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SB 144                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 144 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                               
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
           "An Act relating to relocation assistance for federally                                                             
             assisted projects and programs; 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, zero, Department of Transportation and Public                                                               
  Facilities                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 18:                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Meyer:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to relocation assistance                                                        
for federally assisted projects and programs.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The bill would allow an increase of the maximum relocation benefits                                                             
available to a person or a business displaced by federally assisted                                                             
projects and programs. Congress increased the maximum relocation                                                                
benefits available under 42 U.S.C. 4601 - 4655 (Uniform Relocation                                                              
Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970), which                                                           

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are payable to a person or business displaced by a federally assisted                                                           
project or program. The bill proposes to provide these increased                                                                
federal benefits to Alaskans and Alaska businesses.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Further, the bill would provide that a displaced person or business in                                                          
the state would be retroactively eligible for an increased federal                                                              
maximum benefit for relocation expenses incurred after October 1,                                                               
2014, which is when the increased maximum federal benefit became                                                                
available.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor