AlaskaHB 30234th Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

TRAVEL INSURANCE; UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

More unemployment help for workers’ dependents

The law raises unemployment dependent payments from $24 to $72 weekly per dependent, with a $216 weekly cap instead of $72. Payments begin the week claimed and continue during eligibility for regular, extended, or supplemental benefits within that benefit year. The department can require tax returns, birth, adoption, or custody records, a spouse’s Social Security number, or other proof. New dependents cannot be claimed after the benefit year ends or regular benefits run out. These changes require federal approval, or a finding that approval is unnecessary, by July 1, 2027. They start January 1, 2027, or the day after federal approval, whichever is later.

Higher unemployment benefits for Alaska workers

The law revises weekly unemployment payments using $250 wage bands, generally adding $2 in benefits per band. The schedule provides no benefit below $2,500 in base-period wages and reaches $470 weekly at $49,000 or more. Each January 1, the department adjusts the maximum wage amount using growth in Alaska’s unemployment contribution base. It rounds that amount to the nearest $250, cannot lower it, and adds $2 in weekly benefits per $250 increase. These changes require federal approval, or a finding that approval is unnecessary, by July 1, 2027. They start January 1, 2027, or the day after federal approval, whichever is later.

Clearer travel coverage and refund rights

Beginning January 1, 2027, one-price travel plans must identify insurance, assistance services, and cancellation-fee waivers before purchase. Buyers must have access to feature and pricing information; coverage materials must identify providers and explain terms, claims, and cancellation. Sales materials must match the policy, exclusions for preexisting conditions must be disclosed before purchase and afterward, and documents must explain whether other insurance pays first. Buyers can cancel for a full refund from purchase through at least 15 days after materials are mailed, or 10 days after in-person or electronic delivery. Materials must arrive as soon as practical, and the refund right ends once a covered trip starts or a claim is filed.

Travelers get stronger insurance sales protections

Beginning January 1, 2027, sellers cannot add travel insurance or travel protection plans by default and require buyers to remove them. Marketing blanket travel insurance as free is an unfair trade practice subject to penalties. Sellers also cannot offer Alaska residents travel policies that can never pay a claim for an insured person. Insurer and comparison websites can show short coverage summaries only when they are accurate and the full policy is accessible online.

Insurance gifts allowed with tighter limits

The law allows certain insurance-related extras and noncash gifts, but requires fair treatment, documented eligibility, customer-contact safeguards, and regulated cost limits. Individual gifts have a director-set limit per policy year; business gifts must be reasonable relative to premiums and cannot be charged to others. Gifts cannot require buying, keeping, or renewing insurance; public raffles must be free to enter, nondiscriminatory, and within director-set prize limits. Good-faith tests of new extras can last up to three years after advance notice, unless the director objects within 21 days. Sellers cannot use insurance as a bonus for another policy or advertise coverage as free or no cost. Restrictions on rebates, discounts, credits, and special favors extend to producers, with an exception for offers included in applicable state filings.

Required travel coverage preserves shopping choices

Beginning January 1, 2027, travel sellers can make a trip purchase depend on meeting the destination’s insurance requirement. They must offer a choice: buy the required coverage through the supplier or obtain compliant coverage elsewhere. Travelers choosing outside coverage must show proof before departure.

New rules for group travel coverage

Beginning January 1, 2027, travel insurance can cover individuals or eligible groups, including employers, schools, associations, unions, and travel businesses. Groups must meet shared travel-risk or common relationship requirements; qualifying trusts and additional groups need the director’s approval. Coverage is filed under Alaska’s inland marine insurance line and must meet its applicable eligibility and underwriting standards. Producers with qualifying existing licenses can sell travel insurance; property-and-casualty producers need no insurer appointment. The rules cover Alaska-resident coverage offered or sold in Alaska and policies delivered or issued for delivery there. Travel assistance and cancellation-fee waivers are not insurance and generally fall outside these rules; specific travel rules override conflicting general insurance rules.

Travel insurance sellers face licensing duties

Beginning January 1, 2027, travel insurance limited producers must maintain retailer registers, pay licensing fees, and oversee retailer compliance. They must provide approved training, designate a licensed compliance contact, meet criminal-history and fingerprinting rules, and keep records available to the director. Registered retailers can earn compensation and offer coverage under a producer’s direction, but must provide written disclosures. Unlicensed staff can give general information, but cannot interpret policies, advise about existing coverage, or claim insurance expertise. Travel administrators need a qualifying property-and-casualty producer, managing general agent, or third-party administrator license; they and their employees need no adjuster license for travel administration. Insurers are liable for their administrators’ acts and must ensure records are available for state review; limited producers are responsible for retailer acts.

Travel insurers get premium tax rules

Alaska premium tax applies to travel coverage paid for by Alaska-resident primary policyholders or certificate holders. Blanket coverage is taxable when its policyholder lives or has its main business in Alaska, or an Alaska affiliate purchased it. Allocation rules determine the share taxed by Alaska; this provision does not state a tax rate. Insurers must document residence or business location and exclude assistance services and cancellation-fee waivers from reported insurance premiums. The law also defines a premium tax credit for insurer tax offsets, without setting a credit amount.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Carolyn Hall
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Ted Eischeid
Democratic • House
Alyse Galvin
Not • House
Andy Josephson
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 62 • No: 18

Senate vote • 5/20/2026

AM NO 2 ADOPTED Y14 N6

Yes: 14 • No: 6

House vote • 5/20/2026

CONCUR AM OF (S) Y34 N6

Yes: 34 • No: 6