News from the Senate Majority

Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

For Immediate Release: February 27, 1997 Contact: Joe Ambrose 907/465-4906

Senator Taylor Proposes Million Acre Land Lottery

Juneau -- Saying that private land ownership has historically benefited people and promoted economic development in the United States, Senator Robin L. Taylor Thursday proposed legislation that would transfer millions of acres of state-owned land into the hands of Alaskans.

Senate Bill 108 would establish the Alaska Land Lottery, making recipients of the Permanent Fund Dividend eligible to receive parcels of not less than five acres from one million acres that would be distributed annually.

"The state is entitled to more than 105 million acres through the statehood act", Taylor said. "We could put a million acres a year into private ownership for a hundred years and still have one of the largest bases of state-owned land in the country. I think it is fitting that we observe the 20th anniversary of the Permanent Fund to establish a Permanent Land Fund for the benefit of Alaskans".

Lottery winners would have to pay to have their parcel surveyed and mark boundary lines in order to receive fee simple title to the property. The bill says the state is not obligated to provide road access to the land and has no duty to provide on-site schools. The state would retain rights-of-way and easements. Land with pre-existing mining claims or valid leases would not be eligible for the lottery.

Taylor said his proposal comes at a time when state and federal agencies are buying land from the private sector to be placed in parks and preserves.

"Land is Alaska's most secure and permanent resource and it belongs in the hands of the people", Taylor said. "The idea of private property has always been part of the American dream. This bill would make thousands of Alaskans land owners, using their property to live on or develop as they see fit."

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