers for each precinct or counting center in the candidate's respective district or 28
308	308		the state for any election. An [ANY] organization or organized group that sponsors or 29
309	309		opposes a ballot proposition [AN INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM,] or question 30
310		-	[RECALL] may have one or more [PERSONS AS] watchers at the polls and counting 31 33-LS0783\U
311		-	CSSB 138(~~FIN~~) -10- ~~SB0138C~~
	310	+	[RECALL] may have one or more [PERSONS AS] watchers at the polls and counting 31 33-LS0783\S
	311	+	CSSB 138(STA) -10- SB0138B
312	312		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
313	313
314	314		centers after first obtaining authorization from the director. A candidate, or an 1
315	315		organization or organized group with authorization from the director, may 2
316	316		appoint at least one watcher for each location where ballots or envelopes are 3
317	317		reviewed or counted in a precinct or counting center. A state party chairperson, a 4
318	318		precinct party committee, a party district committee, or a candidate may not have more 5
319	319		than one watcher on duty at a time in any precinct or counting center. A watcher must 6
320	320		be a United States citizen. The watcher may be present at a position inside the place of 7
321	321		voting or counting that affords a full view of all action of the election officials taken 8
322	322		from the time the polls are opened until the ballots are finally counted and the results 9
323	323		certified by the election board or the data processing review board. The election board 10
324	324		or the data processing review board may require each watcher to present written proof 11
325	325		showing appointment by the precinct party committee, the party district committee, 12
326	326		the organization or organized group, or the candidate the watcher represents and that 13
327		-	is signed by the respective chairperson ~~or chairperson's designee~~ of the precinct 14
328		-	~~party committee or party~~ district committee, ~~the~~ state party chairperson, ~~the~~ 15
329		-	~~organization or organized group, or the~~ candidate ~~or candidate's designee~~. 16
330		-	* Sec. 16. AS 15.~~13.020(j)~~ is amended to read: 17
331		-	(j) ~~The commission shall establish offices [~~AN ~~OFFICE, WHICH MAY BE~~ 18
332		-	~~CALLED~~ A ~~REGIONAL OFFICE, IN EACH SENATE DISTRICT IN~~ THE ~~STATE~~ 19
333		-	~~TO KEEP ON FILE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION COPIES~~ OF ~~ALL REPORTS~~ 20
334		-	~~FILED WITH~~ THE ~~COMMISSION~~ BY ~~CANDIDATES FOR STATEWIDE OFFICE~~ 21
335		-	~~AND BY CANDIDATES FOR LEGISLATIVE OFFICE IN THAT DISTRICT;~~ 22
336		-	~~HOWEVER~~, ~~WHERE ONE MUNICIPALITY CONTAINS MORE THAN ONE~~ 23
337		-	~~HOUSE DISTRICT,~~ ~~ONLY ONE COMMISSION OFFICE SHALL BE~~ 24
338		-	~~ESTABLISHED~~ IN ~~THAT MUNICIPALITY.~~ ~~THE REGIONAL OFFICE SHALL~~ 25
339		-	~~MAKE ALL FORMS AND PERTINENT MATERIAL AVAILABLE TO~~ 26
340		-	~~CANDIDATES. ALL REPORTS SHALL BE FILED~~ BY ~~CANDIDATES, GROUPS,~~ 27
341		-	~~AND INDIVIDUALS DIRECTLY WITH~~ THE ~~COMMISSION'S CENTRAL~~ 28
342		-	~~DISTRICT OFFICE.~~ THE ~~COMMISSION SHALL ENSURE THAT COPIES~~ OF 29
343		-	~~ALL REPORTS BY STATEWIDE AND LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES IN EACH~~ 30
344		-	~~SENATE DISTRICT ARE FORWARDED PROMPTLY~~ TO ~~THAT DISTRICT OR~~ 31 33-LS0783\U
345		-	~~SB0138C~~ -11- CSSB 138(~~FIN~~)
	327	+	is signed by the respective chairperson of the precinct party committee, party 14
	328	+	district committee, state party chairperson, organization or organized group, or 15
	329	+	candidate. 16
	330	+	* Sec. 16. AS 15.10 is amended by adding a new section to read: 17
	331	+	Sec. 15.10.175. International election observers. (a) An international election 18
	332	+	observer may be present at a position inside the precinct or counting center that 19
	333	+	affords a full view of the activity of election officials from the time the polls are 20
	334	+	opened until the ballots are finally counted and the results certified by the election 21
	335	+	board or the data processing review board. 22
	336	+	(b) Notwithstanding AS 15.15.210, AS 15.20.203, and 15.20.207, an 23
	337	+	international election observer may not question a voter or challenge a voter's ballot. 24
	338	+	(c) In this section, "international election observer" means a person who is 25
	339	+	(1) not a citizen of the United States; 26
	340	+	(2) designated by an international membership organization of which 27
	341	+	the United States is a member; and 28
	342	+	(3) invited by the United States Department of State to be part of a 29
	343	+	mission to observe the election. 30
	344	+	* Sec. 17. AS 15.13.020(j) is amended to read: 31 33-LS0783\S
	345	+	SB0138B -11- CSSB 138(STA)
346	346		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
347	347
348		-	~~REGIONAL~~ OFFICE]. 1
349		-	* Sec. 17. AS 15.15.060 is amended by adding a ~~new subsection to read:~~ 2
350		-	~~(f) At each polling place,~~ ~~the division shall provide language assistance as~~ 3
351		-	~~required under 52 U.S.C. 10503.~~ ~~An election supervisor shall post at each polling~~ 4
352		-	~~place information regarding the availability of language assistance~~ in ~~English and all~~ 5
353		-	~~other languages for which language assistance is required to be provided in the~~ 6
354		-	~~jurisdiction under federal law.~~ 7
355		-	* Sec. ~~18. AS 15.15 is amended by adding a new section to read:~~ 8
356		-	~~Sec. 15.15.205. Questioning of voter who requested absentee ballot. If a~~ 9
357		-	~~voter appears on the official registration list as having received or voted an absentee~~ 10
358		-	~~ballot,~~ the ~~election official shall affirmatively advise the voter that the voter may~~ 11
359		-	~~surrender~~ the ~~absentee ballot for destruction or cast a questioned ballot. If the voter~~ 12
360		-	~~does not surrender the absentee ballot,~~ ~~the voter shall be allowed to vote a questioned~~ 13
361		-	~~ballot.~~ 14
362		-	* Sec. ~~19. AS 15.15.370 is amended to read:~~ 15
363		-	Sec. 15.15.~~370. Completion of ballot count;~~ ~~certificate. When the count of~~ 16
364		-	~~ballots is completed,~~ ~~and in no event later than the day after the election~~, the ~~election~~ 17
365		-	~~board~~ shall ~~make a certificate in duplicate of the results. The certificate includes the~~ 18
366		-	~~number~~ of ~~votes cast for each candidate, including, for a candidate~~ in ~~a general~~ 19
367		-	~~election,~~ the ~~number of votes at each ranking [ROUND OF THE RANKED-CHOICE~~ 20
368		-	~~TABULATION PROCESS]~~ under ~~AS 15~~.~~15.350, the number of votes for and against~~ 21
369		-	~~each proposition,~~ ~~yes or no on each question,~~ ~~and any additional information~~ 22
370		-	~~prescribed by the director~~. ~~The~~ election ~~board shall, immediately upon completion of~~ 23
371		-	the ~~certificate~~ or ~~as soon thereafter as the local mail service permits, send in one sealed~~ 24
372		-	~~package~~ to the ~~director one copy of the certificate and the register. In addition, all~~ 25
373		-	~~ballots properly cast shall be mailed~~ to ~~the director in~~ a ~~separate~~, ~~sealed package. Both~~ 26
374		-	~~packages~~, ~~in addition to an address on the outside, shall clearly indicate the precinct~~ 27
375		-	~~from which they come.~~ ~~Each board shall~~, ~~immediately upon completion~~ of the 28
376		-	~~certification and as soon thereafter as the local mail service permits,~~ ~~send the duplicate~~ 29
377		-	~~certificate to the respective election supervisor~~. ~~The director may authorize election~~ 30
378		-	~~boards in precincts in those areas of~~ the ~~state where~~ distance ~~and weather make mail~~ 31 33-LS0783\U
379		-	CSSB 138(~~FIN~~) -12- ~~SB0138C~~
	348	+	(j) The commission shall establish offices [AN OFFICE, WHICH MAY BE 1
	349	+	CALLED A REGIONAL OFFICE, IN EACH SENATE DISTRICT IN THE STATE 2
	350	+	TO KEEP ON FILE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION COPIES OF ALL REPORTS 3
	351	+	FILED WITH THE COMMISSION BY CANDIDATES FOR STATEWIDE OFFICE 4
	352	+	AND BY CANDIDATES FOR LEGISLATIVE OFFICE IN THAT DISTRICT; 5
	353	+	HOWEVER, WHERE ONE MUNICIPALITY CONTAINS MORE THAN ONE 6
	354	+	HOUSE DISTRICT, ONLY ONE COMMISSION OFFICE SHALL BE 7
	355	+	ESTABLISHED IN THAT MUNICIPALITY. THE REGIONAL OFFICE SHALL 8
	356	+	MAKE ALL FORMS AND PERTINENT MATERIAL AVAILABLE TO 9
	357	+	CANDIDATES. ALL REPORTS SHALL BE FILED BY CANDIDATES, GROUPS, 10
	358	+	AND INDIVIDUALS DIRECTLY WITH THE COMMISSION'S CENTRAL 11
	359	+	DISTRICT OFFICE. THE COMMISSION SHALL ENSURE THAT COPIES OF 12
	360	+	ALL REPORTS BY STATEWIDE AND LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES IN EACH 13
	361	+	SENATE DISTRICT ARE FORWARDED PROMPTLY TO THAT DISTRICT OR 14
	362	+	REGIONAL OFFICE]. 15
	363	+	* Sec. 18. AS 15.15.060 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 16
	364	+	(f) At each polling place, the division shall provide language assistance as 17
	365	+	required under 52 U.S.C. 10503. An election supervisor shall post at each polling 18
	366	+	place information regarding the availability of language assistance in English and all 19
	367	+	other languages for which language assistance is required to be provided in the 20
	368	+	jurisdiction under federal law. 21
