"An Act relating to allowable absences for certain members of the armed forces and their spouses and dependents for purposes of eligibility for permanent fund dividends; and providing for an effective date."

SB 148 is a correction to an oversight in our allowable PFD absences.

This was brought to my attention, when a 20-year Alaskan resident and constituent who was activated on Sept 11, was recently denied his PFD. He is in the Navy Reserves.

He was overseas protecting our country on Active Duty orders for 10 months. The 180-day requirement of being out of state is waived in his case, because he is on military orders.

However ... here is the glitch ...

Upon his return to Alaska, he took a 7-week trip to California to care for and visit his quadriplegic brother. Normally this would not be a problem. People do it ALL the time.

Those of us who are not in the military, we can be gone up to 180 days doing whatever we want and still collect a PFD. No questions asked.

However if you are away on orders issued by the President of the United States, protecting the freedoms of the United States of America, the greatest country on EARTH, you can only be out of state for up to a maximum of 45 days. That is an injustice and a sloppy way of saying Thank You to the men and women who make up our volunteer force, and protect us without hesitation.

Senate Bill 148 corrects this oversight. Please join in sponsoring this cause, and showing your patriotic THANK YOU to the members of Reserves, Guards, and Active Duty Military.

Last Updated: 03-24-03

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