SB 118-62: Empowering the People of Alaska Act - Passed

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

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 within Alaska will support land trusts and social services. The Tourist Activity Taxes for the Pacific Islands and Hawaii shall only be levied on tourist activity within each respective area and be lowered from 10% to 5%. SB 117-50 and SB 116-16 shall be modified accordingly.

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.

Sponsor: Dwarven Dragon
Occupying: Slot 8

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

This crucial bill, which failed narrowly in the last session by a margin defined by a Senator who no longer serves, provides key rights to native Alaskans.

I would like to address the concern that this raises taxes. It actually does the opposite. While this was not the intent of the original sponsor of this package, the passage of SB 116-16 and SB 117-50 created a national 10% tourist tax. This bill in an earlier form would have increased that to 15%. The present form of the bill removes the national tourist tax and instead institutes a system of targeted regional taxes that will not apply outside of select areas of Atlasia.  Further, even within those select areas, the tax will reduce from 10% to 5% with the passage of this legislation.

[Joseph Cao]

This bill doesn't "reduce the tax from 10% to 5%" for either of the two previously passed bills, it only restricts their jurisdiction to the relevant areas. Should that be amended in?

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

This bill doesn't "reduce the tax from 10% to 5%" for either of the two previously passed bills, it only restricts their jurisdiction to the relevant areas. Should that be amended in?

The intent is that the tourist tax is only levied in Hawaii, Alaska, and the islands specified by SB 117-50, at a rate of 5%. If you want to amend Section 3 to make it clearer I will not object.

[Joseph Cao]

3.2 Tourist Activity Tax:
A 5% tax on tourist activity and hotel occupancy within Alaska will support land trusts and social services. The Tourist Activity Taxes for the Pacific Islands and Hawaii shall only be levied on tourist activity within each respective area and be lowered from 10% to 5%. SB 117-50 and SB 116-16 shall be modified accordingly.

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Amendment is adopted

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

motion for a final vote

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

A final vote is beginning.

Aye

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Aye

[fhtagn]

Nay

[Dr. MB]

Aye

[Vice President Christian Man]

Abstain

[thumb21]

Aye

[Pyro]

Aye

[nerd73]

Aye

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Aye

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

Aye

[Coastal Elitist]

Nay

[FT-02 Senator A.F.E. 🇵🇸🤝🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦]

Aye   

[reagente]

Nay

[Jay 🏳️‍⚧️]

Aye

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

PASSES 10-3-1-4

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 within Alaska will support land trusts and social services. The Tourist Activity Taxes for the Pacific Islands and Hawaii shall only be levied on tourist activity within each respective area and be lowered from 10% to 5%. SB 117-50 and SB 116-16 shall be modified accordingly.

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.