03/01/2024 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB199 | |
| SB171 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 210 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 199 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 171 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
March 1, 2024
3:31 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Click Bishop, Co-Chair
Senator Cathy Giessel, Co-Chair
Senator Bill Wielechowski, Vice Chair (via teleconference)
Senator Scott Kawasaki
Senator Forrest Dunbar
Senator Matt Claman
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator James Kaufman
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 199
"An Act relating to access roads; relating to state land;
relating to contracts for the sale of state land; relating to
the authority of the Department of Education and Early
Development to dispose of state land; relating to the authority
of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to
dispose of state land; relating to the authority of the
Department of Natural Resources over certain state land;
relating to the state land disposal income fund; relating to the
sale and lease of state land; relating to covenants and
restrictions on agricultural land; and providing for an
effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 171
"An Act changing the residency requirements for sport fishing,
hunting, and trapping privileges; and providing for an effective
date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 199
SHORT TITLE: STATE LAND: DISPOSAL/SALE/LEASE/RESTRICT
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/22/24 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/24 (S) TRA, RES, FIN
02/13/24 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/13/24 (S) Heard & Held
02/13/24 (S) MINUTE(TRA)
02/20/24 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/20/24 (S) Moved CSSB 199(TRA) Out of Committee
02/20/24 (S) MINUTE(TRA)
02/21/24 (S) TRA RPT CS 1DP 4NR NEW TITLE
02/21/24 (S) DP: KAUFMAN
02/21/24 (S) NR: KIEHL, WILSON, MYERS, TOBIN
02/21/24 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/21/24 (S) Heard & Held
02/21/24 (S) MINUTE(RES)
03/01/24 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 171
SHORT TITLE: RESIDENCY REQ: HUNTING, TRAPPING, FISHING
SPONSOR(s): BJORKMAN
01/16/24 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/24
01/16/24 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/24 (S) RES, FIN
02/16/24 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/16/24 (S) Heard & Held
02/16/24 (S) MINUTE(RES)
03/01/24 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
JOHN SONIN, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 199.
LEONARDO WASSILIE, representing self
Nenana, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 199.
MORGAN ALDRIDGE, representing self
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 199.
KATIE ROOKS, Policy Analyst
Southeast Alaska Conservation Council
Prince of Wales, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 199.
THOMAS PEASE, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with concerns about SB 199.
ADAM CUTHRIELL, representing self
Girdwood, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 199.
STACEE KLEINSMITH, representing self
Chugiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 171.
DAVID EGELSTON, representing self
Thorne Bay, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 171.
ELLEN HANNAN, representing self
Craig, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 171.
KEN VORISEK, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 171.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:31:07 PM
CO-CHAIR CLICK BISHOP called the Senate Resources Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:31 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Wielechowski, Kawasaki, Dunbar, Co-Chair
Bishop, and Co-Chair Giessel. Senator Claman arrived thereafter.
3:32:15 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN joined the meeting.
SB 199-STATE LAND: DISPOSAL/SALE/LEASE/RESTRICT
3:32:16 PM
CO-CHAIR BISHOP announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO.
199 "An Act relating to access roads; relating to state land;
relating to contracts for the sale of state land; relating to
the authority of the Department of Education and Early
Development to dispose of state land; relating to the authority
of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to
dispose of state land; relating to the authority of the
Department of Natural Resources over certain state land;
relating to the state land disposal income fund; relating to the
sale and lease of state land; relating to covenants and
restrictions on agricultural land; and providing for an
effective date."
3:32:19 PM
CO-CHAIR BISHOP opened public testimony on SB 199.
3:33:03 PM
JOHN SONIN, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified in
opposition to SB 199. He said he represents civilized humanity
and expressed his belief that in order to remain civil, people
must have the ability to tend to themselves. People's wellbeing
requires a stable system, which cannot adequately function under
a capitalistic structure. Alaska, a place long known for its
stability, is now facing instability due to the pursuit of
profit through private control. The current system demands
energy but fails to give back, ultimately destabilizing itself.
