Rep. Jay Ramras News & Bill Activity

HCR 2 : In-State Gas Pipeline

Tue, 3 Aug 2010 16:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Ramras

Urging the Governor to commit to providing energy security for all Alaskans by supporting the in-state gas pipeline project and assisting the project in its efforts to secure needed permits, rights-of-way, engineering specifications, and other approvals necessary or desirable, to ...

Version : SCS CSHCR 2(FIN)
Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> LEGIS RESOLVE 41 : 2010-08-03
Contact : Margaret Dowling, 465-6841

The intent of House Concurrent Resolution No. 2 is to provide energy security for Alaskans. This resolution urges the Governor to take action that will facilitate development of a small diameter natural gas pipeline, commonly referred to as the "bullet line." With completion of a ...

HCR 25 : Suspend Uniform Rules For SB 110

Mon, 2 Aug 2010 18:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Hou. Judiciary

Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill No. 110, relating to the preservation of evidence and to the DNA identification system.

Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> LEGIS RESOLVE 57 : 2010-08-02

HCR 23 : Suspend Uniform Rules For SB 194

Mon, 2 Aug 2010 17:00:02 -0800

Sponsors : Hou. Judiciary

Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill No. 194, relating to penalties and civil damages for certain alcohol violations.

Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> LEGIS RESOLVE 55 : 2010-08-02

HB 149 : Civil Legal Services Fund

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Hou. Judiciary

An Act allowing appropriations to the civil legal services fund from court filing fees.

Status : (H) JUD >> (H) FIN : 2009-03-23
Contact : Jane Pierson, 465-4990

This bill is designed to help fund civil legal services for low-income Alaskans. House Bill 149 will provide a mechanism for funding the Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC), by allowing the legislature to appropriate up to 25 percent of filing fees paid to the Alaska Court System ...

HB 98 : Alcohol: Minor Consuming/Local Option

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Ramras

Relating to minor consuming and repeat minor consuming; relating to penalties for violations of limitations on possessing, sending, shipping, transporting, or bringing alcoholic beverages to, soliciting or receiving orders for delivery of alcoholic beverages to, and the manufacture, ...

Version : SCS CSHB 98(FIN)
Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 88 SLA 10 : 2010-06-16
Contact : Jane Pierson, 465-4990

HB 98 fixes a problem that occurred with the enactment of HB 359, a bill that passed the House unanimously in the 25th Legislative Session. HB 359 originated due to the desire of Alaskan youths to join the military and not being able to so due to probation restrictions from a minor ...

HB 251 : Vehicle Liens/ Towing/ Storage/ Transport

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:00:02 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Ramras

Relating to liens on vehicles and to towing, transporting, and storage of vehicles; and providing for an effective date.

Version : CSHB 251(JUD)
Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 113 SLA 10 : 2010-06-28
Contact : Don Habeger, 465-3004

Towing companies provide necessary service to Alaskans through the removal of abandoned, junked, and wrecked vehicles from public thoroughfares and private property. Alaskan towing companies follow prescribed laws in providing these towing services and in most cases are acting under ...

HB 345 : Sam Schuyler Memorial Bridge

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:00:02 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Ramras

Designating the bridge to be built on the Dalton Highway at approximately mile post 308 as the Sam Schuyler Memorial Bridge.

Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 107 SLA 10 : 2010-06-25
Contact : Margaret Dowling, 465-6841

HB 345 gives the name the "Sam Schuyler Memorial Bridge" to a bridge that will be built at mile post 308 on the Dalton Highway. Sam Schuyler was a well loved and respected Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) employee who spent his entire career ...

HB 408 : Misconduct Involving Weapons

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Hou. Judiciary

Relating to misconduct involving weapons.

Version : CSHB 408(JUD)
Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 100 SLA 10 : 2010-06-22
Contact : Jane Pierson, 465-4990

2nd Amendment Rights Restoration Bill Signed Into Law - Ramras's HB 408 Aligns with Federal Law, Addresses Supreme Court Test

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:24:46 -0800

Contact : Jane Pierson, 465-4990

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jay Ramras, R-Fairbanks, released the following statement today regarding the signing of House Bill 408. The governor signed the bill today at a ceremony held at the Matanuska Valley Sportsmen's Range near Palmer. HB 408 brings Alaska law in alignment with federal law in restoring complete gun rights to felons so long as they were not convicted of crimes against a person. Felons convicted on non-violent offenses are allowed to carry long-guns as soon as they receive an unconditional discharge, and also can have partial rights restored by receiving a pardon, suspended sentence, or by the passage of 10 years from the time of their unconditional discharge. HB 408 eases state restrictions, allowing full restoration of rights to persons who have proved to be rehabilitated. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled, in Caron v. U.S., that 2nd Amendment rights restoration must pass an "all-or-nothing" test: state and federal restoration laws must be the same. The bill takes effect Sept. 19.

