AK HB252

Peace officers and designated department employees may issue citations for violations of smoking laws or local options adopted under AS 18.35.359, with fines of $10-$50 for standard violations or $20-$300 for AS 18.35.330 violations.

Municipalities may adopt ordinances placing additional or stricter prohibitions on smoking in workplaces or public buildings beyond state requirements.

Established villages (unincorporated communities with 25+ permanent residents in unorganized boroughs) may hold local option elections to prohibit smoking in public places upon petition by 35% of registered voters.

A village's local option perimeter is defined as a five-mile radius around the village's post office or an alternative site selected by the local governing body, with provisions for handling overlapping village perimeters.

Elections to adopt or remove a local option must follow state election procedures, with removal elections prohibited within 24 months of adoption or more than once per 36-month period, effective January 1, 2019.