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Session: State Capitol, Room 414 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-4945 Fax: (907) 465-3476 Send E-Mail Interim: 716 W 4th Avenue, Suite 610 Anchorage, AK 99501-2133 Phone: (907) 269-0199 Fax: (907) 269-0197 |
Bill Corrects Oversight and Enhances Employment Opportunities
For Immediate Release: May 6, 1999
Contact: Representative Jerry Sanders at (907) 465-4945
Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Thursday passed House Bill 157, which corrects an oversight in current law and makes Alaskans who are Merchant Mariners eligible for Permanent Fund Dividends. HB 157 passed unanimously on a reconsideration vote.
"Often, Merchant Mariners, in the normal course of their employment, are aboard ship and absent from Alaska for over 180 days per year," said Representative Jerry Sanders (R-Anchorage), sponsor of HB 157. "In many cases these Alaskans could be aboard the cargo or tank vessels that serve Alaska, yet they are still denied a Permanent Fund check.
"A strong effort is now underway to recruit young Alaskans for the U.S. Merchant Marine service. As Alaskans committed to local hire, we should not be placing obstacles in the path of employment opportunities for our youth," Sanders said. "This bill will remove this obstacle and give 28 working men and women residents of Alaska their rightful claim to a Permanent Fund Dividend."
HB 157 now moves to the Senate.
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= Jerry Sanders, 83 K