04/22/1997 01:07 PM House RES

 HB 109 - MANAGEMENT OF STATE LAND AND RESOURCES                             
                                                                               
 Number 0030                                                                   
                                                                               
 CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN announced the only business was House Bill No.               
 109, "An Act relating to the management and disposal of state land            
 and resources; relating to certain remote parcel and homestead                
 entry land purchase contracts and patents; and providing for an               
 effective date."  He advised that Sara Fisher from the office of              
 Representative Therriault, sponsor, was present.                              
                                                                               
 CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN noted that although HB 109 has been called a                 
 "housekeeping measure," it is 20 pages long.  He had held the bill            
 because of insufficient time at the previous hearing.  He had                 
 wanted the committee to have an opportunity to examine the bill.              
                                                                               
 Number 0124                                                                   
                                                                               
 CO-CHAIRMAN BILL HUDSON stated that he had gone over this                     
 carefully.  He finds a lot of constructive and positive changes.              
                                                                               
 Number 0199                                                                   
                                                                               
 JANE ANGVIK, Director, Division of Land, Department of Natural                
 Resources (DNR), testified via teleconference from Anchorage in               
 support of the bill.  She said they have been pleased to work with            
 the sponsor on developing this legislation.  They believe it will             
 provide them with "tremendous opportunities to become even more               
 efficient in our ability to manage the lands of Alaska."                      
                                                                               
 Number 0240                                                                   
                                                                               
 CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN referred to discussion at the previous hearing               
 relating to increased costs associated with nonagricultural                   
 homesteads.  He asked whether that increase is to cover costs.                
                                                                               
 MS. ANGVIK said that is correct.                                              
                                                                               
 Number 0285                                                                   
                                                                               
 CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN asked whether there were other areas that could be           
 considered a major change in policy.                                          
                                                                               
 MS. ANGVIK replied that fundamentally the same bill went "sailing             
 through the House last year."  Over the past 25 years, the land               
 laws of Alaska have been amended numerous times.  As a result,                
 sections of Title 38 are inconsistent with each other.  Basically,            
 this tries to make it smoother.  Ms. Angvik acknowledged the                  
 enormous size of the bill and that it is quite technical.  However,           
 it does not change policy on any action the legislature has                   
 previously set.  "All we're doing is trying to do our jobs more               
 efficiently," she concluded.                                                  
                                                                               
 CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN asked whether, other than raising some rates,                
 there was any policy change.                                                  
                                                                               
 MS. ANGVIK said no.                                                           
                                                                               
 Number 0416                                                                   
                                                                               
 CO-CHAIRMAN HUDSON made a motion to move HB 109 from committee with           
 individual recommendations and the attached fiscal note.  He asked            
 unanimous consent.  There being no objection, HB 109 moved from the           
 House Resources Standing Committee.