Governor signs bill to extend Alaska Minerals Commission

Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski signed a bill May 5 extending the Alaska Minerals Commission.

Sponsored by Senator Ben Stevens, R-Anchorage, Senate Bill 79 extends the sunset date of the Alaska Minerals Commission from Feb. 1, 2004 to Feb. 1, 2014.

The commission was established in 1986 to make recommendations to the governor and Legislature on ways to mitigate constraints on the development of Alaska’s minerals. The governor’s FY04 budget includes $9,500 to continue operations of the commission. The bill was passed with no opposition, the governor's office said.

“Our minerals industries have traditionally been a major source of natural resources wealth and income here in Alaska, and I am pleased the Alaska Minerals Commission will continue to play an important role in responsible resource development here in our state,” Murkowski said in a statement.