Legislature(2005 - 2006)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/21/2006 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB304 | |
| SB55 | |
| SB200 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 488 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | SB 200 | ||
| += | SB 55 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | SB 304 | ||
SENATE BILL NO. 55
"An Act instructing the commissioner of natural resources to
issue a patent for the remaining interest in certain state
land to the owner of the agricultural rights to that land."
AMY SETIZ, STAFF TO SENATOR TOM WAGONER testified regarding
the bill. She noted that the bill was similar to HB 57,
giving the Commissioner of the Department of Natural
Resource the authority to sell remaining rights to certain
state-owned land. The land must be not more than 15 acres
and used for agricultural purposes. The State must have
originally acquired it through the National Forest under the
Alaska Statehood Act, and the owner of the parcel must pay
the fair market value for the remaining rights.
Ms. Seitz explained that the bill was introduced to resolve
an issue involving 15 acres in Hope, Alaska. The Miller
family had been given partial agricultural rights to these
lands after they lost some of their own property in the
earthquake of 1964. She noted some controversy as to whether
the family should have been given full rights at that time.
She maintained that the language in the bill was the only
option available to solve the issue.
2:15:08 PM
DICK MYLIUS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF MINING LAND AND
WATER, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES testified via
teleconference in support of the bill. He stated that in
most instances State land was sold in a public process.
The exception is with a circumstance of preference rights,
allowing DNR to only offer a parcel or an interest to one
specific individual, usually someone who already legally
occupied the land. In this case the preference rights were
granted to allow the remaining land to be purchased by a
family who already retained partial rights to the land.
Ross Miller had obtained a Forest Service permit in 1955.
When the State selected the land, the Millers had a grazing
permit and had made improvements upon it. Mr. Mylius noted
that the Department decided to only sell the family
agricultural rights in 1978/9. In order to purchase the
property at this time it required the parcel to be
subdivided; this is not allowable under current State law
because the parcel is too.
Mr. Mylius pointed out that the bill was narrowly focused,
due to concern that the bill would apply to other parcels.
The language only applies to land in the Chugiak/Tongass
Forest of a certain size acquired for agricultural purposes.
2:18:22 PM
Representative Stoltze asked whether, other than the
parcel desired by the Miller family, other parcels existed
that would benefit from this legislation. Mr. Mylius
replied that there might be a few parcels in Gustavus that
might qualify, but reiterated that it would only apply to
the Chugak National Forest.
2:19:45 PM
ERICA MILLER, HOPE, ALASKA, testified via teleconference in
support of the bill. She stated her belief that the bill
would provide good resolution to the land issue.
2:20:26 PM
CHUCK GRAHAM, HOPE, ALASKA testified via teleconference in
strong support of the bill.
Co-Chair Meyer closed public testimony on the bill.
2:21:26 PM
Co-Chair Meyer asked for clarification on the indeterminate
fiscal note. Mr. Mylius noted that the State would earn
some revenue from the sale of the land. The appraised
market value of the land is currently unknown.
Representative Hawker MOVED to REPORT CS SB55 (FIN) out
of Committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note. Since there was NO OBJECTION, it was So
Ordered.
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