Cathy Giessel
12:03 - 12:49
“We have back a memo from our legislative legal indicating that they are probably— it was opined by the attorney writing the legal opinion that these likely were unconstitutional, but that would be up to a court and that type of proceeding.”
- Speaker
- Cathy Giessel
- Timestamp
- 12:03 – 12:49
- Community
- Alaska News
- Location
- Alaska
- Captured at
- October 26, 2026
From the transcript
Asking for information concerning the legality, the constitutionality of making these large conveyances from the Department of Natural Resources, who has jurisdiction over Alaska's lands, to other state agencies, especially when the description for the use of that land is exceedingly vague. We have back a memo from our legislative legal indicating that they are probably— it was opined by the attorney writing the legal opinion that these likely were unconstitutional, but that would be up to a court and that type of proceeding. After getting that legal memo on September 9th, this committee submitted a second comment letter. So that's a little bit of the history behind what's have been happening. Last Friday afternoon at about 3:45 PM or closer to 4, I received a download of the documents that I had requested as a public records request.
Related Coverage
Housing agency has no set plans for proposed state land transfers, CEO tells senators
AHFC has no firm plans yet for over 400 acres of free state land DNR proposes giving it for housing. Legislature's lawyers say such giveaways are likely unconstitutional.
