1996-01-19                     Senate Journal                      Page 2179
SB 227                                                                       
This legislation will support law enforcement agencies in making               
Alaska a safer place for our citizens.  I  urge your prompt                    
consideration and passage of this bill.                                        
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor                                                                 
                                                                               
SB 228                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 228 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
An Act relating to unclaimed property; and                                    
providing for an effective date.                                               
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance              
Committees.                                                                    
                                                                               
Zero fiscal note published today from Department of Revenue.                   
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated January 19:                                 
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution,          
I am transmitting a bill that would update Alaskas law governing the           
handling of unclaimed property to streamline the process for the               
convenience of both the state and the property holders.                        
                                                                               
Unclaimed, or abandoned, personal property includes money left in              
bank savings or insurance accounts or deposits left with utilities             
because the businesses cannot locate the owners.  The state acts as            
the custodian for such property and protects it until an owner or heir         
claims it.  This bill includes recommendations from an audit                   
performed last year that would reduce paperwork and improve efforts            
to locate unclaimed property owners.