Gara's Consumer Protection Bill Passes House

The House passed House Bill 56, sponsored [sponsor statement] by Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage), that will give the state greater power to fight consumer fraud. This bill strengthens the state's ability to represent Alaskans who have been victimized by fraudulent business practices, whether by used car dealers, telemarketers, or others who prey on Alaska's consumers. It does so while actually saving the state money.

Currently victims of consumer fraud can contact the State's Attorney General's Office for help. However, due to budget constraints, the State cannot help many victims. In 2001 roughly half of all Alaskans who complained of consumer law violations were turned away due to budget constraints.

House Bill 56 changes the law to allow the state to recover its full enforcement, investigation and court costs if it prevails against a party that has violated Alaska's consumer protection laws.

HB 56 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Representative Moses's Bill to Aid Workers in Southwest Alaska Passes House

House Bill 123, sponsored [sponsor statement] by Representative Carl Moses (D-Unalaska), would add the Southwest Alaska Vocational & Education Center in King Salmon to the roster of entities eligible for allocated funding under the Alaska Workforce Investment Board (formerly Alaska Human Resource Investment Council). These entities are not currently among the program participants afforded a regular allocation under the Alaska Workforce Investment Board. In the case of the Center at King Salmon, it is a struggling regional training center in the heart of the worst failed salmon fishery in Alaska. This bill would require the expenditure of no new money, only reallocate whatever funds are appropriated to the program.

HB 123 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Kerttula's Resolution to Support Winter Recreationists Passes Resources

House Joint Resolution 41, sponsored by Representative Beth Kerttula (D-Juneau), requests the Alaska State Legislature support efforts by the Alaska congressional delegation to pass the Federal Land Recreational Visitor Protection Act of 2003. This act directs the United States Secretary of the Interior to establish a coordinated avalanche control program in the National Park System to increase the safety of visitors, recreational users, neighboring communities, and transportation corridors; and provides for grant funding to assist in the prevention, forecasting, detection, and mitigation of avalanches.

HJR 41 now goes to the House floor.

Upcoming Events-

Saturday, April 10 - Senator Guess will hold constituent meetings at the Mountain View Community Center (315 N. Price Street) from 10:00 a.m. to noon and the Northeast Community Center (1251 Muldoon Road) from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Saturday, April 10 - Senator Davis, Representative Cissna, and Representative Crawford will hold their second constituent meeting from noon to 3 at Russian Jack Elementary School. The entertainment will be provided by music students from Russian Jack Elementary School.

Putting Alaskans First - Moving Alaska Forward