On March 28 the Alaska House State Affairs Committee held introductory hearings on SB 26 and HB 229, two opposing bills to end twice-yearly clock changes: SB 26 would exempt Alaska from DST and petition USDOT to move the state to Pacific Standard Time; HB 229 would set permanent Alaska Standard Time without federal approval. Testimony split between tourism and business groups backing SB 26 and medical and public-health experts backing HB 229.

Representatives of Alaska tourism urged the Senate Finance Committee to restore or increase state tourism marketing funding, citing a multi‑billion-dollar economic impact and requests ranging from strong marketing support to a $10 million appropriation for ATIA.

A Fairbanks tourism operator and industry representative urged the committee to include $10 million for statewide tourism marketing in the upcoming budget, saying Alaska underinvests compared with competitor jurisdictions and that marketing yields outside dollars and local jobs.

Tourism representatives from Skagway and Sitka asked the Senate Finance Committee to fund statewide tourism marketing—requests ranged from $10 million to unspecified marketing inclusion in FY27—to attract independent and shoulder‑season travelers and support local year‑round economies.

Fairbanks plans survey to determine visitor decision factors and spending impacts.

Alaska Railroad Corporation can issue bonds to finance Seward passenger dock and terminal facility.

Discover how Alaska’s booming tourism supports jobs, drives sustainable travel and benefits remote communities across the Last Frontier.