This bill amends AS 35.30.020 to establish new requirements for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities regarding the management of buffers between airports and adjacent nonindustrial properties. Specifically, the bill mandates that the Department must adhere to local planning and zoning ordinances that call for vegetative or constructed buffers, unless such compliance poses a safety hazard to aircraft.

Furthermore, the bill outlines conditions under which the Department may reduce or remove an existing buffer in a designated buffer zone. These conditions include the necessity to eliminate a direct and immediate safety hazard, the requirement to provide public notice and an opportunity for comment prior to any buffer changes, and the implementation of additional mitigation measures to address adverse effects, which may include establishing a new buffer if feasible.

Statutes affected:
HB0346A, AM HB 346, introduced 02/23/2026: 35.30.020