Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/17/2023 01:30 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB122 | |
| SB34 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 34 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 122 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 34
"An Act reestablishing the Citizens' Advisory
Commission on Federal Management Areas in Alaska; and
providing for an effective date."
2:02:48 PM
SENATOR JAMES KAUFMAN, SPONSOR, explained the legislation.
He addressed the Sponsor Statement (copy on file):
SB 34 reestablishes the Citizens' Advisory Commission
on Federal Management Areas in Alaska (CACFA) which
sunset in 2021 and sets a new sunset date of June 30,
2031. The Commission is made up of 10 public members,
one Senator, and one Representative who represent "the
diversity of users and uses of federal land in the
state" and are appointed by the Governor and
Legislature.
CACFA was first established in 1981, shortly after
Congress passed the Alaska National Interest Lands
Conservation Act (ANILCA)comprehensive legislation
governing all federal public lands in the state.
Under the balanced compromise Congress crafted in
ANILCA, 104+ million acres (nearly a quarter of the
state) were set-aside in permanent federal ownership
as conservation system units (e.g., parks, preserves,
wildlife refuges, wilderness areas) while at the same
time creating unique provisions enabling Alaskan's to
maintain their traditions, accommodate the social and
economic needs of the state, provide a range of land-
use and land access rights, safeguard opportunities
for responsible resource development, and facilitate
continued improvements in transportation and utility
infrastructure.
Factoring in the provisions of the Alaska Statehood
Act and the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, most
Alaskans are regulated under a unique and extremely
complex regulatory web.
CACFA was an independent and impartial source of
information and center for advocacy on Statehood,
ANCSA, and ANILCA issues that impact all Alaskans.
When active, CACFA helps Alaskans navigate complex
regulations and to works with federal agencies to
ensure Congressional intent is implemented with
respect to Alaska's interests. Among many things, the
Commission holds hearings to collect public comment on
decisions that affect them; disseminates information
about historical and new regulation to the public, the
Executive branch, and the Legislature; regularly
submits written comment in response to federal
requests; and helps Alaskans navigate federal
permitting processes. While the State's ANILCA program
and CACFA both monitor federal actions, CACFA does so
on behalf of individual Alaskans, whereas the State
can only focus on issues with state-level impact.
As time passes, institutional memory and ANILCA
expertise is lost at both the federal and state level.
An active CACFA would ensure that this critical
knowledge is preserved and remains accessible to
Alaskans. Until CACFA is reestablished, individuals,
organizations, and the Legislature have no independent
source of ANILCA expertise. Furthermore, there is no
organized center for which individuals can channel
their concerns to higher levels of government making
decisions that impact them. CACFA is an essential tool
to ensure that Alaskans have a strong and powerful
voice in what happens across our state
2:06:09 PM
EMMA TORKELSON, STAFF, SENATOR KAUFMAN, addressed the
Sectional Analysis (copy on file):
Sec 1. Amends AS 44.66.010(a) creating new
subsection (15) reestablishing the Citizens Advisory
Commission on Federal Management Areas in Alaska,
setting a new sunset date of June 30, 2031.
Sec 2. Technical Change: Amends AS 44.66.010(a) to
remove subsection (10) where CACFA's previous sunset
date (June 30, 2021) was listed.
Sec 3. Incorporates transition language to the
uncodified law of Alaska establishing the initial term
lengths of new appointments to the commission.
Thereafter, the term limits outlined in the
Commission's statute will take effect.
Sec 4. Sets an effective date of July 1, 2023.
2:07:23 PM
KRIS CURTIS, AUDITOR, LEGISLATIVE AUDIT, explained the
audit (copy on file). She stated that the audit concluded
that the commission was operating effectively.
2:08:46 PM
TINA CUNNING, ALASKA NATIONAL INTEREST LANDS CONSERVATION
ACT (ANILCA), ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the bill. She explained some history of ANILCA,
and the impact on various parts of Alaska.
2:13:19 PM
STAN LEAPHART, FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CITIZENS ADVISORY
COMMISSION ON FEDERAL AREAS (CACFA), ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), stated that he was available for
questions, and felt that the commission was effective,
because of the work with the public to resolve some
conflicts.
Co-Chair Olson queried the reason for the sunset in 2021.
Mr. Leaphart did not respond.
2:15:12 PM
ASHLEE ADOKO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF PROJECT
MANAGMEENT AND PERMITTING, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES,
explained the fiscal note.
Co-Chair Olson OPENED and CLOSED public testimony.
Senator Kaufman thanked the committee.
SB 34 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Olson discussed the upcoming committee meeting
schedule.