HB 233 Alaska House · 34th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act prohibiting certain mining activities within the watershed of the Bristol Bay Fisheries Reserve.

HB 233 prohibits metallic sulfide mining (such as mining for gold, copper, or other metals from sulfide-bearing rock) within the Bristol Bay Fisheries Reserve watershed. The bill directly affects mining operations in this area, aiming to protect the region's salmon fisheries and water systems. Key provisions ban these specific mining activities to prevent pollution of rivers, groundwater, and aquatic habitats connected to Bristol Bay. This aligns with legislative findings that the watershed supports a $2.2 billion annual fishery economy, 15,000 jobs, and cultural practices of Alaska Native communities. The bill does not address other mining types or activities outside the designated watershed.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced May 20, 2025 Last action May 6, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
0
Committee
1
May 20, 2025
Committee
(H) REFERRED TO FISHERIES
lower
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors