Opinion ID: 2582501
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Andrade/Barahona 1996 PFD application and appeal to the Department of Revenue

Text: The Andrade/Barahona family (Andrade family) applied for PFDs in 1996 but their applications were denied. [2] Andrade's application was denied because she was not a resident alien with permanent status before January 1, 1995. Belly Barahona's application was denied because he was not granted permanent resident status, refugee status, or asylum before January 1, 1995. The children's applications were denied because their sponsor, Andrade, was found ineligible for the dividend. The family requested informal conference appeals of their denials; the denials were affirmed. The Andrade family appealed the informal conference decisions to the department. The Permanent Fund Division (division) of the Department of Revenue filed a motion for summary adjudication, which was granted. The division argued that under AS 43.23.005(a)(5) and its implementing regulations, the family members were unable to receive dividends. The Andrade family argued that the denials violated both the United States and the Alaska Constitutions. The department upheld the denial of the dividends. Regarding the family's constitutional challenges, the hearing examiner stated that he did not have the authority to declare state law invalid. The Applicants will have to pursue their legal argument[s] in court. The Senior Revenue Hearing Examiner adopted the decision of the hearing examiner.