AK HB220

Changes "prospecting permits" to "prospecting licenses" for geothermal resources and increases the license term from 2 years to 5 years on non-competitive state land.

Exempts domestic, noncommercial, or small-scale industrial use of geothermal resources from depths with ground temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius or less from licensing and leasing requirements.

Increases the acreage limitation for geothermal leases a person may own from 51,200 acres to 100,000 acres.

Modifies the definition of "geothermal resources" in statutes to clarify it includes natural heat of the earth and minerals in naturally heated fluids while explicitly excluding oil and hydrocarbon substances.

Removes surface owner preferential rights to geothermal prospecting permits or leases and eliminates prior exemptions for surface owners, effective July 1, 2020.