SB 90-EXTEND ALASKA MINERALS COMMISSION  3:30:56 PM CO-CHAIR GIESSEL announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 90 "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Minerals Commission." 3:31:11 PM SENATOR CLICK BISHOP, District R, sponsor of SB 90, introduced the legislation and paraphrased the sponsor statement. Senate Bill 90 extends the Alaska Minerals Commission (Minerals Commission) until June 30, 2034. The Minerals Commission is currently set to sunset on February 1, 2024. Created in 1986, the 11-member Alaska Minerals Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Governor and the Alaska State Legislature on ways to mitigate constraints on the development of minerals in Alaska. Five members are appointed by the Governor (one of whom must reside in a rural community), three members are appointed by the President of the Senate, and three members are appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Current commissioners represent the placer, hard rock, and coal mining industries across the state, along with a representative from an Alaska Native Corporation. The State of Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs supports the Minerals Commission by facilitating their annual meetings and assisting with the annual report. The Minerals Commission annually reports its recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature during the first ten days of the legislative session. Key recommendations made by the Commission and implemented by the Legislature since the Commission's last extension in 2013 include: - Provided support for analysis of the state obtaining primacy of the Clean Water Act Section 404 Program - Continued to support reforms of state permitting processes to make them timelier and more efficient - Continued support for development of access and power infrastructure projects - Continued to support the Division of Geological & Geophysical Survey (DGGS) - Continued to support the gathering and publishing geological and geophysical data on Alaska's mineral potential - Continued to assert and defend public access to roads, trails, and navigable waterways - Continued funding of mining education programs and outreach Mining is a cornerstone of our society and economy, supporting all aspects of our everyday life; Alaska is uniquely positioned to play a leadership role in meeting the national mineral supply demand. Forty-nine of the fifty minerals identified in 2022 by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as critical to the US economy and national security are found in Alaska. The state boasts a supportive natural resource development policy, and a proven mining industry. There now exists a rare alignment of mineral wealth in Alaska, demand, federal policy, state support, and an established industry, which presents an opportunity for mining industry and economic growth. The Alaska Minerals Commission has worked with the State of Alaska and Alaska State Legislature to successfully implement key recommendations that support a strong and sustainable Alaska minerals industry. SENATOR BISHOP concluded the introduction by relaying that Alaska's most recent prospecting efforts were recorded in 1898 with the Klondike and Nome strikes. He noted that the USGS stated that Alaska was 50 years behind in mineral exploration. CO-CHAIR GIESSEL commented on the brevity of the legislation. 3:36:30 PM SENATOR CLAMAN queried whether the board extension required a Legislative Budget and Audit review. CO-CHAIR BISHOP read a letter from Kris Curtis, Legislative Auditor from the Legislative Audit Division: Only those entities listed in 08.03.010(c) and 44.66.010(a) are subject to a sunset process per 44.66.050. CO-CHAIR GIESSEL turned to invited testimony. 3:38:00 PM ENRIQUE FERNANDEZ, Chair, Alaska Minerals Commission, Anchorage, Alaska, provided invited testimony in support of SB 90. He stated that he works as the permitting and environmental manager for Donlin Gold, LLC. He informed the committee that the purpose of the Alaska Minerals Commission is to provide recommendations to the governor and legislature about policies and strategies that promote the development of the state's mineral resources. He stated that the commission members have extensive experience in all aspects of the mining industry including exploration, permitting and operations. He stated that the commission's annual reports provide assessments of the state's mineral resources and provide policy advice. He mentioned the state's primacy of the Clean Water Act, Section 404, which is necessary to bring stability to the permitting process. MR. FERNANDEZ continued that the Alaska Minerals Commission is advocating for the state to develop a comprehensive mineral development plan that evaluates infrastructure, workforce, dialog, and education needs. He remarked that the members of the Alaska Minerals Commission are enthusiastic about the work at hand and grateful for the opportunity to advise the governor and legislature on topics they are passionate about. He requested an extension of the commissions termination date. 3:40:15 PM CO-CHAIR GIESSEL held SB 90 in committee.