	369	+	* Sec. 19. AS 15.15.170 is amended to read: 22
	370	+	Sec. 15.15.170. Prohibition of political persuasion near election polls. (a) 23
	371	+	During the hours the polls are open, a person who is in the polling place or within 200 24
	372	+	feet of any entrance to the polling place may not 25
	373	+	(1) attempt to persuade a person to vote for or against a candidate, 26
	374	+	proposition, or question; or 27
	375	+	(2) physically display a photo, video, or other image of the person's 28
	376	+	or another person's marked ballot in an attempt to persuade a person to vote for 29
	377	+	or against a candidate, proposition, or question. 30
	378	+	(b) The election officials shall post warning notices at the required distance in 31 33-LS0783\S
	379	+	CSSB 138(STA) -12- SB0138B
380	380		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
381	381
382		-	communication unreliable to forward their election results by telephone or radio. The 1
383		-	director may authorize the unofficial totaling of votes on a regional basis by election 2
384		-	supervisors, tallying the votes as indicated on duplicate certificates. To ensure 3
385		-	adequate protection, the director shall prescribe the manner in which the ballots, 4
386		-	registers, and all other election records and materials are thereafter preserved, 5
387		-	transferred, and destroyed. 6
388		-	* Sec. 20. AS 15.15.370 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 7
389		-	(b) Each day the director releases unofficial totals of election results for a 8
390		-	general election, the director shall also release an updated ranked-choice tabulation. 9
391		-	* Sec. 21. AS 15.15 is amended by adding a new section to read: 10
392		-	Sec. 15.15.455. Risk-limiting audits. (a) In addition to the ballot counting 11
393		-	review conducted under AS 15.15.420 - 15.15.440, after each state election but before 12
394		-	the certification of the ballot counting review under AS 15.15.450, the director shall 13
395		-	conduct a risk-limiting audit of selected election results. The audit must be designed 14
396		-	using statistical methods to limit the risk of certification of an election result that is 15
397		-	inconsistent with the result that would be obtained by conducting a recount. 16
398		-	(b) The director shall adopt regulations necessary to implement and administer 17
399		-	(a) of this section. The regulations must include a procedure for selecting which 18
400		-	election results to audit and for notifying a candidate in a race subject to a risk-limiting 19
401		-	audit of the audit. In adopting regulations under this subsection, the director shall 20
402		-	consult recognized statistical experts, equipment vendors, and municipal clerks and 21
403		-	shall consider best practices for conducting risk-limiting audits. 22
404		-	(c) A candidate and an organization or organized group that sponsors or 23
405		-	opposes a ballot proposition or question seeking to protect the direct interests of the 24
406		-	candidate, organization, or organized group during a risk-limiting audit may provide, 25
407		-	at the candidate's, organization's, or organized group's own expense, one or more 26
408		-	observers to witness the audit. 27
409		-	* Sec. 22. AS 15.20.030 is amended to read: 28
410		-	Sec. 15.20.030. Preparation of ballots, envelopes, and other material. The
411		-	29
412		-	director shall provide ballots for use as absentee ballots in all districts. The director 30
413		-	shall provide a secrecy sleeve in which the voter shall initially place the marked ballot, 31 33-LS0783\U
414		-	SB0138C -13- CSSB 138(FIN)
	382	+	the form and manner prescribed by the director. 1
	383	+	* Sec. 20. AS 15.15 is amended by adding a new section to read: 2
	384	+	Sec. 15.15.205. Questioning of voter who requested absentee ballot. If a 3
	385	+	voter appears on the official registration list as having received or voted an absentee 4
	386	+	ballot, the election official shall affirmatively advise the voter that the voter may 5
	387	+	surrender the absentee ballot for destruction or cast a questioned ballot. If the voter 6
	388	+	does not surrender the absentee ballot, the voter shall be allowed to vote a questioned 7
	389	+	ballot. 8
	390	+	* Sec. 21. AS 15.15.280 is amended to read: 9
	391	+	Sec. 15.15.280. Prohibiting the exhibition of marked ballots. A [SUBJECT 10
	392	+	TO AS 15.15.240 A] voter may not exhibit the voter's ballot to an election official or 11
	393	+	any other person so as to enable any person to ascertain how the voter marked the 12
	394	+	ballot. 13
	395	+	* Sec. 22. AS 15.15.280 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 14
	396	+	(b) This section does not apply to a voter who 15
	397	+	(1) requests assistance under AS 15.15.240; or 16
	398	+	(2) subject to the prohibition on political persuasion in, or within 200 17
	399	+	feet of an entrance to, a polling place under AS 15.15.170, shares a photo, video, or 18
	400	+	other image of the voter's marked ballot with another person or with the public. 19
	401	+	* Sec. 23. AS 15.15.370 is amended to read: 20
	402	+	Sec. 15.15.370. Completion of ballot count; certificate. When the count of 21
	403	+	ballots is completed, and in no event later than the day after the election, the election 22
	404	+	board shall make a certificate in duplicate of the results. The certificate includes the 23
	405	+	number of votes cast for each candidate, including, for a candidate in a general 24
	406	+	election, the number of votes at each ranking [ROUND OF THE RANKED-CHOICE 25
	407	+	TABULATION PROCESS] under AS 15.15.350, the number of votes for and against 26
	408	+	each proposition, yes or no on each question, and any additional information 27
	409	+	prescribed by the director. The election board shall, immediately upon completion of 28
	410	+	the certificate or as soon thereafter as the local mail service permits, send in one sealed 29
	411	+	package to the director one copy of the certificate and the register. In addition, all 30
	412	+	ballots properly cast shall be mailed to the director in a separate, sealed package. Both 31 33-LS0783\S
	413	+	SB0138B -13- CSSB 138(STA)
415	414		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
416	415
417		-	~~and~~ shall ~~provide a postage-paid return [AN] envelope with~~ the ~~prescribed voter's~~ 1
418		-	~~certificate on it, in~~ which ~~the secrecy sleeve with ballot enclosed~~ shall ~~be placed.~~ The 2
419		-	~~director shall prescribe~~ the ~~form of and prepare~~ the ~~voter's certificate, envelopes, and~~ 3
420		-	~~other material used in absentee voting~~. The ~~voter's certificate shall include a~~ 4
421		-	~~declaration, for use when required,~~ ~~that~~ the ~~voter is a qualified voter in all respects, a~~ 5
422		-	~~blank for~~ the ~~voter's signature, and a space for recording the date that the voter~~ 6
423		-	~~executed~~ the ~~certificate. An envelope may not identify~~ a ~~voter's party affiliation [,~~ 7
424		-	~~A CERTIFICATION THAT~~ THE ~~AFFIANT PROPERLY EXECUTED THE~~ 8
425		-	~~MARKING OF~~ THE ~~BALLOT AND GAVE~~ THE ~~VOTER'S IDENTITY~~, ~~BLANKS~~ 9
426		-	~~FOR THE ATTESTING OFFICIAL OR WITNESS~~, AND ~~A PLACE FOR~~ 10
427		-	~~RECORDING THE DATE THE ENVELOPE WAS SEALED~~ AND ~~WITNESSED]~~. 11
428		-	~~The envelope with the voter's certificate must include~~ a ~~notice that false statements~~ 12
429		-	~~made by~~ the ~~voter [OR~~ ~~BY THE ATTESTING OFFICIAL OR WITNESS]~~ ~~on the~~ 13
430		-	~~certificate are punishable by law~~. 14
431		-	* Sec. 23. AS 15.20.~~072~~ is amended ~~by adding a new subsection~~ to read: 15
432		-	~~(h) If~~ a ~~voter satisfies the requirements of (d) of this section, the division may~~ 16
433		-	~~not reject~~ a ~~voter's special needs ballot based on an error by an~~ election ~~official or~~ 17
434		-	~~representative on~~ the ~~register under (c) or an error~~ by a ~~representative under (d) of this~~ 18
435		-	~~section.~~ 19
436		-	* Sec. ~~24. AS 15.20.081(d) is amended to read:~~ 20
437		-	~~(d) Upon receipt of an absentee ballot by mail,~~ the ~~voter [,~~ IN THE 21
438		-	~~PRESENCE OF A NOTARY PUBLIC,~~ ~~COMMISSIONED OFFICER OF~~ THE 22
439		-	~~ARMED FORCES INCLUDING THE NATIONAL GUARD~~, ~~DISTRICT JUDGE~~ 23
440		-	OR ~~MAGISTRATE~~, ~~UNITED STATES POSTAL OFFICIAL, REGISTRATION~~ 24
441		-	~~OFFICIAL~~, OR ~~OTHER PERSON QUALIFIED TO ADMINISTER OATHS,] may~~ 25
442		-	~~proceed to mark the~~ ballot ~~in secret, to place the ballot in the secrecy sleeve, to place~~ 26
443		-	~~the secrecy sleeve in the envelope provided~~, ~~and to sign the voter's certificate on the~~ 27
444		-	~~envelope.~~ The [IN THE ~~PRESENCE OF AN OFFICIAL LISTED IN THIS~~ 28
445		-	~~SUBSECTION WHO SHALL SIGN~~ AS ~~ATTESTING OFFICIAL AND SHALL~~ 29
446		-	~~DATE~~ THE ~~SIGNATURE. IF NONE OF THE OFFICIALS LISTED IN THIS~~ 30
447		-	~~SUBSECTION IS REASONABLY ACCESSIBLE~~, ~~AN ABSENTEE VOTER~~ 31 33-LS0783\U
448		-	CSSB 138(~~FIN~~) -14- ~~SB0138C~~
	416	+	packages, in addition to an address on the outside, shall clearly indicate the precinct 1
	417	+	from which they come. Each board shall, immediately upon completion of the 2
	418	+	certification and as soon thereafter as the local mail service permits, send the duplicate 3
	419	+	certificate to the respective election supervisor. The director may authorize election 4
	420	+	boards in precincts in those areas of the state where distance and weather make mail 5
	421	+	communication unreliable to forward their election results by telephone or radio. The 6
	422	+	director may authorize the unofficial totaling of votes on a regional basis by election 7
	423	+	supervisors, tallying the votes as indicated on duplicate certificates. To ensure 8
	424	+	adequate protection, the director shall prescribe the manner in which the ballots, 9
	425	+	registers, and all other election records and materials are thereafter preserved, 10
	426	+	transferred, and destroyed. 11
	427	+	* Sec. 24. AS 15.15.370 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 12
	428	+	(b) Each day the director releases unofficial totals of election results for a 13
	429	+	general election, the director shall also release an updated ranked-choice tabulation. 14
	430	+	* Sec. 25. AS 15.15.410 is amended to read: 15
	431	+	Sec. 15.15.410. Voting multiple ballots [PLURAL VOTING]. Upon a 16
	432	+	determination that a person has voted more than once in the same election, the director 17
	433	+	shall notify the attorney general. The division may not count a ballot voted by a 18
	434	+	person if the division determines, based on evidence, that the person voted more 19
	435	+	than one ballot with the intent that the division count multiple ballots voted by 20
	436	+	the person. If the division determines that the person did not intend for the 21
	437	+	division to count multiple ballots voted by the person and the person voted 22
	438	+	(1) an absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot and also voted a 23
	439	+	ballot that is not an absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot, the division 24
	440	+	shall count the ballot that is not an absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot; 25
	441	+	(2) more than one absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot and 26
	442	+	did not vote a ballot that is not an absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot, 27
	443	+	the division shall count the ballot in the first envelope the division reviews. 28
	444	+	* Sec. 26. AS 15.15 is amended by adding a new section to read: 29
	445	+	Sec. 15.15.455. Risk-limiting audits. (a) In addition to the ballot counting 30
	446	+	review conducted under AS 15.15.420 - 15.15.440, after each state election but before 31 33-LS0783\S
	447	+	CSSB 138(STA) -14- SB0138B
449	448		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
450	449
451		-	~~SHALL SIGN~~ THE ~~VOTER'S CERTIFICATE IN~~ THE ~~PRESENCE OF AN~~ 1
452		-	~~INDIVIDUAL WHO IS 18 YEARS~~ OF ~~AGE OR OLDER,~~ ~~WHO SHALL SIGN AS~~ 2
453		-	~~A WITNESS AND ATTEST~~ TO ~~THE DATE ON WHICH~~ THE ~~VOTER SIGNED~~ 3
454		-	~~THE CERTIFICATE IN~~ THE ~~INDIVIDUAL'S PRESENCE,~~ ~~AND, IN ADDITION,~~ 4
455		-	THE~~] voter~~ shall ~~certify, as prescribed in AS 09.63.020, under penalty of perjury, that~~ 5
456		-	~~the statements in~~ the ~~voter's certification are true.~~ 6
457		-	* Sec. 25. AS 15.20.081(e) is amended to ~~read:~~ 7
458		-	~~(e) An absentee ballot must be marked on or before the date~~ of the ~~election~~. 8
459		-	~~Except as provided in (h) of this section~~, ~~a voter who returns the absentee ballot by~~ 9
460		-	~~mail, whether provided to the voter by mail or by electronic transmission,~~ shall ~~use a~~ 10
461		-	~~mail service at least equal~~ to ~~first class and mail the ballot not later than the day of the~~ 11
462		-	~~election to~~ the ~~election supervisor for~~ the ~~house district in which~~ the ~~voter seeks to~~ 12
463		-	~~vote. Except as provided in AS 15.20.480,~~ the ~~ballot may not be counted unless it is~~ 13
464		-	~~received by the close of business on the 10th day after the election~~. ~~[IF THE BALLOT~~ 14
465		-	~~IS POSTMARKED~~, ~~IT MUST BE POSTMARKED ON OR BEFORE ELECTION~~ 15
466		-	~~DAY~~.~~] After~~ the ~~day of the election, ballots may not be accepted unless received by~~ 16
467		-	~~mail.~~ A ~~ballot received after~~ the ~~day of~~ the ~~election that is not postmarked or is~~ 17
468		-	~~postmarked after~~ the ~~day of the election may not be counted unless the ballot~~ 18
469		-	~~envelope is marked~~ with ~~a United States Postal Service tracking barcode~~ 19
470		-	~~sufficient to verify that~~ the ~~ballot was mailed on or before~~ the ~~day of the election~~ 20
471		-	~~or with~~ a ~~division of elections ballot tracking barcode sufficient to verify that the~~ 21
472		-	~~ballot was mailed on or before~~ the ~~day of the election.~~ 22
473		-	* Sec. ~~26. AS 15.20.081 is amended by adding new subsections to read:~~ 23
474		-	~~(m)~~ An ~~absentee ballot application must include an option for~~ a ~~qualified voter~~ 24
475		-	~~to choose to receive absentee ballots by mail for future regularly scheduled state~~ 25
476		-	~~elections.~~ The ~~division may not require a~~ voter ~~who chooses this option to reapply for~~ 26
477		-	~~an absentee ballot by mail unless~~ 27
478		-	~~(1)~~ the ~~voter has not voted an absentee ballot for a period of four years;~~ 28
479		-	or 29
480		-	~~(2)~~ the voter~~'s previous absentee ballot sent under this section was~~ 30
481		-	~~returned to the division as undeliverable~~. 31 33-LS0783\U
482		-	~~SB0138C~~ -15- CSSB 138(~~FIN~~)
	450	+	the certification of the ballot counting review under AS 15.15.450, the director shall 1
	451	+	conduct a risk-limiting audit of selected election results. The audit must be designed 2
	452	+	using statistical methods to limit the risk of certification of an election result that is 3
	453	+	inconsistent with the result that would be obtained by conducting a recount. 4
	454	+	(b) The director shall adopt regulations necessary to implement and administer 5
	455	+	(a) of this section. The regulations must include a procedure for selecting which 6
	456	+	election results to audit and for notifying a candidate in a race subject to a risk-limiting 7
	457	+	audit of the audit. In adopting regulations under this subsection, the director shall 8
	458	+	consult recognized statistical experts, equipment vendors, and municipal clerks and 9
	459	+	shall consider best practices for conducting risk-limiting audits. 10
	460	+	(c) A candidate with a direct interest in a risk-limiting audit who seeks to 11
	461	+	protect the candidate's interests during the audit may provide, at the candidate's own 12
	462	+	expense, one or more observers to witness the audit. 13
	463	+	* Sec. 27. AS 15.20.030 is amended to read: 14
	464	+	Sec. 15.20.030. Preparation of ballots, envelopes, and other material. The 15
	465	+	director shall provide ballots for use as absentee ballots in all districts. The director 16
	466	+	shall provide a secrecy sleeve in which the voter shall initially place the marked ballot, 17
	467	+	and shall provide a postage-paid return [AN] envelope with the prescribed voter's 18
	468	+	certificate on it, in which the secrecy sleeve with ballot enclosed shall be placed. The 19
	469	+	director shall prescribe the form of and prepare the voter's certificate, envelopes, and 20
	470	+	other material used in absentee voting. The voter's certificate shall include a 21
	471	+	declaration, for use when required, that the voter is a qualified voter in all respects, a 22
	472	+	blank for the voter's signature, and a space for recording the date that the voter 23
	473	+	executed the certificate. An envelope may not identify a voter's party affiliation [, 24
	474	+	A CERTIFICATION THAT THE AFFIANT PROPERLY EXECUTED THE 25
	475	+	MARKING OF THE BALLOT AND GAVE THE VOTER'S IDENTITY, BLANKS 26
	476	+	FOR THE ATTESTING OFFICIAL OR WITNESS, AND A PLACE FOR 27
	477	+	RECORDING THE DATE THE ENVELOPE WAS SEALED AND WITNESSED]. 28
	478	+	The envelope with the voter's certificate must include a notice that false statements 29
	479	+	made by the voter [OR BY THE ATTESTING OFFICIAL OR WITNESS] on the 30
	480	+	certificate are punishable by law. 31 33-LS0783\S
	481	+	SB0138B -15- CSSB 138(STA)
483	482		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
484	483
485		-	~~(n) If a voter requests under~~ AS 15.07.~~060(g) or,~~ ~~at least 45 days before an~~ 1
486		-	~~election, requests in writing or by other means designated in regulations adopted by~~ 2
487		-	~~the director to receive a ballot in a language other than English in which~~ the division is 3
488		-	~~required to print~~ election ~~materials~~ under ~~52 U.S.C. 10503,~~ ~~as amended,~~ ~~the director~~ 4
489		-	~~shall provide the voter with a ballot and election materials~~ under this section ~~in the~~ 5
490		-	~~language requested~~. 6
491		-	* Sec. 27. AS 15.20.201(b) ~~is amended to read:~~ 7
492		-	~~(b) Counting~~ of ~~absentee ballots that have been reviewed shall begin not~~ 8
493		-	~~fewer than seven days preceding [AT 8:00 P.M., LOCAL TIME, ON]~~ the ~~day of the~~ 9
494		-	~~election at places designated by each election supervisor and shall continue until all~~ 10
495		-	~~absentee ballots reviewed and eligible for counting have been counted. The counting~~ 11
496		-	~~teams shall report~~ the ~~first count of absentee ballots~~ to the ~~district absentee~~ ballot 12
497		-	~~counting board not later than [.~~ ~~AN ELECTION SUPERVISOR OR AN ELECTION~~ 13
