With the signing of House Bill 76 and then ending the disaster declaration, Gov. Dunleavy is allowing the acceptance of federal COVID-19 relief funds without the need to pay it back. The legislation also ensures the continuation of the state’s vaccine distribution and COVID-19 management programs, which includes enhanced SNAP benefits for residents who are food insecure. The piece of legislation also contains a comprehensive liability protection for Alaska businesses, and bans the use of any federal COVID-19 relief funds to be used for abortions in Alaska.
Signing House Bill 76 also follows the recommendations by Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum that concludes the public health emergency disaster declaration is no longer necessary in Alaska. In making the recommendations, Crum also signed a Public Health Order that would direct the DHSS to continually address the COVID-19 pandemic including vaccine efforts through local health officers, state
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Soon after signing House Bill 76 on Friday, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy ended the state s COVID-19 disaster declaration, saying the state is in such a good position he doesn t need emergency powers bestowed by the Legislature through the newly signed measure.
Alaska joins Michigan and Wisconsin as the only states to have ended their disaster declarations. Alaska is in the recovery phase where an emergency declaration is no longer necessary, Dunleavy said in a prepared statement. Our systems are fully functioning with vaccine distribution, adequate testing, and health care capacity. It is important our focus remains on getting Alaska s economy back on track and welcoming summer tourism throughout our great state.
Governor Dunleavy signs a proclamation ending the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration in the Alaska State Capitol on April 30, 2021. Photo via the Office of the Governor Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - After months-long debate on House Bill 76, the bill that extends the COVID-19 disaster declaration after it was left to expire earlier this year, was signed by Governor Mike Dunleavy on Friday. Shortly after, the governor issued a proclamation that officially ends the disaster declaration.
A provision in the law extended the declaration until the end of this year or at the governor s discretion.
Instead, the state is now under a public health emergency. Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) commissioner, Adam Crum, said HB 76 gives the commissioner the power to issue a public health emergency, which he did in the window of time before the disaster declaration ended.