REFUGES/HABITAT AREAS/PUBLIC USE AREA
Sponsored By: George Rauscher (Republican)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Alaska habitat areas include more waters
The law expands critical habitat boundaries to include more tide-covered and underwater lands and waters. Kachemak Bay additions cover Township 4 South, Range 11 West, and Township 5 South, Range 10 West. Fox River Flats additions cover specified portions of Township 4 South, Ranges 9 and 10 West. Port Moller descriptions change township and range references and identify some parcels as land rather than tide-covered or underwater land. Egegik replaces the south half with the north half of Section 11, Township 24 South, Range 51 West. Pilot Point changes one reference from Township 32 South to Township 31 South, Range 54 West, Seward Meridian. These changes take effect immediately.
Alaska wildlife refuges gain land
The law adds Pinnacle Islet to the Bering Sea State Game Refuge, alongside St. Matthew and Hall Islands. It adds tide-covered and underwater lands in Chagvan Bay to the Cape Newenham National Wildlife Range. Those additions cover specified sections in Township 16 South, Ranges 74 and 75 West. The law also revises Izembek and Palmer Hay Flats refuge boundaries, including specified tide-covered and underwater lands. Palmer Hay Flats parcels include the northeast quarter of Section 20 and north half of Section 21, Township 16 North, Range 1 West. These changes take effect immediately, except two Izembek boundary descriptions. Those follow the respective effective dates of sections 2 and 3 of Chapter 119, SLA 2010.
Jonesville public-use boundaries change
The law revises which state-owned lands and waters belong to the Jonesville Public Use Area, under Department management. Included land covers the north half of the northwest quarter of Section 21, Township 19 North, Range 3 East. The area reserves land for public use, but activities must fit its main public-use purpose. Valid existing rights remain protected. The change takes effect immediately and creates no new taxes or fees.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
George Rauscher
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Matt Claman
Democratic • Senate
Cathy Tilton
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW SEE CHAPTER
7/1/2026Senate(S) SIGNED INTO LAW 6/24 CHAPTER 40 SLA 26
7/1/2026Senate(S) 12:15 P.M. 6/16/26 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR
6/17/2026Senate(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
5/16/2026Senate(S) CONCUR AM OF (H) Y18 N- E2
5/16/2026Senate(S) CONCUR MESSAGE READ AND TAKEN UP
5/16/2026Senate(H) VERSION: HCS SB 230(RES)
5/15/2026House(H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) AS AMENDED
5/15/2026House(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
5/15/2026House(H) PASSED Y40
5/15/2026House(H) READ THE THIRD TIME HCS SB 230(RES)
5/15/2026House(H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC
5/15/2026House(H) TITLE CHANGE: HCR 16
5/15/2026House(H) RES HCS ADOPTED UC
5/15/2026House(H) READ THE SECOND TIME
5/15/2026House(H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/15/2026
5/15/2026House(H) FN1: ZERO(DNR)
5/4/2026House(H) DP: FIELDS, COULOMBE, HALL, ELAM, PRAX, MEARS, DIBERT, FRIER
5/4/2026House(H) TITLE CHANGE: HCR 16
5/4/2026House(H) RES RPT HCS(RES) NEW TITLE 8DP
5/4/2026House(H) Moved HCS SB 230(RES) Out of Committee
5/1/2026House(H) RESOURCES at 01:00 PM BARNES 124
5/1/2026HouseAudio/Video
5/1/2026House(H) Heard & Held -- Delayed to 1:30 pm--
4/20/2026House(H) RESOURCES at 01:00 PM BARNES 124
4/20/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled SB 230
5/16/2026
HCS SB 230(RES)
5/4/2026
CSSB 230(RES)
3/27/2026
SB 230
2/2/2026