AK HB322

Creates an independent Office of the Public Whistleblower Advocate within the Department of Law, with a governor-appointed advocate confirmed by the legislature serving a 5-year term (maximum 3 terms) at Range 26 salary

Expands the definition of prohibited "retaliatory action" against whistleblowers to include discharge, demotion, disciplining, denial of promotion, reassignment, discriminatory compensation/location changes, and creating hostile work environments

Grants the advocate authority to receive and investigate complaints, issue subpoenas, administer oaths, seek interim court relief, order reinstatement with back pay and benefits, award compensatory damages, impose civil fines up to $10,000, and require employer training

Establishes a Public Whistleblower Award Fund allowing whistleblowers whose reports result in recovered or saved public funds to receive 10-30% of the amount recovered or saved

Filing a complaint with the advocate suspends the 3-year statute of limitations for bringing civil actions, and the superior court is designated as having original jurisdiction over whistleblower causes of action