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Status of oil, gas bills in state Legislature
A number of oil and gas bills are moving in the state Legislature; this update was done May 2. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn May 14. House Bill 302 Short title: Alaska gas corporation.
Passed the House April 22. In Senate Resources since April 23; also goes to Senate Finance.
This bill, by Rep. Jim Whitaker, R-Fairbanks, mandates a study of a state gasline corporation similar to the state’s permanent fund corporation. The bill is route-neutral, and while it has been proposed as an alternative to the all-Alaska gasline put on the November ballot by initiative, initiative sponsor Scott Heyworth has said it is not substantially the same as the initiative which proposes a gasline to Valdez. Heyworth said he would bring suit if the bill passed and was used to remove the initiative from the ballot. House Bill 307 Short title: Oil/gas exploration incentive credit
In House Rules since April 24.
“An Act delaying to June 30, 2007, the last date by which hydrocarbon exploration geophysical work must be performed or drilling of a stratigraphic test well or exploratory well must be completed in order for a person to qualify for an exploration incentive credit.”
By Rep. Hugh Fate, R-Fairbanks, this bill extends the life of an existing program which has not been used. House Bill 308 Short title: Oil/gas leases; discovery royalty credit
Has not moved out of House Oil and Gas; opposed by administration.
By Rep. Hugh Fate, R-Fairbanks, would extend discovery royalty credit to discoveries of oil and gas on state land in the Tanana River drainage basin. House Bill 423 Short title: Natural gas transportation by Alaska Railroad
Moved out of House oil and gas; in House Finance since March 27.
This is the governor’s bill proposing use of tax-exempt Alaska Railroad bonds to finance a gas pipeline. House Bill 439 Short title: Coastal zone petition
Passed by the House March 6. Passed by the Senate May 1. Notice of reconsideration on the Senate vote was given.
Sponsored by the House Special Committee on Oil and Gas, HB 439 would remove from state law provisions allowing petitioners to force additional review of proposed consistency determinations under the Alaska coastal zone management program. House Bill 519 Short title: Natural gas pipeline: special provisions
Scheduled for House Rules May 2.
This is the bill which would provide a property and sales tax holiday during construction and the first two years of operation of a gas pipeline and revive the stranded gas act. Administration favors revival of stranded gas act, opposes tax holiday, but has said recently it would favor bill if tax holiday covered only construction. Senate Bill 267 Short title: Natural gas transportation by Alaska Railroad
Senate version of HB 423. In Senate Resources since Feb. 13. No hearing. Senate Bill 319 Short title: Shallow natural gas: leasing and discharges
Passed the Senate March 28. Heard and held in House Finance May 1; scheduled again May 2.
This bill, by Sen. John Torgerson, R-Kasilof, expands the state’s shallow natural gas leasing program to make it commercial. Senate Bill 343 Short title: Best available technology: discharge plan
Signed into law March 18.
This bill, by Senate Resources, responds to a State Supreme Court ruling which put the Department of Environmental Conservation’s regulations for best available technology on hold.
Senate Bill 360
Short title: Alaska natural gas project act
In Senate Finance April 18. No hearing scheduled.
Sponsored by Senate Resources.
Would give gasline owners tax-exempt railroad bonding; property tax and royalty relief if, among other things, construction begins by a specified date. Would expedite permitting from all state agencies, limit judicial review for claims brought by state entities and provide waivers of law from the governor if a provision of law impedes the project.
Senate Bill 361
Short title: Permit coordination and coastal zone management
Sponsored by Senate State Affairs Committee.
Heard in State Affairs April 23 and held.
Would review and overhaul Alaska’s permitting system. Sen. Gene Therriault, R-Fairbanks, said he expects to work on the bill between sessions with agencies, regulated industries and watchdog groups.
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