Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Tuesday passed House Bill 437, sponsored by the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee, which extends the deadline for several Native village corporations to be reinstated.

"Existing law permits Native corporations which have been involuntarily dissolved for more than two years to apply for reinstatement prior to December 31, 1998," said Representative Carl Morgan, Co-Chair of the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee. "This legislation extends that date to December 31, 2000, allowing a short window of opportunity for several Native village corporations to take care of corporate business and to once again be viable entities."

HB 437 passed the House unanimously and now moves to the Senate for consideration.