SB 75-TIMBER MANAGEMENT LEASES  3:31:31 PM CHAIR GIESSEL announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 75 "An Act relating to timber on state lands; relating to timber management leases; and providing for an effective date." 3:32:50 PM SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, District D, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided an overview of SB 75. He emphasized that the state, the Department of Natural Resources, the legislature, and the people of Alaska needed a clear and shared vision for the management of public lands. He stated that Alaskans value public lands and rely on them for hunting, fishing, recreation, hiking, and camping, and that maintaining access to these lands was essential to the state's way of life. He argued that misunderstandings had arisen during a proposed State Forest rollout on the Kenai Peninsula, partly due to insufficient communication about what state forests are and are not. He explained that state forests are not meant to lock up land like state parks but instead allow the state to hold land in public trust while maintaining public access, supporting timber harvest, reducing wildfire fuel loads, and improving access for fire suppression. 3:33:46 PM SENATOR BJORKMAN encouraged the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the committee to clarify the long-term vision for how public lands should support Alaska's economy and land management goals. He noted that recent wildfires on the Kenai Peninsula mostly on federal land but also on some state landdemonstrated the need for active forest management, including thinning operations, road access, and other practices that could help prevent large, uncontrollable fires. He discussed the need for clearer and more consistent expectations for public access across different types of public lands, including trust lands managed by entities such as the University of Alaska and the Alaska Mental Health Trust. Although these lands are technically not considered general public lands, he argued that they are government-owned, and that the public should have guaranteed access to them. 3:37:06 PM SENATOR BJORKMAN referred to Gravina Island as an example of how different land ownership typesfederal land in the Tongass National Forest, the Southeast State Forest, and university trust lands resulted in significantly different management. He said SB 224 could support active forest management that reduces wildfire risk, protects forests from pests such as spruce bark beetles, improves wildlife habitat, and promotes healthier forests. He stressed, however, that any legislation should include safeguards to ensure continued public access and prevent destructive logging practices. He concluded by expressing appreciation that SB 224 would receive further consideration rather than being rushed through the legislative process. 3:38:56 PM CHAIR GIESSEL held SB 75 in committee.