Legislature(2023 - 2024)BUTROVICH 205

05/06/2024 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES

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Audio Topic
03:06:06 PM Start
03:31:45 PM SB194
04:52:30 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= SB 194 REDUCE ROYALTY ON COOK INLET OIL & GAS TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Testimony <Invitation Only> --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
**Streamed live on AKL.tv**
         SB 194-REDUCE ROYALTY ON COOK INLET OIL & GAS                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:32:22 PM                                                                                                                  
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL  announced the consideration of  SENATE BILL NO.                                                               
194 "An  Act relating to  temporarily reduced royalty on  oil and                                                               
gas from pools without previous commercial sales in the Cook                                                                    
Inlet sedimentary basin; and providing for an effective date."                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
3:32:59 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL solicited a motion.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:33:08 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL moved to adopt Amendment 1, work order 33-                                                                     
GS2381\A.1.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                                               33-GS2381\A.1                                                                    
                                                      Nauman                                                                    
                                                     3/19/24                                                                    
                      A M E N D M E N T  1                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     OFFERED IN THE SENATE                                                                                                      
          TO:  SB 194                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 2, following "basin;":                                                                                      
          Insert "relating to royalty deferral for certain                                                                    
     gas lessees;"                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Page 8, following line 26:                                                                                                 
          Insert a new bill section to read:                                                                                    
        "*  Sec. 2.  AS 38.05.180 is  amended by  adding new                                                                
     subsections to read:                                                                                                       
          (mm)  For a lease issued to a small producing                                                                         
     lessee,  the  department  shall defer  payment  of  the                                                                    
     state's  royalty share  of gas  production  due to  the                                                                    
     state under a lease entered  into under this section if                                                                    
     the  commissioner, after  considering the  benefits and                                                                    
     detriments of  the royalty  deferment, makes  a written                                                                    
     finding  that  the royalty  deferment  is  in the  best                                                                    
     interest  of the  state. The  commissioner shall  adopt                                                                    
     regulations  for  the  payment  of  royalties  deferred                                                                    
     under this  subsection. A deferment under  this section                                                                    
     terminates on the earlier of                                                                                               
               (1)  the calendar year in which a lessee no                                                                      
     longer qualifies as a small producing lessee; or                                                                           
               (2)  10 years after the later of                                                                                 
               (A)  the date of first commercial production                                                                     
     of gas from the lease; or                                                                                                  
               (B)  July 1, 2024.                                                                                               
          (nn)  In (mm) of this section, "small producing                                                                       
     lessee"  means a  producer  that,  during the  previous                                                                    
     calendar  year,  produced  less   than  an  average  of                                                                    
     15,000,000 cubic feet of gas per day."                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Page 8, following line 27:                                                                                                 
          Insert a new bill section to read:                                                                                    
        "*  Sec.  4. The  uncodified  law  of the  State  of                                                                
     Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                                         
          TRANSITION. To comply with AS 38.05.180(mm),                                                                          
     added  by  sec. 2  of  this  Act, the  commissioner  of                                                                    
     natural resources  shall enter into  lease negotiations                                                                    
     with  a  lessee  holding  a  lease  issued  before  the                                                                    
     effective  date of  this  Act to  modify  the lease  to                                                                    
     allow    the    royalty     deferment    required    by                                                                    
     AS 38.05.180(mm).  No other  terms  in a  lease may  be                                                                    
     changed in a negotiation described in this section."                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Renumber the following bill section accordingly.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:33:15 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR BISHOP objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:33:22 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL  said that Amendment  1 would defer  the royalty                                                               
for small  producers. She  explained that  a "small  producer" is                                                               
defined as a  producer that processes less than  15 million cubic                                                               
feet  of gas  per day.  She  stated that  approximately 6-7  Cook                                                               
Inlet  producers  meet  this  criterion.   She  noted  that  both                                                               
Cosmopolitan  and  Kitchen  Lights  Units  would  qualify,  while                                                               
Hilcorp  would not.  She added  that Hilcorp  has indicated  that                                                               
royalty reduction would not be beneficial.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:35:02 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR CLAMAN asked if "small  producer" is defined by the total                                                               
volume produced or by the volume of individual leases.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:35:17 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR  GIESSEL  directed  attention  to page  1,  line  20  of                                                               
Amendment  1, which  defines  a "small  producing  lessee" as  "a                                                               
producer that,  during the previous calendar  year, produced less                                                               
than an average of 15,000,000 cubic feet of gas per day."                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:35:35 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KAUFMAN asked if deferring  the royalties would result in                                                               
a balloon payment at the end of the period.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
3:35:49 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR  GIESSEL replied  that  the wording  was  chosen by  the                                                               
drafter  in Legislative  Legal Services.  She indicated  that her                                                               
intention was to have no  future payment and suggested that there                                                               
may be a more appropriate word than "defer".                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:36:04 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KAUFMAN  shared his understanding  that the  wording must                                                               
clearly indicate that  this is not a deferral for  which a future                                                               
payment can be expected.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:36:22 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL  noted that the  term "royalty relief"  was used                                                               
in SB 194.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:36:38 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI   asked  if   the  Department   of  Natural                                                               
Resources (DNR) uses the term "royalty relief."                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:36:55 PM                                                                                                                    
JOHN  CROWTHER,   Deputy  Commissioner,  Department   of  Natural                                                               
Resources  (DNR),  said that  many  of  the statutes  related  to                                                               
royalty  set a  numeric number  to identify  a minimum  value for                                                               
various actions. He  agreed that "defer" could  be interpreted to                                                               
indicate  a future  payment. He  suggested  that "waiver"  likely                                                               
implies that there  will be no payment. He added  that words such                                                               
as "waiver" or  "released from" may effectuate the  intent of the                                                               
Amendment sponsor.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:37:56 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KAUFMAN  indicated that he would  support clarifying this                                                               
language.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:38:18 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  CLAMAN   moved  to  adopt  Conceptual   Amendment  1  to                                                               
Amendment 1:                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
             CONCEPTUAL AMENDMENT 1 to AMENDMENT 1                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 2:                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
          Delete "deferral"                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
          Insert "waiver                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 7:                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
          Delete "defer"                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
          Insert "waive"                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 10, in two locations:                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
          Delete "deferment"                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
          Insert "waiver"                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 12:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          Delete "deferred"                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
          Insert "waived"                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 12:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          Delete "deferment"                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
          Insert "waiver"                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, line 10:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          Delete "deferment"                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
          Insert "waiver"                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Authorization was given for Legislative Legal Services                                                                     
     to make technical and conforming changes.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
3:39:19 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:39:24 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI  said that  this seems to  adequately change                                                               
the language  in Amendment 1  to conform with what  DNR suggested                                                               
would  more  accurately reflect  the  intent  of the  amendment's                                                               
sponsor.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:39:38 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL removed her objection; she found no further                                                                    
objection and Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment 1 was adopted.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:39:46 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR BISHOP referred to the 15  million cubic feet of gas per                                                               
day and inquired about the harvest  output per day in Prudhoe Bay                                                               
for the liquified natural gas (LNG) project.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:40:13 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. CROWTHER  replied that, as currently  contracted, the Prudhoe                                                               
Bay harvest  project is producing  approximately 2  billion cubic                                                               
feet  (Bcf)  per  year.  He shared  his  understanding  that  the                                                               
facility  has   some  expansion   capacity.  He   indicated  that                                                               
calculating  the daily  harvest amount  would require  additional                                                               
time. He  noted that a  Prudhoe Bay lessee producing  those gases                                                               
does produce and  sell some volume of gas in  addition to the gas                                                               
sales to harvest.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:40:58 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR  GIESSEL pointed  out that  SB 194  is confined  to Cook                                                               
Inlet.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:41:06 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KAUFMAN  asked if Amendment  1 would encourage  a company                                                               
