JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Senate Majority Leader John Coghill expects a controversial permitting bill to be sent to Senate Resources for further review.
HB77 from Gov. Sean Parnell was billed as a way to improve the permitting process. Critics said it could hurt the public’s ability to participate in permitting decisions and give the Natural Resources commissioner too much power.
The bill passed the House last year but didn’t reach the Senate floor for lack of support.
Coghill says the fact it hit a snag on the Senate side means it’s going to have to be looked at again.
Sen. Peter Micciche of Soldotna had asked that the bill be sent to Senate Resources after hearing concerns from his constituents during the interim.
Senate Resources heard the companion version of HB77 early last session.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.