AK HB215

Department of Natural Resources shall grant Alaska Housing Finance Corporation a right-of-way lease for a gas pipeline transportation corridor if application requirements and publication notice are met, with the lease valid despite not containing all standard covenants.

Right-of-way lease transfers require commissioner approval based on public interest considerations; transfer of 30 percent or more of ownership interest in the lessee requires commissioner consent.

Only competing applicants and persons with direct financial interest who object within 60 days of notice, plus applicants, have standing to seek judicial review of commissioner decisions on pipeline right-of-way leases.

Actions or decisions concerning issuance of necessary authorizations for natural gas pipeline development, construction, or initial operation using right-of-way leases are generally exempt from judicial review, except claims of constitutional violation (within 60 days) or claims challenging section validity (within 60 days).

Superior court is granted exclusive jurisdiction for remaining judicial review claims and is prohibited from granting injunctive relief against authorization issuance except in conjunction with final judgment on a filed claim.