498		-	OFFICIAL ~~MAY NOT COUNT ABSENTEE BALLOTS BEFORE] 8:00 p.m., loca l~~ 14
499		-	~~time, on the day of the election. Counting of the absentee ballots~~ shall ~~continue at~~ 15
500		-	~~times designated by~~ the ~~election supervisor until all absentee ballots are counted~~. 16
501		-	* Sec. 28. AS 15.20.203(b) is ~~amended to read:~~ 17
502		-	~~(b)~~ An ~~absentee ballot must be rejected [MAY NOT BE COUNTED] if~~ 18
503		-	~~(1) the voter has failed to properly execute the certificate;~~ 19
504		-	~~(2) [AN~~ ~~OFFICIAL OR~~ THE ~~WITNESSES AUTHORIZED BY LAW~~ 20
505		-	~~TO ATTEST~~ THE ~~VOTER~~'S ~~CERTIFICATE FAIL TO EXECUTE THE~~ 21
506		-	~~CERTIFICATE~~, ~~EXCEPT~~ THAT ~~AN ABSENTEE BALLOT CAST IN PERSON~~ 22
507		-	~~AND ACCEPTED BY AN ABSENTEE VOTING OFFICIAL OR ELECTION~~ 23
508		-	~~SUPERVISOR MAY BE COUNTED DESPITE FAILURE OF THE ABSENTEE~~ 24
509		-	~~VOTING OFFICIAL~~ OR ELECTION ~~SUPERVISOR TO PROPERLY SIGN AND~~ 25
510		-	~~DATE~~ THE ~~VOTER'S CERTIFICATE AS ATTESTING OFFICIAL AS REQUIRED~~ 26
511		-	~~UNDER AS 15.20.061(c);~~ 27
512		-	~~(3)~~ THE BALLOT IS NOT ~~ATTESTED ON OR BEFORE~~ THE 28
513		-	~~DATE OF~~ THE ELECTION; 29
514		-	~~(4)]~~ the ballot ~~envelope and certificate,~~ ~~if delivered by mail after the~~ 30
515		-	day of the election [~~POSTMARKED],~~ 31 33-LS0783\U
516		-	CSSB 138(~~FIN~~) -16- ~~SB0138C~~
	484	+	* Sec. 28. AS 15.20.072 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 1
	485	+	(h) If a voter and the voter's representative satisfy the requirements of (d) of 2
	486	+	this section, the division may not reject a voter's special needs ballot based on an error 3
	487	+	by an election official or representative on the register under (c) or an error by a 4
	488	+	representative under (d) of this section. 5
	489	+	* Sec. 29. AS 15.20.081(d) is amended to read: 6
	490	+	(d) Upon receipt of an absentee ballot by mail, the voter [, IN THE 7
	491	+	PRESENCE OF A NOTARY PUBLIC, COMMISSIONED OFFICER OF THE 8
	492	+	ARMED FORCES INCLUDING THE NATIONAL GUARD, DISTRICT JUDGE 9
	493	+	OR MAGISTRATE, UNITED STATES POSTAL OFFICIAL, REGISTRATION 10
	494	+	OFFICIAL, OR OTHER PERSON QUALIFIED TO ADMINISTER OATHS,] may 11
	495	+	proceed to mark the ballot in secret, to place the ballot in the secrecy sleeve, to place 12
	496	+	the secrecy sleeve in the envelope provided, and to sign the voter's certificate on the 13
	497	+	envelope. The [IN THE PRESENCE OF AN OFFICIAL LISTED IN THIS 14
	498	+	SUBSECTION WHO SHALL SIGN AS ATTESTING OFFICIAL AND SHALL 15
	499	+	DATE THE SIGNATURE. IF NONE OF THE OFFICIALS LISTED IN THIS 16
	500	+	SUBSECTION IS REASONABLY ACCESSIBLE, AN ABSENTEE VOTER 17
	501	+	SHALL SIGN THE VOTER'S CERTIFICATE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN 18
	502	+	INDIVIDUAL WHO IS 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, WHO SHALL SIGN AS 19
	503	+	A WITNESS AND ATTEST TO THE DATE ON WHICH THE VOTER SIGNED 20
	504	+	THE CERTIFICATE IN THE INDIVIDUAL'S PRESENCE, AND, IN ADDITION, 21
	505	+	THE] voter shall certify, as prescribed in AS 09.63.020, under penalty of perjury, that 22
	506	+	the statements in the voter's certification are true. 23
	507	+	* Sec. 30. AS 15.20.081(e) is amended to read: 24
	508	+	(e) An absentee ballot must be marked on or before the date of the election. 25
	509	+	Except as provided in (h) of this section, a voter who returns the absentee ballot by 26
	510	+	mail, whether provided to the voter by mail or by electronic transmission, shall use a 27
	511	+	mail service at least equal to first class and mail the ballot not later than the day of the 28
	512	+	election to the election supervisor for the house district in which the voter seeks to 29
	513	+	vote. Except as provided in AS 15.20.480, the ballot may not be counted unless it is 30
	514	+	received by the close of business on the 10th day after the election. [IF THE BALLOT 31 33-LS0783\S
	515	+	CSSB 138(STA) -16- SB0138B
517	516		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
518	517
519		-	~~(A)~~ is ~~not~~ postmarked ~~or is postmarked after [~~ON OR 1
520		-	~~BEFORE~~] the ~~date~~ of the election ~~and is~~ not ~~marked with a United States~~ 2
521		-	~~Postal Service tracking barcode sufficient to verify~~ that ~~the ballot was~~ 3
522		-	~~mailed on or before~~ the day of the election ~~or with a division of elections~~ 4
523		-	~~ballot~~ tracking barcode ~~sufficient to verify that the ballot was mailed on or~~ 5
524		-	~~before~~ the ~~day of the election;~~ 6
525		-	~~(B) has a United States Postal Service tracking barcode~~ 7
526		-	~~verifying that the ballot was mailed after the date of the election or a~~ 8
527		-	~~division of elections~~ ballot ~~tracking barcode verifying that the ballot was~~ 9
528		-	~~mailed after the date of the election;~~ or 10
529		-	~~(C) is executed after~~ the ~~date of the election;~~ 11
530		-	~~(3) [(5)] after the day of election, the~~ ballot ~~was delivered~~ by ~~a means~~ 12
531		-	~~other than mail~~; 13
532		-	~~(4) [~~OR ~~(6)] the voter voted~~ 14
533		-	(A) ~~in person and is a~~ 15
534		-	~~(i) first-time~~ ~~voter who initially registered by mail or by~~ 16
535		-	~~facsimile~~ or ~~other electronic transmission approved by the director~~ 17
536		-	~~under AS 15.07.050~~, ~~has not provided the identification required~~ by 18
537		-	~~AS 15.15.225(~~a~~), was not eligible for waiver of~~ the ~~identification~~ 19
538		-	~~requirement~~ under AS ~~15.15.225(b)~~, ~~and has not provided~~ the 20
539		-	~~identifiers required~~ in ~~AS 15.07.060(a)(2) and (3) that can be verified~~ 21
540		-	~~through state agency records described in AS 15~~.~~07.055(e); or~~ 22
541		-	(ii) ~~voter other than one described in (i) of this~~ 23
542		-	~~subparagraph, did~~ not ~~provide identification described in~~ 24
543		-	~~AS 15~~.15.~~225(a)~~, ~~was not personally known by~~ the ~~election official,~~ 25
544		-	~~and has not provided the identifiers required in AS 15.07.060(a)(2)~~ and 26
545		-	~~(3); or~~ 27
546		-	~~(B) by mail or electronic transmission, is a~~ first~~-time voter who~~ 28
547		-	~~initially registered by mail~~ or ~~by facsimile or other electronic transmission~~ 29
548		-	~~approved by the director under AS 15.07.050 to vote, has~~ not ~~met the~~ 30
549		-	~~identification requirements set out in AS 15.07.060~~, ~~and does not submit with~~ 31 33-LS0783\U
550		-	~~SB0138C~~ -17- CSSB 138(~~FIN~~)
	518	+	IS POSTMARKED, IT MUST BE POSTMARKED ON OR BEFORE ELECTION 1
	519	+	DAY.] After the day of the election, ballots may not be accepted unless received by 2
	520	+	mail. A ballot received after the day of the election that is not postmarked or is 3
	521	+	postmarked after the day of the election may not be counted unless the ballot 4
	522	+	envelope is marked with a United States Postal Service tracking barcode or a 5
	523	+	division of elections ballot tracking barcode sufficient to verify that the ballot was 6
	524	+	mailed on or before the day of the election. 7
	525	+	* Sec. 31. AS 15.20.081 is amended by adding new subsections to read: 8
	526	+	(m) An absentee ballot application must include an option for a qualified voter 9
	527	+	to choose to receive absentee ballots by mail for future regularly scheduled state 10
	528	+	elections. The division may not require a voter who chooses this option to reapply for 11
	529	+	an absentee ballot by mail unless 12
	530	+	(1) the voter has not voted an absentee ballot for a period of four years; 13
	531	+	or 14
	532	+	(2) the voter's previous absentee ballot sent under this section was 15
	533	+	returned to the division as undeliverable. 16
	534	+	(n) If a voter requests under AS 15.07.060(g) or, at least 45 days before an 17
	535	+	election, requests in writing or by other means designated in regulations adopted by 18
	536	+	the director to receive a ballot in a language other than English in which the division is 19
	537	+	required to print election materials under 52 U.S.C. 10503, as amended, the director 20
	538	+	shall provide the voter with a ballot and election materials under this section in the 21
	539	+	language requested. 22
	540	+	* Sec. 32. AS 15.20.201(b) is amended to read: 23
	541	+	(b) Counting of absentee ballots that have been reviewed shall begin not 24
	542	+	fewer than seven days preceding [AT 8:00 P.M., LOCAL TIME, ON] the day of the 25
	543	+	election at places designated by each election supervisor and shall continue until all 26
	544	+	absentee ballots reviewed and eligible for counting have been counted. The counting 27
	545	+	teams shall report the first count of absentee ballots to the district absentee ballot 28
	546	+	counting board not later than [. AN ELECTION SUPERVISOR OR AN ELECTION 29
	547	+	OFFICIAL MAY NOT COUNT ABSENTEE BALLOTS BEFORE] 8:00 p.m., loca l 30
	548	+	time, on the day of the election. Counting of the absentee ballots shall continue at 31 33-LS0783\S
	549	+	SB0138B -17- CSSB 138(STA)
551	550		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
552	551
553		-	the ~~ballot a copy of a~~ 1
554		-	(i) ~~driver's license,~~ ~~state identification card, current and~~ 2
555		-	~~valid photo identification,~~ ~~birth certificate,~~ ~~passport, or hunting or~~ 3
556		-	~~fishing license~~; or 4
557		-	(ii) ~~current utility bill,~~ ~~bank statement,~~ ~~paycheck,~~ 5
558		-	~~government check,~~ ~~or other government document;~~ ~~an item described~~ 6
559		-	in ~~this sub-subparagraph must show the name and current address of~~ 7
560		-	~~the voter;~~ or 8
561		-	~~(5)~~ the ~~voter did not vote~~ absentee ~~in-person and the signature on~~ 9
562		-	~~the certificate is not consistent with the voter's signature in voter registration~~ 10
563		-	~~records.~~ 11
564		-	* Sec. 29. AS 15.20.~~203 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:~~ 12
565		-	(k) ~~Except for a voter who voted absentee in-person,~~ the ~~district absentee~~ 13
566		-	~~counting board shall determine whether a voter's signature on~~ the ~~certificate is~~ 14
567		-	~~consistent with~~ the ~~voter's signature in voter registration records using a signature~~ 15
568		-	~~verification process that includes signature comparison software~~, ~~according to a~~ 16
569		-	~~procedure provided in regulations adopted by~~ the ~~director. An election official may not~~ 17
570		-	~~determine that~~ the ~~signature on a voter's return envelope does not match the signature~~ 18
571		-	~~stored in the voter's registration record solely based on substitution of initials~~ or ~~use of~~ 19
572		-	~~a common nickname.~~ The ~~director shall provide training in signature comparison and~~ 20
573		-	the ~~use~~ of ~~signature comparison software to~~ election ~~officials who compare signatures~~ 21
574		-	~~under this section.~~ 22
575		-	* Sec. ~~30. AS 15.20 is amended~~ by ~~adding~~ a ~~new section to read:~~ 23
576		-	~~Sec. 15.20.215. Rules for challenging ballot. The director shall adopt by~~ 24
577		-	~~regulation a procedure and time frame for a person present at~~ the ~~ballot counting~~ 25
578		-	~~review to challenge the decision of whether to count an absentee, special needs, or~~ 26
579		-	~~questioned ballot.~~ ~~The procedure must provide a reasonable amount of~~ time ~~to submit~~ 27
580		-	~~a challenge.~~ 28
581		-	* Sec. 31. AS 15.20.~~220(b) is amended to read:~~ 29
582		-	(b) The ~~state review board shall review and count absentee ballots under~~ 30
583		-	~~AS 15.20.081(e) and (h), absentee ballots properly cured~~ under AS 15.20.~~222~~, and 31 33-LS0783\U
584		-	CSSB 138(~~FIN~~) -18- ~~SB0138C~~
	552	+	times designated by the election supervisor until all absentee ballots are counted. 1
	553	+	* Sec. 33. AS 15.20.203(b) is amended to read: 2
	554	+	(b) An absentee ballot must be rejected [MAY NOT BE COUNTED] if 3
	555	+	(1) the voter has failed to properly execute the certificate; 4
	556	+	(2) [AN OFFICIAL OR THE WITNESSES AUTHORIZED BY LAW 5
	557	+	TO ATTEST THE VOTER'S CERTIFICATE FAIL TO EXECUTE THE 6
	558	+	CERTIFICATE, EXCEPT THAT AN ABSENTEE BALLOT CAST IN PERSON 7
	559	+	AND ACCEPTED BY AN ABSENTEE VOTING OFFICIAL OR ELECTION 8
	560	+	SUPERVISOR MAY BE COUNTED DESPITE FAILURE OF THE ABSENTEE 9
	561	+	VOTING OFFICIAL OR ELECTION SUPERVISOR TO PROPERLY SIGN AND 10
	562	+	DATE THE VOTER'S CERTIFICATE AS ATTESTING OFFICIAL AS REQUIRED 11
	563	+	UNDER AS 15.20.061(c); 12
	564	+	(3) THE BALLOT IS NOT ATTESTED ON OR BEFORE THE 13
	565	+	DATE OF THE ELECTION; 14
	566	+	(4)] the ballot envelope and certificate, if delivered by mail after the 15
	567	+	day of the election [POSTMARKED], 16
	568	+	(A) is [NOT] postmarked after [ON OR BEFORE] the date of 17
	569	+	the election; 18
	570	+	(B) has a United States Postal Service tracking barcode or a 19
	571	+	division of elections ballot tracking barcode verifying that the ballot was 20
	572	+	mailed after the date of the election; or 21
	573	+	(C) is executed after the date of the election; 22
	574	+	(3) [(5)] after the day of election, the ballot was delivered by a means 23
	575	+	other than mail; 24
	576	+	(4) [OR (6)] the voter voted 25
	577	+	(A) in person and is a 26
	578	+	(i) first-time voter who initially registered by mail or by 27
	579	+	facsimile or other electronic transmission approved by the director 28
	580	+	under AS 15.07.050, has not provided the identification required by 29
	581	+	AS 15.15.225(a), was not eligible for waiver of the identification 30
	582	+	requirement under AS 15.15.225(b), and has not provided the 31 33-LS0783\S
	583	+	CSSB 138(STA) -18- SB0138B
585	584		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
586	585
587		-	~~questioned ballots~~ that ~~have been forwarded to the director and that have not been~~ 1
588		-	~~reviewed~~ or ~~counted by a district counting board.~~ 2
589		-	* Sec. ~~32. AS 15.20 is amended by adding new sections to read:~~ 3
590		-	~~Sec. 15.20.221. Ballot-tracking~~ ~~system. (a) The director shall establish an~~ 4
591		-	~~online ballot-tracking~~ ~~system.~~ The ~~director may procure the system from a third party.~~ 5
592		-	~~The system must be designed to allow a voter to easily use~~ the ~~system through~~ a 6
593		-	~~mobile electronic device. The system must allow a voter to~~ 7
594		-	(1) ~~confirm that the~~ voter~~'s ballot has been sent by the division;~~ 8
595		-	~~(2) track the date of the ballot's delivery to the voter;~~ 9
596		-	~~(3) confirm~~ the ~~division's receipt of~~ the ~~voter's ballot;~~ 10
597		-	~~(4) determine whether the voter's certificate has been reviewed;~~ 11
598		-	~~(5) determine whether~~ the ~~voter's~~ ballot ~~has been counted;~~ ~~and~~ 12
599		-	(6) ~~provide the information necessary to cure a rejected ballot.~~ 13
600		-	~~(b) The online ballot-tracking~~ ~~system must~~ 14
601		-	~~(1) verify a voter's identity~~; ~~and~~ 15
602		-	(2) ~~indicate to a voter~~ 16
603		-	~~(A) the process by which the voter may cure the lack of~~ 17
604		-	~~signature or verify~~ the ~~voter's identity,~~ ~~if the signature on the voter's ballot was~~ 18
605		-	~~missing~~; ~~and~~ 19
606		-	(B) the ~~reason~~ the ~~voter's ballot was not counted, if the ballot~~ 20
607		-	~~was~~ not ~~counted.~~ 21
608		-	~~(c) The division may not charge a voter a fee to use the online ballot-tracking~~ 22
609		-	~~system~~. 23
610		-	~~Sec. 15.20.222. Procedure~~ for ~~curing uncounted ballot. (a) If~~ a voter ~~returns~~ 24
611		-	a ~~ballot that~~ is ~~rejected because the voter does not have a signature stored in voter~~ 25
612		-	registration records~~, the certificate is missing~~ a signature~~, the signature on the~~ 26
613		-	~~certificate is determined under AS 15.20.203~~ to ~~not match the signature in voter~~ 27
614		-	~~registration records, or the voter~~ provided ~~insufficient voter identification,~~ the director 28
615		-	~~shall immediately make~~ a ~~reasonable effort to contact~~ the ~~voter, explain the ballot~~ 29
616		-	~~deficiency, explain how the deficiency may be cured, and inform~~ the voter of ~~the~~ 30
617		-	~~deadline to cure the ballot~~. The director shall~~, within 24 hours,~~ ~~send a notice of~~ 31 33-LS0783\U
618		-	~~SB0138C~~ -19- CSSB 138(~~FIN~~)
	586	+	identifiers required in AS 15.07.060(a)(2) and (3) that can be verified 1
	587	+	through state agency records described in AS 15.07.055(e); or 2
	588	+	(ii) voter other than one described in (i) of this 3
	589	+	subparagraph, did not provide identification described in 4
	590	+	AS 15.15.225(a), was not personally known by the election official, 5
	591	+	and has not provided the identifiers required in AS 15.07.060(a)(2) and 6
	592	+	(3); or 7
	593	+	(B) by mail or electronic transmission, is a first-time voter who 8
	594	+	initially registered by mail or by facsimile or other electronic transmission 9
	595	+	approved by the director under AS 15.07.050 to vote, has not met the 10
	596	+	identification requirements set out in AS 15.07.060, and does not submit with 11
	597	+	the ballot a copy of a 12
	598	+	(i) driver's license, state identification card, current and 13
	599	+	valid photo identification, birth certificate, passport, or hunting or 14
	600	+	fishing license; or 15
	601	+	(ii) current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, 16
	602	+	government check, or other government document; an item described 17
	603	+	in this sub-subparagraph must show the name and current address of 18
	604	+	the voter; or 19
	605	+	(5) the voter did not vote absentee in-person and the signature on 20
	606	+	the certificate is not consistent with the voter's signature in voter registration 21
	607	+	records. 22
	608	+	* Sec. 34. AS 15.20.203 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 23
	609	+	(k) Except for a voter who voted absentee in-person, the district absentee 24
	610	+	counting board shall determine whether a voter's signature on the certificate is 25
	611	+	consistent with the voter's signature in voter registration records using a signature 26
	612	+	verification process that includes signature comparison software, according to a 27
	613	+	procedure provided in regulations adopted by the director. An election official may not 28
	614	+	determine that the signature on a voter's return envelope does not match the signature 29
	615	+	stored in the voter's registration record solely based on substitution of initials or use of 30
	616	+	a common nickname. The director shall provide training in signature comparison and 31 33-LS0783\S
	617	+	SB0138B -19- CSSB 138(STA)
619	618		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
620	619
