1997-01-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 0065
SB 53                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 53 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                               
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
"An Act relating to housing assistance provided by                            
the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation and to its                              
rural housing programs, to the corporation's                                   
supplemental housing development grants to regional                            
housing authorities, and to housing programs of                                
regional housing authorities; permitting regional                              
housing authorities to make, originate, and service                            
loans for the purchase and development of                                      
residential housing; amending definitions relating to                          
various housing programs; and providing for an                                 
effective date."                                                               
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional             
Affairs, Judiciary and Finance Committees.                                     
                                                                               
                                                                               

1997-01-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 0066
SB 53                                                                        
Zero fiscal note published today from Department of Revenue.                   
                                                                               
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 15:                                
                                                                               
Dear President Miller:                                                         
                                                                               
One of the goals of my Administration is to provide safe, healthy              
communities for all Alaskans.  The bill I am transmitting to you               
today is a step toward that goal by attempting to better meet the              
housing needs in small communities, especially in rural Alaska.                
                                                                               
This bill modifies the rural loan programs of  the Alaska Housing              
Finance Corporation (AHFC) and regional housing authorities to                 
substantially improve the delivery of housing services.  It recognizes         
that there are unique circumstances in our rural areas that must be            
taken into account to ensure that our housing programs are                     
administered practically and fairly for all Alaskans.  It also                 
recognizes and relies on the role that regional housing authorities            
play in the implementation of our housing programs.                            
                                                                               
Among the changes contained in this legislation are: 1) An expansion           
of permitted uses of supplemental housing development grants to                
regional housing authorities to allow money to be expended on                  
improvements to a communitys water and sewer infrastructure                    
necessitated by the development of a housing project; 2) Modifying             
the Building Material Loan Program to meet rural housing market                
conditions;  3) Permitting of refinancing of housing loans in small            
communities similar to that now offered borrowers in urban areas;              
and 4) Allowing loans to pay for the installation of building                  
materials by third-party contractors to ensure installation by qualified       
professionals.                                                                 
                                                                               
Enactment of this bill into law will greatly improve the quality of            
life for numerous Alaskans living in the small communities of our              
state.  I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.               
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor