Legislature(2007 - 2008)
2008-01-18 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2008-01-18 Senate Journal Page 1619 SB 233 SENATE BILL NO. 233 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the teachers' and nurses' housing loan program in the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Revenue Governor's transmittal letter dated January 15: Dear President Green: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that would expand the teachers' and nurses' housing loan program established within the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. This bill expands the program to allow licensed or certified health care professionals, including registered nurses, in the state to take advantage of the housing loan program. This loan program is a crucial component in Alaska school districts' and communities' ability to recruit and retain qualified public school teachers, counselors, school administrators, and health care professionals. In 2003 Senate Bill 25 was signed into law establishing the loan program. Under this program, a qualified applicant is allowed to purchase an owner-occupied home, without paying a conventional 2008-01-18 Senate Journal Page 1620 down payment. As of October 31, 2007, 373 loans in 34 Alaska communities have been made to teachers and registered nurses, comprising over 72 million dollars in loans. This bill would make two significant changes to the existing program. First, the original legislation contained a five-year sunset provision that would repeal the program on July 1, 2008. This bill would repeal the sunset provision and would make the program permanent within the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. Second, this bill would expand the program to allow qualified licensed or certified health care professionals, including registered nurses, in the state to take advantage of the housing loans. There is a serious shortage of health care professionals in Alaska. With this change, I hope to use this housing loan program to help reduce this shortage. I am committed to improving access to health care services and I believe expanding the housing loan program will help accomplish this goal. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Sarah Palin Governor