|
: Group Health Insurance For Private Groups
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by ,
An Act amending the definition of group health insurance, and allowing the Department of Administration to obtain a policy or policies of group health care insurance for employers that are small businesses, nonprofit organizations, special services organizations, or small associations for insurance purposes; and providing for an effective date.
Version: SCS CS HB10 (FIN)
Contact: John Bittner, 465-4930
Action: 05-08-04: Passed the Senate
House Bill 10 moved out of the Senate State Affairs Committee on Saturday. Sponsored by Rep. Cheryll Heinze (R-Anchorage) and Rep. Norman Rokeberg (R-Anchorage), HB 10 allows small businesses, nonprofit organizations, special services organizations, small associations, or self-employed individuals to create associations that can participate in group health insurance plans. These entities can then purchase health insurance coverage for their employees. HB 10 moves to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.
Amended to make date current.
| |
| |
| House Bill 10 : Allows small businesses, nonprofit organizations, special services organizations, small associations, or self-employed individuals to create associations that can participate in group health insurance plans. These entities can then purchase health insurance coverage for their employees. |
: Real Property Transactions
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by
An Act relating to representatives of buyers and sellers in real property transactions.
Version: SCS CS SS HB 29 (JUD)
Contact: Amanda Wilson, 465-4968
Action: 05-10-04: Passed the Senate
This legislation informs and protects consumers and assists the commerce of our state. It will shield the public from vicarious liability inherent in our current law and protects small brokers in small communities. This bill is fully endorsed by the real estate community. Amended to allow an exemption for entities that 1) are businesses, 2) worth over $2 mil, AND 3) the business requests the exemption. Also, government agencies and corporations that issue publicly traded securities are exempt. The purpose of SSHB 29 is to protect consumers who are unsophisticated when it comes to buying real estate. The entities exempted by this amendment are not unsophisticated when it comes to real estate transactions, and therefore should be allowed an exemption. Several substantive amendments were made in committee. Awaiting Legislative Legal's draft.
| |
| |
[PDF - 3 pages -
300 KB] | House Bill 29 : Informs and protects consumers and assists the commerce of our state. Shields the public from vicarious liability inherent in our current law and protects small brokers in small communities. |
: Municipal Tax: Property Affected By Disaster
Signed into Law! Chapter 1 SLA 04
Sponsored by
An Act relating to municipal property tax adjustments for property affected by a disaster.
Version: CSHB 209(RLS)
Contact: Sue Wright 465-3779
Action: 02-13-04: Signed into law by Governor
HB 209 allows municipalities to provide for a tax reduction for property destroyed, damaged or otherwise reduced in value as a result of a disaster.
| |
| | [PDF - 1 Page - 10 KB] | House Bill 209 : Allows municipalities to provide for a tax reduction for property destroyed, damaged or otherwise reduced in value as a result of a disaster. |
: Wage And Hour Act
Passed Legislature!
Sponsored by
An Act amending the Alaska Wage and Hour Act as it relates to the scope of administrative regulations defining a person employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity as it pertains to minimum salaries to require that the minimum salary for that individual be two times the minimum wage for the first forty hours of employment each week.
Version: CS HB 255 (FIN) TITLE
Contact: Heather Nobrega, 465-4968
Action: 05-06-04: Passed the House
Labor & Commerce Committee Substitute for HB 255 makes several improvements to Alaska's Wage and Hour Act. These amendments will better protect employees and Alaskan small business owners. Changes the way managers may be compensated. The January 2003 minimum wage increase inadvertently resulted in higher salaries for entry-level managers – an up to $8000 a year increase. This caused many small business owners to reduce their number of employees, costing Alaska jobs. This legislation seeks to remedy the situation and is the result of cooperation and negotiations between labor and business.
| |
| House Bill 255 : Amends the Alaska Wage and Hour Act as it relates to the scope of administrative regulations defining a person employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity as it pertains to minimum salaries to require that the minimum salary for that individual be two times the minimum wage for the first 40 hours of employment each week. |
: Electronic Transactions & Signatures
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by
An Act adopting the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; repealing certain statutes relating to electronic records and electronic signatures; amending Rule 402, Alaska Rules of Evidence; and providing for an effective date.
Version: CS HB 285 (JUD)
Contact: Heath Hilyard, 465-6841
Action: 05-09-04: Passed the Senate
HB 285 would codify the model Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) in Alaska; allowing the use of electronic records and electronic signatures in any transaction, except those subject to the uniform commercial code. The fundamental purpose of this act is to remove perceived barriers to electronic commerce.
| |
| | [PDF - 3 pages - 91 KB]
| |
[PDF - 5 pages - 2.31 MB] | House Bill 285 : Codifies the model Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) in Alaska, allowing the use of electronic records and electronic signatures in any transaction, except those subject to the uniform commercial code. |
: Changing Name Of Department of Community and Economic Development
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by
An Act changing the name of the Department of Community and Economic Development to the Department of Commerce and Community and Economic Development.
