Advocacy

ACEC Alaska maintains a presence in the Alaska Legislature and with state and local agencies in order to represent business and professional interests.

Government Advocacy

Through our ongoing lobbying efforts through John Walsh, ACEC Alaska works to ensure legislative and agency leaders receive information and opinions from consulting engineers on issues affecting the consulting engineering profession and the public.

Various ACEC Alaska invite elected officials to discuss issues of interest to consulting engineers. ACEC Alaska encourages all members to join the delegation visiting Alaska congressional members in Washington, DC at the national convention each spring.

ACEC Alaska 2026 Legislative Report

April Lobbyist Update

Update: HB289 - Supplemental Appropriations bill

The final Conference Committee version of the FY2026 Supplemental Appropriations budget has been released and will now be transmitted to the Governor for review and signature.

FY2026 Supplemental Appropriations Budget (Conference Committee Version):

https://www.akleg.gov/PDF/34/Bills/HB0289G.PDF

The DOT&PF general fund appropriation to match federal highway dollars begins on page 10, line 30, and continues through the middle of page 11.

The bill does not access CBRF funds because the House was unable to secure the required three-quarters affirmative vote to draw from that account. Given the current high oil prices driven by the U.S.–Iran conflict, there is hope that sufficient funds will be available.

February Lobbyist Update

Transportation Safety & Funding Update

Following testimony before the House Transportation Committee on January 22, the Department of Transportation provided clarifications on highway safety, funding match issues, STIP priorities, and the Ingra–Gambell corridor. The Department confirmed that no Ingra–Gambell projects were canceled and that safety improvements are moving forward. Data show that both streets rank among the highest-crash-cost corridors in the state, underscoring the need for targeted improvements. The Department also addressed questions about National Highway System designation and provided information on projects delayed by match-funding constraints.

Read the Entire Letter Here

January Lobbyist Update

Advocacy Priorities

ACEC Alaska advocates for policies that support the engineering industry’s growth and sustainability, including historic infrastructure investment, quality-based selection (QBS), tax policies that encourage innovation, and streamlined procurement rules to advance engineering excellence throughout the state.

National ACEC/PAC

ACEC/PAC — the American Council of Engineering Companies Political Action Committee — is the engineering industry's preeminent political action committee. The sole purpose of the ACEC/PAC is to elect candidates to the US House of Representatives and the US Senate who support policies and legislation favorable to the engineering industry. ACEC/PAC may give up to $10,000 to a federal candidate per election cycle ($5,000 for the primary and $5,000 for the general election). ACEC/PAC supports candidates on a bipartisan basis and is overseen by a committee of PAC Champions representing the state member organizations.

Individuals working for ACEC Member Firms may give up to $5,000 per calendar year to ACEC/PAC. Only personal (partnership and sole proprietorship are also allowed) checks or credit cards can be used to donate to ACEC/PAC. Federal law prohibits corporate donations to the PAC; however, corporate contributions to ACEC can be used to underwrite PAC activities, such as specific event sponsorships and PAC auction items.

Each state member organization is assigned an annual fundraising goal by ACEC based on its membership strength. ACEC Alaska has continually reached this goal every year. Thank you to everyone who helped by contributing!

For more information about the ACEC PAC, please contact Matthew Stone, the ACEC Alaska National Director.

Give to the National PAC today!

acecalaska@acecalaska.com