Press Releases

Alaska's Mobile DMV Completes Deployment to Rural Southwest Alaska

November 17, 2023 (Anchorage, AK) - This week, staff from the Alaska Department of Administration Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) traveled to Southwest Alaska to offer in-person DMV services to a village of about 440 people for the first time.

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Update from the Commissioner on Personalized License Plate Review Process

February 1, 2021, Anchorage – Department of Administration (DOA) Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka has issued an update on the progress of DOA’s review of Alaska’s personalized plate program, administrated by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

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DOA DMV Personal Plates

January 25, 2021, Anchorage – Alaska Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka has released the following statement regarding Alaska’s Personalized Plates Program.

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The State of Alaska enters a Digital Alliance with Microsoft

February 10, 2020, Juneau – Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka announced today the State of Alaska has entered into a Digital Alliance with the Microsoft Corporation.

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DMV is using technology innovatively to enforce insurance laws and make Alaska's roads safer

July 24, 2019, Juneau – Alaskan drivers, their families, pedestrians, and bicyclists should soon be safer on the road due to new mandatory auto insurance enforcement capabilities at the Division of Motor Vehicles.

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Alaska Granted Extension For Real ID Act

October 18, 2017, Juneau – Alaska received good news from the federal government for Alaska Day: approval of the state’s request for a REAL ID extension. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security notified state officials today that Alaska has been granted an extension through October 10, 2018, from enforcement of the federal REAL ID Act. Military bases and other federal facilities will continue to accept Alaska’s state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards for access.

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Alaska Given Grace Period From Real ID Act

October 10, 2017 JUNEAU – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced today that Alaska has been granted a grace period from enforcement of the federal REAL ID Act until January 22, 2018. The State of Alaska filed the application for a waiver until October 2020 and that application for an extension is under final review. In the meantime, military bases and other federal facilities will continue to accept Alaska’s state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards for access.

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Governor Walker Appoints Sheldon Fisher as Revenue Commissioner

September 7, 2017 ANCHORAGE – Governor Bill Walker today announced that he has appointed Sheldon Fisher as Department of Revenue Commissioner. Mr. Fisher, who is currently Commissioner of Department of Administration, will transition immediately to Department of Revenue. Deputy Commissioner Leslie Ridle will serve as Interim Commissioner of Department of Administration until the governor names a new appointment.

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Study looks at State Health Care in Alaska

August 30, 2017, JUNEAU - The Department of Administration released the findings of a study on the feasibility of creating a Health Care Authority (HCA) in Alaska. Last session's Senate Bill 74 directed the department to procure a study to evaluate the feasibility of creating an HCA to consolidate purchasing power and coordinate plan administration for entities whose health benefits were funded directly or indirectly by the state. The department engaged several contractors to complete the study focusing on opportunities to reduce costs, improve quality, and maintain benefits and access to state sponsored health care.

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CAEPR Releases Salary and Benefits Schedule; Teacher Tenure Study

November 17, 2015, ANCHORAGE - The Alaska Department of Administration (DOA) has released the Salary and Benefits Schedule and Teacher Tenure Study conducted by the Center for Alaska Education Policy Research (CAEPR) pursuant to HB 278, mandated by the 28th Legislature. CAEPR is a non-partisan research organization within the Institute of Economic Research (ISER) at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

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Heating Oil Leak Clean-up Efforts Temporarily Close Nome State Office Building

November 16, 2015, JUNEAU - The Nome State Office Building (NSOB) has been closed after a heating oil leak was discovered by building staff. The source of the spill is not immediately known. Approximately 45 state employees working in the NSOB have been informed of the closure.

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Department of Administration Impacts From a Partial Government Shutdown

June 1, 2015, Juneau, AK - In anticipation of a partial government shutdown the Department of Administration (DOA) has worked to provide planning and communication tools to agencies and employees so that critical state services needed for life, health, and safety of Alaskans are not compromised. The department has the unique role of providing services to other state agencies and state employees as well as to the public.

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Exterior Finish Repairs and Abatement for Historic Governor's House

May 7, 2015, Juneau, AK - As part of ongoing work to preserve a historical Alaska landmark, the Governor's House, located in Juneau, Alaska, the Department of Administration is moving forward on the final phase of a painting project meant to ensure the integrity of the residence built in 1912.