Version: SCS CS HB 288 (STA)
Contact: Ben Grenn, 465-2186
Action: 05-10-04: Passed the Senate
HB 288 changes the name of the Department of Community and Economic Development to the Department of Commerce and Economic Development. Amended to read Commerce, Community and Economic development.
| | | House Bill 288 : Changes the name of the Department of Community and Economic Development to the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic development. |
: Extend Real Estate Commission
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by the
An Act extending the termination date of the Real Estate Commission; and providing for an effective date.
Version: SCS CS HB 418 (FIN)
Contact: Josh Applebee, 465-4939
Action: 05-09-04: Passed the Senate
This bill extends the sunset date of the Real Estate Commission until June 2008. CS added a Home Inspector provision in addition to the board's sunset clause.Amended to raise surety fund to $10,000 from $20,000.
Amended to extend the real estate commission and fixes some problems with the Home Inspector regulations
| | | House Bill 418 : Extends the sunset date of the Real Estate Commission until June 2008. |
: Certificate of Need Program
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by
An Act relating to the certificate of need program for health care facilities; and providing for an effective date.
Version: SCS CS HB 511 (FIN)
Contact: Sara Nielsen, 465-4230
Action: 05-10-04: Passed the Senate
HB 511 seeks to level the playing field by subjecting all those seeking to provide health care services to the same rules whether they lease or build a facility. Amended to inflation proof the 1 million dollar threshold by $50,000 per year until 2014.
| | | House Bill 511 : Levels the playing field by subjecting all those seeking to provide health care services to the same rules whether they lease or build a facility. Increases the $1 million Certificate of Need threshold by $50,000 per year until 2014. |
: Railroad Utility Corridor To & In Canada
Signed Into Law! Chapter 45 SLA 04
Sponsored by
An Act relating to a railroad utility corridor for extension of the Alaska Railroad to Canada and to extension of the Alaska Railroad to connect with the North American railroad system.
Version: CS SB 31 (RES) Am
Contact: Richard Schmitz, 465-4921
Action: 06-18-04: Signed Into Law
Authorizes the Alaska Railroad Corporation to delineate a transportation and utility corridor from its terminus at Eielson Air Force Base to the Alaska-Canada border. It also allows the Railroad to investigate extension of the railroad from the border of Canada to connect with the North American railroad system.
| |
| |
[PDF - 1 Page - 30 KB]
| Senate Bill 31 : Authorizes the Alaska Railroad Corporation to delineate a transportation and utility corridor from its terminus at Eielson Air Force Base to the Alaska-Canada border. Allows the Railroad to investigate extension of the railroad from the border of Canada to connect with the North American railroad system. |
: Municipal Economic Development/Taxation
Signed into Law! Chapter 5 SLA 04
Sponsored by
An Act authorizing municipalities to provide for economic development and authorizing municipalities to expend revenue collected on an areawide or nonareawide basis to provide for economic development.
Version: CSSB 183(STA)
Contact: Brian Hove, 465-2327
Action: 03-08-04: Signed by Governor March 5
SB 183 allows boroughs that have entered into economic development agreements with a municipality inside that borough to spend borough revenues on projects located within that municipality.
| |
| |
[PDF - 1 Page - 29 KB]
| Senate Bill 183 : Allows Second Class Boroughs to expend economic development funds collected inside the borough but outside of the cities for projects located throughout the borough, both inside and outside the cities, as long as there is an agreement with the city to cooperatively or jointly provide for economic development. |
: Liquor Delivered To Hotels/Cruise Ships
Signed Into Law! Chapter 91 SLA 04
Sponsored by
An Act authorizing delivery of up to two bottles of distilled spirits to a cruise ship passenger or hotel guest.
Version: HCS CS SB 194 (L&C)
Contact: Doug Letch, 465-1283
Action: 06-25-04: Signed Into Law
Senate concurred with House changes 18 to 1. SB 194 allows delivery of up to 72 oz. of beer or up to two bottles of distilled spirits in a gift basket with a floral arrangement to a cruise ship passenger or hotel guest. Current law allows only wine or champagne.
| |
| |
[PDF - 1 Page - 101 KB]
| Senate Bill 194 : Allows delivery of up to 72 ounces of beer or up to two bottles of distilled spirits in a gift basket with a floral arrangement to a cruise ship passenger or hotel guest. |
: Tourism & Recreation Assessment
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by
An Act relating to the levy and collection of an assessment on certain tourism-related and recreation-related goods and services, and repealing the levy of excise taxes of certain passenger and recreation vehicles; and providing for an effective date.
