Environment (Conservation) in Alaska

in committee · Alaska · Senate May 15, 2026

SR 5: Recognizing the importance of preserving agricultural land in the state.

This Senate resolution formally recognizes the importance of preserving agricultural land in Alaska and encourages various stakeholders to support voluntary conservation efforts. The bill directly affects state agencies, local governments, landowners, and community partners by promoting incentive-based programs that keep farmland in active agricultural use. It highlights how agricultural land supports food security, local economies, and environmental resources while acknowledging the ongoing loss of farmland to development. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a statement of intent to prioritize agricultural land preservation across the state.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Tags Agriculture

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 332: An Act relating to microplastic testing; and relating to a microplastic strategy plan.

HB 332 requires Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation to develop and implement a statewide plan for regularly testing water, soil, fish, wildlife, and other environmental media for microplastics (defined as plastic particles under 5 millimeters). The department must use scientifically sound methods and update the testing schedule annually before July 1 in even-numbered years. This bill directly affects state environmental agencies by establishing mandatory testing protocols and reporting requirements for microplastic pollution. It does not alter existing public assistance programs, despite an unrelated amendment to health department duties appearing in the bill text.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 366: An Act relating to the use of heavy petroleum fuel oil as a marine fuel; relating to the duties of the Department of Environmental Conservation; and providing for an effective date.

HB 366 bans the use of high-viscosity or high-sulfur heavy petroleum fuel oil in vessel engines operating within Alaska's coastal waters, directly affecting commercial and recreational vessel operators in those areas. The bill includes exemptions for ocean voyages through coastal waters without entering state ports (if continuous and expeditious), emergencies, or distress situations requiring assistance. Violations would be subject to fines established by the Department of Environmental Conservation through regulations. The law defines "applicable waters" per federal standards and specifies "heavy petroleum fuel oil" as fuel exceeding 380 centistokes viscosity or 0.1% sulfur content.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 23, 2026

HJR 34: Urging the United States Congress and federal fisheries managers to make changes to the federal Prohibited Species Donation program to reduce the waste of edible bycatch, increase vessel participation, and improve food security in the state.

This resolution urges the U.S. Congress and federal fisheries managers to reform the Prohibited Species Donation program (also called the Bycatch to Food Banks program) to reduce waste of edible fish bycatch - such as salmon and halibut caught accidentally in Alaskan fisheries. Currently, fishing vessels face high costs and regulatory barriers that discourage participation, leading to discarded food that could address Alaska’s food insecurity. The resolution requests targeted changes to make donation easier for vessels while maintaining the program’s voluntary nature, strict monitoring, and prohibition on financial incentives that might increase bycatch. It does not propose new laws but asks federal agencies to adjust the program to better align with conservation goals and food security needs.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 369: An Act relating to energy; relating to regulation of residential solar energy generation and portable solar generation devices; relating to generation of electricity from diversified energy resources; relating to a diversified portfolio standard; relating to costs incurred by certain electric utilities for renewable energy and battery energy storage; relating to preapproval for large energy facilities; relating to the renewable energy grant fund; relating to the duties of the Department of Environmental Conservation; relating to the state energy policy; and providing for an effective date.

HB 369 sets statewide energy goals, including achieving 40% renewable electricity by 2036 and reducing Alaska's average electricity costs to the national average by 2040. The bill directly affects residential solar users by exempting small portable solar devices (under 1,200 watts) from utility interconnection rules, provided they meet safety standards like National Electrical Code compliance and include outage safety features. Utilities cannot require approval, charge fees, or demand extra equipment for these devices, though simple registration is allowed. This provision aims to lower barriers for homeowners using portable solar to offset their electricity use.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Renewable Energy Solar Conservation

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 264: An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and reappropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date.

HB 264 is a state budget bill allocating $272.5 million for water infrastructure projects through the Department of Environmental Conservation, including $18 million for village water systems and $628,100 for Clean Water grants. It also funds $825,000 for salmon programs (Alaska Marine Salmon Program) under the Department of Fish and Game and $5 million for military infrastructure through the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. The bill directs specific funding to existing state programs like port electrification, salmon habitat restoration, and drinking water capital projects without creating new policies. This appropriations measure directly affects state agencies and their ongoing infrastructure projects across Alaska.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 235: An Act relating to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; relating to thermal remediation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination; and providing for an effective date.

HB 235 requires Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation to test all public drinking water systems annually for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), harmful chemicals found in products like nonstick coatings and firefighting foam. If PFAS levels exceed specific safety limits (e.g., 4 parts per trillion for perfluorooctanoic acid), the state must provide free, safe drinking water to affected residents. The bill also establishes liability: entities that release PFAS without following safety rules must cover cleanup costs, while manufacturers may be liable if users complied with all regulations. This law directly affects public water systems, residents in contaminated areas, and companies handling PFAS-containing products.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water

signed · Alaska · Senate Jul 1, 2026

SB 214: An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and reappropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; amending appropriations; and providing for an effective date.

SB 214 is a funding bill that allocates state budget resources to specific agencies and projects, rather than creating new policies. It directs approximately $272.5 million for village water infrastructure, $15.3 million for cruise terminal electrification, and $6.8 million for salmon recovery programs under the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. The bill specifies exact funding amounts for departments including Environmental Conservation, Fish and Game, and Commerce, with all allocations tied to existing state programs and federal grant requirements. As a procedural appropriations measure, it does not establish new regulations or alter policy but authorizes the use of existing funds for designated purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Wildlife

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 219: An Act relating to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; relating to thermal remediation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination; and providing for an effective date.

SB 219 requires Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation to annually test all public water systems for PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and test immediately if contamination occurs. If PFAS levels exceed specified limits - such as 4 parts per trillion for PFOA or PFOS - the department must provide free alternative drinking water to affected residents. The bill establishes liability: entities that negligently release PFAS must cover testing and water replacement costs, while manufacturers may be liable if users followed all regulations. It sets clear, science-based contamination thresholds (e.g., 10 parts per trillion for certain chemicals) and defines a "hazard index" for mixed contaminants. This directly affects public water systems, residents in contaminated areas, and entities handling PFAS-containing products.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 205: An Act relating to penalties for discharges of oil and other pollution violations; relating to the definition of 'waste' in the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Act; and providing for an effective date.

HB 205 updates Alaska's oil and gas regulations by redefining "waste" in the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Act to include operational inefficiencies like excessive gas venting, unnecessary surface oil loss, and improper well spacing. It also adjusts civil penalties for oil discharges, requiring stricter fines for large-scale pollution while allowing case-by-case penalty assessment for smaller spills. The bill directly affects oil and gas operators, mandating compliance with new waste definitions and tiered penalty structures to prevent environmental harm. Key provisions aim to protect Alaska's renewable resources - such as fisheries and tourism - by incentivizing safer oil handling practices through clear, enforceable standards.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

All environment bills