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HB 51

An Act relating to refrigerants designated as acceptable for use under federal law; relating to firefighting substances; and providing for an effective date.

33rd Legislature (2023-2024) Introduced by Click Bishop and 14 co-sponsors

HB 51 would require Alaska to use federally-approved refrigerants and firefighting substances, but was vetoed by the Governor citing implementation costs and fiscal impacts.

(H) FN1: (DOT) FROM SB 67
#buildings #environmentalconcerns #fireprotection #hazardoussubstances #oil&gas #publicsafety #regulations #safety
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Bill Summary · HB 51

Legislative bill overview

HB 51 would align Alaska state law with federal regulations regarding acceptable refrigerants and firefighting substances, likely restricting or phasing out certain ozone-depleting chemicals in favor of environmentally safer alternatives. The bill was passed by the House but vetoed by the Governor in August 2023, with fiscal notes subsequently attached to appropriations bill HB 39.

Why is this important

Refrigerants and firefighting foams containing harmful chemicals (like CFCs and HCFCs) damage the ozone layer and persist as environmental contaminants. Federal law has already moved toward phasing these out, so state alignment prevents regulatory conflicts and positions Alaska in compliance with national environmental standards while potentially reducing future cleanup costs for contaminated sites.

Potential points of contention

  • Governor's veto reasoning: The veto suggests concerns about implementation costs, business compliance burdens, or disagreement with the environmental priorities—the fiscal note indicates significant departmental expenses (particularly from DOT)
  • Industry compliance costs: Refrigeration and fire suppression systems may require expensive retrofits or replacements to meet new standards, affecting small businesses and municipal budgets
  • Timeline and transition period: Unclear whether the bill allowed adequate time for existing equipment replacement or imposed immediate restrictions on still-functional systems

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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