to break  itself into fractions  in order  to qualify as  a small                                                               
producer  and whether  any  changes should  be  made to  mitigate                                                               
this.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:41:33 PM                                                                                                                    
MR.  CROWTHER replied  that if  a producer  attempts to  reassign                                                               
assets,  interests,  and  holdings  that are  currently  held  by                                                               
existing units  and leases,  this is subject  to review.  DNR has                                                               
the ability to review and  approve those assignments based on the                                                               
best interest of the state.  He surmised that, while the language                                                               
in Amendment 1  does not foreclose the scenario  in question, the                                                               
practical  realities of  the challenges  and complexities  of the                                                               
process would limit the likelihood of this occurring.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:42:23 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KAUFMAN  directed attention to  Amendment 1, line  11 and                                                               
asked  if this  best  interest language  is adequately  bracketed                                                               
within the current regulations.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:42:48 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. CROWTHER replied that the  best interest finding is something                                                               
DNR does frequently and expressed  confidence in this process. In                                                               
answer   to   the   earlier   question   related   to   potential                                                               
restructuring,  he noted  that the  best  interest finding  could                                                               
take into  consideration corporate structuring that  might make a                                                               
producer  eligible  for royalty  relief  that  was not  otherwise                                                               
intended to lawfully benefit from this exemption.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:43:22 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KAUFMAN asked  for clarification that this  would be part                                                               
of the scope of the best interest determination.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:43:28 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. CROWTHER  replied that it  could be,  if it were  relevant to                                                               
the circumstances in the application.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:43:38 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR DUNBAR  asked if the intent  is for Amendment 1  to apply                                                               
to all  gas produced by  small producers -  or if it  would apply                                                               
only to new gas.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:44:06 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL  replied that the  intent is for Amendment  1 to                                                               
apply to all gas produced by small producers.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
3:44:15 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL  stated that the  intent was for Amendment  1 to                                                               
apply only  to the Cook Inlet  Basin. She asked if  the amendment                                                               
was drafted  to apply  to Cook  Inlet only  - or  if it  could be                                                               
interpreted more fully.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
3:44:47 PM                                                                                                                    
DEREK  NOTTINGHAM,  Director,  Division  of Oil  and  Gas  (DOG),                                                               
Department  of   Natural  Resources  (DNR),  answered   that,  as                                                               
currently written, Amendment 1 applies statewide.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:45:01 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL said  the title of SB 194 refers  to "Cook Inlet                                                               
sedimentary basin"  and asked if  Amendment 1 was drafted  to the                                                               
wrong part  of the bill. She  directed attention to SB  194, page                                                               
4, line 2,  [Section 1, subsection (f)(5)] which  refers to "Cook                                                               
Inlet sedimentary basin."                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:45:34 PM                                                                                                                    
MR.  CROWTHER   replied  that  SB   194  as  drafted   amends  AS                                                               
38.05.180(f). He  explained that  subsection 180  (f)(5) includes                                                               
language  delimiting the  application  to Cook  Inlet. He  stated                                                               
that, if Amendment 1 adds a  new subsection, and does not include                                                               
language delimiting  the application to  Cook Inlet, it  would be                                                               
generally applicable.  He noted that the  limitation likely rules                                                               
out  current operators  within the  state; however,  it does  not                                                               
necessarily prospectively rule out  future operators that qualify                                                               
under the volumetric limitation.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:46:30 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI  moved Conceptual  Amendment 2  to Amendment                                                               
1:                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              
             CONCEPTUAL AMENDMENT 2 TO AMENDMENT 1                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 20 in front of "producer":                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
          Insert "Cook Inlet"                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 22 following "day":                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          Insert "Cook Inlet Basin"                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:47:18 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:47:25 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR  GIESSEL removed  her objection;  she  found no  further                                                               
objection and Conceptual Amendment 2 to Amendment 1 was adopted.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:47:32 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  DUNBAR commented  that SB  194 is  intended to  apply to                                                               
prospective  activities  rather  than to  incentivize  activities                                                               
that are  currently happening.  He noted  that Amendment  1 would                                                               
apply  to both  prospective and  current gas  production activity                                                               
and  contains  a  best interest  finding  requirement.  He  asked                                                               
whether DNR could  potentially determine it to be  in the state's                                                               
best interest  to approve a  waiver for gas that  would otherwise                                                               
be produced.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:48:35 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. CROWTHER  replied that Amendment  1 applies to  the potential                                                               
royalty  waiver  for  very small  producers.  He  explained  that                                                               
current  producers of  this size  are  not producing  significant                                                               
revenue or a significant volume of  gas. He surmised that a small                                                               
amount of royalty deferment on  an existing production of gas may                                                               
enable those  producers to take  steps toward  expansion, thereby                                                               
bringing  more gas  to market.  In this  case, the  best interest                                                               
finding would weigh the cost  of waiving royalties on an existing                                                               
production against the  benefits of how a  waiver might translate                                                               
into new  gas availability in  Cook Inlet. He  deferred questions                                                               
of intent to the sponsor of Amendment 1.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:49:43 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR DUNBAR  asked how  the state would  avoid a  "pure wealth                                                               
transfer"  from Alaskans  to the  oil companies.  He pointed  out                                                               
that while these  companies may be small in terms  of oil and gas                                                               
companies, they are  large companies by the  standards of average                                                               
Alaskans. He  questioned how  DNR might  justify a  best interest                                                               
finding  that   would  increase  the  profit   margins  of  those                                                               
companies  without evidence  that this  would lead  to additional                                                               
gas production (i.e. production that would not otherwise occur).                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:50:18 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. CROWTHER  replied that DNR  would likely evaluate  the volume                                                               
and scope of waived royalties  and associated representations and                                                               
commitments (including commitments to  lease plans of exploration                                                               
and  development  and  other relationships  with  the  state)  to                                                               
pursue  additional  development.  He   explained  that  DNR  must                                                               
consider all  aspects and weigh available  information (including                                                               
information  submitted   by  the   public  or   other  interested                                                               
parties). He  noted that  DNR is  similarly tasked  with weighing                                                               
the benefits  of royalty waivers  for existing projects  in other                                                               
areas of statute - and whether  this would extend the life of the                                                               
project and bring the state additional revenue.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:51:58 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI referred to page 4,  lines 6-8 of SB 194 and                                                               
asked  whether,  upon the  adoption  of  Amendment 1,  a  company                                                               
producing more  than 15 million cubic  feet of gas per  day would                                                               
still be eligible for royalty relief.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:52:24 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. CROWTHER  replied that,  as DNR  understands it,  Amendment 1                                                               
would  create  a separate  waiver  that  is  unrelated -  and  in                                                               
addition  to -  the  core changes  (including royalty  reduction)                                                               
that SB 194 makes to existing statute AS 38.05.180(f)(5).                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:52:49 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI asked  whether Amendment  1, when  combined                                                               
with the  royalty reduction  already in SB  194, could  result in                                                               
additional royalty reduction for some small producers.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:53:08 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. CROWTHER replied that he believes  there is a small degree of                                                               
overlap.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:53:22 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR DUNBAR  asked for confirmation of  his understanding that                                                               
SB 194 applies to both oil  and gas production, while Amendment 1                                                               
applies  only to  gas  production. He  surmised  that a  producer                                                               
could be producing  less than 15 million cubic feet  of gas while                                                               
simultaneously producing  a much  larger volume of  oil; however,                                                               
the waiver would only apply to the gas production.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:53:51 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL agreed  and added that this is  the intention of                                                               
Amendment 1.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:53:55 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. CROWTHER concurred and added  that DNR interprets Amendment 1                                                               
as applicable solely to gas production.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
3:54:04 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KAUFMAN directed  attention to Amendment 1,  page 1, line                                                               
6,  which  relates  to  the   DNR  Commissioner's  best  interest                                                               
finding. He  wondered if this  should include a timeframe  - and,                                                               
if so, what  DNR would consider an adequate  timeframe for making                                                               
this determination.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:54:55 PM                                                                                                                    
MR.  CROWTHER   acknowledged  that   processes  within   DNR  can                                                               
sometimes  move slowly;  however, he  agreed that  these projects                                                               
are time  sensitive. He  stated that  any aspect  of SB  194 that                                                               
increases gas supply  (he noted that Amendment 1  would fall into                                                               
this  category) would  be prioritized.  He briefly  described the                                                               
best interest finding process -  which can take anywhere from 3-6                                                               
months for  priority projects. He  stated that DNR would  aim for                                                               
the 90-day  range for the  projects addressed by Amendment  1 and                                                               
added that  anything below this  would make it difficult  to meet                                                               
public notice and constitutional protection requirements.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:56:04 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KAUFMAN asked  if specifying a 90-day  timeframe would be                                                               
too strict.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
3:56:21 PM                                                                                                                    
MR.  CROWTHER  replied  that  DNR would  endeavor  to  meet  this                                                               
timeline. He added  that, while it is ultimately the  will of the                                                               
committee,  it would  be challenging  to  definitively meet  this                                                               
deadline.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:56:48 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR BISHOP agreed  that timing is important  but pointed out                                                               
that HB  50 (which  was recently  reported from  committee) would                                                               
require many new  regulations to be drafted by  DNR. He cautioned                                                               
against  establishing an  unrealistic  timeline for  DNR to  both                                                               
draft those  new regulations and  hold itself to a  strict 90-day                                                               
timeframe for best interest findings.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:57:51 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR BISHOP removed his objection.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:57:53 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL found no further objection and Amendment 1, as                                                                 
amended, was adopted.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:58:00 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL solicited a motion.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:58:03 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to adopt Amendment 2, work order 33-                                                                 
GS2381\A.2.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                                               33-GS2381\A.2                                                                    
                                                      Nauman                                                                    
                                                     3/25/24                                                                    
                      A M E N D M E N T  2                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     OFFERED IN THE SENATE         BY SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI                                                                      
          TO:  SB 194                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 1:                                                                                                            
          Delete "oil and"                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 6:                                                                                                            
          Delete "an oil or"                                                                                                    
          Insert "a [AN OIL OR]"                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 8:                                                                                                            
          Delete "oil or"                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 12:                                                                                                           
          Delete "] oil or ["                                                                                               
          Insert "OIL"                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:58:21 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:58:24 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said that Amendment 2 would eliminate oil                                                                  
from the royalty reduction proposed by SB 194. He noted that the                                                                
intention of SB  194 is to incentivize gas production  and he has                                                               
heard concerns about the reasoning  behind also incentivizing oil                                                               
production. He asked for DNR's perspective on this issue.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:59:02 PM                                                                                                                    
JOHN BOYLE, Commissioner, Department  of Natural Resources (DNR),                                                               
Anchorage, Alaska,  explained that in Cook  Inlet, oil production                                                               
drives  gas production.  He stated  that most  producers in  Cook                                                               
Inlet are  looking for oil.  He provided a  hypothetical scenario                                                               
to illustrate how the oil  market could be positively impacted by                                                               
increased gas  production. He acknowledged that  the economics of                                                               
gas  production  are  challenging; however,  he  reiterated  that                                                               
making gas  production more economically attractive  would likely                                                               
lead to  increased oil production. He  offered Cosmopolitan field                                                               
as an example of a  location where increased gas production could                                                               
lead to a significant amount of  new oil production. He said that                                                               
incentivizing gas production would  help make gas production more                                                               
economically  attractive  and   including  oil  production  would                                                               
further incentivize these  projects. He opined that,  in order to                                                               
see a  policy benefit of  incentivizing additional  investment in                                                               
the Cook Inlet,  it is necessary to reduce royalties  on both oil                                                               
and gas.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:02:17 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI asked  whether a  producer is  obligated to                                                               
sell gas that it finds when looking for oil.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:02:31 PM                                                                                                                    
COMMISSIONER  BOYLE  shared  his understanding  that  a  producer                                                               
would be  obligated to sell the  gas if there is  a willing buyer                                                               
and a market.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:02:40 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI  opined that  there are many  willing buyers                                                               
and a  market. He asked  about the  internal rates of  return for                                                               
oil versus gas in Cook Inlet (in hypothetical fields).                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
4:03:17 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. NOTTINGHAM said that modeling  has shown that rates of return                                                               
for oil and gas projects range  from 15-20 percent. He noted that                                                               
Blue  Crest  has  shown  very   good  rates  of  return  for  the                                                               
Cosmopolitan  oil   project;  however,  DOG  is   unsure  of  the                                                               
project's risk profile.  He stated that DOG  has not specifically                                                               
modeled an oil project to understand potential rates of return.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:04:12 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI opined  that this is an  important point and                                                               
questioned  whether  the royalties  for  oil  projects should  be                                                               
lowered if the rates of return are 30-50 percent.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
4:04:29 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. NOTTINGHAM replied that the  modeling could be done. He noted                                                               
that there are  currently no plans for drilling oil  wells in the                                                               
Cook Inlet  and shared his  understanding that no oil  wells have                                                               
been  drilled in  the Cook  Inlet since  2018. He  explained that                                                               
this is due to challenging economics for oil drilling.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
4:05:09 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI  asked  whether  natural gas  is  used  for                                                               
enhanced oil recovery in Cook Inlet.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:05:20 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. NOTTINGHAM  replied that natural  gas is used in  the Swanson                                                               
River field for pressure maintenance.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:05:30 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked how many mcf of gas is used per day.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:05:36 PM                                                                                                                    
MR.  NOTTINGHAM  replied  that  he does  not  know  the  specific                                                               
amount,  but  shared  his  understanding   that  it  is  a  small                                                               
percentage of the overall demand in Cook Inlet.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:05:57 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI  shared his intention to  withdraw Amendment                                                               
2 and requested modeling.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:06:09 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. NOTTINGHAM  said that  the modeling  is being  done; however,                                                               
the official numbers are not yet available.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:06:31 PM                                                                                                                    
JHONNY MEZA, Commercial  Manager, Division of Oil  and Gas (DOG),                                                               
Department of Natural Resources  (DNR), Anchorage, Alaska, agreed                                                               
that  modeling is  being done  for  oil and  noted that  previous                                                               
modeling focused on gas only.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:07:05 PM                                                                                                                    
COMMISSIONER BOYLE  said that it  is important to  consider that,                                                               
currently, all  oil produced in  the Cook Inlet is  being refined                                                               
at Marathon's  refinery in Nikiski,  Alaska and is later  used by                                                               
Alaskans. He stated that Cook  Inlet oil production is declining.                                                               
He emphasized the importance  of manufacturing/value-added jobs -                                                               
and  pointed   out  the  current  limits   to  in-state  resource                                                               
refinement/manufacturing. He  opined that the royalty  relief for                                                               
both  gas and  oil production  is important  to ensure  continued                                                               
Cook Inlet oil  production and in-state oil  refinement. He added                                                               
that this would also continue to provide jobs.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
4:08:36 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR  BISHOP   commented  there   was  an  oil   refinery  in                                                               
Fairbanks;  however,  it could  not  secure  a long-term  royalty                                                               
agreement with the state and closed as a result.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
4:09:06 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said he would  withdraw Amendment 2, pending                                                               
modeling from DOG.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:09:11 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL treated Amendment 2 as withdrawn.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:09:14 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL solicited a motion.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:09:17 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  CLAMAN  moved  to  adopt Amendment  3,  work  order  33-                                                               
GS2381\A.7.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                                               33-GS2381\A.7                                                                    
                                                      Nauman                                                                    
                                                     3/26/24                                                                    
                      A M E N D M E N T  3                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     OFFERED IN THE SENATE         BY SENATOR CLAMAN                                                                            
          TO:  SB 194                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 2, following "basin;":                                                                                      
          Insert "requiring the Alaska Oil and Gas                                                                            
     Conservation Commission to publish a report related to                                                                   
     oil and gas waste;"                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, following line 4:                                                                                                  
          Insert a new bill section to read:                                                                                    
       "* Section 1. AS 31.05.030 is amended by adding a                                                                    
     new subsection to read:                                                                                                    
          (o)  Each year, the commission shall                                                                                  
               (1)  prepare a report documenting each case                                                                      
     of oil and gas waste in the state during the preceding                                                                     
     calendar year and the actions taken by the commission                                                                      
     in response to the waste; and                                                                                              
               (2)  by the first day of each regular                                                                            
     session   of  the   legislature,  deliver   the  report                                                                    
     prepared under this subsection  to the senate secretary                                                                    
     and  the chief  clerk of  the house  of representatives                                                                    
     and  notify   the  legislature   that  the   report  is                                                                    
     available."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 4:                                                                                                            
          Delete "Section 1"                                                                                                  
          Insert "Sec. 2"                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
4:09:20 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:09:23 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR CLAMAN said Amendment 3  adds language requiring that the                                                               
Alaska  Oil and  Gas Conservation  Commission (AOGCC)  publish an                                                               
annual  report on  oil and  gas  waste. He  acknowledged that  he                                                               
recently offered  the same  language as an  amendment to  [HB 50]                                                               
and explained  that this  would increase  the likelihood  of this                                                               
provision's passage.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:09:57 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL said  that a letter was received  from AOGCC and                                                               
Brett Huber is available to comment on the proposed reports.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:10:20 PM                                                                                                                    
BRETT HUBER,  Chair, Alaska Oil and  Gas Conservation Commission,                                                               
Anchorage,  Alaska,   said  that  this  is   an  intricate  legal                                                               
discussion, and  the aforementioned letter was  quite lengthy. He                                                               
asked for guidance on where to focus his comments.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:11:00 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL asked Mr. Huber  to briefly respond to Amendment                                                               
3.                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:11:33 PM                                                                                                                    
MR.   HUBER  said   that  AS   31.05.030(b)   tasks  AOGCC   with                                                               
investigating  whether waste  exists  or is  eminent. He  briefly                                                               
described the ways in which  this is done, which includes monthly                                                               
gas distribution  reports from each  producer for  each facility.                                                               
AOGCC uses this  information to determine whether  there has been                                                               
any  waste.  The  gas distribution  reports  are  made  available                                                               
online  for the  legislature  and the  public.  He explained  the                                                               
process that  occurs when AOGCC  makes a waste  determination and                                                               
how the penalty  amount is determined. He noted  that monthly oil                                                               
disposition  reports are  not required;  however, when  potential                                                               
waste is discovered, an investigation  follows. As with gas waste                                                               
determinations, an oil  waste determination is done  via a public                                                               
process.  This information  is made  available in  real time.  He                                                               
emphasized that  all applications,  permits, etc.,  are carefully                                                               
reviewed to determine any potential  for waste. Any potential for                                                               
waste is addressed  in the permit or order issued.  He noted that                                                               
this information  is also available  on AOGCC's website  in real-                                                               
time.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MR. HUBER stated that 20  AAC 25.540(b) requires AOGCC to conduct                                                               
a  hearing upon  receiving  written request  to do  so  - on  any                                                               
matter that  is under  its jurisdiction. He  added that  this has                                                               
been  done  several times  when  someone  has reported  potential                                                               
waste - and a public order  is issued to share the findings (i.e.                                                               
whether  waste  has  occurred) upon  conclusion  of  this  public                                                               
process. He  turned his  attention to  Amendment 3  and expressed                                                               
concerns  regarding   the  expectations   of  the   waste  report                                                               
requirement.  He   stated  that  AOGCC  would   have  no  problem                                                               
compiling  its  current  reports  into a  single  report  to  the                                                               
legislature.  However,  he  expressed  concern  that  the  report                                                               
required   by  Amendment   3   would   also  include   additional                                                               
investigation  of the  improper use  or waste  of privately  held                                                               
hydrocarbons  in  the state.  He  asserted  that AOGCC  is  well-                                                               
equipped  to   do  its  work,   which  includes   regulating  the                                                               
underground and ensuring  that the state receives  its portion of                                                               
any  oil  and gas  produced.  He  argued  that  AOGCC is  not  an                                                               
"environmental watch  dog" that looks  for any potential  leak of                                                               
private hydrocarbon.  He said that environmental  concerns should                                                               
be  addressed by  the  Department  of Environmental  Conservation                                                               
(DEC). He expressed concern with  the broad language of Amendment                                                               
3, which  could potentially  apply to  private vehicles  and home                                                               
heating and does not clearly define "waste".                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:15:01 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  KAWASAKI asked  for  confirmation  that AOGCC  currently                                                               
records flaring and excessive flaring.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
4:15:19 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. HUBER  replied yes  and added  that this is  part of  the gas                                                               
disposition  report.  He  explained  that  AOGCC  allows  minimal                                                               
flaring for emergency situations,  production testing, or repairs                                                               
in line. He clarified that, as  a rule, flaring is disallowed. He                                                               
noted  that the  gas  disposition reports  are  done monthly  per                                                               
facility.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:15:52 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  KAWASAKI asked  for  confirmation that  this  is on  the                                                               
AOGCC website.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
4:16:01 PM                                                                                                                    
MR.  HUBER confirmed  that the  monthly gas  distribution reports                                                               
are  published  on   the  AOGCC  website.  He   added  that  this                                                               
information is utilized by DOR and DNR.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:16:24 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KAUFMAN expressed opposition to Amendment 3.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:16:47 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR  BISHOP  said  that he  understands  the  concerns  that                                                               
Commissioner Huber expressed.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:17:30 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR  GIESSEL commented  that  in its  letter  to the  Senate                                                               
Finance  Committee, AOGCC  stated that  these responses  to waste                                                               
reports  sometimes result  in litigation,  which complicates  the                                                               
issue  of  reporting.  She  expressed  a  reluctance  to  support                                                               
Amendment 3.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:18:23 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR CLAMAN  acknowledged the comments and  concerns expressed                                                               
by  Mr.  Huber;  however,  he opined  that  concerns  related  to                                                               
tracking individual  vehicles to  ensure efficiency is  an overly                                                               
broad interpretation  of the language  in Amendment 3.  He argued                                                               
that  the language  should be  considered in  the context  of the                                                               
waste that AOGCC typically regulates.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHIAR  GIESSEL found  the objection  was maintained  and asked                                                               
for a roll call vote.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
[4:19:13]                                                                                                                       
A   roll  call   vote   was  taken.   Senators  Dunbar,   Claman,                                                               
Wielechowski, and  Kawasaki, voted  in favor  of Amendment  3 and                                                               
Senators Kaufman, Bishop, and Giessel  voted against it. The vote                                                               
was 4:3.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:19:37 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR  GIESSEL announced  that Amendment  3 was  adopted on  a                                                               
vote of 4 yeas and 3 nays.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:19:47 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved  to adopt Amendment 4,  work order 33-                                                               
GS2381\A.10.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                              33-GS2381\A.10                                                                    
                                                      Nauman                                                                    
                                                     4/24/24                                                                    
                      A M E N D M E N T  4                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     OFFERED IN THE SENATE         BY SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI                                                                      
          TO:  SB 194                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, lines 1 - 2:                                                                                                       
          Delete "pools without previous commercial sales                                                                     
     in"                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 5, through page 8, line 26:                                                                                   
          Delete all material and insert:                                                                                       
        "* Section 1. AS 38.05.180 is  amended by adding new                                                                
     subsections to read:                                                                                                       
          (mm)  Except as provided in (nn) of this section                                                                      
     and  notwithstanding and  in lieu  of a  requirement in                                                                    
     the leasing  method chosen of  a minimum  fixed royalty                                                                    
     share or the  royalty provision of a  lease, for leases                                                                    
     issued in the Cook  Inlet sedimentary basin, the lessee                                                                    
     shall pay a royalty of  50 percent of the minimum fixed                                                                    
     royalty   share  or   another  royalty   provision  for                                                                    
     qualified new  gas produced by the  lessee. The royalty                                                                    
     reduction in this subsection                                                                                               
               (1)  applies only to qualified new gas                                                                           
     produced from a well drilled before July 1, 2031; and                                                                      
               (2)  terminates on the earlier of either                                                                         
               (A)  10 years following the commencement of                                                                      
     commercial production of qualified  new gas that begins                                                                    
     after July 1, 2024; or                                                                                                     
               (B)  the date on which a commercial quantity                                                                     
     of qualified new gas is shipped out of the state.                                                                          
