Environment (Climate Change)

HB 247 establishes a new $0.20 per barrel surcharge on oil produced in Alaska, to be paid by oil producers in addition to existing taxes. The surcharge is due monthly based on the previous month's production and must be reported annually. The bill also amends tax credit rules to allow credits to be carried forward and applied to certain past tax liabilities, as specified in the amended tax code. The surcharge is intended to support a climate change response fund and grant program, as referenced in the bill's title.

HB 6 prohibits Alaska's state retirement funds, the Alaska Retirement Management Board, and the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation from making investment decisions intended to advance social, political, or ideological goals. Specifically, it bans actions like divesting from companies over climate policies, restricting investments based on diversity initiatives, limiting access to abortion or gender-affirming care, or avoiding firearm-related businesses. The bill defines prohibited actions as those "committing to" reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enforcing diversity criteria, divesting over environmental standards, or restricting firearm industry investments. These restrictions apply to all investment decisions by the affected boards, overriding any voluntary efforts to align portfolios with such interests. The bill directly affects how Alaska's public retirement and permanent funds manage investments.

SB 120 establishes the Alaska Climate Change Emergency Response Commission within the Governor's Office to address climate impacts. The commission consists of 15 members: six department heads (including fish and game, environmental conservation, and natural resources officials) and nine municipal representatives appointed by the governor - one from each of nine designated Alaska regions (e.g., Northwest Alaska, Anchorage, Southeast Alaska). It requires the commission to elect co-chairs (one departmental, one municipal representative) and will develop strategies to protect communities, the economy, traditional lifestyles, wildlife, and ecosystems threatened by climate change. The bill focuses on creating this advisory body, not specific policy actions.