Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveiled two pieces legislation aimed at simplifying land acquisition for Alaskans and improving the efficiency of state land disposals.
Senate Bill 198 and Senate Bill 199 reflect Dunleavy’s commitment to increasing public access to state land and reducing regulatory hurdles.
One of the primary objectives of SB 198 is to expand opportunities for Alaskans to obtain state land for recreational purposes, whether through permits, leases, or purchase.
Just 10% of the state’s land entitlement is privately owned, Dunleavy said.
Compare that to Texas, where over 93% of the land is privately owned.
Under the current law, most Alaska state-owned land is sold or leased to the highest bidder though an auction process, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming for the public.
View the state’s land auction website at this link.
SB 198 aims to simplify this process and, notably, exempts remote recreational sites from the formal, written best-interest finding requirement. This exemption would likely encourage more Alaskans to consider obtaining state land for recreational activities.
SB 198 allows members of the public to nominate state land that is not currently in use for remote recreational sites. This initiative aligns with Dunleavy’s overarching goal of reducing regulatory red tape and bureaucracy, ultimately putting more state land into the hands of Alaskans.
State Land Surface Disposals – SB 199
SB 199 focuses on providing Alaskans with additional methods to acquire or lease state lands.
One significant change proposed is the authorization for the Department of Education and Early Development and the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to directly dispose of surface land without having to first transfer land to the Department of Natural Resources before completing land conveyances, streamlining the process.
SB 199 increases the cap on the Land Disposal Income Fund, creating more opportunities for commercial development on state land. The bill also introduces a new statute related to leases and the sale of state land for commercial purposes, facilitating business growth in Alaska. Furthermore, it includes amendments to ease covenant restrictions on land conveyed for agricultural purposes and updates and improves provisions related to the Department of Natural Resources’ land disposal procedures.
Companion Bills in the House of Representatives
Companion bills for SB 198 and SB 199 are expected to be introduced in the House of Representatives.
