Protecting Your Rights: Serving Sand Lake, Spenard and Turnagain

May 20, 2021

End of First Regular Session

In accordance with the Alaska constitution, the legislature may meet for up to 121 days as part of its regular session. Wednesday was the 121st and final day of the regular legislative session.

Click here to hear about what we've accomplished

End of First Regular Session of the 32nd Legislature

Invocation

The daily order of business on the House floor always includes an invocation or meditation. I recently commenced a floor session with a trumpet performance of an American folk classic, "This Land is Your Land," by Woody Guthrie. Playing for my colleagues was a great reminder of how music can bring people together.

Governor Calls Special Sessions

Last week, the governor issued a proclamation calling the legislature into two special sessions. The first special session began today, May 20, 2021, and directs work on three topics:

FY22 Operating Budget & Mental Health Budget (HB 69/HB 71)
FY22 Permanent Fund Dividend (HB 72/SB 52)
Constitutional Amendment addressing the Permanent Fund, dividend, and Power Cost Equalization (HJR 7/SJR 6)

The governor also called a second special session to start on August 2, 2021, and directs work on four topics:

Constitutional Amendment to establish an appropriation limit (HJR 6/SJR 5)
Constitutional Amendment to prohibit new state taxes without voter approval (HJR 8/SJR 7)
Appropriations of federal relief funds, including American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds
Potential measures to increase state revenues

Read the governor’s special session proclamations here .

Personal Legislation Updates

House Bill 36: Motor Vehicle Dealers: Applications; Insurance

This week, the legislature passed House Bill 36, legislation sponsored by my office that strengthens Alaska’s motor vehicle dealer license requirements by modernizing the statute and incorporating reasonable standards for obtaining a motor vehicle dealer’s license without creating barriers to entry into the field or restricting competition.

Alaska's lenient requirements make it too easy for unscrupulous actors to obtain dealer licenses and gain access to dealer-only auctions where used cars are sold at discounted rates. Purchasing a car may be one of the largest investments a consumer makes in their lifetime, so we need to ensure that reasonable standards for becoming a dealer are in place as well as financial protections should the sale not work out. Click here to learn more about House Bill 36.

House Bill 36 previously passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 29-10, and passed the Senate 20-0. The House approved changes made by the Senate, and the bill now goes to the governor for his signature.

House Bill 109: Extend Bar Association Board of Governors

This week, the legislature passed House Bill 109, legislation sponsored by my office that extends the termination date of the Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar Association until June 30, 2029. The Board is currently scheduled to terminate on June 30, 2021.

The Division of Legislative Audit, having concluded an audit of the Board of Governors, determined that the board is

Rep. Claman at the 2007 Alaska Bar Association Convention with former Bar Presidents.

operating in the public’s interest and has complied with its duties and responsibilities to the public. It recommended that the termination date be extended to June 30, 2029. The Board of Governors serves an important public service by regulating the practice of law, promoting reform in the law and in judicial procedure, facilitating the administration of justice, investigating complaints, requiring continuing legal education for membership, and increasing the public service and efficiency of the Bar.

House Bill 109 previously passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 34-4, and passed the Senate 19-1. The bill now goes to the governor for his signature.

COVID-19 Relief

Restaurant Revitalization Fund

This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023. Applications are now open. Click here for more RRF information.

PPP Deadline Extended

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Extension Act of 2021 was signed into law by President Biden on March 30, extending the PPP program to May 31, 2021. This extension also gives the Small Business Administration (SBA) through June 30, 2021 to process lender applications. Click here for more information.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan

SBA is raising the loan limit for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans to up to 24 months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000. Business owners who received a loan subject to the previous limits can now request an increase under the new limits. SBA is emailing borrowers instructions on how to submit a loan increase request. Click here for more information.

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant

Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees. Click here for more information.

COVID-focused Financial Navigator

A new COVID-focused financial navigator program helps connect Alaskans with relief programs, financial counseling and job training, and more. It's available at finnav.org/anchorage or by calling 2-1-1. The financial navigator provides guidance over the phone to help residents access available programs and services to manage income disruptions and other financial concerns.

Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is offering an emergency broadband benefit for qualifying low-income households. For qualifying families, you could receive a discount of $50/month on your internet bill. For residents on qualifying tribal lands, you could receive a discount of $75/month on your internet bill.

Enrollment for the benefit is now open. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org.

Check out the Broadband Benefit Consumer FAQ for more information about the benefit and please continue to check this page for program updates.

Community Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Spenard Community Council

When: Wednesday, June 2 at 7:00 PM

Where: Virtual Zoom Meeting. Click here for details.

Turnagain Community Council

When: Thursday, June 3 at 7:00 PM

Where: Virtual Zoom Meeting. Click here for details.

Bike to Work - Or Wherever - Day

Join other bike commuters for treats all over town.

When: TOMORROW, Friday, May 21 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Where: Use the treat station map to plan your commute

For more information, visit the event website.

Taste of Spenard

Known for its unique brand of odd Alaska living, Spenard has been home to artists, foodies, and pioneers alike for decades. Taste of Spenard will have live music (w/a 21+ full bar provided by Koot's), food trucks, farmers, and wellness market vendors. All ages and free to the public.

When: Sunday, May 23 from 12:00 – 5:00 PM

Where: Chilkoot Charlie's Parking Lot, 2435 Spenard Rd .

For more information and to RSVP, visit the Facebook event page.