HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE April 22, 1997 1:07 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Bill Hudson, Co-Chairman Representative Scott Ogan, Co-Chairman Representative Beverly Masek, Vice Chair Representative Fred Dyson Representative Joe Green Representative William K. ("Bill") Williams Representative Irene Nicholia Representative Reggie Joule MEMBERS ABSENT Representative Ramona Barnes COMMITTEE CALENDAR 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." - MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE * HOUSE BILL NO. 243 "An Act extending the date for a review of and a report on the current law regarding subsistence use of fish and game and delaying the repeal of the current law regarding subsistence use of fish and game; amending the effective date of secs. 3 and 5, ch. 1, SSSLA 1992; and providing for an effective date." - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD (* First public hearing) PREVIOUS ACTION BILL: HB 109 SHORT TITLE: MANAGEMENT OF STATE LAND AND RESOURCES SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) THERRIAULT JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION 02/03/97 219 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S) 02/03/97 219 (H) RESOURCES, FINANCE 04/17/97 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 124 WITNESS REGISTER JANE ANGVIK, Director Division of Land Department of Natural Resources 3601 C Street, Suite 1122 Anchorage, Alaska 99503-5947 Telephone: (907) 269-8503 POSITION STATEMENT: Provided department's position and answered questions regarding HB 109. ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 97-47, SIDE A Number 0001 CO-CHAIRMAN SCOTT OGAN called the House Resources Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:07 p.m. Members present at the call to order were Representatives Hudson, Ogan, Masek, Dyson and Green. Representative Nicholia arrived shortly thereafter, and Representatives Joule and Williams arrived at 1:12 p.m. and 1:13 p.m., respectively. Representative Barnes was out of town. 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. Number 0474 CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN advised that Representative Barnes had left town for personal reasons and was unable to serve on the subcommittee for HB 28, scheduled to meet April 23. He announced he would take her place unless someone else volunteered. There being no volunteers, Co-Chairman Ogan joined the subcommittee on HB 28. ADJOURNMENT CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN adjourned the House Resources Standing Committee meeting at 1:14 p.m.