Rep. Louise Stutes

07/21/2026

There is still time to submit your comments to DOT on the draft winter Alaska Marine Highway schedule! Here is a letter submitted by Senator Stevens and myself in response to the proposed 5-month gap in service to Cordova. This gap would be an immense challenge to the community of Cordova and we hope that a solution can be found to deliver service to Cordova this winter.

You can submit comments by 5pm tomorrow (July 22nd) and attend a virtual meeting at 11am on Thursday (July 23rd) using this link: https://dot.alaska.gov/comm/pressbox/arch2026/PR26-0020.shtml

07/17/2026

I’d like to thank my colleagues on the Legislative Budget and Audit committee for unanimously approving my special audit request for Board of Fisheries! The Board of Fisheries is such an important institution for so many folks across the state. Whether you are a commercial, sport, subsistence, and/or personal use fisherman, Alaskans deserve a transparent public process, as well as a Board that follows its own policies, regulations, and statutes. An impartial and independent review of the Board’s regulatory process is now underway to ascertain if the Board is meeting those standards.

07/17/2026

Have your voice heard! There is about a week left to get public comments in on the proposed 2026-27 winter ferry schedule. Comments can be submitted online until 5pm on July 22nd at the link below. There will also be a virtual public hearing at 11am on Thursday, July 23rd, for DOT to hear community feedback and consider schedule adjustments for the Southwest and Southcentral routes.

Draft schedule: dot.alaska.gov/amhs/doc/winter_considerations_2026-2027.pdf

Public comments and virtual meeting information:
https://dot.alaska.gov/comm/pressbox/arch2026/PR26-0020.shtml

Looking at the large gaps in the schedule for certain communities like Cordova, there is very clearly work to be done to ensure that this essential service is fully funded and staffed. I am submitting public comments of my own, and I am also engaging with DOT to address some of the gaps in the final winter schedule.

07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July and our country's 250th anniversary! What a milestone! We are so fortunate to live here, enjoy the freedoms we do, and be part of this wonderful experiment. Stay safe out there today, everyone!

06/30/2026

This is big news! It's not a done deal just yet, but having a successful bidding process is a critical hurdle for the replacement M/V Tustumena!

(JUNEAU, Alaska) —The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has reached a major milestone in the procurement of the Tustumena Replacement Vessel (TRV), identifying Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, L.L.C. as the apparent low bidder. The Louisiana-based shipbuilder submitted...

06/12/2026

KODIAK COMMERCIAL SALMON FISHING OPPORTUNITY!

ADF&G is accepting bids for four test‑fishing lots in the Kodiak Area. Successful bidders will fish under ADF&G’s salmon permit card.
Bids must cover $25,000 per lot for the department. Max bid is $60,000, and lowest bids win. Test fishing runs July 1 through the end of the 2026 season.
Bids (verbal or written) are due by noon, Friday, June 26.
For details on how to bid, contact:

Myra Scholze
Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Kodiak
[email protected]
(907) 486‑1855

See the advisory announcement for more details:
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/applications/dcfnewsrelease/1781036439.pdf

06/11/2026

The Coast Guard announced today that they will be porting two brand new icebreakers, or "Arctic Security Cutters", in Kodiak starting in 2028, with another to be ported in Seward in the near future. This is excellent news for Arctic security and maritime safety in our state! It also presents an incredible economic opportunity for our communities. I look forward to welcoming the crews of these new ships, and their families, to District 5!

https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4514462/us-coast-guard-advances-arctic-security-with-kodiak-and-seward-homeports/

05/21/2026

I applaud the decision by the Attorney General to void the unlawful actions by the Board of Fisheries at the Area M meeting.

This is not an isolated incident, but instead, part of an escalating pattern by the Board to subvert the public process, ethics protocols and its own regulations.

The passage of our conflict of interest bill (HB 33) this session was only the first step in legislative reforms for the Board. I will be requesting an independent review of the Board of Fisheries by the Division of Legislative Audit with the intention of bringing a comprehensive Board of Fisheries reform bill before the legislature next session.

https://alaskahousemajority.com/rep_stutes/2026/05/21/rep-stutes-applauds-attorney-generals-decision-to-void-board-of-fisheries-actions-announces-legislative-audit-request/

05/05/2026

Great News!