2024-01-22                     Senate Journal                      Page 1391
SB 198                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 198 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                               
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
            "An Act relating to the permitting, lease, and sale of                                                             
             state land for remote recreational cabin sites; and                                                               
          providing for an effective date."                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance                                                               
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                

2024-01-22                     Senate Journal                      Page 1392
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
     Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Education & Early Development                                                             
     Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Natural Resources                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 18:                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Stevens:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the sale or lease of                                                         
state land for remote recreational sites.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
This bill sets up a framework to encourage the settlement of state land                                                         
and the development of its resources. With only 10 percent of state                                                             
land in private ownership, we need changes to allow Alaskans to lease                                                           
or purchase land for recreational purposes. This bill strikes the balance                                                       
of allowing Alaskans a more efficient and fair process to obtain an                                                             
interest in state land consistent with constitutional principles.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The bill amends the current program for remote recreational sites to                                                            
address eligibility, nomination, classification, and staking of remote                                                          
recreational sites. The bill allows for eligible applicants to nominate                                                         
up to 10 acres of available state land for a remote recreational site if                                                        
not included in the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) schedule                                                             
of land offerings. Purchasers must include a survey and appraisal of                                                            
the site and agree to pay the remote recreational site’s fair market                                                            
value. Further, the bill would allow the Commissioner of DNR to issue                                                           
a permit for a remote recreational site. This bill will increase the                                                            
availability of land for recreational use and help make land available                                                          
to Alaskans.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor