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AlaskaSB 10434th Legislature - First Session (2025)SenateWALLET

VEHICLES/BOATS: TRANSFER ON DEATH TITLE

Sponsored By: Scott Kawasaki (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Creditor claims on vehicles or boats after death

A beneficiary takes the vehicle or boat subject to any liens, contracts, or creditor claims on it. If the estate cannot pay allowed claims or family allowances, the estate can collect from vehicles or boats that transferred on death. If several items transferred, the estate splits the amount owed by each item’s net value. A case to enforce these claims must start within 12 months after death, and only after the estate’s personal representative gets a written demand from a spouse, child, creditor, or their agent. The law also clarifies what counts as property that can transfer on death, including certain real property and common‑interest ownerships.

Name a beneficiary on your vehicle or boat

Beginning July 1, 2026, you can add a transfer on death beneficiary to a titled vehicle or boat. You can name one or two people, and each joint owner must sign to add, change, or remove them. The title must say “transfer on death to” or “TOD” and list the beneficiaries. The beneficiary has no rights while you are alive, and this does not affect your public assistance. You can sell or borrow against the vehicle at any time, and you can revoke or change the beneficiary by transferring title or by filing for a new title and paying the fee. The transfer on death takes effect at your death without notice to or acceptance by the beneficiary.

How beneficiaries get title after death

After the owner dies, the state issues a new title to the named beneficiary who applies, shows proof of death, and pays the title fee. The beneficiary must outlive the owner by at least 120 hours (five days). If two beneficiaries are named and both survive, they hold title as joint tenants with right of survivorship. The transfer cannot be changed by a will or other document after death. A beneficiary may refuse the transfer under the state disclaimer law. These transfers pass outside probate.

Start date and state forms and fees

Most changes take effect July 1, 2026. The Department of Administration can write rules, create forms, and set fees to run this program. The rulemaking authority takes effect immediately so the state can prepare, but rules cannot take effect before July 1, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Scott Kawasaki

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. (H) -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --

    4/28/2026House

  2. (H) TRANSPORTATION at 01:00 PM BARNES 124

    4/28/2026House

  3. (H) REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

    3/11/2026House

  4. (H) TRA, FIN

    3/11/2026House

  5. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

    3/11/2026House

  6. (S) VERSION: CSSB 104(FIN)

    3/9/2026Senate

  7. (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)

    3/9/2026Senate

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

    3/9/2026Senate

  9. (S) PASSED Y20 N-

    3/9/2026Senate

  10. (S) HELD IN THIRD READING TO 3/9 CAL

    3/5/2026Senate

  11. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME CSSB 104(FIN)

    3/5/2026Senate

  12. (S) COSPONSOR(S): WIELECHOWSKI, STEDMAN, RAUSCHER, CRONK, YUNDT, TILTON, KAUFMAN

    3/4/2026Senate

  13. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 3/5 CAL

    3/4/2026Senate

  14. (S) FIN CS ADOPTED UC

    3/4/2026Senate

  15. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME

    3/4/2026Senate

  16. (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 3/4/2026

    3/4/2026Senate

  17. (S) FN2: (ADM)

    3/4/2026Senate

  18. (S) NR: KAUFMAN, MERRICK

    3/4/2026Senate

  19. (S) DP: OLSON, STEDMAN, HOFFMAN, CRONK, KIEHL

    3/4/2026Senate

  20. (S) FIN RPT CS 5DP 2NR NEW TITLE

    3/4/2026Senate

  21. (S) Moved CSSB 104(FIN) Out of Committee

    3/3/2026Senate

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

    3/3/2026Senate

  23. Audio/Video

    3/3/2026House

  24. (S) Heard & Held

    2/17/2026Senate

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

    2/17/2026Senate

Bill Text

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