| 31st Alaska State Legislature | |
| Term: | January 15, 2019 – January 18, 2021 |
| Chamber1 Image: | File:31st Alaska Senate.svg |
| Chamber1 Image Size: | 300px |
| Membership1: | 20 Senators |
| Chamber1 Leader1 Type: | Senate President |
| Chamber1 Leader1: | Cathy Giessel (R) |
| Chamber1 Leader2 Type: | Majority Leader |
| Chamber1 Leader2: | Peter Micciche (R) |
| Chamber1 Leader3 Type: | Minority Leader |
| Chamber1 Leader3: | Tom Begich (D) |
| Chamber2 Image: | File:31st Alaska House of Representatives.svg |
| Chamber2 Image Size: | 300px |
| Membership2: | 40 Representatives |
| Chamber2 Leader1 Type: | Speaker of the House |
| Chamber2 Leader1: | Bryce Edgmon (I) |
| Chamber2 Leader2 Type: | Majority Leader |
| Chamber2 Leader2: | Steve M. Thompson (R) |
| Chamber2 Leader3 Type: | Minority Leader |
| Chamber2 Leader3: | Lance Pruitt (R) |
The 31st Alaska State Legislature represented the legislative branch of Alaska's state government from January 15, 2019, to January 18, 2021. Its initial 60-person membership was set by the 2018 Alaska elections, though two members subsequently died in office and two resigned their seats, requiring replacements appointed by Alaska governor Mike Dunleavy.
Members of the Legislature were deeply divided by budget issues and the future of the Alaska Permanent Fund. Members of the 31st Legislature continued taking substantive action after the 2020 Alaska elections, including the authorization of a lawsuit against Dunleavy.
The 31st Legislature held two regular sessions and two special sessions:
| Session | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Regular | January 15, 2019 | May 15, 2019 | |
| 1st Special | May 16, 2019 | June 13, 2019 | |
| 2nd Special | July 8, 2019 | August 6, 2019 | |
| 2nd Regular | January 21, 2020 | May 19, 2020 |
In Alaska's 2018 general elections, Republican candidates won 23 seats in the Alaska House of Representatives. Democratic candidates won 16 seats, and an independent was elected to the district covering the Southeast Alaska town of Ketchikan.[1] Immediately after the election, 20 of the newly elected Republicans announced that with the support of a 21st Republican, Rep. David Eastman of Wasilla, they would have enough votes to form a majority caucus and take control of the House from a coalition that had been in charge during the prior Legislature.[2] This arrangement collapsed less than a month later, after Kenai Republican Rep. Gary Knopp withdrew his support, citing concerns about Eastman's reliability.[3]
With the House divided 20–20 between a Republican bloc and a coalition,[4] the House failed to choose a leader until mid-February. It remains the longest such leadership deadlock in state history and ended only when several Republicans crossed the aisle after Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon changed his political affiliation to "undeclared".[5] [6] The result was a coalition that included 8 Republicans, 2 independents and 15 Democrats.[7] The remaining 15 Republicans were in the minority caucus.
House Majority (Membership at end of session)
House Minority
Independent Republican
In the Alaska Senate, only 10 of 20 seats were part of the 2018 election. After the final results, the Senate held 13 Republicans and 7 Democrats. Because Senate President Pete Kelly lost his re-election campaign, the remaining Republicans picked Anchorage Sen. Cathy Giessel to lead the Senate.[9] After the Republicans selected Giessel, Democratic Sen. Lyman Hoffman of Bethel joined the majority, becoming the sole non-Republican member.[10]