Senate Bill 89 Has Passed and Now Awaits Transmittal and Governor's Signature to Become Law!

On February 7, 2025, Senate Bill 89 (SB89) was introduced/read on the senate floor.  The bill is sponsored by Senator Loki Tobin and co-sponsored by Senators Giessel, Hughes, and Gray-Jackson, Representatives Gray and Tomaszewski. AKAPA is honored to work with the amazing champions for improving access to care for all Alaskans!

SB 89 is the next step for modernizing PA practice in Alaska. 

Updating statues that were created in 1970s will allow PAs to practice to the full extent of their education, training, and experience.

We thank all our members for taking the time to complete our multiple polls over the last few years. AKAPA is here to represent our members and your feedback drives our efforts. 

As PAs in Alaska experience in the past with SMB proposed regulation changes, things can change quickly for our PA profession when not defined in the statutes. SB 89 protects the PA profession and Alaskan's access to high quality health care.

**May 2026**  SB89 PA Modernization Bill has passed the Senate and House floors and is awaiting transmittal to the Governor before becoming law. Once the bill has been enrolled by the Legislative Affairs Agency it will officially be at the Governor's desk. This process can be affected by many things, especially at the end of session. Once at the Governor's desk he has 15 (in session) 20 (out of session) days to either sign, veto, or do nothing with the bill.  If he signs, it becomes law.  If he does nothing after the set time, it will become law. 

Key Aspects of SB 89

• Maintains a commitment to practice medicine and collaboration with Physicians and other members of the health care team, while enabling PA's to practice to the top of their education, training, and experience.
• Provides a structure for PAs to practice in specific physician led settings without administrative burdens or under a specific collaborative agreement.  Collaboration can be addressed and maintained at the practice level. When PAs practice outside of these facilities, they must maintain a specific collaboration agreement with the state or apply for the experienced PA collaboration exemption.
• Allows PA's to provide safe, responsible, and effective quality care to patients. They are responsible for the care they provide.
• Regulates Physician Assistants (PAs) through the Alaska State Medical Board, ensuring PAs remain subject to all regulations applicable to licensed medical providers. PAs will continue to meet all required certification, credentialing, and privileging standards as determined by their practice or healthcare system.
• Prevents insurance companies from imposing practice, education, or collaborative requirements on PA's that are inconsistent with or more restrictive than imposed in statutes or regulations.

Please join us for our weekly Advocacy Update Zoom calls every Friday at 7am. Watch for social media announcements on our Facebook page. Email here for any questions or to get more involved in Advocacy for Alaskan PAs!