Opinion ID: 1429107
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Statutory Analysis and Construction

Text: The Alaska Exemptions Act, AS 09.38, provides in part that [a]n individual is entitled to exemption of ... (8) limited entry permits granted under AS 16.43, except as provided in that chapter. AS 09.38.015(a)(8). The Exemptions Act further provides, however, that [n]otwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, (1) a creditor may make a levy against exempt property of any kind to enforce a claim for (A) child support. AS 09.38.065(a)(1)(A). Thus, it is apparent that under the plain meaning of the Exemptions Act, Mrs. Anderson is entitled to an order of execution against Mr. Anderson's limited entry permit for past due child support. The seemingly unambiguous provision of the Exemptions Act is affected by another act, however. The Alaska Limited Entry Act provides that [e]xcept as provided in [sections not directly relevant in this case], an entry permit may not be: ... (3) attached, distrained, or sold on execution of judgment or under any other process or order of any court. AS 16.43.150(g)(3). [1] It is apparent that under the plain meaning of the Limited Entry Act, Mrs. Anderson is not entitled to a court order of execution against Mr. Anderson's limited entry permit. Thus, there is an ambiguity arising from the co-application of the conflicting provisions of the Exemptions Act and the Limited Entry Act. These are not the only statutes dealing with exempt property and the enforcement of child support obligations. Alaska Statute 47.23.250, which authorizes the Child Support Enforcement Agency to issue orders to withhold and deliver property of a parent who fails in his/her child support obligations, provides in part that [e]xemptions under AS 09.38 [Exemptions Act] do not apply to proceedings to enforce the payment of child support under AS 47.23.230  47.23.270. AS 47.23.250(i). We must construe these statutes, looking first to the legislative intent underlying the competing statutory schemes. Hafling v. Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific, 585 P.2d 870, 872-73 (Alaska 1978).