Thomas Jefferson once said, “An informed citizenry is at the heart of a dynamic democracy.” Public participation in our government process is a cornerstone of American democracy, and every resident has the right to engage with their legislator and stay informed. It is our duty as citizens to remain informed and active in governmental affairs.

The Alaska State Legislature provides resources to help residents stay involved and up to date on issues you care about. Whether you want to express your opinion on a specific piece of legislation or seek legislative assistance, my goal is to ensure you know how to reach my office, testify at committee meetings, or easily find the information you need.

The Alaska State Legislature website (akleg.gov) is a great place to begin your search for legislation, find committee schedules, or watch committee hearings. On the main akleg.gov website, you can view the daily committee schedule, read legislative documents, watch live committee hearings, and access a wide range of additional tools and resources.

Locally, there is a Legislative Information Office (LIO) in Kenai at 145 Main Street Loop, Suite 217, where you can find assistance if you would like to provide public testimony or contact legislators. The phone number for the Kenai LIO is 907-283-2030. I have an office at the Kenai LIO when we are not in Juneau for the legislative session.

For those interested in keeping close tabs on legislative bills, the Bill Tracking Management Facility (BTMF) is a valuable tool. Visit the Alaska State Legislature homepage and click on “Bills and Laws.” Under the “Tools” tab, select BTMF and create a free account to receive automatic text or email updates whenever a bill is being heard in committee or other action steps are ongoing. Another option you can take advantage of is to text a bill number (e.g., HB1) to 559-245-2529 to enroll in text alerts. Lastly, you can manually track bills under the “Bills and Laws” tab if you prefer not to receive automatic notifications.

To watch live or previously recorded committee hearings or floor sessions, KTOO Gavel to Gavel provides outstanding coverage that can be found at KTOO.org. If you have any questions about how to engage with the legislative process or any of the items mentioned above, my office is here to help you wherever we can. For guidance or assistance, email Rep.Justin.Ruffridge@akleg.gov or call the office at 907-465-2693.