Bill proposes line of succession for lieutenant governor

JUNEAU, Alaska – An Alaska Senate bill seeks to set a line of succession if the office of lieutenant governor becomes vacant.

Under current law, the governor picks the lieutenant governor successor and the nominee is subject to legislative confirmation. Sen. John Coghill’s bill outlines a list of Cabinet members who would be in line for lieutenant governor, starting with the attorney general. The Cabinet-level posts included in the bill already face legislative confirmation.

The bill would not take effect until after the next gubernatorial election, in 2022.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has nominated education commissioner Michael Johnson as the lieutenant governor successor.

Last year, lawmakers confirmed then-state health commissioner Valerie Davidson as the lieutenant governor successor. She became lieutenant governor in October, after Byron Mallott resigned.