          (nn)  The royalty reduction in (mm) of this                                                                           
     section does not apply if                                                                                                  
               (1)  the royalty is already reduced under                                                                        
     another subsection  of this section  to an  amount less                                                                    
     than the reduction under (mm) of this section; or                                                                          
               (2)  the lessee declines to accept a royalty                                                                     
     reduction under (mm) of this  section in writing before                                                                    
     the commencement of  commercial production of qualified                                                                    
     new gas that begins after July 1, 2024.                                                                                    
          (oo)  In (mm) and (nn) of this section,                                                                               
               (1)  "firm gas sales contract" means a gas                                                                       
     purchase contract  requiring the delivery  and purchase                                                                    
     of fixed amounts of gas over a period of time;                                                                             
               (2)  "qualified new gas" means gas supplied                                                                      
     through a firm gas  sales contract entered into between                                                                    
     the lessee  and a utility regulated  under AS 42.05 and                                                                    
     produced from                                                                                                              
               (A)  a field or pool that the commissioner                                                                       
     determines   has  not   previously  produced   gas  for                                                                    
     commercial sale before January 1, 2024;                                                                                    
               (B)  a field or pool that has previously                                                                         
     produced gas,  but did not produce  gas during calendar                                                                    
     year 2024; or                                                                                                              
               (C)  a well that did not exist on January 1,                                                                     
     2025,  if the  commissioner determines  that production                                                                    
     of that  gas from  the field or  pool from  an existing                                                                    
     well was not economically feasible."                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Page 8, line 27:                                                                                                           
          Delete "and AS 38.05.180(dd)"                                                                                         
          Insert "; AS 38.05.180(f)(5), and 38.05.180(dd)"                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Page 8, following line 27:                                                                                                 
          Insert a new bill section to read:                                                                                    
        "*  Sec.  3.  AS 38.05.180(mm),  38.05.180(nn),  and                                                                
     38.05.180(oo) are repealed July 1, 2041."                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Renumber the following bill section accordingly.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:19:50 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:19:54 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI  said  that  Amendment  4  is  offered  for                                                               
discussion, and  he would like to  hear from DNR. He  stated that                                                               
this  amendment would  cut the  royalty by  50 percent  and would                                                               
require companies to  have new gas in production  within 7 years.                                                               
Companies that meet this production  goal could continue claiming                                                               
the deduction  for an additional  10 years  - or until  they sell                                                               
gas out of state. He explained  that the intention is to speed up                                                               
the gas production  timeline in order to address  the current gas                                                               
crisis.  He  indicated  that the  7-year  production  requirement                                                               
could  be reduced  further. He  stated that  Amendment 4  applies                                                               
solely  to  gas  produced  under firm  gas-sales  contracts  with                                                               
Regulatory Commission  of Alaska (RCA) regulated  utilities. This                                                               
would ensure that  the gas goes to the utilities  that are facing                                                               
gas  shortages. He  directed attention  to Amendment  4, page  2,                                                               
lines 6-15  and said that  this definition of qualifying  gas was                                                               
borrowed from HB 223.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:22:09 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. CROWTHER  noted that, as  with Amendment 3, the  exclusion of                                                               
oil  in Amendment  4 presents  a risk.  He pointed  out that  the                                                               
eligibility time restraint, the  firm sales contract requirement,                                                               
and the administration  of the these decrease  the certainty that                                                               
producers would  be eligible  for the  royalty relief.  He stated                                                               
that, from  DNR's perspective, these  types of  requirements must                                                               
be  very focused,  manageable, and  optimal so  that they  do not                                                               
disincentivize   production.  He   acknowledged  that   there  is                                                               
immediate need  for increased gas production;  however, he argued                                                               
that  the   7-year  requirement  could  challenge   projects.  He                                                               
expressed opposition to Amendment 4.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:23:49 PM                                                                                                                    
MR.  NOTTINGHAM  agreed  and   indicated  that  providing  longer                                                               
timeframes for  projects to  get off the  ground offers  a better                                                               
incentive to  begin production. He  acknowledged the  urgent need                                                               
for increased  production and noted  that the  proposed solutions                                                               
are  temporary; however,  he said  that a  long-term solution  is                                                               
needed to mitigate future issues  (e.g. in 2035-2040) with mature                                                               
fields.  He  said that  incentivizing  projects  that would  fill                                                               
those gaps is beneficial, and DOR  would like to see new projects                                                               
come online. He  stated that the firm contract  requirement is an                                                               
obstacle  to potential  development,  as contracts  tend to  have                                                               
punitive  clauses  related to  non-performance  that  could be  a                                                               
challenge for  small producers. He  said that utilities  see risk                                                               
with small  producers bringing gas  to market. He added  that DOG                                                               
would like  to see more  gas come to  market and let  the natural                                                               
flow of the market work out the contracts.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:26:29 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  DUNBAR   commented  that  Amendment  4   highlights  the                                                               
challenges  that result  from  a lack  of  modeling. He  recalled                                                               
DNR's recent  presentation on  SB 194,  which indicated  that the                                                               
resulting  gas  production would  be  sufficient  to fulfill  the                                                               
state's  demand for  gas.  He commented  that  Amendment 4  could                                                               
produce the same  result with less fiscal  impact. He highlighted                                                               
the  ways  in  which  both  SB   194  and  Amendment  4  rely  on                                                               
assumptions  -  without a  full  understanding  of the  potential                                                               
impact  of  the proposed  changes.  He  emphasized the  need  for                                                               
modeling  to better  understand the  impact  of both  SB 194  and                                                               
Amendment 4. He asked if this makes sense.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:27:44 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. NOTTINGHAM  replied that  this does  make sense.  He recalled                                                               
that the modeling in the  presentation highlighted cases with a 5                                                               
percent royalty  and zero  royalty - and  the effects  this would                                                               
have on  the inferred cost  of supply to the  railbelt utilities.                                                               
He  shared  his understanding  that  this  did not  include  data                                                               
related  to the  resulting impact  on the  rate of  return for  a                                                               
particular  project. He  stated that  DOG has  this modeling  and                                                               
would provide it to the committee.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:28:35 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR DUNBAR opined  that the primary question is  how much gas                                                               
production would  increase for each change.  He acknowledged that                                                               
there are many factors involved,  making it difficult to know the                                                               
exact amount.  He commented that,  at this point, it  is "feeling                                                               
in the dark" with respect to how much each ratchet changes.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:29:14 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI  recalled  that  DNR  previously  expressed                                                               
support  of  a  5-7-year production  initiation  requirement.  He                                                               
shared  his belief  that this  is a  reasonable way  to encourage                                                               
producers to move  quickly. He emphasized the  immediate need for                                                               
gas.   He  asked   whether  DNR   would   support  the   57-year                                                                
requirement.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:30:07 PM                                                                                                                    
MR.  CROWTHER  replied  that  DNR   understands  the  desire  and                                                               
rationale behind setting a time  by which projects must initiate.                                                               
He said that  a 7-year window captures  known, near-term projects                                                               
that DNR  hopes to incentivize immediately  - as well as  a small                                                               
window allowing for additional leasing  and exploration to mature                                                               
into a  project. He stated that  leaning closer to 5  years would                                                               
primarily  include  existing  projects in  full  development  and                                                               
offered examples.  He reiterated  that 7 years  would potentially                                                               
allow  for more  (i.e.  incentivize  materially) new  exploration                                                               
while 5  years is less likely  to do so. He  emphasized that less                                                               
than  5  years would  raise  significant  issues for  full  field                                                               
developments that  DNR hopes to see.  He noted that SB  194 would                                                               
hopefully result  in immediate activity  that would  continue for                                                               
several years.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
4:31:35 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI clarified  that Amendment  4 requires  that                                                               
gas production begin within 7 years  - and if this requirement is                                                               
met, the  producer can  continue to claim  the deduction  for ten                                                               
more  years. He  noted  that this  is  a total  of  17 years  and                                                               
commented  that  this  is  a  long  time.  He  opined  that  this                                                               
encourages companies to  get projects running- and  gas to market                                                               
-  quickly.  He reiterated  that  companies  would then  have  10                                                               
additional years to  recover and asked if Mr.  Crowther was aware                                                               
of this  aspect of Amendment  4 when  he offered his  analysis of                                                               
the amendment.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
4:32:08 PM                                                                                                                    
MR.  CROWTHER  replied  yes.  He  stated  that  DNR's  conceptual                                                               
support  for  the  7-year  window  recognizes  the  reality  that                                                               
