03/12/2025 01:30 PM Senate JUDICIARY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB12 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE
March 12, 2025
1:31 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Matt Claman, Chair
Senator Jesse Kiehl, Vice Chair
Senator Löki Tobin
Senator Robert Myers
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Gary Stevens
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 12
"An Act relating to permanent fund dividends for individuals
owing child support; and relating to applications and
qualifications for permanent fund dividends for individuals
owing child support."
- MOVED CSSB 12(JUD) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 12
SHORT TITLE: PFD/CHILD SUPPORT
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) DUNBAR
01/10/25 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/10/25
01/22/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (S) JUD, FIN
02/05/25 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/05/25 (S) Heard & Held
02/05/25 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
03/12/25 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
BREANNA KAKARUK, Staff
Senator Matt Claman
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the explanation of changes for SB
12 from version \A to version \I.
SENATOR FORREST DUNBAR, District J
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a recap of SB 12.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:31:02 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN called the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee
meeting to order at 1:31 p.m. Present at the call to order were
Senators Myers, Kiehl, Tobin, and Chair Claman.
SB 12-PFD/CHILD SUPPORT
1:31:31 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 12
"An Act relating to permanent fund dividends for individuals
owing child support; and relating to applications and
qualifications for permanent fund dividends for individuals
owing child support."
CHAIR CLAMAN said this is the second hearing of SB 12 in the
Senate Judiciary Committee. The intention is to propose a
Judiciary committee substitute (CS).
CHAIR CLAMAN solicited a motion.
1:31:49 PM
SENATOR KIEHL moved to adopt the committee substitute (CS) for
SB 12, work order 34-LS0135\I, as the working document.
1:32:03 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN objected for purposes of discussion. He invited
Ms. Kakaruk to present the explanation of changes.
1:32:26 PM
BREANNA KAKARUK, Staff, Senator Matt Claman, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the explanation of
changes for SB 12 from version \A to version \I as paraphrased
below:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Explanation of Changes
Senate Judiciary Committee: Version A to Version I
The Senate Judiciary Committee Substitute to SB 12
contains the following changes described below.
• Require the Department of Revenue to file a dividend
application on behalf of an individual in arrears
under a child support order.
• Require the Department of Revenue to notify the
individual in arrears and individual owed child
support that the application for an individual in
arrears has been filed by the department and that
either party have an opportunity to provide evidence
of eligibility.
• Remove language requiring the Department of Revenue to
assume previously eligible applicants of the dividend
remain eligible for the dividend, and remove
requirements for an individual owing child support to
provide proof of ineligibility.
• Add a 7 percent administrative fee for the Department
of Revenue on applications distributed under (i) of
Sec. 3.
• Require Child Support Enforcement Division of the
Department of Revenue to indicate which people in
arrears are presumed eligible for the Permanent Fund
dividend and removes the custodial parent's ability to
file these applications.
1:33:59 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN removed his objection and CSSB 12 was adopted as
the working document. He invited the bill sponsor to make
closing comments.
1:34:08 PM
SENATOR FORREST DUNBAR, District J, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, gave a recap of SB 12. He expressed appreciation
to the members of the committee who provided thoughtful
feedback. The intent of SB 12 is to help custodial parents
collect money owed for child support, which the Department of
Revenue (DOR) could provide through the permanent fund dividend
(PFD).
SENATOR DUNBAR said the challenge in making this work lies in
the technical aspects. He expressed appreciation for the
cooperation between the chair, administrative agencies, and his
office in creating a functional system that avoids known
pitfalls. He stated that the major change is the removal of the
non-custodial parent's ability to apply for a PFD; instead, the
CS proposes that DOR file the application. The CS also proposes
that DOR collect a seven percent administrative fee to offset
costs for locating individuals, determining eligibility, and
managing the process. He said DOR provided the figure and that
seven percent is reasonable. He thanked the committee, stating
version \I is workable and designed with flexibility to ensure
agencies can implement SB 12 in a rational way.
1:35:40 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN noted that representatives from the Child Support
Enforcement Division, Permanent Fund Dividend Division, and the
liaison from the Department of Revenue were present and
available to answer questions.
1:35:50 PM
He found no questions and solicited the will of the committee.
1:35:52 PM
SENATOR KIEHL moved to report CSSB 12, work order 34-LS0135\I,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
1:36:09 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN found no objection and CSSB 12(JUD) was reported
from the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.
1:36:26 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Claman adjourned the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee
meeting at 1:36 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 12 version I 3.11.25.pdf |
SJUD 3/12/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 12 |
| SB 12 Explanation of Changes Version A to Version I 3.12.25.pdf |
SJUD 3/12/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 12 |