Prisoners Electronic Devices and ID Cards

Alaska Legislative Events

Published November 5th, 2025

Detected April 2nd, 2026

Summary

Alaska HB35 was signed into law on August 7, 2025 (Chapter 25 SLA 25) and takes effect November 5, 2025. The bill establishes new rules regarding prisoner possession and use of electronic devices and identification cards. The legislation passed the House 31-8 and received unanimous Senate approval 20-0.

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What changed

Alaska HB35 establishes statutory requirements governing the use and possession of electronic devices by prisoners, along with provisions related to identification cards. The bill cleared both chambers with strong support after progressing through multiple committee referrals including Community & Regional Affairs, Judiciary, and Rules. Several amendments were proposed during House second reading, with at least one failing on a close 11-28 vote before final passage.

Alaska correctional facilities and the Department of Corrections must prepare for implementation by the November 5, 2025 effective date. This requires reviewing and updating internal policies on prisoner electronic device possession, updating facility procedures, and ensuring staff training on the new requirements. Non-compliance may result in standard enforcement mechanisms applicable to violations of Alaska state law.

What to do next

Review and update facility policies on prisoner electronic device possession by November 2025
Brief correctional staff on new statutory requirements under HB35
Ensure compliance systems are in place for the November 5, 2025 effective date

Source document (simplified)

ChangeBridge / Alaska / HB35 Effective Date HB35 House Bill Effective Date 2025-08-19

Prisoners: Electronic Devices, Id Cards

An Act relating to the use and possession of electronic devices by prisoners; and relating to identification cards.

Bill Details

State Alaska

Session 34th Legislature

Chamber House

Official Source www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB35

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Action History

2025-08-19 H EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW 11/5/25 2025-08-19 H LAW W/O GOV SIGNATURE 8/7 CHAPTER 25 SLA 25 2025-07-30 H 9:05 A.M. 7/15/25 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR 2025-05-20 H CONCUR AM OF (S) Y28 N12 2025-05-20 H TITLE CHANGE: SCR 8 2025-05-20 H CONCUR MESSAGE RECEIVED AND TAKEN UP 2025-05-20 S VERSION: SCS CSHB 35(JUD) 2025-05-20 S TRANSMITTED TO (H) AS AMENDED 2025-05-20 S PASSED Y20 N- 2025-05-20 S READ THE THIRD TIME SCS CSHB 35(JUD) 2025-05-19 S ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/20 CAL 2025-05-19 S JUD SCS ADOPTED UC 2025-05-19 S READ THE SECOND TIME 2025-05-19 S RULES TO CALENDAR 5/19/2025 2025-05-16 S FN1: ZERO(COR) 2025-05-16 S NR: TOBIN 2025-05-16 S DP: CLAMAN, MYERS, KIEHL 2025-05-16 S TITLE CHANGE: SCR 8 2025-05-16 S JUD RPT SCS(JUD) 3DP 1NR NEW TITLE 2025-05-07 S CROSS SPONSOR(S): MYERS, KAWASAKI, GRAY-JACKSON, CLAMAN 2025-05-05 S JUD 2025-05-05 S READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 2025-05-02 H VERSION: CSHB 35(STA) 2025-05-02 H TRANSMITTED TO (S) 2025-05-02 H COSPONSOR(S): GALVIN 2025-05-02 H PASSED Y31 N8 E1 2025-05-02 H READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 35(STA) 2025-04-30 H COSPONSOR(S): JOSEPHSON 2025-04-30 H ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/2 CALENDAR 2025-04-30 H AM NO 4 FAILED Y11 N28 E1 2025-04-30 H AM NO 3 OFFERED AND WITHDRAWN 2025-04-30 H AM NO 2 FAILED Y18 N21 E1 2025-04-30 H AM NO 1 FAILED Y18 N21 E1 2025-04-30 H STA CS ADOPTED UC 2025-04-30 H READ THE SECOND TIME 2025-04-30 H RULES TO CALENDAR 4/30/2025 2025-04-09 H FN1: ZERO(COR) 2025-04-09 H NR: VANCE 2025-04-09 H DNP: MCCABE 2025-04-09 H DP: MOORE, HOLLAND, HIMSCHOOT, STORY, CARRICK 2025-04-09 H STA RPT CS(STA) 5DP 1DNP 1NR 2025-03-21 H COSPONSOR(S): STORY 2025-03-14 H FN1: ZERO(COR) 2025-03-14 H AM: HOLLAND, PRAX, RUFFRIDGE 2025-03-14 H DP: HALL, MEARS, HIMSCHOOT 2025-03-14 H CRA RPT CS(CRA) 3DP 3AM 2025-01-22 H CRA, STA 2025-01-22 H READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 2025-01-22 H PREFILE RELEASED 1/10/25

Votes

2025-04-30 House: Second Reading Amendment No. 1 Yea: 18 Nay: 21 2025-04-30 House: Second Reading Amendment No. 2 Yea: 18 Nay: 21 2025-04-30 House: Second Reading Amendment No. 4 Yea: 11 Nay: 28 2025-05-02 House: Third Reading Final Passage Yea: 31 Nay: 8 2025-05-20 Senate: Third Reading - Final Passage Yea: 20 Nay: 0 2025-05-20 House: Concur Yea: 28 Nay: 12

Committee Referrals

2025-01-22 H Community & Regional Affairs 2025-05-05 S Judiciary 2025-05-16 S Rules

Bill Text Versions

2025-01-10 Introduced 2025-03-14 Comm Sub 2025-04-09 Comm Sub 2025-05-16 Comm Sub 2025-05-20 Enrolled

Subjects

Corrections Crimes Criminal Procedure Education Employment Fees Rights Science & Technology Vocational Training Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)