(a) The state may not grant or loan money or purchase a loan for the construction or alteration of a privately-owned residential structure of one to four units unless the grant or loan requires the construction or alteration to be undertaken by a residential contractor with an endorsement issued under AS 08.18. In this subsection, “alteration” means changes that have a value greater than 25 percent of the value of the structure being altered.
(b) The restriction of (a) of this section does not apply to a state loan or grant or purchase of a loan made for work described in AS 08.18.161 that is exempt from the requirements of AS 08.18.