Sponsor Statement for SCS for CS for HB 471 (CRA)

The intent of SCS for CSHB 471 (CRA) is to allow an involuntarily dissolved Native village to reinstate the corporation through December 31, 1998. These dissolved corporations had until August 7, 1997, to reincorporate by state statute.

The reinstatement extension for dissolved village corporations is necessary to allow the Newtok Corporation to reinstate its native village corporation. Newtok is in the process of discussing a land exchange with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which would allow the village to relocate to a more suitable and stable area. The land where the village is now located is threatened by erosion from the Ninglick River.

In the course of working on the land exchange, it was discovered that the Newtok Corporation had been involuntarily dissolved on October 4, 1991, for failure to file its biannual report. The corporation has not been reinstated since that date. Since the time period to reinstate native village corporations ended on August 7, 1997, Newtok requires an extension.

In addition, another party has incorporated using the name Newtok Corporation. Newtok is thus required to change the name of its corporation. This name change will have to be implemented by an amendment to the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation.

Last updated on 05-01-98