Alaska State Senate

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Powers and legislative process
The Alaska State Senate shares the responsibility for making laws in the State of Alaska. Bills are developed by staff from bill requests and information from the bill’s sponsor. Bills undergo three or four readings during the legislative process. After the first reading, they are assigned to committee. Committees can amend measures or hold legislation and prevent it from reaching the Senate floor. Once a committee has weighed in on a piece of legislation, the bill returns to the floor for second hearing and a third hearing, which happens just before the floor vote on it.

Once passed by the Senate, a bill is sent to the Assembly for consideration. If approved, without amendment, it is sent to the Governor. If there is amendment, however, the Senate may either reconsider the bill with amendments or ask for the establishment of a conference committee to work out differences in the versions of the bill passed by each chamber. Once a piece of legislation approved by both the Senate and Assembly is forwarded to the Governor, it may either be signed or vetoed. If it is signed, it takes effect on the effective date of the legislation. If it is vetoed, lawmakers in a joint session may override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote (three-fourths majority is required if it is an appropriations bill).

The Alaska State Senate has the sole responsibility in the State’s legislative branch for confirming gubernatorial appointees to positions that require confirmation.

Committees
Current Senate committees include:


 * Education
 * Resources
 * State Affairs
 * Foreign Affairs
 * Transportation
 * Committee on Committees
 * Community & Regional Affairs
 * International Trade
 * Special Committee on In-State Energy
 * Special Committee on Taps Throughput
 * Labor & Commerce
 * Rules
 * Health & Social Services
 * Finance
 * Corrections
 * Judiciary (Court System)
 * Judiciary (Appointments)
 * Veteran, Military & Naval Affairs
 * Labor & Workforce Development
 * Governor
 * Health & Social Services
 * Environmental Conservation
 * Public Safety
 * Commerce, Community & Economic Development
 * Natural Resources
 * Administration
 * Law
 * Fish & Game
 * Education & Early Development
 * Revenue
 * Transportation & Public Facilities
 * University of Alaska
 * Legislature

Current composition
Past partisan compositions can be found on Political party strength in Alaska.