SB 117-51: Empowering the People of Alaska Act - Failed

[LAKISYLVANIA]

We passed a bill recently related to this but regarding Hawaii. I feel like we need to give other regions within the Republic of Atlasia the same approach and therefore two bills have been introduced: one for native Atlasian rights in Alaska and one for native Atlasian rights within the other Pacific territories. I got the criticism before that I only cared about Hawaii, but this should be a first step into extension elsewhere and mainland Atlasia will receive the same level of care but during the next session in case i get re-elected.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

It's also hilarious to see Laki pretend to care about Alaskan Natives by some poorly thought out bot bill but voted against policies that actually benefit them.

1. I changed that vote to abstain

2. Nothing in the bill benefits native Alaskans, except for exemptions on animal abuse legislation you've given them. That's not a benefit at all. They don't gain anything at all.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/dcra/aknativelanguagepreservationadvisorycouncil/languages.aspx

All signs in Alaska must be in 20 different languages, some of which 0 people speak. This is just another poorly thought out ChatGPT spam bill.

Not all 20 languages are spoken in the same area of Alaska, you can easily limit it to 2-3 languages depending on the area where we are and the need for them.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Aye

[LAKISYLVANIA]

I thought this was a final vote already instead of a cloture vote.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Proposing amendment

2.5 Promoting Indigenous Languages in Public Life:
Public institutions and businesses in Alaska will be required to incorporate these languages in signage and daily operations, depending on area. Signage will only be required in languages that are relevant to the area.

Small amendment but this seems obvious.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Objecting to let the Senate know about this.

Empowering the People of Alaska Act

Section 1: Recognition of Alaska Native Peoples

1.1 Rights for Alaska Native Peoples:
This Act formally recognizes the Inupiaq, St. Lawrence Island Yupik, Yup'ik, Cup'ik, Aleut, Alutiiq, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and Athabaskan tribes as the original inhabitants of the lands of Alaska. The Act ensures specific rights pertaining to cultural practices, traditional lands, and resources. Traditional lands are defined as areas inhabited or used by these indigenous groups prior to the arrival of Western explorers. Rights include unrestricted access to traditional lands, the right to participate in decisions regarding resource management on these lands, social services, economic opportunities, and political representation. Violations of these rights will incur a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to one year of imprisonment.

1.2 Protection of Sacred Sites:
It shall be illegal to desecrate or harm sites of cultural, historical, and spiritual significance. Violations will result in a fine of up to $100,000 and/or up to two years imprisonment. Businesses in violation may face the revocation of permits and licenses.

Section 2: Preservation of Alaska Native Languages

2.1 Preservation:
Efforts shall be made to preserve, promote, and revitalize the languages of each Alaskan tribe. The federal government shall allocate $50 million over a five-year period to support educational programs, immersion schools, and other initiatives specific to each language.

2.2 Establishing Immersion Schools:
Immersion schools shall be established throughout Alaska, covering all grade levels. $25 million from the federal government shall fund these schools over five years.

2.3 Supporting Existing Language Programs:
$5 million over five years will be designated to support existing language programs and initiatives led by native speakers.

2.4 Developing Online Resources:
An online portal, funded by $10 million over five years, will offer a range of materials for learning the indigenous languages of Alaska.

2.5 Promoting Indigenous Languages in Public Life:
Public institutions and businesses in Alaska will be required to incorporate these languages in signage and daily operations, depending on area. Signage will only be required in languages that are relevant to the area.

2.6 Cultural Events and Media:
$5 million over five years will fund cultural events that highlight the significance of Alaska's indigenous languages.

2.7 Collaboration with Global Indigenous Language Programs:
Collaboration with other global indigenous language revitalization programs will share best practices.

Section 3: Support for Land Initiatives

3.1 Land Trust Expansion:
Legislation shall expand land trusts in Alaska, with $20 million funding over five years.

3.2 Tourist Activity Tax:
A 5% tax on tourist activity and hotel occupancy will support land trusts and social services.

Section 4: Implementation

4.1 Support:
The Republic of Atlasia will provide necessary resources and support for this Act's implementation, including institutions, legal frameworks, and funding.

