Alaska Shedding Regulatory Burdens
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s new executive orders mirror ALEC-inspired efforts to target efficiency, transparency, and regulatory reduction to boost Alaska’s economy.
Regulatory reform has been a leading headline in 2025, and states have capitalized on the momentum. States such as North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Utah have passed REINS-style legislation that limits agency major rule authority, and several states have created DOGE task forces. Alaska is the latest state to bring attention to regulatory reform. On Aug. 4, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed Administrative Orders 359 and 360 aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing regulations in Alaska.
Administrative Order 359 establishes an annual Government Efficiency Review for all executive branch agencies, led by the Office of Management and Budget. The review will focus on opportunities to increase efficiency and reduce the costs of government services. Gov. Dunleavy laid out the necessity for the reform in the Administrative Order by highlighting that “the State of Alaska has a fiduciary responsibility to its citizens to be good stewards of their resources, including making sure funds spent annually are promoting the efficient delivery of government services to Alaskans.”
Administrative Order 360 aims to “promote growth and investment in Alaska by reducing administrative and economic burdens associated with regulatory compliance, including removing barriers, finding solutions, and identifying alternative pathways.” Through the Office of the Governor, the administrative order aims to reduce the regulatory requirements by 15% by the end of 2026 and by 25% by the end of 2027. Additionally, it increases transparency in the permitting process and requires that all guidance documents be published.
The Alaska reforms share many principles and similarities with ALEC model policies. An Act to Establish a Cap on Government Red Tape, one of the ALEC Essential Policy Solutions for 2025, aims to reduce regulatory burdens by requiring that for every new regulatory requirement added, two existing ones be removed until the Red Tape Reduction Target is met. This ensures that unnecessary requirements are removed before new ones are imposed.
An Act to Establish the Office of Regulatory Management promotes efficiency and transparency. It creates an Office of Regulatory Management to reduce unnecessary regulations and ensure that new regulations are cost-effective. The office is also responsible for publishing existing regulations. Administrative Order 360 shares similarities with the model policy and follows the Virginia model that recently reached its goal of reducing regulations in the state by 25%.
Gov. Dunleavy looks to unleash economic development and investment in Alaska by reducing regulatory burdens on the people and businesses that call the state home. Alaska serves as the latest example of states that are leading on reducing government red tape, promoting transparency, and promoting free market ideology to increase prosperity.