SB 68-PUBLIC NOTICE FOR STATE ACTIONS/HEARINGS  3:27:47 PM CHAIR SHAW announced that the final order of business would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 68(RES) am, "An Act relating to public notice for certain state actions and public hearings; and providing for an effective date." CHAIR SHAW mentioned that the committee heard HB 287, the companion bill to SB 68 on March 14, 2024. 3:28:34 PM SENATOR KATHY GEISEL, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, presented SB 68. Provided a summary of changes and presented the sponsor statement [included in the committee packet], which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: Senate Bill 68 proposes changes to certain public notice requirements relating to certain land and water usages. The bill changes the requirement for public notice by allowing an option to use the Alaska Online Public Notice System. This would provide a new means to the current requirement that notices be posted in a newspaper of general circulation in an affected area. The bill would update, but not substantively change, other requirements for notice by the appropriate commissioner to determine the rights of persons regarding related issues. By allowing for online public notice, it is possible to save applicants money as opposed to newspaper notice. The changes would utilize the state's online public notice system, which is available to most Alaskans to view at no cost. Public notices posted on this system are permanently retained for future reference, whereas newspaper notices are difficult to retrieve. Utilizing the online public notice system ensures that Alaskans have equal access to public notices rather than just newspaper subscribers or residents of certain areas. Finally, online public notice would eliminate coordinating issues with newspaper publications and reduces permit processing timeframes. The public is encouraged to utilize the "Subscriptions" feature on the Alaska Online Public Notice System (https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/) to tailor what notifications from which departments they wish to receive. The State of Alaska is eager to educate the public on the benefits of using the online notice system. SB 68 enables public notice to be delivered to Alaskans through the Internet. SENATOR GEISEL said that the statute changes would apply to and was requested by both the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). 3:29:42 PM REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked about other forms of notification to be utilized in addition to electronic notification and how the departments assess when to utilize a newspaper or other source for public notification. 3:30:50 PM CHRISTY COLLES, Director, Central Office, Division of Mining Land and Water, Department of Natural Resources, responded that there are a variety of factors that are considered when deciding how to publicly notify a community. She said that the department does its best to take into account public input. 3:31:40 PM REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked if the Alaska Online Public Notice System is seen as a substitute or duplicative method to inform the public. She mentioned that some of her constituents have expressed concern that the online notices would not reach a wide enough audience. MS. COLLES said that the department views the bill as creating more opportunities for flexibility to reach as many people as possible. The Alaska Online Public Notice System creates consistency and continuity. Alaskans can sign up for notifications. Postings can also occur at centralized locations within small communities as well. 3:33:39 PM GENE MCCABE, Acting Director, Division of Water, Department of Environmental Conservation, explained that not only does the department utilize the Alaska Online Notice System, it also utilizes social media feeds associated with the department to provide information to a broader audience. He said the department annually publishes a list of permits it intends to issue. He further mentioned a tribal coordinator sends out early tribal notification for pending permits prior to going out for public notice. He said DEC finds SB 68 would create more flexibility. 3:35:06 PM REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT expressed his support for SB 68. REPRESENTATIVE STORY commented on the importance of public education to inform Alaskans about how the posting will be accomplished. She emphasized the importance of transparency with the public. 3:36:18 PM CHAIR SHAW announced that amendments will be due by April 9, 2024, and that SB 68 was held over.