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AlaskaHB 9634th Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

HOME CARE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADV BOARD

Sponsored By: Mike Prax (Republican)

Vetoed

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More home care pay to workers

Starting July 1, 2027, agencies that provide Medicaid personal care must pay at least 70% of their yearly state funding to workers. The share rises to 80% on July 1, 2030. Costs for PPE, required training, and travel do not count toward that share. The department can grant hardship exemptions for small or extraordinary cases; exempt agencies must pay at least 60% starting July 1, 2027 and reach 80% by July 1, 2036. These pay‑share rules take effect only if federal Medicaid officials approve the state plan changes or say approval is not needed by January 1, 2027. If approved, the rules start the day after that action, and the dated thresholds above apply.

New board to guide home care rates

The state creates a Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board in the Department of Health. The chair is the health commissioner; members include providers, direct care workers, enrollees, and aging and disability groups. The board meets at least three times a year and takes public comment. It studies pay, staffing, and service access and issues a report every two years; the department must consider its advice and explain major differences. Each July 1, the department posts average and median hourly wages by agency. Most rules start July 1, 2027, and the first meeting is by October 1, 2027; members get per diem and travel.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mike Prax

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Jeremy Bynum

    Republican • House

  • Matt Claman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mia Costello

    Republican • House

  • Mike Cronk

    Republican • Senate

  • Maxine Dibert

    Democratic • House

  • Forrest Dunbar

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ted Eischeid

    Democratic • House

  • Zack Fields

    Democratic • House

  • Robyn Niayuq Frier

    Democratic • House

  • Alyse Galvin

    Not • House

  • Andrew Gray

    Democratic • House

  • Carolyn Hall

    Democratic • House

  • Nellie Unangiq Jimmie

    Democratic • House

  • DeLena Johnson

    Republican • House

  • Andy Josephson

    Democratic • House

  • Scott Kawasaki

    Democratic • Senate

  • Chuck Kopp

    Republican • House

  • Genevieve Mina

    Democratic • House

  • Donny Olson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Justin Ruffridge

    Republican • House

  • Calvin Schrage

    Not • House

  • Andi Story

    Democratic • House

  • Robert Yundt

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 54 • No: 6

Senate vote • 5/19/2026

PASSED Y19 N1

Yes: 19 • No: 1

House vote • 4/27/2026

PASSED Y35 N5

Yes: 35 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. (H) VETOED BY GOVERNOR 6/24/26

    7/3/2026House

  2. (H) 1:55 P.M. 6/8/26 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR

    6/10/2026House

  3. (H) MANIFEST ERROR(S)

    6/4/2026House

  4. (S) VERSION: CSHB 96(L&C) AM

    5/19/2026Senate

  5. (S) RETURN TO (H), TRANSMIT TO GOVERNOR NEXT

    5/19/2026Senate

  6. (S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): YUNDT, CRONK, KAWASAKI, DUNBAR, OLSON, CLAMAN

    5/19/2026Senate

  7. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE

    5/19/2026Senate

  8. (S) PASSED Y19 N1

    5/19/2026Senate

  9. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 96(L&C) AM

    5/19/2026Senate

  10. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/19 CAL

    5/18/2026Senate

  11. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME

    5/18/2026Senate

  12. (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/18/2026

    5/18/2026Senate

  13. (S) FN2: (DOH)

    5/16/2026Senate

  14. (S) NR: KAUFMAN, MERRICK, KIEHL

    5/16/2026Senate

  15. (S) DP: OLSON, HOFFMAN, CRONK

    5/16/2026Senate

  16. (S) FIN RPT 3DP 3NR

    5/16/2026Senate

  17. (S) Minutes (SFIN)

    5/15/2026Senate

  18. (S) Moved CSHB 96(L&C) AM Out of Committee -- Please Note Time Change --

    5/15/2026Senate

  19. (S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532

    5/15/2026Senate

  20. Audio/Video

    5/15/2026House

  21. (S) Scheduled but Not Heard

    5/13/2026Senate

  22. (S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532

    5/13/2026Senate

  23. (S) Minutes (SFIN)

    5/12/2026Senate

  24. (S) Heard & Held

    5/12/2026Senate

  25. (S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532

    5/12/2026Senate

Bill Text

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