621		-	deficiency by electronic mail to the voter's electronic mail address if the voter has 1
622		-	provided an electronic mail address. If the voter has provided a telephone number, the 2
623		-	director shall, within 24 hours, attempt to notify the voter of the deficiency by 3
624		-	telephone call and text message. The director shall, within 48 hours, but not later than 4
625		-	five days after election day, send a notice of deficiency by first class, nonforwardable 5
626		-	mail to the address in the voter's registration record. 6
627		-	(b) A notice of deficiency must include an explanation of the need for a 7
628		-	signature for verification purposes. The notice must include a form for the voter to 8
629		-	confirm that the voter returned a ballot to the division, provide a copy of a form of 9
630		-	identification accepted by the division under AS 15.15.225(a), and provide a signature 10
631		-	for verification. The director shall provide a printed copy of the form with the notice 11
632		-	of deficiency mailed to the voter. The director shall also make the form available in a 12
633		-	format that can be completed and returned electronically. 13
634		-	(c) The rejected ballot of a voter who received a notice of deficiency may be 14
635		-	counted only if 15
636		-	(1) the voter returns the completed form sent with the notice of 16
637		-	deficiency, the division receives the form within 14 days after election day, and the 17
638		-	form confirms that the voter returned a ballot to the division; 18
639		-	(2) the voter provides a signature and includes a copy of a form of 19
640		-	identification accepted by the division under AS 15.15.225(a); and 20
641		-	(3) the ballot is otherwise valid. 21
642		-	(d) A voter's rejected ballot may not be counted and the director shall, if 22
643		-	applicable, send copies of the signature on the voter's return envelope and the 23
644		-	signature stored in voter registration records to the attorney general for investigation if 24
645		-	the voter returns the form and the form indicates that the voter did not return a ballot 25
646		-	to the division. 26
647		-	(e) The division shall update the signature stored in voter registration records 27
648		-	if the voter, after providing a copy of a form of identification accepted by the division 28
649		-	under AS 15.15.225(a), either provides a signature for the voter's missing signature or
650		-	29
651		-	cures a nonmatching signature under this section. 30
652		-	* Sec. 33. AS 15.56.030(d) is amended to read: 31 33-LS0783\U
653		-	CSSB 138(FIN) -20- SB0138C
	620	+	the use of signature comparison software to election officials who compare signatures 1
	621	+	under this section. 2
	622	+	* Sec. 35. AS 15.20 is amended by adding a new section to read: 3
	623	+	Sec. 15.20.215. Rules for challenging ballot. The director shall adopt by 4
	624	+	regulation a procedure and time frame for a person present at the ballot counting 5
	625	+	review to challenge the decision of whether to count an absentee, special needs, or 6
	626	+	questioned ballot. The procedure must provide a reasonable amount of time to submit 7
	627	+	a challenge. 8
	628	+	* Sec. 36. AS 15.20.220(b) is amended to read: 9
	629	+	(b) The state review board shall review and count absentee ballots under 10
	630	+	AS 15.20.081(e) and (h), absentee ballots properly cured under AS 15.20.222, and 11
	631	+	questioned ballots that have been forwarded to the director and that have not been 12
	632	+	reviewed or counted by a district counting board. 13
	633	+	* Sec. 37. AS 15.20 is amended by adding new sections to read: 14
	634	+	Sec. 15.20.221. Ballot-tracking system. (a) The director shall establish an 15
	635	+	online ballot-tracking system. The director may procure the system from a third party. 16
	636	+	The system must be designed to allow a voter to easily use the system through a 17
	637	+	mobile electronic device. The system must allow a voter to 18
	638	+	(1) confirm that the voter's ballot has been sent by the division; 19
	639	+	(2) track the date of the ballot's delivery to the voter; 20
	640	+	(3) confirm the division's receipt of the voter's ballot; 21
	641	+	(4) determine whether the voter's certificate has been reviewed; 22
	642	+	(5) determine whether the voter's ballot has been counted; and 23
	643	+	(6) provide the information necessary to cure a rejected ballot. 24
	644	+	(b) The online ballot-tracking system must 25
	645	+	(1) verify a voter's identity; and 26
	646	+	(2) indicate to a voter 27
	647	+	(A) the process by which the voter may cure the lack of 28
	648	+	signature or verify the voter's identity, if the signature on the voter's ballot was 29
	649	+	missing; and 30
	650	+	(B) the reason the voter's ballot was not counted, if the ballot 31 33-LS0783\S
	651	+	CSSB 138(STA) -20- SB0138B
654	652		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
655	653
656		-	(d) For purposes of (a)(2) and (3) of this section, "other valuable thing" 1
657		-	(1) includes 2
658		-	(A) an entry in a game of chance in which a prize of money or 3
659		-	other present or future pecuniary gain or advantage may be awarded to a 4
660		-	participant wherein the total of the prizes offered is greater than $2 per 5
661		-	participant with a maximum of $100; and 6
662		-	(B) government employment or benefits; 7
663		-	(2) does not include 8
664		-	(A) materials having a nominal value bearing the name, 9
665		-	likeness, or other identification of a candidate, political party, political group, 10
666		-	party district committee, or organization, or stating a position on a ballot 11
667		-	proposition or question; 12
668		-	(B) food and refreshments provided incidental to an activity 13
669		-	that is nonpartisan in nature and directed at encouraging persons to vote, or 14
670		-	incidental to a gathering in support of or in opposition to a candidate, political 15
671		-	party, political group, party district committee, organization, or ballot question 16
672		-	or proposition; 17
673		-	(C) care of the voter's dependents provided in connection with 18
674		-	the absence of a voter from home for the purpose of voting; 19
675		-	(D) services provided by a person acting as a representative 20
676		-	under AS 15.20.072; 21
677		-	(E) services provided by an election official as defined in 22
678		-	AS 15.80.010; [AND] 23
679		-	(F) transportation of a voter to or from the polls without 24
680		-	charge; and 25
681		-	(G) postage-paid return envelopes required in 26
682		-	AS 15.20.030. 27
683		-	* Sec. 34. AS 15.80 is amended by adding a new section to read: 28
684		-	Sec. 15.80.006. Cybersecurity. The director shall, by regulation, develop a 29
685		-	cybersecurity program to defend the voter registration records kept by the division 30
686		-	against cyber attacks and data breaches and enable the division to detect and recover 31 33-LS0783\U
687		-	SB0138C -21- CSSB 138(FIN)
	654	+	was not counted. 1
	655	+	(c) The division may not charge a voter a fee to use the online ballot-tracking 2
	656	+	system. 3
	657	+	Sec. 15.20.222. Procedure for curing uncounted ballot. (a) If a voter returns 4
	658	+	a ballot that is rejected because the voter does not have a signature stored in voter 5
	659	+	registration records, the certificate is missing a signature, the signature on the 6
	660	+	certificate is determined under AS 15.20.203 to not match the signature in voter 7
	661	+	registration records, or the voter provided insufficient voter identification, the director 8
	662	+	shall immediately make a reasonable effort to contact the voter, explain the ballot 9
	663	+	deficiency, explain how the deficiency may be cured, and inform the voter of the 10
	664	+	deadline to cure the ballot. The director shall, within 24 hours, attempt to begin 11
	665	+	sending notices of deficiency by electronic mail to the voter's electronic mail address 12
	666	+	if the voter has provided an electronic mail address. If the voter has provided a 13
	667	+	telephone number, the director shall, within 24 hours, attempt to notify the voter of the 14
	668	+	deficiency by telephone call and text message. The director shall, within 48 hours, but 15
	669	+	not later than five days after election day, send a notice of deficiency by first class, 16
	670	+	nonforwardable mail to the address in the voter's registration record. 17
	671	+	(b) A notice of deficiency must include an explanation of the need for a 18
	672	+	signature for verification purposes. The notice must include a form for the voter to 19
	673	+	confirm that the voter returned a ballot to the division, provide a copy of a form of 20
	674	+	identification accepted by the division under AS 15.15.225(a), and provide a signature 21
	675	+	for verification. The director shall provide a printed copy of the form with the notice 22
	676	+	of deficiency mailed to the voter. The director shall also make the form available in a 23
	677	+	format that can be completed and returned electronically. 24
	678	+	(c) The rejected ballot of a voter who received a notice of deficiency may be 25
	679	+	counted only if 26
	680	+	(1) the voter returns the form sent with the notice of deficiency, the 27
	681	+	division receives the form within 14 days after election day, and the form confirms 28
	682	+	that the voter returned a ballot to the division; 29
