Legislature(2007 - 2008)BELTZ 211
02/12/2008 03:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB204 | |
| SB235 | |
| SJR15 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 204 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 235 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 204-MUNI TAX EXEMPTION: COMBAT DEATHS
CHAIR OLSON announced the consideration of SB 204.
3:32:41 PM
SENATOR GENE THERRIAULT, Alaska State Legislature, said SB 204
provides a partial or whole property tax exemption for the widow
or widower of a member of the armed forces who dies in the line
of duty. The deceased has to have been in active duty when
killed or fatally injured. The language said the death has to
occur within 90 days of the injury, and it was dropped in the
House. It applies only to permanent residents and allows the
municipalities to use the exemption or not. He doesn't
anticipate every municipality using it, but it would empower
them to make the decision. The structure of the exemption could
have time limits. There are a number of Alaskans in the armed
services deployed overseas. The suggestion for SB 204 came from
an Alaskan whose spouse was killed.
3:35:36 PM
SENATOR WAGONER said 80 soldiers have died, and some have
families in Alaska. He asked how many people this will affect.
ERNEST PRAX, Staff to Senator Therriault, said he can get that
information.
SENATOR WAGONER said it wasn't worth holding up the bill for,
but it would be interesting to know.
SENATOR THERRIAULT said he can find the number of people who
would be eligible, but local governments can shape the program
as they wish.
CHAIR OLSON asked about someone living outside Alaska who moves
to the state after their spouse's death.
SENATOR THERRIAULT said the bill allows the municipality to
shape the exemption, or the committee could do that. The current
language could be interpreted to allow that or not.
3:38:57 PM
STEVE VAN SANT, State Assessor, Division of Community and
Regional Affairs, said the language allows a person who becomes
a permanent resident of Alaska to qualify. A widow or widower of
a senior citizen or disabled veteran loses a similar exemption
by remarrying. HB 204 could be worded so that the exemptions
continue "even if they remarried and came up from the state of
Texas, if the local ordinance read that they could get remarried
… as long as they become a permanent resident."
CHAIR OLSON asked if suicides are covered.
SENATOR THERRIAULT said he is not sure if that would be an
injury from battle.
CHAIR OLSON asked if the Alaska Municipal League (AML) or any
municipalities have a position.
MR. PRAX said he doesn't know.
SENATOR THERRIAULT said he asked municipalities with army
installations. He received resolutions from North Pole, the
North Star Borough, and Fairbanks, and he thinks that AML would
support giving a municipality the latitude to shape the
exemption. It is drafted to give them the maximum amount of
flexibility. Local governments can give no exemption, a whole or
partial exemption, or a limit on years, for example.
3:42:26 PM
SUSAN STACY HERNANDEZ, Widower, Fairbanks, said she is a widower
of Sergeant Hernandez who was killed in action in 2006. A
widower of a disabled veteran can get a tax exemption. She
supported her husband in his military career, and she would like
help as the wife who stayed behind. She is not from Alaska but
decided to stay. It is a great place to raise her kids. Wives of
lost soldiers should receive a tax exemption.
CHAIR OLSON expressed his sorrow and gratefulness.
3:44:21 PM
SENATOR KOOKESH moved to report SB 204 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There
being no objection, SB 204 passed out of committee.
The committee took an at-ease from 3:44:58 PM until 3:46:21 PM.
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