HB 144 : Community Dividend Program
Sponsored by Rep. Bill Thomas

An Act authorizing an advisory vote on whether income of the Alaska permanent fund in the earnings reserve account should be used for a community dividend program.

Version : CS HB 144 (STA)
Contact : : 465-3732
Last Action : (H) STA » (H) FIN : 04-08-05

04-07-05 : This plan would provide approximately $160 million annually to municipalities by accessing surplus earnings of the Permanent Fund. The distribution to municipalities would be made only after Permanent Fund Dividends and inflation proofing are provided for. Based on annual Permanent Fund earnings, if the amount appropriated were not sufficient to fully fund municipal dividends, the amount to each municipality would be reduced on a pro-rata basis.

HB 204 : Optometrists' Use Of Pharmaceuticals
Sponsored by Rep. Bill Thomas

An Act relating to the prescription and use of pharmaceutical agents, including controlled substances, by optometrists.

Current Status : (H) HES : 03-04-05

HB 212 : Property Tax Exemptions For Seniors/ Vets
Sponsored by Rep. Bill Thomas

An Act relating to exemptions from municipal property taxes for certain primary residences; and providing for an effective date.

Current Status : (H) MLV : 03-09-05

HB 218 : Private Hatchery Cost Recovery Fisheries
Signed into Law! Chapter 92 SLA 06
Sponsored by Rep. Bill Thomas

An Act relating to cost recovery fisheries for private nonprofit hatchery facilities.

Version : SCS CS HB 218 (FIN)
Contact : : 465-3732
Last Action : Signed into Law : 07-14-06
Current Status : Chapter 92 SLA 06 : 07-14-06

| Sponsor Statement |
| Changes to CS HB 218 (FIN) - LS0544R | [PDF - 30 KB]

05-06-06 : Passed the Legislature, to be transmitted to the Governor for signature.

Provides language that would allow hatchery operators to choose to recover their costs through other methods that would allow these fish to be caught by any salmon permit holder. This would allow the fleet to access more fish. Because each hatchery has a unique financial situation, an open access type of cost recovery may not be applicable to all hatcheries.

Senate Finance committee substitute provides that a hatchery may choose to use the new cost recovery method spelled out in the bill by a majority vote of the membership of the Board of Directors. Furthermore, the amendment allows hatcheries to make a final decision after the Department of Fish & Game promulgates regulations governing a common property cost recovery fishery. It will allow the hatchery board to pursue either the current cost recovery scenario or to use the new method knowing what regulations would apply to either option.

HB 230 : Loans For Commercial Fishing Tenders
Signed into Law! Chapter 85 SLA 05
Sponsored by Rep. Bill Thomas

Authorizing the making of loans for upgrade of commercial fishing tender vessels and gear.

Companion Bill : SB 145
Contact : : 465-3732
Last Action : Signed into Law : 07-27-05
Current Status : Chapter 85 SLA 05 : 07-27-05

| Sponsor Statement |

05-04-05 : House Bill 230 makes a small change in the Commercial Fishing Loan Act (AS 16.10.300 - 370) to allow Alaskan owners of fish tenders to be eligible for loans to improve the quality of our seafood products. Under the current law, the Division of Investments in the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development offers low interest loans to fishing permit holders to upgrade their equipment in order to improve the quality of the seafood product they are handling.

HB 378 : Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council
Passed Legislature! Transmit To Gov.
Sponsored by Rep. Bill Thomas

An Act providing for selection of a member of the Haines Borough Assembly to serve as an ex officio member of the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council and removing the mayor of the City of Haines as an ex officio member of the council.

Version : CS HB 378 (RES)
Contact : : 465-3732
Last Action : Governor » Governor : 07-18-06

| Sponsor Statement |

05-05-06 : Passed the Legislature, to be transmitted to the Governor for signature.

In order to protect the sanctity and utility of the Eagle Preserve, the Alaska Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council was created. The council consists of 12 seats representing local, state, environmental, traditional, and commercial interests. One of these will be held by a member of the Haines Borough Assembly selected by the Haines Borough Assembly. CSHB 378 designates this open seat to a person who represents a recreational use who has been appointed by the Haines Borough Mayor.

HB 387 : Tuition Waiver For National Guard Family
Sponsored by Rep. Bill Thomas

An Act providing for a partial tuition waiver for families of members of the Alaska National Guard; and directing the executive director of the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education to seek additional funding to support tuition waivers.

Version : CS HB 387 (EDU)
Contact : : 465-3732
Last Action : (H) HES » (H) FIN : 03-08-06

| Sponsor Statement |

02-14-06 : Passed House Education Committee without change, to be moved to House Health, Education and Social Services Committee. The committee substitute provides free hunting and fishing licenses for active members of the Alaska National Guard. Changes were also made requiring that additional funding requests go through the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs.

HB 403 : Low Speed Vehicles
Passed Legislature! Transmit To Gov.
Sponsored by Rep. Bill Thomas

An Act relating to registration and operation of low-speed vehicles.

Version : SCS CS HB 403 (TRA)
Contact : : 465-3732
Last Action : Governor » Governor : 07-18-06

| Sponsor Statement |

05-09-06 : Passed the Legislature, to be transmitted to the Governor for signature.

This bill will allow DMV to register and regulate these types of vehicles. It provides that municipalities will be able to decide, by passing an ordinance, to allow their use within their jurisdiction. It also specifies that the operators of such vehicles must comply with the all the regulations and requirements that pertain to operators of other passenger vehicles.

HB 433 : Major Maintenance Grant Fund
Sponsored by Rep. Bill Thomas

An Act relating to appropriations from the Alaska capital income fund to the major maintenance grant fund.

Current Status : (H) FIN : 02-08-06

HB 445 : Alternative Energy Grant Fund
Sponsored by Rep. Bill Thomas

An Act relating to the alternative energy grant fund and to alternative energy grants.

Version : CS HB 445 (L&C)
Contact : : 465-3732
Last Action : (H) L&C » (H) FIN : 03-08-06

| Sponsor Statement |

03-06-06 : Passed House Labor & Commerce Committee with minor changes, to be moved to House Finance Committee.

HB 445 takes 10 cents of the revenue received from each barrel of oil produced by Alaska and places this money into a fund. This fund will be made available for Alaska's power utilities to use for developing alternative sources of energy. The Alaska Energy Authority will administer grants of up to $20 million to power utilities who have shown both need and responsibility by securing some matching funds in furtherance of a clear plan.

HB 478 : Municipal Harbor Facility Grants
Companion Bill SB 291 Signed Into Law!
Chapter 62 SLA 06
Sponsored by Rep. Bill Thomas

An Act relating to the municipal harbor facility grant program; and providing for an effective date.

Version : CS HB 478 (CRA)
Companion Bill : SB 291
Contact : : 465-3732
Last Action : (H) CRA » (H) FIN : 03-03-06

| Sponsor Statement |

02-28-06 : Passed House Community & Regional Affairs Committee as amended, to be moved to House Finance Committee. Amendments include adding the general fund portion of the fisheries business tax as a fund source for the Municipal Harbor Facility Grant Program, and mandating that no state funds can be used as matching funds for the program.

HB 478 establishes the Municipal Harbor Facility Grant Fund and a 50/50 capital matching funding program administered by the Department of Transportation. The bill sets out strict criteria to determine project eligibility. For example the application must be for a capital improvement project, not routine maintenance, which is considered a local responsibility, and the municipality must have the financial capability to maintain the harbor in the future. The bill prioritizes repair and major maintenance projects above other projects or new construction. Once a harbor facility receives funding under this program it will not be eligible for additional grants.