Justin Ruffridge

The first bill exempts veterinarians from the state's prescription drug monitoring database. The second "modernizes" the statues for the state's Board of Pharmacy.

The bill would remove vets from the responsibility of reporting opioid prescriptions in the state database, which advocates say doesn't make sense for the industry. Soldotna's Justin Ruffridge sponsored the bill during his first session in the House.

Soldotna Rep. Justin Ruffridge has released an accompanying bill to one introduced in the Senate by Jesse Bjorkman. The bill would allow Cook Inlet set-netters to sell their permits back to the state.

Volcanic ash from an eruption in eastern Russia has affected more than 100 Alaska Airlines flights, including those of Rep. Ben Carpenter and Sen. Jesse Bjorkman.

Freshman legislator Justin Ruffridge has been in the statehouse for three months, where he's worked on legislation related to his pharmacy background, and co-chaired the House Education Committee during a busy session.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge introduced the bill, which has broad support from veterinarians. Vets say the state drug database reporting system just isn't applicable to non-human patients.

First-time Soldotna Rep. Justin Ruffridge is back home this weekend. We spoke with Ruffrdige about his new "Freshman Caucus," his first bill and the unique perspective he brings to Juneau.

The group is an informal caucus, made up of the Alaska State House's first year legislators. “Our purpose will be to discuss ideas, debate policy, and share those issues most important to the constituents which encompass districts from all over the state,” Ruffridge said Friday.

Soldotna pharmacist Justin Ruffridge is entering the 2022 race for Alaska State House.Ruffridge, a Republican, registered to run this week. Ruffridge…