RE: The Senate:14 Jun 2026 08:26
Part 4:
What are the chances of the Senate passing the same bill?
The Alaska Senate has not yet voted on HB 381, but hearings are scheduled in the Senate Finance Committee this week. While the House passed the bill overwhelmingly, the Senate is expected to scrutinize it more closely, meaning passage is possible but not guaranteed.
Factors Affecting Senate Passage:
1) Governor’s Influence: Dunleavy is pushing hard for the bill, even vetoing other legislation to prioritize this pipeline tax measure. His backing increases chances of Senate approval.
2) Senate Finance Committee Role: Chair Bert Stedman has emphasized detailed hearings with input from the Department of Revenue, Natural Resources, and Law. This suggests senators want to fully vet fiscal impacts before voting.
3) Revenue Concerns: The bill reduces property tax revenue by about 85%, raising concerns among some senators about long-term fiscal stability for municipalities.
4) Political Dynamics: The House vote (34–5) shows strong bipartisan support, but the Senate historically takes a more cautious approach to large-scale fiscal changes.
Likely Scenarios
1) Pass with amendments - chances - Moderate to High - Senate may add safeguards for municipalities or adjust the volumetric tax rate.
2) Straight passage - chances - Moderate - Possible if governor’s pressure and House momentum carry over.
3) Delay or rejection - chances - Low to Moderate - Could happen if senators feel revenue risks outweigh benefits, especially for local government