2018-02-05                     House Journal                      Page 2329
    Appraisers; relating to real estate appraisers; and providing for an                                                        
    effective date."                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and                                                                
Judiciary Committees.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HB 330                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 330 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act authorizing the commissioner of natural resources to                                                                
    disclose confidential information in an investigation or                                                                    
    proceeding, including a lease royalty audit, appeal, or request for                                                         
    reconsideration and issue a protective order limiting the persons                                                           
    who have access to the confidential information."                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Resources                                                             
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Dept. of Natural Resources                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 2 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that clarifies how confidential                                                          
information obtained by the Commissioner of natural resources may                                                               
be used and treated as part of the Department of Natural Resources                                                              
(DNR) appeals, audits, and requests for reconsideration.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
A long-standing dilemma faces DNR with respect to the handling of                                                               
oil and gas sales price information considered "confidential" under                                                             
Alaska law. Specifically, this dilemma impedes the department's                                                                 
ability to effectively audit and enforce royalty payments when                                                                  
multiple companies working the same lease negotiate different prices.                                                           
Because sales contracts by one party cannot be provided to another                                                              
due to confidentiality, producers object to the audit on the basis of a