Community and Regional Affairs

This bill requires utilities in Alaska to enter into approved contracts with data centers for electricity and gas service, ensuring all infrastructure and operational costs specific to the data center are directly assigned to it without increasing costs for other customers. Contracts must include detailed cost breakdowns, backup power plans prioritizing renewable energy (limiting fossil fuel use to emergencies), and community benefit agreements with local municipalities before construction begins. The bill prohibits utilities from including data center-related costs in general rates unless recovered solely from the data center, and requires transmission infrastructure built for data centers to be excluded from shared cost allocations unless later used for other customers. These provisions aim to clarify cost responsibility, protect ratepayers, and promote environmental standards for data center utility services.

HB 220 establishes clear rules for granting easements and rights-of-way within Alaska state parks. It allows the state park department to approve access for utilities or private property if the project won’t harm park resources, serves the public interest, and follows other laws. Applicants must submit detailed plans showing public benefit, location, environmental impact, and survey data, with decisions required within 90 days. Existing easements must also be made available for public use under the same conditions.

This bill extends the state of Alaska's disaster emergency declaration for the 2025 West Coast Storm until June 30, 2026. The legislation directly affects state agencies responsible for emergency response and recovery efforts by allowing them to continue operations beyond the previous expiration date of May 7, 2026. It also formally approves and ratifies earlier emergency declarations and financing plans issued by the governor throughout 2025 and early 2026. The measure is designed to ensure that resources and personnel remain available to address ongoing infrastructure damage and recovery needs caused by the storm.

HB 291 allows Alaska municipalities to create fee exemptions for waste disposal at landfills or dumping areas when properties are being rehabilitated or renovated. It also gives municipalities the option to establish property tax exemptions for specific groups, including seniors (65+), disabled veterans, and eligible widows/widowers, with exemptions exceeding $75,000 requiring voter approval. The bill specifies eligibility criteria for both exemptions, such as properties in deteriorating areas or requiring environmental remediation, and mandates written application processes through local ordinances. Municipalities must define these provisions via ordinances to qualify for the fee or tax relief.

HB 255 creates two new funds: a senior citizen grants endowment fund and a senior citizen grants dividend raffle fund. It authorizes using Alaska's permanent fund dividends (annual payments to residents) to provide grants to organizations supporting seniors and to fund entries into a senior citizen raffle. The bill also amends the state's gambling definition to explicitly exclude these permanent fund dividend raffles from being classified as gambling. This directly affects senior citizens by redirecting existing dividend payments toward support services and a raffle program, while clarifying the legal status of the raffle.