Alaska State Legislature
News from the House Majority

Jerry Ritter, House Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3804
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

House Approves PFDs for Estates of Eligible Alaskans

Bill Corrects Oversight in Law

For Immediate Release April 30, 1998 Contact: Rep. Gary Davis at (907) 465-2693.

Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Thursday unanimously approved House Bill 481, sponsored by the House State Affairs Committee. HB 481 permits estates to receive the Permanent Fund Dividends of qualified recipients who die during the application period before applying.

"House Bill 481 corrects an inequity," said Representative Gary Davis (R-Soldotna), who carried the bill in the House. "It adds to statute that an heir or estate of an individual who applies for the PFD but dies before receiving it may keep the PFD. Families can use these dividends to help with funeral expenses or medical expenses, to pay for the support of dependents, or for a myriad of other purposes," Davis said.

The bill also creates a new section that allows an heir or estate to apply on behalf of an individual who is otherwise eligible for the PFD but died during the application period, before applying. It also permits creditors to receive the PFD if no heirs exist.

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