HB 364 An Act relating to allowable absences from the state for purposes of eligibility for permanent fund dividends; and providing for an effective date. HB 364 was HELD in Committee for further consideration. 1 HOUSE BILL 364 "An Act relating to allowable absences from the state for purposes of eligibility for permanent fund dividends; and providing for an effective date." Representative Parnell advised that the subcommittee had addressed concerns of expanding the number of recipients for the permanent fund dividend. He stressed that the original intention of the fund was to encourage persons to maintain their residence in the State and to reduce a population turnover. Representative Parnell MOVED to adopt work draft #8- LS1378\0, Cook, 3/14/94 which would explain "allowable absences" as the version before the Committee. Representative Martin OBJECTED for purposes of discussion and stated that the Public Health Service Corp should not be given a special dispensation. Representative Martin MOVED to delete to Page 2, Lines 28 - 29, Section (I). Representative Martin WITHDREW HIS OBJECTION on the motion to adopt the work draft. There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted. (Tape Change, HFC 94-74, Side 1). THOMAS WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR, PERMANENT FUND DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, stated that the number of Alaska Public Health Service officers claiming Alaska residence is 7 296, and that the number of individuals living in other states claiming Alaska residency is 200, which does not include spouses and children. Representative Brown advised that determination of exemptions should be fair. Discussion followed among Committee members regarding the differences between merchant marines and the public health service corp. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION to delete Section IN FAVOR: Hanley, Hoffman, Martin, Therriault, Grussendorf, MacLean, Larson. OPPOSED: Parnell, Navarre, Brown, Foster. The MOTION PASSED (7-4). Representative Therriault MOVED to delete Section 2, Page 2, Lines 9-27. Representative Martin OBJECTED. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Hoffman, Therriault, Brown, Grussendorf, Hanley, Larson. OPPOSED: Martin, Navarre, Parnell, Foster, MacLean. The MOTION PASSED (6-5). Representative Therriault MOVED a title change to HB 364, Page 1, Lines 2-3, deleting "and to allowable absences from the state for purposes of eligibility for dividends;". There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted. Mr. Williams stated that adoption of Section 1 would have a minimal amount of change except for those individuals who were gone longer than 180 days per year. An out of state college student would be required to come back to Alaska for the summer in order to continue to qualify for the permanent fund dividend. Discussion followed among Committee members regarding college student's permanent fund dividends. Representative Parnell stated that there are a group of people in the State who are gone more than 180 days per year on State business. He MOVED a conceptual amendment to exempt a category of persons from Section 1. 1. Those who are serving the U.S. Congress as a representative or senator for the State of Alaska. 2. Those serving on the staff of a representative or 8 senator from Alaska. 3. Those serving as an employee of the State of Alaska including employment in a field office. Following discussion regarding fully allowable absences Representative Parnell WITHDREW THE MOTION. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. HB 364 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.