The bill amends various sections of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Act to enhance penalties for oil discharges and pollution violations. Key changes include the definition of "waste," which now explicitly includes "physical waste," and the introduction of new civil penalties for oil discharges based on the receiving environment, with amounts significantly increased from previous levels. For instance, penalties for oil entering an anadromous stream are raised to $40 per gallon, while those for estuarine environments are set at $10 per gallon. Additionally, the bill mandates that penalties be adjusted every ten years based on the Consumer Price Index, ensuring that they remain relevant over time.

Furthermore, the bill establishes administrative penalties for serious or repeat discharges of oil, ranging from $500 to $10,000 per violation, and outlines factors for consideration when assessing these penalties. It also includes provisions for the inclusion of produced water in the volume calculations for discharged oil and repeals certain existing sections to streamline the regulatory framework. The effective date for these changes is set for January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
HB0205A, AM HB 205, introduced 04/22/2025: 31.05.170, 46.03.758, 46.03.759, 46.03.760, 46.03.250, 46.03.313, 46.03.740, 46.03.750, 46.03.822, 29.60.510, 29.60.599, 46.08.070, 46.03.460, 46.03.475, 46.03.020, 46.03.463, 43.52.295, 46.03.314, 46.03.490, 46.03.900