The total funds allocated within this bill, for a five-year implementation period, are as follows:

Preservation and promotion of indigenous languages: $50 million
Expansion of land trusts: $20 million
The total allocation sums up to $70 million over a five-year period.

If I am reading both bills correctly, section 3.2 has already been made law with the Pacific Islanders bill so I don't think it is necessary to repeat it here unless this retroactively raises the tax to 10%.

Isn't this restrictive to just Alaska (and in case of the Pacific Islanders, the Pacific Islands)?

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Objecting to let the Senate know about this.

Empowering the People of Alaska Act

Section 1: Recognition of Alaska Native Peoples

1.1 Rights for Alaska Native Peoples:
This Act formally recognizes the Inupiaq, St. Lawrence Island Yupik, Yup'ik, Cup'ik, Aleut, Alutiiq, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and Athabaskan tribes as the original inhabitants of the lands of Alaska. The Act ensures specific rights pertaining to cultural practices, traditional lands, and resources. Traditional lands are defined as areas inhabited or used by these indigenous groups prior to the arrival of Western explorers. Rights include unrestricted access to traditional lands, the right to participate in decisions regarding resource management on these lands, social services, economic opportunities, and political representation. Violations of these rights will incur a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to one year of imprisonment.

1.2 Protection of Sacred Sites:
It shall be illegal to desecrate or harm sites of cultural, historical, and spiritual significance. Violations will result in a fine of up to $100,000 and/or up to two years imprisonment. Businesses in violation may face the revocation of permits and licenses.

Section 2: Preservation of Alaska Native Languages

2.1 Preservation:
Efforts shall be made to preserve, promote, and revitalize the languages of each Alaskan tribe. The federal government shall allocate $50 million over a five-year period to support educational programs, immersion schools, and other initiatives specific to each language.

2.2 Establishing Immersion Schools:
Immersion schools shall be established throughout Alaska, covering all grade levels. $25 million from the federal government shall fund these schools over five years.

2.3 Supporting Existing Language Programs:
$5 million over five years will be designated to support existing language programs and initiatives led by native speakers.

2.4 Developing Online Resources:
An online portal, funded by $10 million over five years, will offer a range of materials for learning the indigenous languages of Alaska.

2.5 Promoting Indigenous Languages in Public Life:
Public institutions and businesses in Alaska will be required to incorporate these languages in signage and daily operations, depending on area. Signage will only be required in languages that are relevant to the area.

2.6 Cultural Events and Media:
$5 million over five years will fund cultural events that highlight the significance of Alaska's indigenous languages.

2.7 Collaboration with Global Indigenous Language Programs:
Collaboration with other global indigenous language revitalization programs will share best practices.

Section 3: Support for Land Initiatives

3.1 Land Trust Expansion:
Legislation shall expand land trusts in Alaska, with $20 million funding over five years.

3.2 Tourist Activity Tax:
A 5% tax on tourist activity and hotel occupancy will support land trusts and social services.

Section 4: Implementation

4.1 Support:
The Republic of Atlasia will provide necessary resources and support for this Act's implementation, including institutions, legal frameworks, and funding.

The total funds allocated within this bill, for a five-year implementation period, are as follows:

Preservation and promotion of indigenous languages: $50 million
Expansion of land trusts: $20 million
The total allocation sums up to $70 million over a five-year period.

If I am reading both bills correctly, section 3.2 has already been made law with the Pacific Islanders bill so I don't think it is necessary to repeat it here unless this retroactively raises the tax to 10%.

Isn't this restrictive to just Alaska (and in case of the Pacific Islanders, the Pacific Islands)?

Shouldn't that be in the text of the bill then? Because it's not – as currently written a national tax has already been imposed by the Pacific Islanders bill, and this would impose another one.

Well the Hawaii bill also has the same language, since I used that bill as a template for this one.

I think it should be clear we're talking about the region (and not a national tax, since that would require a separate tax).

[LAKISYLVANIA]

I haven't objected to it but it's a bit confusing since i think the spirit of the bill was that it was a regional tourist tax.

The way we interpret it, is there would already be a 10% tourist tax since the Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders both had a 5% tourist tax already.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Aye