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SB 167

An Act relating to eligibility of criminal offenders for certain benefits, including the permanent fund dividend; relating to a permanent fund dividend for an individual whose conviction has been vacated, reversed, or dismissed; and relating to the calculation of the value of the permanent fund dividend by including payment to individuals eligible for a permanent fund dividend because of a conviction that has been vacated, reversed, or dismissed.

34th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jeremy Bynum and 10 co-sponsors

SB 167 restores Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend eligibility to individuals whose convictions were vacated, reversed, or dismissed, including retroactive payments.

(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW 9/16/26
#budget #corrections #crimes #criminalprocedure #permanentfund #revenue #rights
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Bill Summary · SB 167

Legislative bill overview

SB 167 addresses Alaska's Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) eligibility for individuals whose criminal convictions have been vacated, reversed, or dismissed. The bill allows these individuals to receive PFD payments they were previously ineligible for, and adjusts the PFD calculation methodology to include these newly eligible recipients.

Why is this important

Alaska's PFD is a unique annual payment to state residents funded by oil revenue investments. Currently, individuals with certain convictions are permanently barred from receiving dividends even if those convictions are later overturned through legal processes. This bill addresses whether exonerations or conviction reversals should restore access to this significant financial benefit, with real implications for both individuals' financial recovery and the state's fiscal obligations.

Potential points of contention

  • Retroactive payments: Determining what back-payments individuals are owed for years they were ineligible could create substantial fiscal liability for the state
  • Conviction criteria scope: Disagreement over which types of vacated convictions should qualify (felonies only, all convictions, specific crime categories) and whether this incentivizes frivolous appeals
  • PFD calculation impact: Questions about how adding eligible recipients affects the annual dividend amount for all Alaskans and whether this creates unfair disparities between newly eligible and long-term eligible recipients

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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