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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB353

Rules for Selling and Leasing Farm Land in Alaska

Last scannedSep 21, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill sets rules for how the state sells or leases agricultural land to support local farming and improve food security.

What it does

  • States that procedures should encourage growing more animal and plant products inside Alaska to reduce reliance on imported food.
  • Allows the sale of farm land in parcels between five acres and 320 acres.
  • Requires buyers to submit an application with details about their farming plans, location, and expected production.
  • Creates a process where the state compares applicants based on money offered, value to the state, and potential agricultural output.
  • Gives Alaska residents who already farm land next door a first option to buy or lease empty adjacent state land at auction prices.

Who it affects

  • People applying to purchase or lease state-owned agricultural land
  • Alaska residents currently farming and living near unoccupied state land
  • The Department of Natural Resources commissioner, director, and Board of Agriculture and Conservation

Limits and unknowns

  • The official text provided does not include a specific effective date.
  • Some details, such as application fees and additional requirements, are left for the department to decide through regulations.
  • The provided bill text is truncated before finishing the section on when leases may be declared void.

Plain language

Terms to know

Agricultural purposes
Using the land for agricultural uses as defined under AS 38.05.321.
Performance bond
Security a buyer must provide to ensure they follow sale terms and restore the land if abandoned.
First option
A right given to qualifying Alaska residents next door to buy or lease adjacent unoccupied state land at auction prices before others.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

LEASE/SALE OF AGRICULTURAL LAND An Act relating to the sale and lease of agricultural land; defining 'agricultural purposes' under the Alaska Land Act; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) REFERRED TO COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS1690
  2. (H) CRA, RES1690
  3. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1690