getting  in and  getting  started within  the required  timeframe                                                               
would   result  in   certainty  and   surety  of   recouping  the                                                               
investment. He  reiterated concerns regarding  timeframes shorter                                                               
than 7  years. He said  that DNR  understands the intent  and the                                                               
need.  He shared  his understanding  that the  goal is  near-term                                                               
relief and  immediate action and  expressed appreciation  of this                                                               
goal. He  explained that DNR  does not  want to make  the process                                                               
too  restrained  and  potentially  disincentivize  anything  that                                                               
would benefit the gas supply.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:33:05 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI asked  what  percent of  gas  sold in  Cook                                                               
Inlet historically goes to firm gas sale contracts.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:33:15 PM                                                                                                                    
MR.  NOTTINGHAM  replied  that  the  majority  of  the  firm  gas                                                               
contracts are through  Hilcorp. He surmised that a  change in the                                                               
market share  of all producers'  gas input into the  system would                                                               
change that dynamic.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:34:02 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. MEZA  replied that  is correct.  He said  that for  2023, the                                                               
share of firm gas contracts sold  from Cook Inlet was between 77-                                                               
85 percent.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:34:22 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI  commented that  this is a  large percentage                                                               
and is  much higher  than he expected.  He shared  that utilities                                                               
have expressed that they want  firm gas sale contracts. He opined                                                               
that,  with  such  a  high   percentage,  this  is  something  to                                                               
incentivize. He  asked if  the firm gas  sale price  is typically                                                               
lower than other gas sale prices (for utilities).                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
4:35:04 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. MEZA said  that he cannot provide exact  values and explained                                                               
that that  firm gas sale  contracts are negotiated at  the moment                                                               
the contract is executed.  Interruptible contracts are negotiated                                                               
every time a  sale occurs. He added that,  theoretically, the gas                                                               
sale price could be lower for either contract type.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:35:33 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI  directed attention to Amendment  4, page 2,                                                               
lines  6-15, which  defines what  gas would  qualify for  royalty                                                               
reduction. He asked for DNR's perspective on this provision.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:35:48 PM                                                                                                                    
MR.  CROWTHER  replied  that DNR  has  seen  these  constructions                                                               
related to  "not previously producing fields,"  "fields that have                                                               
previously produced gas,"  and "wells that did not  exist if they                                                               
were  not economically  feasible"  in HB  276.  He surmised  that                                                               
these are functional categories for SB  194 and noted that in the                                                               
companion  legislation, these  categories  were recently  amended                                                               
for  greater  functionality  and clarity.  However,  as  written,                                                               
these categories are generally applicable  and achieve the intent                                                               
of promoting  new gas and  not providing relief for  existing and                                                               
under development wells.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR.  CROWTHER stated  that, regarding  firm gas  sales contracts,                                                               
DNR understands  the legislative policy  intent as it  relates to                                                               
supply security  and securing contracts. He  explained that, from                                                               
DNR's perspective,  project sanction  is a binary  decision (e.g.                                                               
to  drill  a  well  or  not).  Therefore,  tying  royalty  relief                                                               
completely  to subsequent  gas sales  contracts  (i.e. a  company                                                               
receives the  relief - or  it does not -  based on the  status of                                                               
the  subsequent  contract)   creates  uncertainty  regarding  the                                                               
project's sanction decision. He emphasized  that he does not want                                                               
to  intrude on  the committee's  policymaking. He  said that  DNR                                                               
would be  happy to work  with the  committee to determine  how to                                                               
further incentivize  firm sales  in relation  to other  sales. He                                                               
emphasized  the importance  of  increasing producers'  confidence                                                               
during the decision-making process.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:37:50 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI reiterated  that utilities have communicated                                                               
that  they  want firm  gas  sales  contracts. He  commented  that                                                               
royalty  relief is  essentially  giving away  millions of  public                                                               
dollars.  He  opined  that  public   dollars  should  go  towards                                                               
reducing the  energy costs  for ratepayers.  He argued  that firm                                                               
sale  gas  contract  requirements achieve  the  state's  intended                                                               
goal.  He commented  that Amendment  4 would  give producers  the                                                               
choice of receiving the relief  (which would significantly impact                                                               
their internal rate of return) in  exchange for giving a firm gas                                                               
sale contract.  He said that he  would be happy to  work with DNR                                                               
on this.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:38:35 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said he would withdraw Amendment 4.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:38:41 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL found no objection and Amendment 4 was                                                                         
withdrawn.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:38:50 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL solicited a motion.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:38:54 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to adopt Amendment 5, work order 33-                                                                 
GS2381\A.14.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                              33-GS2381\A.14                                                                    
                                                      Nauman                                                                    
                                                      5/2/24                                                                    
                      A M E N D M E N T  5                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     OFFERED IN THE SENATE                                                                                                      
          TO:  SB 194                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, lines 7 - 8:                                                                                                       
          Delete   "has   not    previously   produced   for                                                                
     commercial sale oil or gas"                                                                                            
          Insert "first begins producing oil or gas for                                                                     
     commercial sale on or after the effective date of this                                                                 
     Act and before July 1, 2029,"                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, lines 13 - 15:                                                                                                     
          Delete "for [FIELD THAT OCCURS IN THE] 10 years                                                                   
         following the date on which the production for                                                                         
     commercial sale commences"                                                                                             
          Insert "[FIELD THAT OCCURS IN THE 10 YEARS                                                                            
      FOLLOWING THE DATE ON WHICH THE PRODUCTION FOR SALE                                                                       
     COMMENCES]                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 18, following "lease":                                                                                    
          Insert "; the royalty reduction in this paragraph                                                                 
     applies until the earlier of either                                                                                    
               (1)  10 years following the commencement of                                                                  
     production of oil or gas for commercial sale; or                                                                       
               (2)  the date on which a commercial quantity                                                                 
      of oil or gas produced for sale from the Cook Inlet                                                                   
     sedimentary basin is shipped out of the state"                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:38:55 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:38:58 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI  said that Amendment  5 is more  focused and                                                               
contains  a  sunset  provision  similar   to  the  one  found  in                                                               
Amendment  4. However,  Amendment  5 shortens  the timeframe  for                                                               
initial  production from  7 years  to 5  years. In  addition, the                                                               
producer would  receive the royalty  reduction for  an additional                                                               
10 years  - or until  the company sells commercial  quantities of                                                               
oil or  gas out-of-state. He noted  that this does apply  to both                                                               
oil and gas  - but emphasized the 5-year limit  in contrast to SB
194. He reiterated his understanding  that DNR is amenable to the                                                               
5-7-year timeframe and asked DNR to comment.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:40:08 PM                                                                                                                    
COMMISSIONER BOYLE said  that DNR would be  more comfortable with                                                               
a window that  is longer than 5 years.  He expressed appreciation                                                               
for  the intent  to  incentivize and  speed up  new  oil and  gas                                                               
production.  He  said that  a  7-year  window provides  an  extra                                                               
margin, but it is a policy call for the committee.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:40:47 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  DUNBAR   moved  to  adopt  Conceptual   Amendment  1  to                                                               
Amendment 5:                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
             CONCEPTUAL AMENDMENT 1 TO AMENDMENT 5                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line4:                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
          Delete 2029                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          Insert 2031                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:41:04 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:41:07 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR DUNBAR said  that this would change the  timeframe from 5                                                               
years to  7 years. He added  that he has heard  this same concern                                                               
from other sources.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:41:12 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI  said  he  believes  the  department  would                                                               
support Amendment 5 if Conceptual Amendment 1 was adopted.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:41:20 PM                                                                                                                    
COMMISSIONER BOYLE said  yes, DNR would support  Amendment 5 with                                                               
this change.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:41:27 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL removed her objection; she found no further                                                                    
objection and Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment 5 was adopted.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
4:41:43 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI reiterated his understanding that DNR                                                                      
supports Amendment 5, as amended.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
4:41:51 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. CROWTHER agreed that DNR supports Amendment 5, as amended.                                                                  
He expressed appreciation for the committee's consideration of                                                                  
the timing factor.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:42:00 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL removed her objection; she found no further                                                                    
objection and Amendment 5, as amended, was adopted.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:42:11 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL solicited a motion.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:42:13 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KAUFMAN moved to adopt Amendment 6, work order 33-                                                                      
GS2381\A.15.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                              33-GS2381\A.15                                                                    
                                                      Nauman                                                                    
                                                      5/2/24                                                                    
                      A M E N D M E N T  6                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     OFFERED IN THE SENATE         BY SENATOR KAUFMAN                                                                           
          TO:  SB 194                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 11:                                                                                                           
          Delete "a royalty of five percent"                                                                                    
          Insert "the [A] royalty percentage set out in                                                                 
     this paragraph [OF FIVE PERCENT]"                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 13:                                                                                                           
          Delete "for"                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, lines 14 - 15:                                                                                                     
          Delete "] 10 years following the date on which                                                                        
     the production for commercial sale commences"                                                                          
          Insert "10 YEARS FOLLOWING THE DATE ON WHICH THE                                                                      
     PRODUCTION FOR SALE COMMENCES]"                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 16:                                                                                                           
          Delete "of five percent may"                                                                                      
          Insert "percentage described in this paragraph                                                                    
     does"                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 17:                                                                                                           
          Delete "five percent in"                                                                                          
          Insert "the applicable percentage of"                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 18, following "lease":                                                                                    
          Insert "; the royalty rate under this paragraph                                                                   
     is                                                                                                                     
               (A)  0.1 percent for oil or gas produced on                                                                  
     and after January 1, 2025, and before January 1, 2028;                                                                 
               (B)  0.1 percent for gas produced and five                                                                   
     percent for oil produced on and after January 1, 2028,                                                                 
     and before January 1, 2031;                                                                                            
               (C)  five percent for gas produced and five                                                                  
     percent for oil produced on and after January 1, 2031,                                                                 
     and before January 1, 2036"                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:42:15 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:42:17 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KAUFMAN said Amendment 6  attempts to accomplish the goal                                                               
of producing  gas for the  railbelt quickly,  while incentivizing                                                               
producers and managing risk. He pointed  out that SB 194 does not                                                               
currently reflect  modeling. He  directed attention  to Amendment                                                               
6, page  1, line 23,  which defines  the royalty relief  rate. He                                                               
explained that this  is designed to bias  towards expeditious gas                                                               
production by decreasing the royalty  rate to 0.1 percent for oil                                                               
and gas  produced between  2025-2028. Tier  B would  maintain the                                                               
0.1 percent rate  for gas production but would  increase the rate                                                               
for oil  to 5 percent  between 2028-2031, while tier  C increases                                                               
both oil and gas rates to  5 percent for 2031-2036. He reiterated                                                               
that this would create a  bias for early, focused gas production.                                                               
He said  that this would  help ensure  companies do not  bias new                                                               
production  and let  older production  sit. He  commented that  a                                                               
larger window may be needed.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:45:29 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI   said  that  he  appreciates   the  tiered                                                               
concept.  He surmised  that this  incentivizes more  immediacy in                                                               
production - and companies could  be incentivized even further by                                                               
the  zero percent  royalty reduction  adopted  earlier. He  added                                                               
that it  would be  helpful to  see modeling.  He asked  for DNR's                                                               
perspective.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:46:15 PM                                                                                                                    
MR.  CROWTHER  replied  that  DNR supports  Amendment  6,  as  it                                                               
increases  the  competitiveness  of projects  and  biases  toward                                                               
immediate  action.  He  expressed appreciation  for  the  sliding                                                               
scale  design.  He  indicated  that DNR  would  need  to  further                                                               
consider  Amendment 6  and how  this would  impact the  timing of                                                               
certain projects in light of the adoption of Amendment 5.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:47:28 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  KAUFMAN expressed  appreciation  for  the discussion  of                                                               
Amendment 6.  He stated that  he respects the need  for modeling.                                                               
He emphasized that  any modeling must take into  account the many                                                               
parameters that need to be balanced and offered examples.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:48:19 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KAUFMAN said he would withdraw Amendment 6.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:48:28 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI  acknowledged that  Amendment  6  may be  a                                                               
better  approach  than  Amendment  5.   He  said  that  he  would                                                               
encourage the committee to reconsider  that amendment and instead                                                               
adopt Amendment 6, if it is shown to be a better option.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:49:01 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR   BISHOP    concurred   with   Senators    Kaufman   and                                                               
Wielechowski.  He  said  that  he  would  like  to  have  further                                                               
discussions with  DNR on Amendment 6  - and how it  ties together                                                               
with Amendment  5 - in  order for the  state to receive  the best                                                               
possible benefit.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL stated that Amendment 6 was withdrawn.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:49:36 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL solicited motion.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:49:40 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved  to adopt Amendment 7,  work order 33-                                                               
GS2381\A.16.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                              33-GS2381\A.16                                                                    
                                                      Nauman                                                                    
                                                      5/3/24                                                                    
                      A M E N D M E N T  7                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     OFFERED IN THE SENATE                                                                                                      
          TO:  SB 194                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, lines 6 - 8:                                                                                                       
          Delete "that, subject to determination by the                                                                     
     commissioner,   has   not   previously   produced   for                                                                
     commercial sale oil or gas"                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 11, following "on":                                                                                           
          Insert "qualified new"                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 12, following "or":                                                                                       
          Insert "qualified new"                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 18, following "lease":                                                                                    
          Insert "; in this paragraph,                                                                                      
               (A)   "firm gas  sales contract" means  a gas                                                                
     purchase contract  requiring the delivery  and purchase                                                                
     of fixed amounts of gas over a period of time;                                                                         
               (B)   "qualified new gas" means  gas supplied                                                                
     through a firm gas  sales contract entered into between                                                                
     the lessee  and a utility regulated  under AS 42.05 and                                                                
     produced from                                                                                                          
               (i)   a field or  pool that  the commissioner                                                                
     determines   has  not   previously  produced   gas  for                                                                
     commercial sale before January 1, 2024;                                                                                
               (ii)   a  field or  pool that  has previously                                                                
     produced gas,  but did not produce  gas during calendar                                                                
     year 2024; or                                                                                                          
               (iii)     a  well  that  did   not  exist  on                                                                
     January 1,  2025, if  the commissioner  determines that                                                                
     production of that  gas from the field or  pool from an                                                                
     existing well was not economically feasible;                                                                           
               (C)   "qualified new oil" means  oil produced                                                                
     from                                                                                                                   
               (i)   a field or  pool that  the commissioner                                                                
     determines   has  not   previously  produced   oil  for                                                                
     commercial sale before January 1, 2024;                                                                                
               (ii)   a  field or  pool that  has previously                                                                
     produced oil,  but did not produce  gas during calendar                                                                
     year 2024; or                                                                                                          
               (iii)     a  well  that  did   not  exist  on                                                                
     January 1,  2025, if  the commissioner  determines that                                                                
     production of that  oil from the field or  pool from an                                                                
     existing well was not economically feasible"                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:49:42 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:49:45 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI withdrew Amendment 7.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:49:59 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL stated that Amendment 7 was withdrawn.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:50:03 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to adopt Amendment 8, work order 33-                                                                 
GS2381\A.17.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                              33-GS2381\A.17                                                                    
                                                      Nauman                                                                    
                                                      5/5/24                                                                    
                      A M E N D M E N T  8                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     OFFERED IN THE SENATE         BY SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI                                                                      
          TO:  SB 194                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 2, following "basin":                                                                                       
          Insert "and reports related to the royalty rates"                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Page 4, line 18, following "lease":                                                                                    
          Insert "; a lessee may decline to accept a                                                                        
     royalty  reduction under  this  paragraph by  notifying                                                                
     the  commissioner  in  writing   before  payment  of  a                                                                
     royalty to  the state for  oil or gas eligible  for the                                                                
     royalty reduction under this paragraph"                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Page 8, following line 26:                                                                                                 
          Insert a new bill section to read:                                                                                    
        "*  Sec. 2.  AS 38.05.180 is  amended by  adding new                                                                
     subsections to read:                                                                                                       
          (mm)  Notwithstanding the requirement that                                                                            
     information     be      kept     confidential     under                                                                    
     AS 38.05.035(a),  38.05.133(e), or  any other  law, the                                                                    
     commissioner shall prepare a  report related to royalty                                                                    
     reductions under  (f)(5) of this section  and shall, by                                                                    
     February 1  of each  year, deliver  the  report to  the                                                                    
     senate secretary  and the chief  clerk of the  house of                                                                    
     representatives,  notify   the  legislature   that  the                                                                    
     report  is available,  and publish  the  report on  the                                                                    
     department's  Internet website.  A  lessee receiving  a                                                                    
     royalty reduction  under (f)(5)  of this  section shall                                                                    
     provide the  department with the  information necessary                                                                    
     for  the  department  to produce  the  report.  At  the                                                                    
     request  of a  legislative committee,  a representative                                                                    
     of  the department  shall appear  in that  committee to                                                                    
     review  the  report.  The  commissioner  may  aggregate                                                                    
     information  in the  report by  project or  by area  if                                                                    
     lease areas  are in reasonably close  proximity and the                                                                    
     information  reported  is   materially  accurate.  Upon                                                                    
     request,  the  commissioner shall  provide  information                                                                    
     aggregated  in the  report, broken  down  by lessee  or                                                                    
     lease, at the option of  the requester. The report must                                                                    
     include,                                                                                                                   
               (1)     for  each   lease  area   or  project                                                                    
     producing  oil or  gas  receiving  a royalty  reduction                                                                    
     under (f)(5) of this section,                                                                                              
               (A)   the  name  of each  lessee receiving  a                                                                    
     royalty reduction;                                                                                                         
               (B)    the  starting   date  of  the  royalty                                                                    
     reduction;                                                                                                                 
               (C)   the name  of each  lessee named  on the                                                                    
     lease;                                                                                                                     
               (D)    the  name   of  each  person  with  an                                                                    
     ownership interest  in the lease  or in the  lessee or,                                                                    
     if more  than 10 people  have an ownership  interest in                                                                    
     the lease  or lessee, the  10 persons with  the highest                                                                    
     percentage  of  ownership  interest  in  the  lease  or                                                                    
     lessee;                                                                                                                    
               (E)  the lease identification number;                                                                            
               (F)   a  description of  the location  of the                                                                    
     lease;                                                                                                                     
               (G)  the total lease acreage;                                                                                    
               (H)   a summary of the  project producing the                                                                    
     oil or gas receiving the royalty reduction;                                                                                
               (I)   the number of firm  gas sales contracts                                                                    
     the  lessee currently  holds  with utilities  regulated                                                                    
     under AS 42.05;                                                                                                            
               (J)  the volume  of gas receiving the royalty                                                                    
     reduction produced by the lessee                                                                                           
               (i)  in the preceding calendar year; and                                                                         
               (ii)   cumulatively,  beginning the  calendar                                                                    
     year the lessee first received the royalty reduction;                                                                      
               (K)  the volume  of oil receiving the royalty                                                                    
     reduction produced by the lessee                                                                                           
               (i)  in the preceding calendar year; and                                                                         
               (ii)   cumulatively,  beginning the  calendar                                                                    
     year the lessee first received the royalty reduction;                                                                      
               (L)   for each lessee that  produced gas that                                                                    
     received  the royalty  reduction, the  royalty payments                                                                    
     for that gas received by the state                                                                                         
              (i)  in the preceding calendar year;                                                                              
               (ii)   cumulatively,  beginning the  calendar                                                                    
     year the lessee first received the royalty reduction;                                                                      
               (M)  for each lessee that produced oil that                                                                      
     received  the royalty  reduction, the  royalty payments                                                                    
     for that oil received by the state                                                                                         
              (i)  in the preceding calendar year;                                                                              
               (ii)  cumulatively, beginning the calendar                                                                       
     year the lessee first received the royalty reduction;                                                                      
               (N)  a summary of the exploration work                                                                           
     performed  by the  lessee during  the period  for which                                                                    
     the lessee  received the royalty  rate under  (f)(5) of                                                                    
     this section, and the results of the exploration work;                                                                     
               (O)  whether the royalty rate under (f)(5)                                                                       
     of this section has expired or been terminated; and                                                                        
               (2)  for each lessee declining to receive                                                                        
     the  royalty rate  under (f)(5)  of  this section,  the                                                                    
     name of the lessee  and the lease identification number                                                                    
     of  the  lease for  which  the  royalty rate  has  been                                                                    
     declined.                                                                                                                  
          (nn)  The commissioner shall provide adequate                                                                         
     notice,  in writing,  of  the  royalty reduction  under                                                                    
     (f)(5) of  this section and the  reporting requirements                                                                    
     of (mm)  of this  section to  a lessee  that is  or may                                                                    
     become eligible for the  royalty reduction under (f)(5)                                                                    
     of this section."                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Page 8, following line 27:                                                                                                 
          Insert a new bill section to read:                                                                                    
        "*  Sec. 4.  AS 38.05.180(mm) and  38.05.180(nn) are                                                                
     repealed February 2, 2040."                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Renumber the following bill section accordingly.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:50:07 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI  said  that  Amendment  8  is  a  reporting                                                               
requirement and  was drafted with  input from DNR. He  shared his                                                               
understanding that DNR supports  the amendment. He explained that                                                               
it would  require producers receiving  royalty relief  to provide                                                               
certain information to  the public. He commented  that this would                                                               
ensure transparency. He  noted that it also  includes a provision                                                               
allowing lessees  to decline  the royalty relief  if they  do not                                                               
want to provide this information.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
4:50:44 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. CROWTHER said  that DNR supports Amendment  8 and understands                                                               
the need  for public  information about  this program.  He stated                                                               
that DNR would be happy  to administer this reporting requirement                                                               
if it is the will of the committee.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:51:09 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR CLAMAN  pointed out that  there may be  conforming issues                                                               
with Amendment  1 and  Amendment 8. He  clarified that  this does                                                               
not indicate opposition to Amendment 8.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:51:43 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KAUFMAN said that he supports Amendment 8.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:51:51 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR  GIESSEL removed  her objection;  she  found no  further                                                               
objection and Amendment 8 was adopted.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
4:52:16 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR GIESSEL held SB 194, as amended, in committee.                                                                         

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
SB 194, version A.pdf SRES 2/23/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/6/2024 3:30:00 PM
SB 194
SB 194 Sponsor Statement 2.23.24.pdf SRES 2/23/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/6/2024 3:30:00 PM
SB 194
SB 194 Sectional Analysis, version A 2.23.24.pdf SRES 2/23/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/6/2024 3:30:00 PM
SB 194
SB 194 DNR Fiscal Note 1.16.24.pdf SRES 2/23/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/6/2024 3:30:00 PM
SB 194
SB 194 Amendment #A.2.pdf SRES 5/6/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/8/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/9/2024 2:00:00 PM
SB 194
SB 194 Amendment #A.7 DCCED Response Letter 5.6.24.pdf SRES 5/6/2024 3:30:00 PM
SB 194
SB 194 Amendment #A.7.pdf SRES 5/6/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/8/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/9/2024 2:00:00 PM
SB 194
SB 194 Amendment #A.10.pdf SRES 5/6/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/8/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/9/2024 2:00:00 PM
SB 194
SB 194 Amendment #A.16.pdf SRES 5/6/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/8/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/9/2024 2:00:00 PM
SB 194
SB 194 Amendment #A.17.pdf SRES 5/6/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/8/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/9/2024 2:00:00 PM
SB 194
SB 194 Amendment #A.1.pdf SRES 5/6/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/9/2024 2:00:00 PM
SB 194
SB 194 Amendment #A.14.pdf SRES 5/6/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/9/2024 2:00:00 PM
SB 194
SB 194 Amendment #A.15.pdf SRES 5/6/2024 3:30:00 PM
SRES 5/9/2024 2:00:00 PM
SB 194