	683	+	(2) the voter provides a signature and includes a copy of a form of
	684	+	30
	685	+	identification accepted by the division under AS 15.15.225(a); and 31 33-LS0783\S
	686	+	SB0138B -21- CSSB 138(STA)
688	687		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
689	688
690		-	from cyber attacks. The program must include cybersecurity training for election 1
691		-	officials. 2
692		-	* Sec. 35. AS 19.25.105(a) is amended to read: 3
693		-	(a) Outdoor advertising may not be erected or maintained within 660 feet of 4
694		-	the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main-traveled way of the 5
695		-	interstate, primary, or secondary highways in this state except the following: 6
696		-	(1) directional and other official signs and notices that [WHICH] 7
697		-	include [, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO,] signs and notices pertaining to natural 8
698		-	wonders, scenic and historic attractions, which are required or authorized by law, and 9
699		-	which shall conform to federal standards for interstate and primary systems; 10
700		-	(2) signs, displays, and devices advertising the sale or lease of property 11
701		-	upon which they are located or advertising activities conducted on the property; 12
702		-	(3) signs determined by the state, subject to concurrence of the United 13
703		-	States Department of Transportation, to be landmark signs, including signs on farm 14
704		-	structures or natural surfaces of historic or artistic significance, the preservation of 15
705		-	which would be consistent with the provisions of this chapter; 16
706		-	(4) directional signs and notices pertaining to schools; 17
707		-	(5) advertising on bus benches or bus shelters, and adjacent trash 18
708		-	receptacles, if the state determines that the advertising conforms to local, state, and 19
709		-	federal standards for interstate and primary highways; 20
710		-	(6) temporary political campaign signs not larger than 32 square 21
711		-	feet in size displayed on private property if the sign does not pose a risk to the 22
712		-	public and is outside of an interstate, primary, or secondary highway right-of-23
713		-	way. 24
714		-	* Sec. 36. AS 24.45.091 is amended to read: 25
715		-	Sec. 24.45.091. Publication of reports. Copies of the statements and reports 26
716		-	filed under this chapter shall be made available to the public at the commission's 27
717		-	offices and on the commission's Internet website [CENTRAL OFFICE, THE 28
718		-	OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE 29
719		-	LIBRARY OF THE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AGENCY, AND AT THE 30
720		-	COMMISSION'S DISTRICT OFFICES PRESCRIBED IN AS 15.13.020(j)] as soon 31 33-LS0783\U
721		-	CSSB 138(FIN) -22- SB0138C
	689	+	(3) the ballot is otherwise valid. 1
	690	+	(d) A voter's rejected ballot may not be counted and the director shall, if 2
	691	+	applicable, send copies of the signature on the voter's return envelope and the 3
	692	+	signature stored in voter registration records to the attorney general for investigation if 4
	693	+	the voter returns the form and the form indicates that the voter did not return a ballot 5
	694	+	to the division. 6
	695	+	(e) The division shall update the signature stored in voter registration records 7
	696	+	if the voter, after providing a copy of a form of identification accepted by the division 8
	697	+	under AS 15.15.225(a), either provides a signature for the voter's missing signature or 9
	698	+	cures a nonmatching signature under this section. 10
	699	+	* Sec. 38. AS 15.20 is amended by adding a new section to article 4 to read: 11
	700	+	Sec. 15.20.810. Drop boxes for elections conducted by mail. The director 12
	701	+	shall provide secure ballot drop boxes. The director shall adopt regulations governing 13
	702	+	the use and location of ballot drop boxes. If practicable, the director shall provide a 14
	703	+	drop box at each division regional office. The director shall, for a municipality with 15
	704	+	over 20,000 residents, provide one drop box for each 20,000 residents in locations 16
	705	+	chosen to ensure that drop boxes are accessible to the most possible voters. When 17
	706	+	selecting drop box locations, the director may consult with municipalities, school 18
	707	+	districts, tribal organizations, and nonpartisan civic organizations. The director may 19
	708	+	provide a drop box in a municipality with fewer than 20,000 residents. The director 20
	709	+	shall include in the regulations the criteria for selecting the locations of drop boxes, 21
	710	+	the security requirements for the drop boxes, and a requirement that drop boxes be 22
	711	+	open 24 hours a day in the 10 days before an election day. The regulations must 23
	712	+	require that each drop box be open on the election day until 8:00 p.m. 24
	713	+	* Sec. 39. AS 15.56.030(d) is amended to read: 25
	714	+	(d) For purposes of (a)(2) and (3) of this section, "other valuable thing" 26
	715	+	(1) includes 27
	716	+	(A) an entry in a game of chance in which a prize of money or 28
	717	+	other present or future pecuniary gain or advantage may be awarded to a 29
	718	+	participant wherein the total of the prizes offered is greater than $2 per
	719	+	30
	720	+	participant with a maximum of $100; and 31 33-LS0783\S
	721	+	CSSB 138(STA) -22- SB0138B
722	722		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
723	723
724		-	~~as practicable after each reporting period.~~ 1
725		-	* Sec. ~~37. AS 24.45.111(b) is amended to read:~~ 2
726		-	(b) The ~~commission shall preserve the statements and reports required to be~~ 3
727		-	~~filed under this chapter for~~ a ~~period of six years from the date of filing. Copies [IF~~ 4
728		-	~~THE COMMISSION'S CENTRAL OFFICE IS NOT IN THE STATE CAPITAL,~~ 5
729		-	~~COPIES] of all statements and reports filed under this chapter shall be maintained in~~ 6
730		-	~~the commission's offices~~ and ~~be made available on the commission's Internet~~ 7
731		-	~~website [AN~~ ~~OFFICE ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION~~ IN ~~THE STATE~~ 8
732		-	~~CAPITAL~~ OR IN ~~THE OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR].~~ 9
733		-	* Sec. ~~38. AS 29.26.050 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:~~ 10
734		-	~~(d) Except as a municipality may require for elections held only in specific~~ 11
735		-	~~local election districts or service areas under (b)~~ of ~~this section,~~ ~~a person who has lived~~ 12
736		-	~~within~~ the ~~municipality for at least 30 days, but who has not registered to vote in state~~ 13
737		-	~~elections at~~ a ~~residence address within the municipality at least 30 days before~~ a 14
738		-	~~municipal election,~~ ~~may vote only an absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot in~~ 15
739		-	~~that~~ election~~. The municipality may not reject the absentee, special needs, or~~ 16
740		-	~~questioned ballot of a qualified voter who registers within 30 days before or on the day~~ 17
741		-	of ~~an election on~~ the ~~grounds that the voter is not on the official registration list for the~~ 18
742		-	~~election.~~ 19
743		-	* Sec. 39. AS 39.50.020(b) ~~is amended to read:~~ 20
744		-	~~(b) A public official, [OR] former public official, or candidate for municipal~~ 21
745		-	~~office [OTHER~~ ~~THAN AN ELECTED OR APPOINTED MUNICIPAL OFFICER]~~ 22
746		-	~~shall file~~ the ~~statement with the Alaska Public Offices Commission. Candidates for the~~ 23
747		-	~~office of governor and lieutenant governor and, if~~ the ~~candidate is not subject to~~ 24
748		-	~~AS 24.60,~~ the ~~legislature shall file the statement under AS 15.25.030. The Alaska~~ 25
749		-	~~Public Offices Commission shall provide copies of~~ the ~~statements filed by~~ 26
750		-	~~municipal [MUNICIPAL] officers, former municipal officers, and candidates for~~ 27
751		-	~~elective municipal office~~ to ~~[SHALL FILE WITH] the applicable municipal clerk or~~ 28
752		-	~~other municipal official designated to receive the statements [THEIR~~ ~~FILING FOR~~ 29
753		-	~~OFFICE]. All statements required to be filed under this chapter are public records.~~ 30
754		-	* Sec. ~~40. AS 39.50.200(b) is amended by adding a new paragraph to read:~~ 31 33-LS0783\U
755		-	~~SB0138C~~ -23- CSSB 138(~~FIN~~)
	724	+	(B) government employment or benefits; 1
	725	+	(2) does not include 2
	726	+	(A) materials having a nominal value bearing the name, 3
	727	+	likeness, or other identification of a candidate, political party, political group, 4
	728	+	party district committee, or organization, or stating a position on a ballot 5
	729	+	proposition or question; 6
	730	+	(B) food and refreshments provided incidental to an activity 7
	731	+	that is nonpartisan in nature and directed at encouraging persons to vote, or 8
	732	+	incidental to a gathering in support of or in opposition to a candidate, political 9
	733	+	party, political group, party district committee, organization, or ballot question 10
	734	+	or proposition; 11
	735	+	(C) care of the voter's dependents provided in connection with 12
	736	+	the absence of a voter from home for the purpose of voting; 13
	737	+	(D) services provided by a person acting as a representative 14
	738	+	under AS 15.20.072; 15
	739	+	(E) services provided by an election official as defined in 16
