Alaska State Legislature
News from the House Majority

Jerry Ritter, House Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3804
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Unemployment Exemption for Amateur Officials Approved

Bill Anticipates Federal Language Now in Congress

For Immediate Release April 30, 1998 Contact: Rep. Norman Rokeberg at (907) 465-4968.

Juneau -- The Alaska Senate Thursday joined the House of Representatives in unanimously passing House Bill 484, which would exempt amateur sports officials from unemployment tax liabilities. The bill is predicated upon the passage of corresponding federal language now being pursued by Alaska Senator Ted Stevens.

"Most amateur officials don't typically get paid a lot for the amount of time and effort they spend at this avocation and tax pressures take a big chunk out of that," said Representative Norman Rokeberg (R-Anchorage), sponsor of HB 484. "In addition, they supply their own uniforms, transportation, protective gear, and other costs without reimbursement from the non-profit organizations and local governments which hire them," Rokeberg said.

The Alaska Legislature passed similar legislation in 1989, but repealed it in 1990 under threat of losing federal funds from the U.S. Department of Labor. Federal law did not provide for such an exemption.

"Recreational nonprofessional sports are a large and expanding component of Alaska's athletic and social life," Rokeberg said. "Without this relief, we are likely to see fewer people come forward to serve as amateur officials and greater costs for everyone involved," Rokeberg said.

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