 May 07, 2004
HB 344, by Fairbanks Rep. Hugh "Bud" Fate, provides a mechanism by which a mining claim holder who has missed a paperwork deadline may get an extension, cure the defect, and avoid losing the claim to abandonment. "This is a good change to the law, because it gives a prospector the opportunity to correct an oversight, without losing his or her claim," Murkowski said. SB 289, by Wasilla Senator Lyda Green, extends the sunset date of the Special Education Service Agency until June 30, 2013. The agency is responsible for helping schools and infant learning programs provide required services for children with severe disabilities where there is no local expertise. "The Special Education Service Agency provides a vital service to outlying areas where a local school cannot afford the kind of help a disabled child may need, such as special education technical assistance, help for parents, or specialized library materials," Murkowski said. HB 356, by Kotzebue Rep. Reggie Joule, extends the statutes authorizing community delivery sites for "damp" communities, which helps control and track the importation of alcohol into those communities. The law was extended until July 1, 2008. "The Department of Public Safety believes this law is being used successfully in Barrow, and could be extended to Kotzebue, Bethel, Unalakleet, and other damp communities," Murkowski said. HJR 30, by Palmer Rep. Carl Gatto, asks the Alaska congressional delegation to support federal legislation that would repeal the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination provision from the Social Security Act. Current federal law reduces a person's Social Security benefit if they participate in a pension fund. The offset has created an obstacle to recruiting teachers who had already met the minimum qualifications for social security.
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