Legislature(2021 - 2022)
2021-02-18 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2021-02-18 House Journal Page 0155 HB 97 HOUSE BILL NO. 97 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: 2021-02-18 House Journal Page 0156 "An Act relating to the veterans' land purchase discount; establishing state land vouchers; relating to the permanent fund dividend; relating to the duties of the Department of Revenue; authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to accept state land vouchers; relating to eligibility for public assistance; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs and the Resources and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Indeterminate, Dept. of Natural Resources 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services 3. Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 11 follows: "Dear Speaker Stutes: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that creates an option for Alaskans to choose to receive a voucher toward the purchase of State land in lieu of a cash permanent fund dividend payment. The voucher, issued by the Department of Revenue, would have a value set at twice the amount of the dividend as calculated by the statutory dividend formula. Dividend land vouchers do not expire, are transferable to another person, and can be used as payment for land sales contracts on or after the effective date of this bill. Vouchers may be combined with other vouchers or used individually, to purchase land offered for sale by the Department of Natural Resources. The vouchers may also be used in combination with the veterans’ land purchase price discount or separately towards restricted land sale purchases. Dividend vouchers are considered income or financial resources in determining eligibility for public assistance or state programs. If an individual who selects to receive a voucher over a cash dividend, is the 2021-02-18 House Journal Page 0157 subject to a writ of garnishment, or other debt collection, a creditor may lay claim against the voucher up to the amount of that year’s cash dividend. The Department of Revenue will annually report the number and value of vouchers issued and the Department of Natural Resources will report the number and value of vouchers accepted for land sales. In order to help Alaskans maximize the value of the annual dividend, to encourage economic development in our state, and to move more public land into private ownership, I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor"