Bill > SB77

This bill makes several modifications to Alaska's permanent fund dividend (PFD) program and related administrative processes. It expands the allowable reasons for an individual to remain eligible for a PFD while absent from the state, including new provisions for short breaks during educational programs, orientation periods, and specific maritime training programs. The bill also requires the Department of Revenue to conduct national criminal history record checks for employees administering the PFD program, adding a layer of background screening. Additionally, the bill adjusts confidentiality rules for PFD applications, removing a previous blanket exemption for applicant names and modifying how information can be shared. The legislation also updates procedures for dividend seizures, including requirements for notifying individuals when their dividend is subject to a court order, such as mandating electronic or mailed notices that provide details about the seizure and the individual's right to object. These changes aim to improve program administration, enhance eligibility flexibility, and provide more transparency in the PFD application and distribution process. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, giving state agencies time to implement the new requirements.

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https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=SB77