00                            HOUSE BILL NO. 247                                                                          
01 "An Act requiring the state to vacate rights to easements along state highways."                                        
02 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
03    * Section 1. AS 19.05 is amended by adding a new section to article 1 to read:                                     
04            Sec. 19.05.075. Vacation of state-owned easements. (a) The state shall vacate                              
05       all or part of an easement for a portion of a state highway right-of-way and return the                           
06       rights to the land to the private landowner at no cost if                                                         
07                 (1)  the extent of the easement exceeds the other easements for that area                               
08       of the highway;                                                                                                   
09                 (2)  the easement extends beyond the current highway needs;                                             
10                 (3)  the private landowner applies to the department to release all or                                  
11       part of the easement to the landowner; and                                                                        
12                 (4)  the state reserves the right to reacquire the vacated easement for                                 
13       highway needs at no cost.                                                                                         
14            (b)  The landowner may not receive compensation for any improvements to the                                  
15       land if the state reacquires the easement under (a)(4) of this section.                                           

01            (c)  The department shall adopt regulations and implement procedures for the                                 
02       vacation and reacquisition of easements under this section.