Juneau -- The Alaska Senate Sunday passed House Bill 361, sponsored by the House Finance Committee. HB 361 makes changes to State procedures to ensure the appropriateness of fee levies and to make State departments more accountable for efficient delivery of services.

HB 361 requires fees for a "designated regulatory service" to be based on actual and reasonable direct costs of the service. It requires agencies to establish fixed fees for "standard designated regulatory services," such as simple repetitive permitting activities. The legislation also requires agencies to make reasonable efforts at negotiations for reimbursable service agreements when requested, to provide detailed monthly invoices for permittees, establishes a petition process, and provides that fees for permits from multiple agencies may be combined.

"HB 361 is the result of years of debate in the Legislature concerning the appropriate fees for the permits provided by the State's resource agencies, particularly the Department of Environmental Conservation," said Representative Gene Therriault, Co-Chair of the House Finance Committee. "The bill is the product of a cooperative effort by the Legislature, the Administration, and the regulated communities. It restructures our fees so they are based on predictability and accountability."

HB 361 passed both the Senate and the House unanimously. Notice of reconsideration was filed.