	740	+	AS 15.80.010; [AND] 17
	741	+	(F) transportation of a voter to or from the polls without 18
	742	+	charge; and 19
	743	+	(G) postage-paid return envelopes required in 20
	744	+	AS 15.20.030. 21
	745	+	* Sec. 40. AS 15.80 is amended by adding a new section to read: 22
	746	+	Sec. 15.80.006. Cybersecurity. The director shall, by regulation, develop a 23
	747	+	cybersecurity program to defend the voter registration records kept by the division 24
	748	+	against cyber attacks and data breaches and enable the division to detect and recover 25
	749	+	from cyber attacks. The program must include cybersecurity training for election 26
	750	+	officials. 27
	751	+	* Sec. 41. AS 19.25.105(a) is amended to read: 28
	752	+	(a) Outdoor advertising may not be erected or maintained within 660 feet of 29
	753	+	the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main-traveled way of the 30
	754	+	interstate, primary, or secondary highways in this state except the following: 31 33-LS0783\S
	755	+	SB0138B -23- CSSB 138(STA)
756	756		New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
757	757
758		-	(65) Redistricting Board. 1
759		-	* Sec. 41. AS 44.62.310(h)(3) is amended to read: 2
760		-	(3) "public entity" means an entity of the state or of a political 3
761		-	subdivision of the state including an agency, a board or commission, the 4
762		-	Redistricting Board, the University of Alaska, a public authority or corporation, a 5
763		-	municipality, a school district, and other governmental units of the state or a political 6
764		-	subdivision of the state; it does not include the court system or the legislative branch 7
765		-	of state government. 8
766		-	* Sec. 42. AS 15.10.170(b); AS 15.20.203(i), 15.20.203(j); and AS 29.26.050(a)(3) are 9
767		-	repealed. 10
768		-	* Sec. 43. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 11
769		-	read: 12
770		-	APPLICABILITY. AS 15.56.030(d), as amended by sec. 33 of this Act, applies to 13
771		-	offenses committed on or after the effective date of sec. 33 of this Act. 14
772		-	* Sec. 44. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 15
773		-	read: 16
774		-	TRANSITION: REGULATIONS. The Alaska Public Offices Commission and the 17
775		-	division of elections may adopt regulations necessary to implement the changes made by this 18
776		-	Act. The regulations take effect under AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act), but not 19
777		-	before the effective date of the law implemented by the regulation. 20
778		-	* Sec. 45. Section 44 of this Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c). 21
779		-	* Sec. 46. Except as provided in sec. 45 of this Act, this Act takes effect January 1, 2024. 22
	758	+	(1) directional and other official signs and notices that [WHICH] 1
	759	+	include [, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO,] signs and notices pertaining to natural 2
	760	+	wonders, scenic and historic attractions, which are required or authorized by law, and 3
	761	+	which shall conform to federal standards for interstate and primary systems; 4
	762	+	(2) signs, displays, and devices advertising the sale or lease of property 5
	763	+	upon which they are located or advertising activities conducted on the property; 6
	764	+	(3) signs determined by the state, subject to concurrence of the United 7
	765	+	States Department of Transportation, to be landmark signs, including signs on farm 8
	766	+	structures or natural surfaces of historic or artistic significance, the preservation of 9
	767	+	which would be consistent with the provisions of this chapter; 10
	768	+	(4) directional signs and notices pertaining to schools; 11
	769	+	(5) advertising on bus benches or bus shelters, and adjacent trash 12
	770	+	receptacles, if the state determines that the advertising conforms to local, state, and 13
	771	+	federal standards for interstate and primary highways; 14
	772	+	(6) temporary political campaign signs not larger than 32 square 15
	773	+	feet in size displayed on private property if the owner or resident of the property 16
	774	+	is not being compensated for the display, the sign is not a risk to the public, and 17
	775	+	the sign is outside of an interstate, primary, or secondary highway right-of-way. 18
	776	+	* Sec. 42. AS 24.45.091 is amended to read: 19
	777	+	Sec. 24.45.091. Publication of reports. Copies of the statements and reports 20
	778	+	filed under this chapter shall be made available to the public at the commission's 21
	779	+	offices and on the commission's Internet website [CENTRAL OFFICE, THE 22
	780	+	OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE 23
	781	+	LIBRARY OF THE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AGENCY, AND AT THE 24
	782	+	COMMISSION'S DISTRICT OFFICES PRESCRIBED IN AS 15.13.020(j)] as soon 25
	783	+	as practicable after each reporting period. 26
	784	+	* Sec. 43. AS 24.45.111(b) is amended to read: 27
	785	+	(b) The commission shall preserve the statements and reports required to be 28
	786	+	filed under this chapter for a period of six years from the date of filing. Copies [IF 29
	787	+	THE COMMISSION'S CENTRAL OFFICE IS NOT IN THE STATE CAPITAL, 30
	788	+	COPIES] of all statements and reports filed under this chapter shall be maintained in 31 33-LS0783\S
	789	+	CSSB 138(STA) -24- SB0138B
	790	+	New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
	791	+
	792	+	the commission's offices and be made available on the commission's Internet 1
	793	+	website [AN OFFICE ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION IN THE STATE 2
	794	+	CAPITAL OR IN THE OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR]. 3
	795	+	* Sec. 44. AS 29.26.050 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 4
	796	+	(d) Except as a municipality may require for elections held only in specific 5
	797	+	local election districts or service areas under (b) of this section, a person who has lived 6
	798	+	within the municipality for at least 30 days, but who has not registered to vote in state 7
	799	+	elections at a residence address within the municipality at least 30 days before a 8
	800	+	municipal election, may vote only an absentee, special needs, or questioned ballot in 9
	801	+	that election. The municipality may not reject the absentee, special needs, or 10
	802	+	questioned ballot of a qualified voter who registers within 30 days before or on the day 11
	803	+	of an election on the grounds that the voter is not on the official registration list for the 12
	804	+	election. 13
	805	+	* Sec. 45. AS 39.50.020(b) is amended to read: 14
	806	+	(b) A public official, [OR] former public official, or candidate for municipal 15
	807	+	office [OTHER THAN AN ELECTED OR APPOINTED MUNICIPAL OFFICER] 16
	808	+	shall file the statement with the Alaska Public Offices Commission. Candidates for the 17
	809	+	office of governor and lieutenant governor and, if the candidate is not subject to 18
	810	+	AS 24.60, the legislature shall file the statement under AS 15.25.030. The Alaska 19
	811	+	Public Offices Commission shall provide copies of the statements filed by 20
	812	+	municipal [MUNICIPAL] officers, former municipal officers, and candidates for 21
	813	+	elective municipal office to [SHALL FILE WITH] the applicable municipal clerk or 22
	814	+	other municipal official designated to receive the statements [THEIR FILING FOR 23
	815	+	OFFICE]. All statements required to be filed under this chapter are public records. 24
	816	+	* Sec. 46. AS 39.50.200(b) is amended by adding a new paragraph to read: 25
	817	+	(65) Redistricting Board. 26
	818	+	* Sec. 47. AS 44.62.310(h)(3) is amended to read: 27
	819	+	(3) "public entity" means an entity of the state or of a political 28
	820	+	subdivision of the state including an agency, a board or commission, the 29
	821	+	Redistricting Board, the University of Alaska, a public authority or corporation, a 30
	822	+	municipality, a school district, and other governmental units of the state or a political 31 33-LS0783\S
	823	+	SB0138B -25- CSSB 138(STA)
	824	+	New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
	825	+
	826	+	subdivision of the state; it does not include the court system or the legislative branch 1
	827	+	of state government. 2
	828	+	* Sec. 48. AS 15.10.170(b); AS 15.20.203(i), 15.20.203(j); and AS 29.26.050(a)(3) are 3
	829	+	repealed. 4
	830	+	* Sec. 49. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 5
	831	+	read: 6
	832	+	APPLICABILITY. AS 15.56.030(d), as amended by sec. 39 of this Act, applies to 7
	833	+	offenses committed on or after the effective date of sec. 39 of this Act. 8
	834	+	* Sec. 50. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 9
	835	+	read: 10
	836	+	TRANSITION: REGULATIONS. The Alaska Public Offices Commission and the 11
	837	+	division of elections may adopt regulations necessary to implement the changes made by this 12
	838	+	Act. The regulations take effect under AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act), but not 13
	839	+	before the effective date of the law implemented by the regulation. 14
	840	+	* Sec. 51. Section 50 of this Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c). 15
	841	+	* Sec. 52. Except as provided in sec. 51 of this Act, this Act takes effect January 1, 2024. 16