HB 26 Summary

• Establishes the Council for Alaska Native Languages in the Department of Education and Early Development, renaming it from the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council.

• Transfers the council from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to the Department of Education and Early Development.

• Council shall consist of seven voting members appointed by the governor who are professional language experts representing diverse regions, plus two nonvoting legislative members; must meet at least twice yearly and submit biennial reports by January 1 of even-numbered years.

• Removes outdated language from AS 44.12.320 that stated English must be used in all government functions and actions, replacing it with a requirement that English be used only for official public documents and records.

• Adds 22 Alaska Native languages to the official languages of Alaska, including Cup'ig, Sahcheeg xut'een xneege (Middle Tanana), Benhti Kokhwt'ana Kenaga' (Lower Tanana), and Wetał (Ts'etsa'ut).