AK HB127

Individuals who were denied permanent fund dividends due to a criminal conviction become eligible to receive back dividends for each year they were ineligible if their conviction is vacated or reversed.

Eligibility requires either dismissal of all charges underlying the conviction (not as part of a plea agreement) or retrial resulting in a not guilty finding.

Applicants must apply for the back dividends within one year after the dismissal or not guilty finding.

The permanent fund dividend calculation is amended to include payments to individuals eligible due to vacated, reversed, or dismissed convictions as part of the total amount available for dividend payments.

Individuals whose dismissal or not guilty finding occurred before the bill's effective date have one year from the effective date to apply for the permanent fund dividend.