Statement

"HB 408, the restoration of second amendment rights bill, is a good example of policy trumping politics. Those Alaskans who've rehabilitated themselves and moved on to live good lives will soon have their right to keep and bear arms restored. We are bringing an alignment to Alaska law, matching federal law, to comply with the Supreme Court's all-or-nothing test, and relieving the burden and stigma for some who choose to protect their homes or hunt. Gun ownership is a way of life in many areas of the state and 50 and 60-year old Alaskans who live in the Bush face life-or-death circumstances simply because of where they live. Alaskans who have been convicted of non-violent felonies but have had most of their rights restored deserve the right to protect themselves."

HB 108 : Property Foreclosure/ Execution/ Trust Deeds

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Ramras

Relating to real property foreclosures, to the sale of property on execution, and to deeds of trust.

Version : SCS CSHB 108(JUD) AM S
Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 62 SLA 10 : 2010-06-09
Contact : Jane Pierson, 465-4990

Alaska's statutes on non judicial foreclosure of real property are antiquated, ambiguous and unclear, and therefore, prone to unnecessary litigation. House Bill 108 clarifies the present statutory language, by simplifying and modernizing the foreclosure process. The suggested changes ...

HB 287 : Uniform Disclaimer Of Property Interests

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Ramras, Rep. Gruenberg

Relating to the adoption of the Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act, and to the disclaimer of property rights under the Uniform Probate Code.

Version : CSHB 287(JUD)
Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 63 SLA 10 : 2010-06-09
Contact : Jane Pierson, 465-4990

HB 287 is a comprehensive collection of rules outlining the types of property interests eligible for disclaimer, the process by which property interests may be disclaimed, and the effect of a disclaimer on the interest itself. The Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act was ...

HB 253 : Mechanic/Materialmen Liens

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Ramras

Relating to the time periods affecting certain liens related to providing labor, material, service, or equipment to real property, including buildings and other improvements.

Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 51 SLA 10 : 2010-06-09
Contact : Don Habeger, 465-3004

Under current law, contractors, material suppliers, and service people who have not been paid by property owner for labor or goods, has 90 days from the date of completion of the work, or from the date the service ceases, to file a lien on the property to secure payment of that debt. ...

HB 114 : State Trans Facility For Emergency Aid

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Ramras

Relating to availability of state transportation facilities and state-owned or state-operated transportation modes for delivering compassionate aid.

Version : SCS CSHB 114(TRA)
Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 40 SLA 10 : 2010-06-02
Contact : Jane Pierson, 465-4990

House Bill 114 is a compassionate aid bill that would enable the Governor to use state transportation to provide aid to Alaska communities in times of eminent disaster without declaring a disaster. In the initial week of the 26th Legislative session, the village of Emmonak wrote ...

Alaska House of Representatives Republican Majority Ajournment Book - 26th Alaska Legislature First Session 2010

Tue, 25 May 2010 15:25:31 -0800

Contact : Jane Pierson, 465-4990

May 12, 2010

Dear Colleague,

This 2010 Adjournment Package is intended to help you report back to your districts and constituents about the Majority Caucus's successes during the 2010 legislative session. Inside the package you'll find detailed breakdowns of the budget bills, highlights of priority Caucus legislation, a breakdown by member and committee, and a comprehensive list of legislation passed by the 26th Alaska Legislature.

House Majority Highlights 2nd Session Accomplishments - Priorities of repaying CBR debts, controlling operating growth, addressing state energy policy and goals, and in-state gas storage and use all accomplished

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 03:39:05 -0800

Contact : Jane Pierson, 465-4990

The Alaska State House today adjourned the second session of the 26th Alaska Legislature. Alaska State House Majority Caucus leadership spent the bulk of the two-year legislative lifespan focusing on restraining state agency operating budget growth, repaying past legislature's debts to the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund, forward-funding education, researching and addressing energy costs and generation statewide, restoring the confidence of voters in the election process, and continuing to advance an in-state gasline project. The Caucus also addressed, where appropriate, revisions and expansions to oil and gas development tax credits and incentives, including Cook Inlet exploration, development, and gas storage.

"We had an aggressive agenda and many moving targets to aim for," House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, said. "This Caucus, in this Legislature, was able to tackle a wide range of issues while meeting our constitutional mandate to pass the budgets. I am thankful for the leadership team, committee chairs, caucus members and their staff for pushing and refocusing our efforts. Alaskans sent us to Juneau with a purpose and I believe we can return to them with results. We kept operational spending down, focused on creating jobs, protecting families, and keeping the pressure on in-state gas delivery."

"We set energy policy and direction, settled a major visitor industry lawsuit and strengthened campaign and initiative disclosure laws," House Majority Leader Kyle Johansen, R-Ketchikan, said. "I am very pleased with our success."