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Grizzly Bear License Plates Available Thursday

Alaska DMV is excited to announce that the much anticipated grizzly bear license plates will be available in all DMV offices this Thursday, May 7, 2015, thanks to legislation sponsored by then-Representative Peggy Wilson of Wrangell, and the 28th Alaska State Legislature. The bear design consists of a standing grizzly bear in the center of the plate modeled after the 1976 bicentennial license plate beloved by Alaskans and collectors alike.

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ACOA Reaches Agreement with the State of Alaska

The Alaska Correctional Officers Association (ACOA) has reached an agreement with the State of Alaska for the 2015-2018 collective bargaining agreement.  “Alaska’s correctional officers deserve to be appropriately compensated for their work,” said Alaska Department of Administration Commissioner Curtis Thayer.  “This agreement allows our Corrections Officers to focus on the daily challenges that come with working in a prison.”

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State of Alaska Signs LOA with MMP to Continue Negotiations

August 27, 2014, Juneau, AK – The state and Masters, Mates and Pilots (MMP) have entered into a Letter of Agreement (LOA) that extends the expired contract as well as cares for negotiations on a new three-year contract covering July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017.

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IBU Ratifies Three-Year Agreement with State of Alaska

August 26, 2014, Juneau, AK - The Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific (IBU) members have voted to ratified a three-year contract with the State of Alaska covering the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017. The provisions of the new contract that were ratified by members are retroactive to July 1, 2014. IBU has around 650 members and constitutes nearly 76% of all ferry workers statewide.

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State Reaches Tentative Agreement with MEBA

July 1, 2014, Juneau, AK - The State of Alaska's Department of Administration has reached a tentative agreement with the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) union today on a three-year contract covering the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017. Monetary terms for the agreement must be approved by the Alaska State Legislature and the contract must be ratified by the MEBA union numbering around 110 members statewide.

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State Reaches Tentative Agreement with MMP

June 30, 2014, Juneau, AK – The State of Alaska’s Department of Administration has reached a tentative agreement with the Master, Mates and Pilots (MMP) union on a three-year contract covering the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017.  Monetary terms for the agreement must be approved by the Alaska State Legislature and the contract must be ratified by the MMP union numbering around 100 members statewide.

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State Reaches Tentative Agreement with IBU

June 16, 2014, Juneau, AK - The State of Alaska's Department of Administration has reached a tentative agreement with the Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific (IBU) on a three-year contract covering the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017. Monetary terms for the agreement must be approved by the Alaska State Legislature and the contract must be ratified by IBU union membership. IBU is the first of three State of Alaska marine unions to reach a tentative agreement.

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State Working on US Bank Processing Error for Direct Deposits

May 12, 2014, Juneau, Alaska - This morning the State of Alaska payroll staff were alerted that direct deposits for approximately 15,000 state employees had not processed as expected for May 12, 2014.

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Alaska DMV Moves to Central Issuance of New Driver Licenses

May 7, 2014, Juneau, Alaska - In an effort to enhance the security of driver licenses and identification cards (ID), the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (AK DMV) is moving to a Central Issuance process starting June 2014.  The phased approach begins with issuance and renewal of Alaskan driver license or ID and does not require customers to immediately obtain a new license.  At that time of renewal Alaskans will receive a temporary card that acts as an official form of identification until a secured license or ID is mailed, a practice similar to credit cards or voter ID cards. 

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State Reaches Tentative Agreement with AVTECTA

March 19, 2014, Juneau, AK - The State of Alaska's Department of Administration has reached a tentative agreement with the Alaska Vocational Technical Center Teachers Association (AVTECTA) on a three-year contract covering the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017. Monetary terms for the agreement must be approved by the Alaska State Legislature and the contract must be ratified by AVTECTA union membership.

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Don Habeger Named DOA Deputy Commissioner

March 13, 2014, Juneau, AK - Don Habeger has been appointed by Governor Sean Parnell as the new Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Administration, filling a vacancy left by current Commissioner Curtis W. Thayer. He leaves his current post as Director of the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (CBPL) in the Department Commerce, Community and Economic Development held since July of 2010.

