Juneau watch

A proposal to raise the state's fuel tax is again up for debate in the Alaska State Capitol.

House Bill 104 would, among other things, double the tax on motor fuel used in watercraft to a dime per gallon.

However, the bill specifies that "a watercraft licensed ... and used for commercial fishing is entitled to a motor fuel tax refund of 5 cents a gallon if the tax on the motor fuel has been paid."

With that provision, the bill has the support of United Fishermen of Alaska.

Juneau watch

Legislators this week held a hearing on Senate Bill 115, which would raise taxes on motor fuels.

The bill would double the tax on marine fuel to 10 cents per gallon.

"With this increase, Alaska would still have the lowest marine fuel tax in the nation," Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, says in a sponsor statement.

A tax break at the fuel dock?

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell wants to suspend again the state tax on motor fuels, including the nickel-per-gallon levy on marine diesel and marine gasoline.

Here's the press release.

Fuel tax relief to continue?

Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who takes over for outgoing Gov. Sarah Palin on July 26, is calling on state legislators to extend the suspension of Alaska's motor fuel taxes, including the 5 cent per gallon levy on marine diesel and gasoline.

Legislators are meeting in special session on Aug. 10 to, among other things, consider overriding a Palin veto.

No indication yet on whether the lawmakers will add the fuel tax issue to their agenda.

The one-year fuel tax suspension now in place is set to expire on Sept. 1 unless legislators extend it.