2001-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 0093
Finally, this bill would require lessees under new and renewed right-                               
of-way leases to reimburse the state for costs associated with                                      
monitoring the operation, maintenance, and termination of pipelines                                 
on state right-of-way leases.  The public demands that the state and                                
federal governments thoroughly oversee Alaska pipelines.  Though                                    
state law does not now require such reimbursement, the pipeline                                     
owners in the state have voluntarily reimbursed the state for such costs                            
for TAPS and the newer pipelines for the last several years.  This                                  
change also makes the state involvement with lessees consistent with                                
our federal counterparts who already have the authority to require                                  
lessee reimbursement for monitoring operations, maintenance and                                     
termination activities.                                                                             
                                                                                                    
It is timely that we make these changes to our Right-Of-Way Leasing                                 
Act as soon as possible.                                                                            
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely,                                                         
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Tony Knowles                                                        
                                Governor"                                                          
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 61                                                                                             
HOUSE BILL NO. 61 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                        
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act authorizing the commissioner of fish and game to award                                 
     grants for habitat restoration or enhancement projects; and                                    
     providing for an effective date."                                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Fisheries and the Resources and Finance Committees.                                                 
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Zero, Dept. of Fish & Game                                                                      
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 12, 2001, appears                                   
below: