Legislature(2009 - 2010)
2010-01-19 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2010-01-19 Senate Journal Page 1232 SB 216 SENATE BILL NO. 216 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to grants to victims of a disaster in this state; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs Governor's transmittal letter dated January 8: Dear President Stevens, Under the authority of Art. III, Sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that increases the existing limit on State grants for major disaster victims in the State of Alaska. This bill would change an existing limitation on the Governor's authority to issue assistance grants to victims of a major disaster in this state, which has not been updated for nearly 20 years. Under current law, when the Governor declares a disaster emergency, a grant can only be provided to a victim of the disaster in this state in an amount not to exceed $5,000. After witnessing the widespread disaster of the 2010-01-19 Senate Journal Page 1233 2009 spring floods, it has become obvious that the maximum amount of $5,000 per household is not enough to cover incurred costs from damages in today's economy. It is clearly time to revise the limit and give the State the ability to provide improved relief to victims of major disasters in this state. This proposed legislation increases the maximum amount that can be granted to a household in 2010 to $14,950 for a State-declared disaster. This is calculated by setting it at half of the amount of a federally declared disaster. The amount will be adjusted each year based upon the consumer price index. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this bill. Sincerely, /s/ Sean Parnell Governor