ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE  March 22, 2023 2:44 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Tom McKay, Chair Representative George Rauscher, Vice Chair Representative Kevin McCabe Representative Dan Saddler Representative Stanley Wright Representative Jennie Armstrong Representative Donna Mears Representative Maxine Dibert MEMBERS ABSENT  Representative Josiah Patkotak COMMITTEE CALENDAR  HOUSE BILL NO. 83 "An Act reestablishing the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Federal Management Areas in Alaska; and providing for an effective date." - MOVED HB 83 OUT OF COMMITTEE CONFIRMATION HEARING(S): Department of Resources, Commissioner John Boyle - Anchorage - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: HB 83 SHORT TITLE: CITIZEN ADVISORY COMM ON FEDERAL AREAS SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) RAUSCHER 02/27/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 02/27/23 (H) RES, FIN 02/27/23 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124 02/27/23 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard 03/15/23 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124 03/15/23 (H) Heard & Held 03/15/23 (H) MINUTE(RES) 03/22/23 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124 WITNESS REGISTER JOHN BOYLE, Commissioner Designee Department of Natural Resources Anchorage, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as commissioner designee to the Department of Natural Resources. ACTION NARRATIVE 2:44:53 PM CHAIR TOM MCKAY called the House Resources Standing Committee meeting to order at 2:44 p.m. Representatives Wright, Rauscher, Saddler, Mears, Armstrong, and McKay were present at the call to order. Representatives McCabe and Dibert arrived as the meeting was in progress. HB 83-CITIZEN ADVISORY COMM ON FEDERAL AREAS  2:45:53 PM CHAIR MCKAY announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 83, "An Act reestablishing the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Federal Management Areas in Alaska; and providing for an effective date." 2:46:32 PM CHAIR MCKAY opened public testimony on HB 83. After ascertaining there was no one who wished to testify, he closed public testimony. CHAIR MCKAY noted that there were no amendments. 2:47:33 PM REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER, as prime sponsor, said HB 83 is long overdue and encouraged fellow committee members to pass it out of committee. 2:48:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER moved to report HB 83 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 83 was reported out of the House Resources Standing Committee. ^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S): ^Department of Natural Resources, Commissioner CONFIRMATION HEARING(S): Department of Natural Resources, Commissioner    2:49:08 PM JOHN BOYLE, Commissioner Designee, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), first noted that it is nice to have moments of levity in public service. He further commented that everyone is here to serve fellow Alaskans, and accepting positions in public service came with responsibilities. He stated he looked forward to working with the committee. 2:50:21 PM CHAIR MCKAY thanked Mr. Boyle and invited questions from the committee. 2:50:33 PM REPRESENTATIVE MEARS offered Mr. Boyle her understanding that the purpose of the commissioner was to be more of a representative of the government as a whole rather than partisan interests, and that she had concerns with some of his comments after the Willow ruling. She said that she hoped in the future he would stay more in the neutral zone. 2:51:05 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER paraphrased the mission statement of DNR and asked Mr. Boyle what his priority would be to try and advance the mission. MR. BOYLE said addressing the pressing energy challenge with the high cost of energy for all residents in the state, especially rural communities. When people must spend more for heating and powering their homes than on their mortgages, it is not a recipe for sustainability, he said. He stated that an effort that DNR can embark upon is looking at ways to utilize the endowment of resources that the state is blessed to have to provide relief, so there can be abundant and affordable energy. 2:53:13 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked for specifics on how he might use his status as commissioner to advance his goals. MR. BOYLE said there are many initiatives currently being looked at, such as laying the groundwork for what can be done for energy alternatives. As a state that sits along the ring of fire, he explained, there is tremendous potential for geothermal and its values. He further explained potentials for different sources of energy that included hydroelectric generation, wind, solar, and having a major gas line in the state. REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER thanked Mr. Boyle for his service and offered his support. 2:57:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE thanked Mr. Boyle for his leadership. 2:57:54 PM REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT thanked Mr. Boyle for his willingness to step up for the position. 2:58:23 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER stated that he is optimistic for Mr. Boyle's confirmation and acknowledged the "rough waters" fiscally that the state faced. He asked Mr. Boyle for any idea on how DNR can operate efficiently. 2:58:56 PM MR. BOYLE replied that he was optimistic about the future of the state. He offered his belief that Alaska is inspiring and there is great promise. He reiterated the incredible array of resources the state possessed, and with the right management, many benefits can be brought to the state and ultimately to the country. He said one of the greatest assets DNR has is its people, and he offered a personal example of the high caliber staff he had worked with. He said he hoped Alaska would be a place where many generations would want to stay and build their lives. 3:03:17 PM CHAIR MCKAY moved to advance the confirmation of John Boyle, commissioner designee for the Department of Natural Resources, to the joint session of the House and Senate for consideration. He reminded members that signing the reports regarding appointment to boards and commissions in no way reflected individual members' approval or disapproval of the appointees, and that the nominations were merely forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or rejection. There being no objection, the confirmation was advanced. 3:04:10 PM ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the House Resources meeting was adjourned at 3:04 p.m.