Alaska State Legislature
News from the House and Senate Majorities

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 Upholds Rights of Spouses and Dependents to Dividends

Bill Cancels Unintentional Effects of Unfortunate Court Ruling

For Immediate Release April 15, 1998 Contact: Rep. Pete Kott (907) 465-3777.

Juneau -- The State Senate Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a Committee Substitute for House Bill 2, which permits certain spouses and dependents who leave Alaska to continue receiving Permanent Fund dividends. This bill resolves the damage done by a particular court ruling, which says marriage cannot be the reason used to determine a person's residence eligibility. HB 2 passed the Senate 17-2.

"Unintentionally, the effect of this ruling has been to disrupt traditionally allowable absences , such as a spouse accompanying an individual for military service, medical treatment, or educational pursuits," said Representative Pete Kott (R-Eagle River), joint sponsor of HB 2. "For instance, students or military members who leave the state on allowable absences remain eligible for Permanent Fund Dividend payments, but their spouses who accompany them do not," Kott said.

HB 2 excuses an individual for an absence from the state when the reason for the absence includes accompanying another eligible resident who is absent for a reason that is permitted. The accompanying individual can be a spouse, a minor dependent, or a disabled dependent of the eligible resident.

In addition, the bill will permit Alaskans who, because of the court ruling, did not previously qualify, to apply for a 1998 dividend providing they would otherwise have qualified. They must apply for the 1998 dividend during the 1998 application period or before the end of the 1999 application period.

"What is especially sad is that, through monetary incentives, the court ruling effectively encourages families to break apart for lengthy periods of time," said Representative Eldon Mulder (R-Anchorage), joint sponsor of HB 2. "This situation is deplorable and will be remedied by this bill."

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Broadcasters note: Comments are available by calling the House Majority Actuality Line at (800) 478-6540.
= Pete Kott, 94 K = Eldon Mulder, 37 K