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State Reaches Tentative Agreement with PSEA

March 12, 2014, Juneau, AK - The State of Alaska's Department of Administration has reached a tentative agreement with the Public Safety Employees Association (PSEA) on a three-year contract covering the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017. Monetary terms for the agreement must be approved by the Alaska State Legislature and the contract must be ratified by PSEA union membership.

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Thayer Appointed Administration Commissioner

January 20, 2014, Juneau, Alaska - Governor Sean Parnell today named Curtis Thayer commissioner for the Department of Administration. Thayer fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Becky Hultberg.

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Thayer Named Acting Commissioner of Administration

December 11, 2013, Anchorage, AK - Governor Sean Parnell today named Curtis Thayer acting commissioner for the Department of Administration. Thayer currently serves as deputy commissioner for Administration and fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Becky Hultberg.

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Commissioner Hultberg Resigning Post

November 12, 2013, Anchorage, AK - Governor Sean Parnell today accepted the resignation of Department of Administration Commissioner Becky Hultberg. Hultberg has served as commissioner since November 2010. Commissioner Hultberg has accepted a job in the private sector and will remain in Alaska.

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State Acquires Building to House Geologic Materials Center

July 2, 2013, Anchorage, AK - The Alaska Department of Administration closed on a property with Second Berkshire Properties, LLC and acquired the Debarr Sam's Club warehouse to house the new Geological Materials Center (GMC). The facility is located at 3651 Penland Parkway in east Anchorage next to the Northway Mall.

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Department of Administration Announces New Health Plan Partners

Aetna and Moda Health to Focus on High Quality, Best Value Care June 7, 2013, Juneau, AK - The State of Alaska Department of Administration announced today that it has selected Aetna to administer the AlaskaCare health insurance plans for PERS, TRS, JRS, and EPORS retirees and certain state employees.  Moda Health, formerly Oregon Dental Service (ODS), has been selected to administer the state's dental plan.

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State Restores Critical Computer System

May 31, 2013, Juneau, AK - The Alaska Department of Administration announced today that service problems with some State of Alaska computer systems that issue payments and warrants have been resolved. Last night, technicians were able to restore service to the systems responsible for automated payments and check processing. State agencies are working to ensure all payments are processed without any additional delays.

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State Activates Contingency Plans Following Computer System Outage

May 30, 2013, Juneau, AK - A major service interruption over the weekend impacted State of Alaska computer systems, delaying the issuance of some payments and warrants and triggering the use of contingency plans.

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ASEA-GGU, APEA-SU and APEA-CEA Reach Tentative Agreements with State

March 15, 2013, Juneau, AK - The State of Alaska's Department of Administration has reached tentative agreements with the Alaska State Employees Association - General Government Unit (GGU), the Alaska Public Employees Association - Supervisory Unit (SU) and the Confidential Employees Association (CEA) on three-year contracts covering the period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2016 for each union.  Monetary terms for the agreements must be approved by the Alaska State Legislature and the contracts must be ratified by union membership.

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Extending DMV Service in Downtown Anchorage

January 23, 2013, Anchorage, Alaska - To better serve its customers, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) downtown office, located at 517 West 7th Avenue on the bottom floor of the Linny Pacillo parking garage, will now be providing service on Mondays effective February 4, 2013.

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Amy Erickson Announced New Director of Alaska DMV

January 02, 2013, Juneau, Alaska - Amy Erickson has been selected to fill the position of Director at the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) after outgoing Director Whitney Brewster accepted a position with the Texas DMV in July 2012.

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Division of Motor Vehicles Makes Improvements to Saturday Service in Anchorage

April 26, 2012, Anchorage, Alaska - To better serve customers on Saturdays, DMV will be changing the hours of operation at two of its Anchorage offices effective May 5, 2012.

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Department of Administration finds renovation of Douglas Island Office Building cost-effective

October 14, 2011, Juneau, Alaska -- Following a review of state office space in Juneau, the Department of Administration has found that renovation of the Douglas Island Office Building is cost-effective.

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