Legislation that would pay back Permanent Fund dividends to wrongfully imprisoned Alaskans has passed the Alaska House of Representatives by a vote of 38-1, and moved to the State Senate for consideration.
House Bill 127, sponsored by Rep. Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks, would allow Alaskans whose convictions were vacated, reversed, or dismissed to seek repayment of their PFDs, which they had to forgo to the state while incarcerated.
If signed into law, HB 127 would let those eligible to apply for the PFD within one year following the new judgment or within one year of the effective date of the bill.
The state Department of Revenue calculates the amount of dividends eligible to be paid late based on the estimated cases of successful appeals for that particular qualifying year. Under HB 127, the minute someone is eligible to receive a PFD for a vacated, revered or dismissed conviction, the Alaska Court System would notify the Revenue Department, which would then calculate the potential payout.
Kawasaki said the bill would correct a serious injustice for little to no cost for each Alaskan. The state has a responsibility to ensure those convicted of crimes are prosecuted fairly and justly,” Kawasaki said. “In the event the justice system fails, repaying Permanent Fund dividends would help these Alaskans transition back to normal life.”
