The Alaska Association of REALTORS® was instrumental in getting the first three bills passed in 2009. We will continue to work on the Fire Sprinkler bill in 2010.HB 49 adds recreational properties to existing laws that strengthen an individual’s property rights from the exercise of eminent domain. Representative Craig Johnson introduced this bill last year and again this year. It is expected to proceed without any problems. It has helped that Representative Gara did not try to amend the bill this year. He has, however, just introduced HB 198 which, if passed, will achieve the river access he was pushing for originally.

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/26/Bills/HB0049A.PDF  

HB 129 was introduced by Representative Jay Ramras and would give the Alaska Real Estate Commission the authority to revoke the license of a sales person who is convicted of forgery, theft, extortion, conspiracy to defraud creditors or fraud. The AREC already has this ability with brokers and associate brokers.

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/26/Bills/HB0129A.PDF 
HB 156 would allow municipalities to partially or totally exempt the fee for using a landfill or dumping area to dispose of the waste materials from deteriorated property. We are in favor of this bill because removing derelict buildings improves safety and increases property values.

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=HB%20156&session=26 
 

SB 129 was introduced by Senator Menard and is our first controversial bill. This bill exempts single family and two family homes from the requirement of a full blown sprinkler system on all new construction. If not passed, this requirement will be automatic when the state adopts new national building codes. The builders were the initial push behind this bill and we got on board with them. Everyone would like to see safer homes, but mandated residential sprinkler systems will be an extreme burden to affordable housing, create a maintenance nightmare, create a dramatic increase in water damage and therefore mold damage with the ultimate increase in insurance rates or cancellation of insurance altogether, and bring the number of new houses coming on line to a trickle. A committee substitute will be introduced next year to include: A city, municipality or home rule community may not adopt a mandatory sprinkle code unless: 1. They advertise their intent for at least 90 days; 2. They hold a minimum of 3 public hearings; 3. They complete a cost benefit analysis and make it available for public comment.

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=SB%20129&session=26