2015-02-13                     House Journal                      Page 0210
HB 109                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 109 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act relating to the duties and powers of the attorney general                                                           
    with respect to certain settlements directly related to oil and gas                                                         
    leases; providing exceptions for certain tax and regulatory matters;                                                        
    and providing for an effective date."                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Resources, Labor &                                                                  
Commerce, and Judiciary Committees.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Dept. of Natural Resources                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 12, 2015, follows:                                                             
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Chenault:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the powers and duties                                                        

2015-02-13                     House Journal                      Page 0211
of the Attorney General to approve settlements related to matters                                                               
involving disputes over oil and gas resources.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The bill would protect the public interest by requiring that, before                                                            
approving a settlement on a matter related to the settlement of an                                                              
action directly related to oil and gas lease matters under                                                                      
AS 38.05.005 - 38.05.990 (Alaska Land Act), the Attorney General                                                                
must determine that the proposed settlement is limited to issues                                                                
necessary to settle the action, does not settle unrelated matters, and                                                          
does not alter constitutional, statutory, or regulatory procedures                                                              
required by law.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
This would not apply to settlements of oil and gas pipeline tariff                                                              
matters, tax matters, or matters where the Department of Law                                                                    
performs the function of public advocate for regulatory affairs in                                                              
matters before the Regulatory Commission of Alaska.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
My proposal would safeguard the public's interest in the development                                                            
of our oil and gas resources and assure that our State's tremendous                                                             
resources are developed fairly and without harmful compromise.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor"