1996-01-26                     House Journal                      Page 2544
HB 452                                                                       
explore better ways to fund our schools, this legislation represents a         
favorable step toward addressing two immediate concerns.  I urge your          
prompt and favorable action on this bill.                                      
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor                                                                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
HB 453                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 453 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
HOUSE BILL NO. 453                                                            
An Act relating to best interest findings for oil and gas lease sales         
for the area onshore and north of the Umiat baseline.                         
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee            
on Oil and Gas, Resources and Finance Committees.                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
The following fiscal note applies:                                             
                                                                               
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Natural Resources, 1/26/96                          
                                                                               
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter, dated January 26, 1996, appears             
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
Dear Speaker Phillips:                                                         
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am     
transmitting a bill that streamlines the process for annual oil and gas        
lease sales on the North Slope.  This bill changes the method of               
making best interest findings for leasing onshore areas of the North           
Slope.  These changes are part of the Administrations continuing effort        
to make the states oil and gas leasing program competitive in the              
international market, while ensuring that development occurs in an             
environmentally responsible manner.