This legislation makes the statutory changes required for the Department of Community and Economic Development to disburse the funds commonly referred to as the "Timber Receipts".

The "Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000" (P.L. 106-393) made substantive changes to the federal program commonly known as National Forest Receipts. The Federal Act is subject to reauthorization in 2006.

In order to address the federal changes, the Department of Community and Economic Development needs to amend its program regulations so the payments to communities located within the Tongass and Chugach National Forests would conform to the new federal requirements.

Subsequent to the adoption of the program regulation changes, the Department of Law advised the Department of Community and Economic Development that it lacks the statutory authority to implement the federal changes through its regulations. This legislation provides the Department with the authority to adopt regulations necessary to implement the revised federal program in a manner consistent with federal law.

This legislation also provides general regulation adoption authority for the Department to carry out its statutory functions. The change corrects a statutory problem created by the merger of the former Department of Commerce and Economic Development and the former Department of Community and Regional Affairs.

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