Key Bush issue to get hearing soon, senators say

A bill to expand local control over development in coastal districts that's the cornerstone of Bush lawmakers' priorities this session could get a much-awaited hearing this afternoon or Wednesday morning in the Senate's workhorse Finance Committee.

Both chairmen - Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, and Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel - said that Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Sen. Donny Olson, D-Nome, would likely resurface after weeks of delays. Hoffman said the bill will probably move out of the committee to a floor vote, but that there's a "slim" chance of it passing the entire Legislature.

That said, Gov. Sean Parnell voiced grave concerns over the bill recently, and Hoffman doesn't have high hopes for the governor's support. The measure could even prompt a veto from Parnell.

The bill - which has a companion in the House sponsored by Rep. Reggie Joule, D-Kotzebue - is a Bush priority this session, and means enough to that caucus to have caused some scuffles among the House majority (read more here). It's also drawn sharp opposition by industry (read more here).

North Slope Borough Mayor Edward Itta lobbied House and Senate leaders earlier this week for movement (read more here). That may have helped shift the tides.

Hoffman described the bill as important to climbing over a wall between the coastal districts and the state on coastal zone management plans, and said a new version yet to be unveiled is a "give" by Itta that the state would be foolish to look down on.

"The give that Edward Itta has offered to the state is one that shouldn't be taken lightly," Hoffman said Tuesday morning. "When the state is playing high stakes, and not willing to step forward and work with local municipalities on resource development that affect us all, I think is a major mistake."

Itta was elected in large part via the support of powerful whaling captains near Barrow, who expected Itta to come through on negotiating a role for coastal communities in federal and state development permits and processes, especially as those relate to offshore oil and gas. Itta is trying to establish that role peaceably, with a role for the communities, Hoffman said. If he's unsuccessful, Hoffman warned that those whaling captains could force a new direction - partnering with Outside environmental groups, like Greenpeace, with deep pockets for waging war via lawsuits that can linger for years, stalling development indefinitely.

House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, turned pretty serious when asked Monday morning if the coastal zone bill would get a hearing in the week remaining. He said the issue is a big one, and the Majority members need to figure out how the differences can be resolved - or if they can - before moving the bill forward.

The issue has flamed debate among the House Majority for nearly a month. Supporters are ready to give a little, with a page-long list of changes, but that can't be rolled out officially until the bill gets a hearing. Tied up as it is in House Resources, with Rep. Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, at half the helm, that may not be likely.

He said the proposed "gives" address just about everything except the heart of the issue - ultimate control - and that the changes offered amount to "smoke and mirrors."

Could the House version get a Resources hearing this week?

Johnson was noncommittal, but said it's "pretty late" in the game for that, and technically, the committee isn't supposed to be hearing House bills, just those passed over from the Senate. After all, with a week left, those are the only ones with solid shots at passing both bodies and going before the governor.

That said, he acknowledged the Majority caucus could choose to push for a hearing. If that happens, Johnson said he's not sure what route he'll take.

"This could be an issue I'm prepared to argue my points on - vehemently," he said. "I've tried to be diplomatic but I will not give up the state's right to manage its resources," Johnson said.