Rep. Bill Thomas News & Bill Activity

HB 10 : Municipal Tax Exemptions

Sun, 5 Sep 2010 20:30:52 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Gruenberg, Rep. Chenault, Rep. Thomas, Rep. Gara, Rep. Harris, Rep. Kawasaki

An Act relating to mandatory exemptions from municipal property taxes for certain assets of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority and for property owned by certain private colleges or universities; relating to optional exemptions from municipal property taxes for ...

Version : SCS CSHB 10(FIN) AM S(REENGROSSED)
Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 10 SLA 10 : 2010-05-01
Contact : Laffen Allison, 465-4940

HB 344 : Salmon Product Develop. Tax Credit

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Thomas

Relating to the salmon product development tax credit; and providing for an effective date by amending an effective date in sec. 7, ch. 57, SLA 2003, as amended by sec. 4, ch. 3, SLA 2006, and by sec. 4, ch. 8, SLA 2008.

Version : CSHB 344(FIN)
Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 102 SLA 10 : 2010-06-25
Contact : Peter Ecklund, 465-3732

House Bill 344 extends the deadline for salmon processors in Alaska to receive a salmon product development tax credit. The program allows applicants to claim a credit on their annual fisheries business tax for 50% of the purchase costs of eligible equipment. Credits received may ...

Thomas Comments on Enactment of Fishing, Lands Bills - Haines Rep's HB 344, Wrangell Rep's HB 273 Signed into Law

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:39:02 -0800

House Finance Committee Vice-Chair Bill Thomas, R-Haines, today released the following statement regarding the enactment of House Bill 344 and HB 273. HB 344 extends the Salmon Product Development Tax Credit for property placed into service before December 2015 and adds ice making machines to the list of qualified expenditures eligible to receive the credit, which is up to 50-percent of the purchase cost. HB 273 completes land entitlements for the City and Borough of Wrangell and the Haines Borough. Thomas's amendment in the House Finance Committee added 3,167 acres to the borough's original general land grant.

Statement

"These two pieces of legislation are examples of how government can work best. We're enhancing the quality and opportunity for our fish processors - the people who rely on A1 fish. And we're giving our local governments a leg-up to grow their communities and expand their tax bases, which is necessary for them to offer opportunities for families and businesses; making their communities more viable and sustainable. In essence, the State is giving something back, instead of taking something in. We all stand to benefit from vibrant communities across the state - and must protect our salmon's standing as the best, freshest, renewable resource on the market."

HB 334 : Military Deployment And Child Custody

Sat, 5 Jun 2010 14:00:03 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Thomas

Establishing child custody, modification, and visitation standards for a military parent; amending Rules 77 and 99, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and providing for an effective date.

Version : CSHB 334(RLS)(EFD ADD S)
Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 44 SLA 10 : 2010-06-04
Contact : Kaci Hotch, 465-3732

For nearly a decade, the War on Terror has required Alaska to frequently deploy our active military, reserve, and National Guard troops. This high deployment tempo is putting even more pressure on our already strained military families. Children who are already in unusual circumstances ...

Military Child Custody Reform Bill Enacted - Thomas's and Huggins's HB 334 Protects Deployed Service Members

Fri, 4 Jun 2010 18:46:24 -0800

Representative Bill Thomas, R-Haines, released the following statement today regarding the enactment of his and Senator Charlie Huggins's House Bill 334. The governor signed the bill into law this morning at a ceremony in Eagle River. HB 334, the top priority of the Joint Legislative Veterans Caucus, includes the following changes to equalize a deployed military member's standing in child custody and divorce proceedings: defining a military absence; assuring that military duties cannot be considered when determining child custody; allowing for expedited hearings, with some restrictions; granting the right of a deploying service member to designate visitation to another family member; allowing electronic testimony; and, placing limitations on temporary custody orders. The Act takes effect immediately.

