HB 58-REINSTATEMENT OF NATIVE CORPS CHAIR ANDERSON noted the first order of business was HOUSE BILL NO. 58, "An Act relating to the reinstatement of Native corporations; and providing for an effective date." Number 0100 LARRY LaBOLLE, Staff to Representative Richard Foster, Alaska State Legislature, presented HB 58 on behalf of Representative Foster, sponsor. He said the Legislature has considered similar legislation several times in the past. The bill addresses the situation that occurs when a village Native corporation fails to renew its corporate papers during a grace period and is involuntarily dissolved. The Native village corporations are creations of ANCSA [Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act], and they own the assets and operate the businesses of the village corporation. They could re-incorporate, but they wouldn't own those assets granted under ANCSA. Mr. LaBolle testified that the process is cleaner if the legislature provides a one-time window for them to pay their penalty fees and be reinstated under the state corporation laws. This way, he said, there's no question that the corporation is a continuation of the original entity. The last provision of the bill allows the board of directors to legally change the corporation's name if another corporation has taken the previously used name. At this time, the bill applies to three village corporations that have been involuntarily dissolved. They are Savoonga, which requested that Representative Foster sponsor the bill, Paimiut [and Pununrimiut Rinit]. Number 0263 MR. LaBOLLE, answering questions from Representative Guttenberg, said this is the third time he has staffed a similar bill. He said this "fix" is the simplest option because it falls within the corporate laws of the state. Number 0375 SALLY SADDLER, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Community & Economic Development, testified that the department has no position on the bill. She said staff has examined the bill and anticipates no problems with it. Back penalties and fees will generate a small amount of revenue, but they are not included in the department's zero fiscal note because they will not impact the department's ongoing operations. CHAIR ANDERSON closed the public hearing because there were no other witnesses. Number 0462 REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM moved to report HB 58 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, HB 58 was reported from the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.