(Juneau) - Representative Hugh Fate's Remote Cabin Bill, HB 319, is now headed for the State Senate after passing the House today by a vote of 35 to 3. "This bill is extremely important for the people of Alaska and for the state itself," said Representative Fate. "People want a place to get away for a weekend or to hunt and fish. A place of their choosing, not a parcel located on undesirable and often unusable land."

Currently, the Department of Natural Resources chooses sites for remote cabins. The Committee Substitute for HB 319 allows an individual to nominate a remote cabin site. Often the land currently made available to Alaskans is not acceptable to the public, and therefore doesn't sell or has an extremely low fair market value. Individual nominations will represent a higher quality, more desirable piece of land that should also bring in a higher price and a higher rate of final sale.

Under the new program, once a nomination is made, the applicant may apply for a lease of up to 10 acres. The Department will continue to operate under the guideline of public notice and best interest findings. The individual will stake the property and pay for a survey, appraisal and ultimately fair market value.

Representative Fate added, "HB 319 is an important step in getting Alaska State owned land into private individual hands where everyone can benefit. Not only will it benefit the state, but also local governments with tax authority that will be able to impose property taxes. Likewise, local businesses will enjoy a trickle down effect as building materials and remote transportation will be needed to develop and get to the sites."

HB 319 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

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