Statement

"Senator Huggins and I, along with the support of the Veterans Caucus and our staff, are proud to see this bill become law. We hope our new standards for child custody proceedings involving deploying or deployed servicemen and women can be used as a template for other states to follow. We're now leading the way in terms of protecting the rights to fair access and flexibility when these events overlap with a deployment. Those protecting and serving our country overseas and at home don't need another significant stress on their lives as they prepare or work; they don't deserve to have their voice in the custody proceedings silenced due to their job. We worked hard to ensure that the best interests of the child was still the major determining factor in these proceedings while explicitly stating that a deployment or assignment cannot be used against a party to deny custody. Our soldiers should not have to fight a battle on two fronts. They deserve to know that, while serving our country, they will still be afforded equal access to our justice system at home and that their service is appreciated, not seen as a deterrent when it comes to child custody matters. HB 334 will provide some much-needed relief."

HB 245 : Licensing For Optometry

Thu, 3 Jun 2010 14:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Thomas

Relating to licensure as an optometrist; establishing a retired status optometrist license; and providing for an effective date.

Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 27 SLA 10 : 2010-06-01
Contact : Kaci Hotch, 465-3732

HB 245 makes some necessary changes to the licensure criteria for optometrists in this state. Currently, Alaska has three levels of licensure for optometrists: Basic License (no pharmaceuticals) License with Pharmaceutical Endorsement (in-office eye drops) License with ...

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

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

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.

Legislature Approves Military Child Custody Bill - House concurs in Senate Changes to Thomas' HB 334, provides clear directive to court: not to consider deployment

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:25:32 -0800

Legislation protecting deployed service-members and children in child custody disputes is heading to the governor for approval. The Alaska State House today concurred on Senate changes to House Bill 334. House Finance Committee Vice-Chair, and Veterans Caucus Co-Chair, Bill Thomas, R-Haines, sponsored the bill. HB 334 was the top priority of the Veterans Caucus, and it passed both the House and the Senate unanimously.

"My Veterans Caucus co-chair, Senator Huggins, and I, are proud to have led the way in getting this passed. A deploying service-member shouldn't be fighting battles on two fronts, one in theater and the other at home," Thomas said. "The court system is having trouble balancing deployment with a child's best interest. This bill addresses those problems by giving the courts clear directive and definitions. The pressures of military life and deployment already are straining our servicemen and women, not to mention their children and extended family; we expect this law to provide some much needed relief.

HB 334 includes the following items and restrictions:

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

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."

Salmon Product Development Tax Credit Extension Heading to Gov - Thomas' HB 344 extends credit through 2015, Adds Ice Machines to Credit List

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:26:28 -0800

Legislation extending the Salmon Product Development Tax Credit is heading to the governor. The Alaska State Senate today unanimously passed House Bill 344. House Finance Committee Vice-Chair Bill Thomas, R-Haines, sponsored the bill. The House unanimously passed the bill April 7.

"The tax credit was intended to spur Alaska salmon marketability and improve quality, which it has. Alaska salmon is considered the best in the world today and I'd like to believe this credit is one of the reasons why," Thomas said. "Our salmon industry is beginning to recover from years of low values and competition from farmed fish. Extending the credit four years will allow the industry to continue the progress being made in developing and producing top-shelf salmon products."

The bill also adds ice machines to the list of investments that qualify for the tax credit. Thomas says icing fish is a common practice in Southeast Alaska and is expanding to other fisheries like Bristol Bay and Western Alaska. He says icing preserves freshness and quality, which can bring better prices for fishermen since processors only want A-1 quality fish for value-added production.

HB 58 : Education Loan Repayment Program

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Thomas, Rep. Wilson, Rep. Millett

An Act relating to a student loan repayment program for specified occupations or fields in which a shortage of qualified employees exists.

