00 HOUSE BILL NO. 512 01 "An Act establishing the Hydrogen Energy Partnership in the Department of 02 Community and Economic Development; requiring the commissioner of community and 03 economic development to seek public and private funding for the partnership; providing 04 for the contingent repeal of an effective date; and providing for an effective date." 05 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 06 * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section 07 to read: 08 LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. The legislature finds that 09 (1) scientists recognize hydrogen as a potential source of fuel; 10 (2) with further research and development, hydrogen could competitively 11 serve as an alternative source of energy for fueling vehicles and generating electricity; 12 (3) there is significant federal government and private sector investment in 13 hydrogen research and development programs; and 14 (4) Alaska is an excellent site to attract federal government and industry 01 investment in hydrogen due to the following advantages: 02 (A) the availability of indigenous renewable resources, including 03 sufficient geothermal energy for processing hydrogen at an industrial scale; 04 (B) a source of zeolites for hydrogen storage and handling; and 05 (C) Alaska's location for hydrogen transport around the Pacific Rim; 06 (5) with its traditional high fuel costs and a significant source of renewable 07 energy resources, Alaska could attract advanced technology development companies for 08 research and development, testing, and deployment of hydrogen as a fuel source; these factors 09 can lead to the development of a hydrogen fuel industry resulting in job growth and a more 10 robust state economy. 11 * Sec. 2. AS 41.98 is amended by adding a new section to read: 12 Sec. 41.98.190. Hydrogen energy partnership. (a) There is established in 13 the Department of Community and Economic Development the hydrogen energy 14 partnership. 15 (b) Members of the partnership shall be appointed by the commissioner of 16 community and economic development to represent 17 (1) the federal government; 18 (2) state government; 19 (3) the University of Alaska; 20 (4) political subdivisions of the state; 21 (5) tribal organizations of the state; 22 (6) the fossil fuel industry; 23 (7) nonfossil fuel energy industry; and 24 (8) private environmental conservation groups. 25 (c) The partnership members shall serve without compensation but are entitled 26 to transportation expenses and per diem as authorized for members of boards and 27 commissions under AS 39.20.180. 28 (d) The hydrogen energy partnership shall facilitate the development of a 29 hydrogen fuel industry in Alaska by means including 30 (1) meeting with hydrogen energy interests to plan hydrogen energy 31 research and development; 01 (2) proposing policy to promote federal and private industry 02 investment in hydrogen energy research and development; 03 (3) evaluating the market for hydrogen energy production; 04 (4) proposing tax incentives for investment in a hydrogen energy 05 infrastructure; and 06 (5) reporting annually to the legislature on or before the 20th day of 07 each regular session on the development of hydrogen energy production in the state. 08 * Sec. 3. AS 44.33.020 is amended by adding a new paragraph to read: 09 (44) provide staff support for the hydrogen energy partnership 10 established under AS 41.98.190, and the University of Alaska shall provide assistance 11 to the commissioner upon request. 12 * Sec. 4. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 13 read: 14 FUNDING FOR HYDROGEN ENERGY PARTNERSHIP. The commissioner of 15 community and economic development shall seek federal and private sources of funding to 16 cover the costs of the establishment of and operation of the hydrogen energy partnership 17 established in sec. 2 of this Act. 18 * Sec. 5. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 19 read: 20 CONDITIONAL EFFECT. Sections 2 and 3 of this Act take effect only if the 21 Department of Community and Economic Development obtains sufficient funding under sec. 22 4 of this Act. 23 * Sec. 6. If secs. 2 and 3 of this Act have not taken effect under sec. 5 of this Act by 24 June 30, 2009, secs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of this Act are repealed June 30, 2009. 25 * Sec. 7. If secs. 2 and 3 of this Act have not taken effect under sec. 5 of this act by 26 June 30, 2009, sec. 8 of this Act is repealed on June 30, 2009. 27 * Sec. 8. Sections 2 and 3 of this Act take effect 30 days after the commissioner of 28 community and economic development notifies the revisor of statutes that sufficient funding 29 required under sec. 4 of this Act has been obtained. 30 * Sec. 9. Section 4 of this Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).