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8/29/15 - Gov. Parnell vetos bill that would have scrubbed records of those charged but unconvicted

Gov. Sean Parnell vetoed a bill that would have scrubbed Courtview - the state's onlne criminal records database - of any charge that did not result in a conviction. The Alaska Court system has adopted a rule that would wipe the records of any person who was arrested but not charged with a crime.

Sunday is the deadline for a proposed FEMA policy implementing a law allowing tribes to request emergency and major disaster declarations. As it is now, only state Governors can request a federal disaster declaration. Tribes had requested the change, saying it would save time if they didn't have to wait for state action when they're the only governmental entity in the area.

However, concerns have been raised about whether smaller tribes can meet the program's requirements, which officials say may be daunting if not overwhelming. FEMA pays 75% of disaster recovery costs, and the state, or tribal government, pays 25%. With disaster costs sometimes running into the millions of dollars, many Alaska tribes would not be able to pay 25% of the tab. And, officials say tribes might not be able to get all they're eligible for and entitled to as they wade through complex FEMA grant requirements. FEMA is accepting comments electronically through August 31, 2014 at its website. For more information, visit: http://www.fema.gov/consultation-disaster-declaration-process-tribes.