He stated his belief that public lands are the last hope to slow
down the system's breakdown as society ages, but the situation
is worsening. He urged prioritizing preserving and conserving
public lands, while resisting the push for privatization driven
by capital interests. In essence, leasing or disposing of public
lands is detrimental to the well-being and sanity of humanity.
3:36:20 PM
LEONARDO WASSILIE, representing self, Nenana, Alaska, testified
in opposition to SB 199. He expressed opposition to the
utilization of public resources by private interests. The U.S.
was founded on the principle of public land ownership. He
highlighted the significance of land as a shared resource
utilized by communities to contribute to local economies.
Selling public lands to private parties goes against the
intended purpose. He expressed hope that concerns regarding
external control over significant state resources are
acknowledged. This type of mechanism facilitates external
control, leading to corporate dominance over public resources.
He emphasized the importance of considering the impact of
outside interests on local communities.
3:39:00 PM
MORGAN ALDRIDGE, representing self, Soldotna, Alaska, testified
in opposition to SB 199. She expressed concerns about the
consequences of making public land available. She said the
disposal of public lands may not align with the constitution and
could compromise transparency.
3:39:54 PM
KATIE ROOKS, representing self, Prince of Wales, Alaska,
testified in opposition to SB 199. She said she has worked in
every level of government and now works for a regional non-
profit. She expressed concerns about SB 199, which she believes
would expand government authority regarding the disposal of
public lands by allowing two additional state departments, the
Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of
Transportation (DOT), to directly sell or lease public lands to
private entities for commercial development. Currently, these
departments are limited to government-to-government
transactions, but the bill would remove this requirement. SB 199
would also extend lease terms by ten years, potentially reducing
monthly payment rates. This would favor industry at the expense
of Alaska's interests, while the state should be recouping all
it can from wealthy industrial owners and operators. The bill
would also permit the sale of public land at 30 percent below
fair market value under the guise of using best-interest
findings. However, best-interest findings are already grossly
misused in the state. She cited Prince of Wales as an example,
which has demonstrated the misuse of best-interest findings
through timber sale among other issues. The bill would expand
the commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR)
authority to identify and reclassify public lands for sale to
commercial developers. She argued that this undermines the
public land and resource management process and prioritizes the
interests of commercial buyers over Alaskans. Classifications
like 'Wildlife Habitat' and 'recreational settlement' would lose
their significance, as the state could alter public lands
without considering public input or longstanding
classifications.
3:42:05 PM
THOMAS PEASE, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
with concerns about SB 199. He expressed concerns about Section
3 under SB 199 and said the provision outlines how the DOT would
dispose of land. He urged the committee to remove this section
from the bill considering its potential for misuse of public
resources. Section 3 grants unlimited authority to the
Commissioner of DOT to dispose of public land if the Department
of Natural Resources (DNR) does not act within 45 days, without
spelling out a process or placing restrictions on the DOT
commissioner. He emphasized that any responsible land disposal
process should prioritize the highest and best use of the
resource, requiring transparency, fairness, and competitiveness.
However, Section 3 of SB 199 would grant sole authority to the
DOT commissioner, a political appointee, while excluding public
involvement entirely. He noted the absence of maps or an
inventory of DOT lands that are available to the public, which
would be useful for understanding the potential impact of the
legislation. He questioned the necessity of changing the current
DOT land disposal process since the department is primarily
intended for road development rather than land disposal, whereas
DNR employs professional land managers. He concluded by urging
the committee to omit Section 3 from SB 199.
3:44:35 PM
ADAM CUTHRIELL, representing self, Girdwood, Alaska, testified
in opposition to SB 199. He said SB 199 poses a risk to Alaska
and its public lands. SB 199 would jeopardize significant
economic revenue for the state, impacting activities including
hunting, fishing, and tourism.
3:45:42 PM
CO-CHAIR BISHOP closed public testimony.
CO-CHAIR BISHOP held SB 199 for future consideration.
SB 171-RESIDENCY REQ: HUNTING, TRAPPING, FISHING
3:45:45 PM
CHAIR BISHOP announced the consideration of SB 171 SENATE BILL
NO. 171 "An Act changing the residency requirements for sport
fishing, hunting, and trapping privileges; and providing for an
effective date."
3:45:55 PM
CHAIR BISHOP opened public testimony on SB 171.
3:46:30 PM
STACEE KLEINSMITH, representing self, Chugiak, Alaska, testified
in opposition to SB 171. She expressed appreciation for
collective knowledge, experience, and the ability to collaborate
on issues. However, emphasized concerns about the way SB 171 was
written. She said while she understands the legislative intent,
there is an absence of quantifiable evidence regarding the harm
it aims to address. As currently drafted, the bill's unintended
consequences would personally affect her, as she would no longer
qualify for the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). She shared her
family's health challenges, which required significant recovery
time, but were not deemed excusable under the PFD criteria. SB
171 would classify her as a non-resident, leading to real and
unintended consequences. She stated that others might also find
themselves in similarly unfortunate circumstances and urged the
committee to put brakes on the progression of SB 171.
3:49:09 PM
DAVID EGELSTON, representing self, Thorne Bay, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 171. He said he spent over thirty years in law
enforcement, primarily enforcing state and federal laws and
regulations surrounding fish, wildlife, and environmental
statutes. He opined that fish and wildlife should be prioritized
for feeding residents before they are shared with outsiders.
Non-residents are allowed to partake and harvest resources, they
should follow regulations, respect Alaska's ways when harvesting
resources, and pay for the privilege as they do in other states.
This bill would not change the residency status for current
Alaskans, who can retire and temporarily leave the state but
would remain residents as long as PFD requirements are met. He
expressed concerns about vacationing residents potentially
abusing the system and stealing resources. He highlighted
examples including the potential for non-residents to falsify
residency to obtain more salmon than legally allowed in the
state. These individuals have an advantage in obtaining big game
and often take advantage of systems harvesting those resources.
The financial cost to Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG)
amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. SB 171
would impose no costs on the state but would bring in a
significant amount of revenue for state resources. He suggested
that residency requirements should be clear. While non-residents
cannot be forced to act ethically, those who unethically
navigate the system could be held responsible through legal
action.
3:51:36 PM
ELLEN HANNAN, representing self, Craig, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 171. She said she has been following the House
version of SB 171 and noted that the Senate version includes
provisions for permanent licensing. She referenced the potential
savings outlined under SB 171, which would benefit the state by
improving law enforcement capabilities and assisting new
residents in obtaining federally qualified user status for
subsistence benefits. Clarifying residency requirements through
the PFD is long overdue.
3:52:48 PM
KEN VORISEK, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
opposition to SB 171. He said residency in Alaska is clearly
defined in statute, which requires one's intent to maintain
residency in the state, to attempt to return, and to not claim
residency benefits in any other state. SB 171 recategorizes
residency in a hierarchy format by placing additional terms on
the state residency law and requires an individual to remain in
the state for a certain amount of days before accessing fish and
game resources. The bill only adds additional terms to bona fide
residents like himself, whose retirement plans depend on the
ability to access these resources. He noted that he spends time
hunting in other states. SB 171 is a commercial grab on Alaska's
resources and implies that residents do not have equal access.
All residents should be treated equally as long as legal
residency requirements are met. He raised concerns about the
potential for enforcement challenges under SB 171, where
individuals might qualify for the PFD but face obstacles in
meeting hunting license prerequisites, or vice versa. He urged
the committee to prevent this bill from progressing.
3:56:27 PM
CO-CHAIR BISHOP closed public testimony.
CO-CHAIR BISHOP held SB 171 in committee.
3:57:20 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Co-Chair Bishop adjourned the Senate Resources Standing
Committee meeting at 3:57 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 199 DNR Response to SRES 02.21.2024.pdf |
SRES 3/1/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 199 |
| SB 171 DPS Fiscal Note 02.23.25.pdf |
SRES 3/1/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 171 |
| SB 171 Support Letter RHAK.pdf |
SRES 3/1/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 171 |
| SB 171 Support Resolution Haines Borough.pdf |
SRES 3/1/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 171 |
| SB 199 Public Testimony as of 03.01.24.pdf |
SRES 3/1/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 199 |