CSSB 290(STA): "An Act providing for the issuance of complimentary fishing and hunting licenses to certain members of the Alaska National Guard returning from active duty deployment; relating to reimbursement of premiums for Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance paid by members of the Alaska National Guard deployed to a combat zone; and providing for an effective date."
00 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 290(STA) 01 "An Act providing for the issuance of complimentary fishing and hunting licenses to 02 certain members of the Alaska National Guard returning from active duty deployment; 03 relating to reimbursement of premiums for Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance paid 04 by members of the Alaska National Guard deployed to a combat zone; and providing for 05 an effective date." 06 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 07 * Section 1. AS 16.05.335 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 08 (b) The commissioner shall, at the request of the governor, authorize the 09 issuance, by the department or by agents appointed under AS 16.05.380, of a 10 complimentary license for sport fishing or hunting, or both, to qualified members of 11 the Alaska National Guard. To qualify for a complimentary license under this 12 subsection, a member of the Alaska National Guard must produce to the department or 13 agent the member's United States Department of Defense certificate of release or
01 discharge from active duty and the member's deployment orders demonstrating that 02 the member was called to active duty and deployed for 30 or more consecutive days 03 because of fighting in, or providing direct support for, a national conflict outside the 04 United States. However, a member who was so deployed for less than 30 consecutive 05 days due to an injury related to the member's deployment is qualified for the 06 complimentary license if the member provides documentation to verify that status. 07 The complimentary license for sport fishing or hunting, or both, is valid for the license 08 year in which the member is no longer in deployed status and returns to the state, or 09 for the subsequent license year. To receive the complimentary license under this 10 subsection, the member must apply to the commissioner requesting the license and 11 provide the information required by this subsection within two years after returning to 12 the state following deployment. Information pertaining to complimentary licenses 13 issued under this subsection shall be available to the public. 14 * Sec. 2. AS 26.05 is amended by adding a new section to read: 15 Sec. 26.05.263. Payment of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance 16 premiums; establishment of fund. (a) The Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance 17 premium fund is established as a separate fund in the state treasury. The fund consists 18 of appropriations by the legislature to it. Money appropriated to the fund does not 19 lapse. The state shall hold the principal and earnings of the fund for the purpose of 20 reimbursing eligible members of the Alaska National Guard deployed to a combat 21 zone for premiums paid under 38 U.S.C. 1965 - 1980 (Servicemembers' Group Life 22 Insurance Program). 23 (b) The adjutant general may make expenditures from the fund to reimburse 24 eligible members of the Alaska National Guard deployed to a combat zone for 25 premiums paid under the program if the eligible member applies for reimbursement 26 within two years after returning to the state following deployment. 27 (c) Subject to appropriation, the fund may be used to pay the expenses 28 incurred by the commissioner of revenue in managing the fund and administrative 29 expenses incurred by the Department of Revenue in administering this section. 30 (d) Except as provided in (c) of this section, money in the fund is available for 31 expenditure without further appropriation.
01 (e) Nothing in this section creates a dedicated fund. 02 (f) The Department of Revenue may adopt regulations necessary to carry out 03 the provisions of this section. 04 (g) In this section, 05 (1) "combat zone" means an area of hostile fire or imminent danger 06 that entitles a member on duty in that area to special pay; 07 (2) "fund" means the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance premium 08 fund; 09 (3) "program" means the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance 10 program established by 38 U.S.C. 1965 - 1980. 11 * Sec. 3. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 12 read: 13 APPLICABILITY. The reimbursement of premiums paid by members of the Alaska 14 National Guard deployed to a combat zone under 38 U.S.C. 1965 - 1980 (Servicemembers' 15 Group Life Insurance Program) under AS 26.05.263, enacted in sec. 2 of this Act, applies to 16 premiums due on or after January 1, 2005. 17 * Sec. 4. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 18 read: 19 RETROACTIVITY. AS 26.05.263, enacted by sec. 2 of this Act, is retroactive to 20 January 1, 2005, and applies to authorize reimbursement of premiums paid by eligible Alaska 21 National Guard members after December 31, 2004. 22 * Sec. 5. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).