This bill amends Alaska's permanent fund dividend laws to allow individuals whose convictions have been vacated, reversed, or dismissed to become eligible for the dividend for each year they were previously ineligible due to their conviction. Specifically, new subsections (i) and (j) are added to AS 43.23.005, stating that individuals can apply for the dividend within one year of their conviction being dismissed or a not guilty finding being made. This change aims to ensure that those who have had their convictions overturned are not financially penalized for years they were ineligible.

Additionally, the bill modifies the calculation of the permanent fund dividend by including provisions for these newly eligible individuals in the determination of the total amount available for dividend payments. Section 2 of AS 43.23.025 is amended to incorporate the new eligibility criteria under subsections (h) and (i) of AS 43.23.005. Furthermore, a transition provision is included to allow individuals whose convictions were dismissed or reversed before the bill's effective date to apply for the dividend within one year of the bill's enactment.

Statutes affected:
HB0189A, AM HB 189, introduced 04/14/2025: 43.23.005, 43.23.025, 37.13.145, 43.23.045, 43.23.021, 43.23.055, 43.23.240