Bill Allowing State Assets For Compassionate Aid Passes - Ramras' HB 114 offers option of state-owned and operated to help in during crises

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 02:49:28 -0800

Contact : Jane Pierson, 465-4990

Legislation providing the governor the option to allow state-owned assets to assist in times of crises has passed the legislature. The Alaska State House today concurred in Senate changes to House Bill 114. House Judiciary Committee Chair Jay Ramras, R-Fairbanks, sponsored the bill, which passed the State Senate unanimously today. The State House originally passed the bill April 15 last year.

"I originally introduced HB 114 to send a message to the prior governor that compassionate aid - food, clothing, water, rudimentary supplies - relief in times of non-disaster crises won't wait for convenience," Ramras said. "This bill sets in statute that state assets - state-owned and operated planes, vessels, trucks, even the railroad - can be deployed instead of sit idly by while needy Alaskans wait for help."

Current state law doesn't allow the state to assist unless an emergency or disaster occurs in the state. Economic or cultural crises fall under compassionate aid, like the situation last winter in Emmonak and Northwest Alaska.

Legislature Updates State Foreclosure Laws - Ramras' HB 108 modernizes AK's non-judicial foreclosures and real property

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 02:40:49 -0800

Contact : Jane Pierson, 465-4990

Legislation modernizing the state's non-judicial foreclosure laws is heading to the governor. The Alaska State House tonight concurred in Senate changes to House Bill 108. The Senate today unanimously passed the bill. House Judiciary Committee Chair Jay Ramras, R-Fairbanks, sponsored the bill, which originally passed the House last April.

"Alaska's current non-judicial foreclosure statutes are antiquated, ambiguous and unclear and therefore, prone to litigation," Ramras said. "HB 108 clarifies and modernizes the law, simplifying the foreclosure process. The changes will benefit borrowers, lenders and title companies."

HB 108 amends or adds 13 new sections to statute, including clarifying how proceeds from a foreclosure auction are to be distributed; assures that foreclosure trustees are fiscally responsible by imposing reasonable bond requirements; allows trustees to nullify sales when mistakes are made that negatively affect the integrity of the sale; sets up procedures to follow involving a deceased borrower; creates commonsense rules to govern times and methods for posting foreclosure properties; defines when one's rights are terminated in the foreclosure process; and, allows acceptance of foreclosure auction bids via email, internet, and telephone for greater accessibility.

Legislature Passes Towing and Storage Liens Fix Bill - Ramras' HB 251 Corrects State Law to Allow Towing Companies to Receive Payment in Certain Situations

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 18:45:29 -0800

Contact : Jane Pierson, 465-4990

Legislation prioritizing Towing and Storage Liens to ensure that towers receive payment for their services is heading to the governor. The Alaska State Senate today unanimously passed House Bill 215, which unanimously passed the House April 1. House Judiciary Committee Chair Jay Ramras, R-Fairbanks, sponsored the bill.

"Without HB 251's clarifications, Alaska's towing service companies could be harmed by allowing lien holders to take possession of a vehicle in impound without paying for towing and storage services already provided," Ramras said. "The bill is a commonsense fix that eases the burden on towers and reduces unfair risk to some of Alaska's small businesses."

HB 251 amends state law, AS 28.10, to prioritize possessory liens for towing services over all other liens except mortgages. The bill also includes a consumer protection provision stating that a company that has impounded a vehicle has to notify the lien-holder and vehicle's registered owner within seven working days after initially taking the vehicle into possession to maintain their lien. The change from the current 60-day notice allows consumers to receive notice before incurring additional storage fees, and work towards satisfying the lien earlier.

Bill Extending Mechanic's Lien Filing Heading to Gov. - Ramras' HB 253 Pushes Filing Deadline from 90 to 120 Days to Satisfy Liens

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:36:10 -0800

Contact : Jane Pierson, 465-4990

Legislation extending the filing deadlines for mechanic and material liens is heading to the governor. The Alaska State Senate today unanimously passed House Bill 253, giving mechanics an extra 30 days, from 90 to 120, to file their liens. House Judiciary Committee Chair Jay Ramras, R-Fairbanks, sponsored the bill, which unanimously passed the House March 26.

"A concerned Fairbanks contractor came to me with the idea for the bill, and it just makes good business sense," Ramras said. "The 30-day extension lets contractors, mechanics or material suppliers work with property owners to secure payment or negotiate a reasonable payment, avoiding a severe remedy."

HB 253 now heads to the governor for signature.

HJR 24 : Federal School Lunch Program/Military

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Ramras

Urging the United States Congress and the United States Department of Agriculture to extend the basic housing allowance exclusion to all military families for purposes of the school nutrition program.

Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> LEGIS RESOLVE 32 : 2010-04-15
Contact : Don Habeger, 465-3004

House Joint Resolution 24 enables military families that are living off the base to qualify for the school nutrition programs. Families who live off the base are given an additional basic allowance for housing (BAH). Due to this increase of income children of these families are ...