I, Tony Knowles, Governor of the State of Alaska, under the authority granted by art. III of the Alaska Constitution and AS 26.23.020(g)(1), hereby amend my Administrative Order No.163.

To the Commissioners of All State Departments:

On June 4, 1996, I declared a condition of disaster existed within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and City of Houston, Alaska, due to the extensive wildland fires within the area. The widespread property damage and disruption of lives resulting from these fires, including total destruction of over 345 homes and other structures, resulted in the loss of many documents that are important, and even necessary, in the lives and businesses of fire victims.

The fees associated with replacing important documents are likely to represent a significant expenditure for many who have, perhaps, lost almost everything they may own. Such expenses are likely to substantially impede or delay the actions necessary for these people to cope with the disaster.

In Administrative Order No. 163, I requested all fees related to replacement of documents lost during this disaster be waived by your respective agencies beginning the day of the disaster declaration and for 60 days thereafter until August 6, 1996, for victims of the disaster. This order covered all fees which would normally be charged by your respective agencies, whether pursuant to statute, regulation, or internal policy, to replace lost documents, to apply for and obtain new substitute documents necessitated by the loss of existing documents, and to record or otherwise refile replacement and substitute documents.

Because the recovery process is substantial and time consuming, the 60-day duration of Administrative Order No.163 has proven inadequate to allow victims of the disaster to replace and record necessary documents.

Therefore, Administrative Order No.163 is amended to extend the waiver of fees for 60 days, until October 5, 1996.

This order takes effect immediately.

Dated this 6 day of August, 1996, at Anchorage, Alaska.

S/S Tony Knowles     
Tony Knowles         
Governor