HB 131-RELOCATION ASSISTANCE FOR FED. PROJ/PROG  1:46:54 PM CO-CHAIR WOOL announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 131, "An Act relating to relocation assistance for federally assisted public construction and improvement projects and programs; and providing for an effective date." 1:47:17 PM LAURA STIDOLPH, Staff, Representative Adam Wool, Alaska State Legislature, presented HB 131, on behalf of the House Transportation Standing Committee, on which Representative Wool serves as co-chair. She stated that HB 131 would bring Alaska into compliance with federal law concerning reimbursement for relocation expenses incurred by individuals or businesses that were displaced due to federally funded highways, bridges, or facilities projects. She said that Alaskans deserve to be fairly compensated in the aforementioned circumstances. Ms. Stidolph explained that HB 131 would also protect Alaska's more than $500 million annual allocation of federal highway administration funding, by bringing the state into compliance. MS. STIDOLPH said that in 2012 Congress relaxed the eligibility criteria and increased the maximum reimbursement limits, for the state's relocation assistance payment programs when it passed the transportation authorization and funding bill that is more commonly referred to as the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st century Project Act (MAP-21). Ms. Stidolph noted that prior to MAP-21 the payment rates had not changed in over 30 years. She said that although the changes went into effect October 1, 2014, unfortunately Alaska Statute continues to reflect the more stringent eligibility requirements and the smaller maximum reimbursement limits. MS. STIDOLPH shared that during the second half of the Twenty- Ninth Alaska State Legislature, the inconsistency between state and federal law was almost fixed. She explained that language similar to HB 131 was proposed and passed unanimously through the House, but after being passed through Senate State Affairs Standing Committee and Senate Finance Committee was never calendared for a Senate floor vote. Ms. Stidolph concluded that HB 131 would assure Alaskans that their legislature wants them to be compensated the same as residents of other states. REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN asked what the number of the bill was that stalled. MS. STIDOLPH answered House Bill 252. CO-CHAIR WOOL extended his perception that HB 131 is just for relocation funds and not for buying property. MS. STIDOLPH confirmed that is correct. 1:49:50 PM REPRESENTATIVE KOPP offered his understanding that HB 131 would raise Alaska's statutory authority to reimburse displaced Alaskans at the same rate they would be in other states. MS. STIDOLPH affirmed that to be correct. She added that the funding is comprised of 91 percent federal funding and 9 percent funding from the state. [HB 131 was held over.] 1:50:40 PM