Legislature(2019 - 2020)
2020-02-21 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2020-02-21 Senate Journal Page 1814 SB 217 SENATE BILL NO. 217 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act establishing state land vouchers; relating to restricted land sales for veterans; relating to the veterans' land purchase discount; 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 Resources and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, indeterminate, Department of Natural Resources Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Revenue Governor's transmittal letter dated February 20: Dear President Giessel: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that would create an option for Alaskans eligible for the Permanent Fund Dividend to choose to 2020-02-21 Senate Journal Page 1815 receive a land sales voucher for use to purchase state land instead of a monetary payment. One of the top priorities of my administration is to increase access to Alaska’s lands for Alaskans. The voucher would be issued by the Department of Revenue and have a value set at twice the amount of the monetary dividend as calculated by the current statutory formula. A voucher could be used alone or in combination with other vouchers to purchase parcels of land offered for sale by the Department of Natural Resources. Land vouchers may also be used in combination with the veterans’ land purchase price discount and separately towards the purchase of land offered at a restricted land sale. The land vouchers do not expire and are transferable to another person like any other piece of intangible property. They would be available as payment for land sales contracts entered into on or after the effective date of this bill. If a person who opts to receive a voucher is subject to a writ of garnishment, or other means of collecting repayment of a debt, a creditor may attach a land voucher up to the amount available based on that year’s cash dividend. The Department of Revenue would annually report the number and amount of vouchers issued and the Department of Natural Resources would report the number and value of vouchers accepted for purchase of land. For decades, eligible Alaskans have received and invested all or a portion of their share of Alaska’s resource wealth into our economy. This bill will encourage and support Alaskans to invest in one of our greatest assets – our land. In order to provide for more state land for private ownership and to encourage the development of our greatest asset for Alaskans, I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor