Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill No. 180, relating to the regulation of liquefied natural gas import facilities by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska.

34th Legislature (2025-2026)

HCR 20 seeks to suspend specific title-change rules to speed consideration of SB 180, which concerns the RCA’s regulation of LNG import facilities.

(H) READ THE FIRST TIME

#oil&gas #regulatoryactions #uniformrules

Overview

Bill: HCR 20 (House Concurrent Resolution 20)

Session: 34 (Alaska)

Jurisdiction: Alaska

Title: Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill No. 180, relating to the regulation of liquefied natural gas import facilities by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska

Status: Read the first time (as of 2026-05-14)

Purpose of the Bill

HCR 20 proposes suspending specific procedural rules governing changes to the title of a bill. Specifically, the resolution asks to suspend Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e) of the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature to facilitate consideration of Senate Bill No. 180 (SB 180), which concerns the regulation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facilities by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA).

Key Provisions (as reflected in the resolution)

The resolution states that, under Rule 54, the pertinent rules (Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), 42(e)) regarding changes to the title of a bill would be suspended.

The suspension is specifically in relation to SB 180 and its subject matter about LNG import facility regulation by the RCA.

By suspending these rules, the legislature intends to streamline or facilitate deliberation and potential amendments to SB 180 without adhering to the usual title-change restrictions.

Potential Impact

Legislative Process: Enables expedited consideration of SB 180 by allowing changes to the bill’s title (and related procedural steps) that would ordinarily require compliance with the suspended rules.

SB 180 Discussion: Focuses attention on regulatory authority over LNG import facilities, as administered by the RCA.

Policy and Regulation: Any substantive decisions about LNG import facility regulation would still depend on the contents of SB 180 and subsequent actions by the Legislature and RCA; HCR 20 only affects the procedural pathway, not the bill’s substantive provisions themselves.

Who/What is Affected

Alaska State Legislature: The suspension of specified Uniform Rules affects how SB 180 can be amended or titled during consideration.

SB 180: The content and regulation of LNG import facilities by the RCA are the subject of the resolution’s procedural impact.

Regulatory Commission of Alaska: The bill concerns its regulatory authority; the resolution facilitates SB 180’s consideration, which could influence regulatory action if SB 180 advances and is enacted.

Procedural and Timeline Notes

The resolution indicates suspension of Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e) for the purpose of considering SB 180.

It cites Rule 54 as the basis for suspending these rules.

As of the action history, HCR 20 has been introduced and read the first time; no further actions or dates are provided in the current summary.

Since HCR 20 is a concurrent resolution, its effect is limited to procedural changes and does not enact substantive policy by itself.

Practical Considerations for Readers

If SB 180 is of interest, monitoring its progression after HCR 20’s adoption (if approved) will be important to understand how LNG import facility regulation by the RCA could be shaped by the bill’s provisions.

The suspension of title-change rules is a procedural tool; it does not alter SB 180’s substantive content unless the bill is amended in a way that changes its title or framing.