HB 353 — An Act relating to the sale and lease of agricultural land; defining 'agricultural purposes' under the Alaska Land Act; and providing for an effective date.

Bill Text

• HB 353 View text Current pdf

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The bill amends existing laws related to the sale and lease of agricultural land in Alaska to enhance procedures supporting agricultural development.

• AS 38.05.059

  Sec. 38.05.084. Agricultural leases. (a) The commissioner, after consulting with the Board of Agriculture and Conservation, may provide for the lease of land classified under AS 38.05.020(b)(6) for agricultural purposes. The commissioner may offer agricultural land for lease to the public at public auction, by sealed bid under AS 38.05.075, by negotiation under AS 38.05.070, or as provided in this section.

  This new section establishes the authority to lease agricultural land, specifying the methods of offering leases.

• AS 38.04.020(i)

  Nothing in this section prevents the disposal of other land by the commissioner in accordance with AS 38.05.055, 38.05.057, 38.05.059, 38.05.070, the issuance of remote recreational cabin site leases or sales under AS 38.05.600, AS 38.08, AS 38.09, or other law. → Nothing in this section prevents the disposal of other land by the commissioner in accordance with AS 38.05.055, 38.05.057, 38.05.070, the issuance of remote recreational cabin site leases or sales under AS 38.05.600, AS 38.08, AS 38.09, or other law.

  This change clarifies the scope and maintains existing disposal provisions without altering them.

• AS 38.05.059

  A parcel or tract sold under this section (1) is subject to AS 38.05.321 and must be used for agricultural purposes; → A parcel or tract sold under this section (1) is subject to AS 38.05.321 and must be used for agricultural purposes;

  Reiterates the requirement that parcels sold for agricultural purposes must adhere to existing use guidelines.

• AS 38.05.069(a)

  A parcel of agricultural land sold under this section is subject to the acreage requirements of AS 38.05.059 [MAY NOT BE LESS THAN 20 ACRES, AND A PARCEL OF AGRICULTURAL LAND THAT IS ACQUIRED BY EXERCISE OF THE OPTION GRANTED IN THIS SUBSECTION MAY NOT EXCEED 320 ACRES]. → A parcel of agricultural land sold under this section is subject to the acreage requirements of AS 38.05.059.

  Removes the specific acreage requirements, providing more flexibility in determining parcel sizes for agricultural land sales.

• AS 38.05.070(c)

  or land leased under AS 38.05.084 is not being used for agricultural purposes [, THE LEASE MAY BE DECLARED VOID]. → or land leased under AS 38.05.084 is not being used for agricultural purposes.

  Streamlines language regarding the grounds for declaring a lease void, explicitly calling out agricultural land use.

• AS 38.05.070(e)

  THE DIRECTOR SHALL PROVIDE NOTICE OF THE LEASE RENEWAL DECISION.

  Removes the requirement for explicit notice on lease renewals, possibly easing administrative burden.

• AS 38.05.081(c)

  In addition to issuing notice under AS 38.05.945, the department shall provide public notice of an application received under this section to a person leasing, or who has applied to lease, land under AS 38.05.083 or 38.05.084 that is within 25 miles of the land proposed for lease in the application received under this section.

  Enhances public notification for those near proposed lease applications, ensuring transparency.

Action History

1. February 23, 2026

   (H) REFERRED TO COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS

2. February 23, 2026

   (H) CRA, RES

3. February 23, 2026

   (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

Sponsors

• Sarah Vance · Primary

Subjects