Status : (H) EDC >> (H) FIN : 2009-04-01
Contact : Kaci Hotch, 465-3732

Bill Establishing Standard Level of Care for Optometrists Heading to the Governor - Thomas' HB 245 brings statutes in line with current education levels and trends

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:13:14 -0800

Legislation creating uniform licensure criteria for Alaska optometrists is heading to the governor. The Alaska State Senate today unanimously passed House Bill 245. Representative Bill Thomas, R-Haines, sponsored the bill, which passed the State House March 22.

"Alaskans deserve the best, most current, and highest standard of care," Thomas said. "HB 245 brings Alaska in line with current licensing criteria widely in use across the U.S. The Board of Optometry would like to have a standard level of care - a key provision in the bill. Thanks to the Senate vote today, optometrists working in Alaska will have a more uniform level of care."

HB 245 requires standardizes care and requires optometrists who want to practice in Alaska to have the credentials to practice with a pharmaceutical prescription and use endorsement. Most optometrists across the nation are already graduating with this endorsement, and most in Alaska have already upgraded.

Final Majority Caucus Press Availability Scheduled - Leadership set to meet with reporters tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 20:43:07 -0800

Members of the Alaska State House Majority Caucus' leadership will participate in the final weekly press availability of the session tomorrow, Monday, April 12, at 9:00 a.m. in the Speaker's Chambers, Capitol Room 210.

A teleconference for reporters unable to attend in person has been set up through the Legislative Bridge Teleconference Center at 877-763-5073.

Digital Audio and video will be posted to iTunes and the Majority Caucus Web site following the event. Reporters with specific requests are encouraged to contact the House Majority Press Office at 907-465-5284 prior to the event for individual requests and formatting requirements.

House Acts To Extend Salmon Product Development Tax Credit - Thomas' HB 344

Wed, 7 Apr 2010 00:06:42 -0800

The Alaska State House today unanimously passed House Bill 344, legislation extending the Salmon Product Development Tax Credit through Dec. 31, 2015. House Finance Committee Vice-Chair Bill Thomas, R-Haines, sponsored the bill.

"The tax credit was intended to spur Alaska salmon marketability and improve quality, which it has. Alaska salmon is considered the best in the world today and I'd like to believe this credit is one of the reasons why," Thomas said. "Our salmon industry is beginning to recover from years of low values and competition from farmed fish. Extending the credit four years will allow the industry to continue the progress being made in developing and producing top-shelf salmon products."

The bill also adds ice machines to the list of investments that qualify for the tax credit. Thomas says icing fish is a common practice in Southeast Alaska and is expanding to other fisheries like Bristol Bay and Western Alaska. He says icing preserves freshness and quality, which can bring better prices for fishermen since processors only want A-1 quality fish for value-added production.

HB 309 : Dental Care Insurance

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Thomas

An Act prohibiting health care insurers that provide dental care coverage from setting fees that a dentist may charge under a preferred provider contract for dental services not covered under the insurer's policy, and relating to preferred provider contracts between insurers ...

Status : (H) HSS >> (H) FIN : 2010-03-29
Contact : Cecile Elliott, 465-3732

HB 309 prohibits insurance companies from setting fee limits on noncovered procedures and also prevents them from setting age limitations for covered services. A national trend has developed where dental managed care insurance plans are setting caps on dentist's fees for services ...

House OKs Military Child Custody Bill - Thomas' HB 334 ensures courts have clear directives when dealing with deploying family member in custody

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:50:04 -0800

The Alaska State House today unanimously passed House Bill 334, legislation providing new directives and restrictions for the court system to follow in child custody cases when one parent or family member is, or will be, deployed. House Finance Committee Vice-Chair Bill Thomas, R-Haines, sponsored the bill.

"A deploying family member should not have to prepare for a battle on two fronts, one in theater and the other at home," Thomas said. "The court system is finding it difficult to balance deployment with the child's best interest, so HB 334 provides them with clear directives and definitions. The pressures of military life and deployment already put a strain on our servicemen and women, not to mention the children and family support involved. The bill is a priority of the Veterans Caucus that I and Senator Charlie Huggins co-chair, and we're thankful my peers in the House passed it out."

HB 334 includes the following items and restrictions:

HB 273 Passes House with Haines Land Provision - Thomas worked with sponsor, Rep. Peggy Wilson, and Finance Committee on fix

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 23:47:42 -0800

The Alaska State House today unanimously passed House Bill 273, legislation granting new land entitlements to the Wrangell and Haines Boroughs. House Finance Committee Vice Chair Bill Thomas, R-Haines, applauded the bill's passage today, and thanked bill sponsor Rep. Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, and his fellow members on the Finance Committee for working with him to include the Haines land entitlement amendment.

"DNR's Land Entitlement Program is meant to set Boroughs up with enough acreage so they can adequately supply services and administer government, similar to the levels that already-established municipalities and boroughs have attained before the last land grant law passed," Thomas said. "Our borough has already pinpointed some 3100-plus acres for growth and development, and I am pleased to work with my friends on Finance and Peggy Wilson to add those acres to her bill."

The map submitted to the Finance Committee shows potential borough selections near William Henry Bay, Excursion Inlet and the Upper Lynn Canal near Lynn Sisters. The bill's amended acreage total for the Haines Borough would be 3167 new aces, in addition to the previously granted 2800 acres (AS 29.65.010.)

House Approves Standard Level of Care for Optometrists - Thomas' HB 245 Brings Statutes in Line with Current Education Levels and Trends

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 23:23:10 -0800

The Alaska State House today unanimously passed House Bill 245, legislation creating uniform licensure criteria for optometrists in Alaska. The bill, sponsored by Representative Bill Thomas, R-Haines, reduces the current three levels of licensure to one, which will standardize care and reduce confusion among the public.

"The Board of Optometry would like to have a standard level of care that everyone receives from optometrists, which is one of the key provisions in HB 245, "Thomas said. "The bill brings Alaska in line with current licensing criteria across the country. Alaskans deserve the best, most current, and highest standard of care possible. HB 245 ensures that optometrists working in Alaska have the credentials to practice at the highest level."

The bill requires optometrists who want to practice in Alaska to have the credentials to practice with a pharmaceutical prescription and use endorsement. Most optometrists across the nation are already graduating with this endorsement, and most optometrists in Alaska have already upgraded themselves.

HB 274 : Establishing Purple Heart Day

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:00:01 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Dahlstrom, Rep. Gardner, Rep. Buch, Rep. Keller, Rep. Petersen, Rep. Lynn, Rep. Gatto, Rep. Tuck, Rep. Doogan, Rep. Thomas, Rep. Hawker, Rep. Guttenberg, Rep. Ramras, Rep. Fairclough, Rep. Johnson, Rep. Millett, Rep. Herron

Establishing August 7 as Purple Heart Day.

Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 2 SLA 10 : 2010-03-22
Contact : Laura Pierre, 465-3783

On August 7, 1782, General George Washington established the Badge of Military Merit to honor military enlisted men and noncommissioned officers. This badge was only awarded to three Revolutionary War soldiers then fell to the wayside after the war. In 1932, on Washington's 200th ...

Admin. Reg. Review Committee to Meet Monday - Topics Centering on Cabins, Dairy Production

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 15:25:49 -0800

The Joint Administrative Regulation Review Committee will hold its first March meeting on Monday, focusing on Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation and Dept. of Natural Resources regulations.

Committee Chair Representative Wes Keller, R-Wasilla, says he's agreed to hold the dual topic hearing after groups approached the committee about having separate hearings regarding dairy production and public use cabins. One part of the meeting will focus on examining regulations regarding cheese production by small dairies in the state, and possible exemptions in order to make manufacture and business easier. Another part of the meeting will focus on examining personal use cabin owners' requests to save their interests in their cabins that are on state land.

"The committee simply wants to perform its due diligence to look into these matters," Keller said.