Alaska State Legislature · Photo source · US government work
George Rauscher
Representative · Alaska State House · District 29
42 articles · 20 transcripts · 6 clips
Affiliations
Houston's data center moratorium can't reach land the state gave AIDEA, officials say
Houston's data center pause stops at city limits. The 6,800 acres the state is giving AIDEA start about half a mile past them, the deputy mayor says.
Denali Borough fire chiefs to meet every other week on Cantwell winter coverage
Denali Borough fire chiefs will huddle every other week to keep Cantwell's fire and EMS going this winter while the borough chases federal rural health money.
Giessel says free AIDEA land transfer takes over the Legislature's appropriation power
Giessel says giving 20,000 acres near Houston to AIDEA free takes the Legislature's power of the purse. Her math: a lease could bring in $14 million a year.
Senate committee votes to subpoena DNR commissioner over AIDEA land transfers
“can we give him a date range instead of issuing multiple subpoenas”
State approves Seward timber sale with a logging road along a recreation trail
The state will sell 55 acres of Seward spruce, hauled out on a road along a year-round trail the Forest Service says wasn't built for log trucks.
Legislature seeks bids for Mat-Su office space as Wasilla lease runs out of renewals
The Legislature is taking bids for a Mat-Su office for nine local lawmakers. The Wasilla lease runs out of renewals in 2027, and there's no set budget.
Houston approves plastics recycler's permit as state reviews groundwater contamination at site
Houston approved a plastics recycler at a gravel pit where the owner's own consultant found petroleum in the groundwater. The state is still looking into it.
Houston passes two-year pause on data centers as state weighs AIDEA land transfer
“that just tells me the whole land trade is going to happen”
Giessel says governor kept DNR commissioner from legislative hearing on AIDEA land transfers
Governor blocked the DNR commissioner from testifying at a legislative hearing on state land transfers to AIDEA, leaving lawmakers without answers on nearly 20,000 acres north of Houston.
Legislative attorneys say Houston land transfer to AIDEA may fail public-purpose test
Legislative attorneys say giving AIDEA 20,000 free acres near Houston may not pass the public-purpose test. AIDEA's director says state law already settles it.
DNR proposes requiring permits for most shooting in the Matanuska Valley Moose Range
DNR wants a permit for most gunfire near Slipper Lake and across the Moose Range, and for burning cars. Hunters are exempt. Comments due Nov. 9.
Prince William Sound faces a winter without ferry service as the Aurora is overhauled
“I believe right now the schedule is zero for sailings”
Lawmakers press state on Safer Seward Highway project's size and funding as DOT reopens comment
Lawmakers pressed DOT on the Safer Seward Highway's size and funding. DOT pointed to open houses, new data online and 30 more days of public comment.
Five Alaska legislators and candidates amend financial disclosures in two days
Five Alaska legislators and candidates amended financial disclosures this week, adding two Anchorage houses, nonprofit board seats, and a spouse's name to their filings.
One donor supplied 99 percent of the non-individual money behind Alaska's ranked choice repeal
Aurora Action Network gave $1.83 million to Alaska's ranked-choice repeal campaign, over 99 percent of its non-individual funding, but the group's true funding sources don't appear in public records.
Hilcorp says opposing the tax isn't opposing the gas line
Hilcorp told the gas-line caucus that opposing a targeted tax on the company isn't opposing the pipeline, even as that tax deadlocks the bill in Juneau.
Enstar tells Alaska Gas Line Caucus it could be 18 days short of gas this winter
Enstar told lawmakers it could run 18 days short of gas this winter if Cook Inlet supply stays low, but the Alaska LNG pipeline pitched to fix the problem won't arrive in time to help.
Legislators to hear the case for a gas line as the effort stalls
“The purpose of this meeting is to hear directly from the people who would experience the benefits and challenges of an Alaska gasline”
A typo froze Sutton's wild rec area for eight years. Not anymore.
“The regulatory process can now be completed so the Jonesville area can be managed safely to the benefit of recreationalists, wildlife, and those who call the surrounding areas home.”
Alaska Senate passes S-corp LNG tax with 2028 effective date
Alaska Senate passed a tax on oil and gas pass-through entities, effective 2028, after rejecting an immediate start date. The state estimates the tax will recover more than $400 million annually once the LNG project reaches full production.
Alaska Senate minority demands clean floor vote on LNG tax bill
Alaska Senate Republicans demanded a floor vote on HB 381, the LNG volumetric tax bill, without amendments. • The majority has not said whether it will attach an S-corporation tax provision the minority opposes. • Minority senators cited lower energy costs as the project's main public benefit for Alaskans.
Alaska Senate advances sweeping public safety bill with AI child abuse provisions
Alaska Senate unanimously approved an 80-page public safety bill that criminalizes AI child abuse material and raises age of consent to 18. • The bill expands the parole board from five to seven members and creates new crimes including mail theft and airbag fraud. • It costs $413,400 in startup and ongoing funding and now returns to the House for final approval.
Alaska Senate Passes Statewide Styrofoam Ban for Restaurants
Alaska Senate passed a statewide ban on polystyrene food containers at restaurants, effective January 1, 2027, citing health and environmental concerns.
Senate panel reviews oil tax floor increase projecting $132M annual gain
“I've never seen it written that way before, and I'm trying to understand why we're using that language.”
Alaska Senate tightens hunting residency rules to match PFD standards
“airline pilots who work out of town, like hundreds of the pilots and, uh, the, their pilot crew, uh, have written my office, whether they're cargo or passengers, saying that they're afraid that their rights will be taken away under this program because they may be out for 180 days or more”
8-Year Boundary Error in Jonesville PUA Finally Corrected
Alaska lawmakers unanimously approved a bill to fix an 8-year-old boundary error in the Jonesville Public Use Area, clearing the way for the state to finish writing rules for the land.
Senate cuts community impact fees for gas pipeline by half
Alaska Senate cut community impact fees for the Alaska LNG pipeline to $500,000 per mile, halving projected municipal payments from $740 million to $370 million during construction.
Oil industry opposes gas pipeline tax bill over bundled oil tax increases
Oil industry opposes gas pipeline tax bill over bundled oil tax increases it says lack economic analysis and could deter future investment.
Point Thomson Gas Blowdown Could Cost Alaska 65M Barrels of Condensate
Switching Point Thomson from gas cycling to blowdown for the proposed gas pipeline would sacrifice roughly 65 million barrels of condensate, state regulators told lawmakers Wednesday.
Senate Panel Advances Bill Tying Hunting Rights to 180-Day Residency
Alaska Senate panel advanced a bill tying resident hunting licenses to a 180-day residency standard, matching Permanent Fund Dividend rules to stop non-residents from claiming cheaper resident tags.
Senate panel debates gas pipeline tax structure in 26th hearing
Senate panel debated tax rates for Alaska LNG Monday, with focus on where gas gets taxed and how the state collects revenue under a proposed volumetric system.
Navy eyes return to Adak amid Arctic security concerns
The Navy is assessing whether to reestablish operations on Adak Island as China and Russia increase military activity near Alaska, with no formal decision yet made.
Alaska Senate Passes Operating Budget With Energy Relief
Alaska Senate passed a $70 per barrel operating budget with $150 energy relief payments, avoiding a major Constitutional Budget Reserve draw that the House budget requires.
Alaska House bill would tighten hunting, fishing residency to 180 days
“you own a home, pay a mortgage, pay property taxes, own a car, pay registration, you have kids, you have a spouse, your kids are in school, they're playing hockey, they're playing football, you're buying uniforms, you're paying for their existence”
Alaska Senate passes bill to ease classic car import registration
Alaska Senate unanimously passed a bill Wednesday letting collectors register legally imported classic cars 25 years or older, aligning state law with federal rules.
Senate Education Committee Advances Opioid Awareness Bill, Hears Tribal School Compact Proposal
Senate Education Committee advanced a bill requiring opioid prevention curriculum in grades 6-12. • Committee heard first presentation on allowing tribes to operate public schools through state-tribal compacts, with second hearing scheduled Monday.
Alaska Senate panel hears bill requiring human operators in commercial autonomous vehicles
Alaska Senate panel heard a bill requiring human operators in commercial trucks and buses with self-driving technology, citing harsh winter conditions as reason for caution.
Senate panel hears autonomous vehicle bill requiring human operators
Senate panel heard testimony Tuesday on a bill requiring human operators in commercial autonomous vehicles on Alaska roads, citing snow and ice as untested variables for self-driving systems.
Senate Passes Alaska Work and Save Retirement Program 15-4
The Alaska Senate passed a bill creating an automatic retirement savings program for employees at small businesses. It now heads to the House.
Senate panel advances gas pipeline tax overhaul with $610M revenue target
Alaska Senate panel voted to replace property tax on gas pipelines with a volumetric tax projected to generate $610 million annually once Alaska LNG reaches full capacity.
Senate panel hears setnet cooperative bill, sets aside land transfer
Senate panel advanced a bill allowing setnet fishermen to work cooperatively, addressing enforcement conflicts, while postponing a land transfer proposal pending more details.
House Resources advances Vogler nomination to Regulatory Commission
House Resources Committee advanced Julie Vogler's nomination to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to the full legislature for confirmation.
