VEHICLES/BOATS: TRANSFER ON DEATH TITLE
Sponsored By: Scott Kawasaki (Democratic)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Surviving spouses gain help pursuing estate claims
Beginning July 1, 2026, someone acting for a surviving spouse can make the written demand needed for estate-liability proceedings. The estate's personal representative must receive that demand before a case begins. The existing deadline remains: the case must start within 12 months after the person who transferred the property dies.
More property owners can use inheritance deeds
Beginning July 1, 2026, Alaska expands the property interests covered by its transfer-on-death deed law. Owners can use these deeds for qualifying units in common interest communities, including the unit's attached rights and obligations. Transferable leasehold interests in leasehold common interest communities also qualify. The interest must be transferable at death, and the community must be covered by Alaska's common interest ownership law.
Pass boats and vehicles outside probate
Beginning July 1, 2026, owners can name one or two beneficiaries to receive an eligible Alaska boat or vehicle outside probate. The asset must qualify for a state title. Owners apply through the Department of Administration and pay the required title fee. All joint owners must sign to add, change, or remove beneficiaries. Owners keep control during life and can sell or borrow against the asset without beneficiary consent. Beneficiaries gain no ownership rights while an owner is alive. A beneficiary must outlive the sole owner or last surviving joint owner by 120 hours, or five days. To get a new title, beneficiaries must apply, provide proof of death, and pay the required fee. Two beneficiaries who inherit hold title together, with the survivor taking ownership when the other dies. Beneficiaries can refuse their inheritance under Alaska's disclaimer law. Existing liens, contracts, and other interests remain attached to the asset. Unpaid estate claims can reach the asset when the probate estate cannot cover them. Liability across multiple transferred boats or vehicles can be divided according to their net values. The department has immediate authority to adopt rules, forms, and fees to prepare for these transfers.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Scott Kawasaki
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Mike Cronk
Republican • Senate
Ted Eischeid
Democratic • House
Andy Josephson
Democratic • House
James Kaufman
Republican • Senate
George Rauscher
Republican • Senate
Bert Stedman
Republican • Senate
Cathy Tilton
Republican • Senate
Bill Wielechowski
Democratic • Senate
Robert Yundt
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
(H) FN2: (ADM)
9/30/2026House(H) FN(S) ATTACHED TO APPROP. BILL HB 263
9/30/2026House(H) LEG FINANCE APPROPRIATION MESSAGE 9/8/26
9/30/2026House(S) LEG FINANCE APPROPRIATION MESSAGE 9/8/26
9/30/2026Senate(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW SEE CHAPTER
6/19/2026Senate(S) LAW W/O GOVERNOR SIGNATURE 6/18 CHAPTER 12 SLA 26
6/19/2026Senate(S) 10:14 A.M. 6/1/26 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR
6/4/2026Senate(S) MANIFEST ERROR(S)
6/4/2026Senate(H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): EISCHEID, JOSEPHSON
5/16/2026House(H) VERSION: CSSB 104(FIN)
5/16/2026House(H) RETURN TO (S), TRANSMIT TO GOVERNOR NEXT
5/16/2026House(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
5/16/2026House(H) PASSED Y40
5/16/2026House(H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSSB 104(FIN)
5/16/2026House(H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC
5/16/2026House(H) AM NO 2 OFFERED AND WITHDRAWN
5/16/2026House(H) AM NO 1 NOT OFFERED
5/16/2026House(H) READ THE SECOND TIME
5/16/2026House(H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/16/2026
5/16/2026House(H) FN2: (ADM)
5/16/2026House(H) DP: JIMMIE, GALVIN, HANNAN, BYNUM, SCHRAGE, JOSEPHSON, FOSTER
5/16/2026House(H) FIN RPT 7DP
5/16/2026House(H) Minutes (HFIN)
5/15/2026House(H) Moved CSSB 104(FIN) Out of Committee -- Delayed to 2:15 pm --
5/15/2026House(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
5/15/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled SB 104
5/16/2026
CSSB 104(FIN)
3/4/2026
SB 104
2/19/2025