Version: CS SB 254 (FIN) (EFD FLD)
Contact: Joe Balash, 465-4797
Action: 05-11-04: Passed the House
Reduces the Millenium Plan match from the current 60 percent private sector/40 percent State to a 50/50 match. Effective dates failed in the Senate. | Senate Bill 254 : Reduces the Millenium Plan match from the current 60 percent private sector/40 percent State to a 50/50 match. |
: Trusts/Estates/Property Transfers
Signed Into Law! Chapter 82 SLA 04
Sponsored by
An Act relating to the Uniform Probate Code and trusts, including pleadings, orders, nonprobate assets, estates of decedents, minors, protected persons, incapacitated persons, guardians, conservators, trustees, foreign trusts, principal and income, and transfer restrictions; relating to corporate voting trusts; and providing for an effective date.
Version: HCS CS SB 344 (JUD) Am H
Contact: Brian Hove, 465-2327
Action: 06-17-04: Signed Into Law
SB 344 makes a host of technical revisions to Alaska's trust and estate laws, including updating provisions relating to virtual representation, clarifying when a trustee can be relieved of liability and adding provisions that other jurisdictions have adopted.
| |
| |
[PDF - 1 Page -
30 KB]
| Senate Bill 344 : Makes a host of technical revisions to Alaska's trust and estate laws, including updating provisions relating to virtual representation, clarifying when a trustee can be relieved of liability and adding provisions that other jurisdictions have adopted. Preserves Alaska's position as a premier jurisdiction for trust and estate services. |
: Eminent Domain/Replatting Of Boundary Changes
Signed Into Law! Chapter 32 SLA 04
Sponsored by the
An Act relating to replat approval; relating to the platting of right-of-way acquired through eminent domain proceedings; and providing for an effective date.
Version: CS SB 382 (CRA) Am H
Contact: Mary Jackson, 465-2828
Action: 05-24-04: Signed Into Law
SB 382 clarifies an ambiguity in existing eminent domain law that unnecessarily limits municipalities in their consideration of replat approval petitions. Authorizes municipalities to adopt replat approval procedures targeted specifically to the eminent domain process.
| |
[PDF - 1 Page - 78 KB]
| |
[PDF - 1 Page - 29 KB]
| Senate Bill 382 : Clarifies an ambiguity in existing eminent domain law that unnecessarily limits municipalities in their consideration of replat approval petitions. Authorizes municipalities to adopt replat approval procedures targeted specifically to the eminent domain process. |
: Corporation Conversion: Limited Liability Co.
Signed Into Law! Chapter 115 SLA 04
Sponsored by the
An Act relating to the conversion of certain corporations to limited liability companies; and providing for an effective date.
Version: SB 389
Contact: Jane Alberts, 465-4843
Action: 06-29-04: Signed Into Law
SB 389 amends existing law to allow subsidiary corporations owned directly or indirectly by one or more parent corporations to convert to limited liability companies (LLCs). Restricting this authority to subsidiaries ensures there is not a negative tax consequence.
| |
| |
[PDF - 1 Page -
29 KB]
| Senate Bill 389 : Housekeeping measure to clarify that a subsidiary corporation may convert to a limited liability company (LLC). Helps Alaskan entities to operate more efficiently by allowing conversion of subsidiary corporations to LLC status without having to dissolve and then re-form as an LLC. |
: Municipal Land Use Regulation
Signed Into Law! Chapter 46 SLA 04
Sponsored by the
An Act relating to application of municipal ordinances providing for planning, platting, and land use regulation to interests in land owned by the Alaska Railroad Corporation; and providing for an effective date.
Version: CS SB 395 (FIN) Am
Contact: Zach Warwick, 465-4797
Action: 06-04-04: Signed Into Law
Allows the Alaska Railroad to issue up to $500 million in tax-free revenue bonds to pay for extending a rail line to Delta Junction and Fort Greely. Bonds would be secured through federal funds secured by the Department of Defense. Depending on negotiations with the Department, the Railroad could issue the bonds as early as 2005. Creates a 16 member Task Force, including representatvies from all 13 affected local governments, the Railroad, the State Senate, and the House of Representatives, to recommend what level of control local governments should have on Railroad operations throughout the State. | Senate Bill 395 : Allows the Alaska Railroad Corporation to issue up to $500 million in tax-free revenue bonds, which would be secured through federal Department of Defense funds, to pay for extending a rail line to Delta Junction and Fort Greely. Depending upon negotiations with the Department, the Railroad could issue the bonds as early as 2005.
Creates a 16 member Task Force, including representatives from all 13 affected local governments, the Railroad, the State Senate, and the House of Representatives, to recommend what level of control local governments should have on Railroad operations throughout the State. |
| |
|
· |
|
=
|
4 pages
14 KB
|
|
|
|
|
Alaska is a state with great economic opportunities, many untapped. The Twenty-third Legislature moved closer to realizing Alaska's great potential. The first step in expanding our economic opportunities rests with the people of our state. This Legislature invested more in education than any in Alaska's history. Beyond investing in our people, we have looked to Alaska's resources. From fishing, to natural gas, to mineral resources, to information technology, to transportation infrastructure, this Legislature laid the groundwork for future generations to continue to realize Alaska's economic potential.
