04/12/1996 01:20 PM House JUD

 HB 198 - PFD ALLOWABLE ABSENCES                                             
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE KIM ELTON came forward to testify on CSHB 198(STA).            
 He stated that the bill does three things, it provides for new                
 allowable absences from the state, which are to care for a family             
 member with a critical, life-threatening illness; to care for a               
 terminally-ill family member; or for the purpose of selling the               
 estate of a deceased family member.  (Some of Representative                  
 Elton's testimony was cut off, due to the end of the tape.)                   
                                                                               
 TAPE 96-51, SIDE A                                                            
 Number 085                                                                    
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE asked Representative Elton if he envisioned              
 someone going out-of-state to care for someone who is comatose,               
 someone who could remain so for the rest of their life.                       
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON noted that Mr. McGee, Chief, Permanent Fund              
 Dividend Division Operations, might be better able to answer this             
 question.  Chairman Porter stated that for the record Mr. McGee               
 nodded his head in the affirmative.  A person caring for someone              
 who is comatose would have to come back to the state every two                
 years in order to qualify for a Permanent Fund Dividend.                      
                                                                               
 Number 145                                                                    
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY asked how many people would be out-of-state             
 for two years with a terminally ill person.  She thought that this            
 was stretching it.  She thought this period of time would be more             
 like three to four months.                                                    
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN made a motion to move CSHB 198(STA) from the             
 House Judiciary Committee with individual recommendations and                 
 attached fiscal note.  There being no objection, it was so moved.