2021-04-28                     Senate Journal                      Page 0846
SB 133                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 133 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                               
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          "An Act relating to the sale or lease of state land for                                                               
          remote recreational sites; relating to permits for                                                                    
          remote recreational sites; and providing for an                                                                       
          effective date."                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance                                                               
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Natural Resources                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated April 27:                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Micciche:                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the sale, lease, or                                                          
permit of state land for remote recreational sites. The proposal                                                                
establishes a framework to encourage the settlement of state land and                                                           
the development of its resources. With only three percent of state land                                                         
in private ownership, we need changes to allow more Alaskans to                                                                 
lease or purchase land for recreational purposes.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
This bill provides a fair and efficient process for Alaskans to obtain an                                                       
interest in state land that is consistent with our constitutional                                                               
principles. The bill amends the current remote recreational cabin                                                               
program to allow Alaskans to nominate and stake eligible state land                                                             
for use as remote recreational sites. Eligible applicants may nominate                                                          
up to ten acres of vacant, unappropriated, or unreserved state land as                                                          
defined in AS 29.65.130 for a remote recreational site if that land is                                                          
not already included in the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR)                                                              
schedule of land offerings. Applicants must include a site survey and                                                           
appraisal and agree to pay fair market value. The bill further                                                                  
authorizes the commissioner of DNR to permit or lease state land for                                                            
remote recreational sites.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                

2021-04-28                     Senate Journal                      Page 0847
This legislation will put more land into the hands of Alaskans. It will                                                         
afford Alaskans opportunities to better enjoy our state, whether setting                                                        
up a seasonal recreational structure or building a cabin for their family                                                       
to use for a lifetime.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
I request your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor