HOUSE BILL NO. 356 An Act relating to an exemption from municipal property taxes for certain real property that is exempt from levy and collection of real property taxes when conveyed by the federal government to implement the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act or when conveyed under a land exchange authorized by that Act involving land or an interest in land that is made exempt from local property taxes by that Act; and providing for an effective date. Vice-Chair Stoltze, Sponsor, introduced the bill as expanding the list of property that is exempted from municipal taxation to include property that has been conveyed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The legislation will provide benefits for all municipalities in Alaska who wish to enter into land exchanges with Native villages and regional corporations. Currently, land a Native corporation receives in an exchange with a municipality may not be exempt. 2:47:35 PM Vice-Chair Stoltze clarified that the municipality would have to want to do the land trade, in response to a question by Representative Kelly. Representative Hawker commented that the bill is re- affirming the over-riding federal statute and state statute. He was curious if municipalities could tax land that was exempt by federal statute. Vice-Chair Stoltze thought the bill was affirming the intent. 2:49:48 PM Co-Chair Meyer referred to fiscal notes. Co-Chair Chenault MOVED to report HB 356 out of Committee with individual recommendations and with the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS HB 356 (CRA) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with attached zero fiscal note by the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.