HB 254 Summary

• Establishes the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council to recommend programs supporting preservation, restoration, and revitalization of Alaska Native languages.

• Council composition includes five voting members appointed by the governor (three professional language revitalization experts and two fluent Alaska Native language speakers representing diverse regions), plus one nonvoting senator and one nonvoting representative appointed by legislative leadership.

• Council must meet at least twice annually, advise the governor and legislature on cost-effective language preservation programs, and submit biennial reports by January 1 of even-numbered years (first report due July 1, 2014).

• Governor shall complete council member appointments by December 1, 2012.

• Council members serve without compensation but receive per diem and travel expenses under existing state law.