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Representative Will Stapp’s bill would allow short‑term rentals of Governor’s Mansion when not reserved; fiscal impact undetermined
Summary
Representative Will Stapp presented HB139 to allow the Office of the Governor to rent the Governor’s Mansion on a short‑term basis when the governor has not reserved it. Office of Management and Budget provided an indeterminate fiscal note citing uncertain occupancy, increased maintenance/insurance and potential security adjustments.
Representative Will Stapp introduced House Bill 139 on April 8, 2025, proposing statutory authorization for the Office of the Governor to rent the Governor’s Mansion on a short‑term basis when the governor has not reserved the residence.
Bill text presented by chief of staff Bernard Odo would add a new subsection to AS 44.19 authorizing the Governor’s Mansion to be rented for short‑term stays or events when the legislature is not in session and the governor has not reserved the mansion; the office would be authorized to adopt regulations setting rules and rental fees and could terminate any prearranged contract if a special session is called. The bill sets an immediate effective date.
Committee staff read the Office of Management and Budget’s fiscal note into the record. OMB described the fiscal impact as “indeterminate,” citing uncertainties including the governor’s unpredictable occupancy, the need to keep the mansion available on short notice, potential increases in staff time to manage bookings, additional insurance and maintenance costs, possible security modifications to protect residents and staff and costs to conduct security sweeps after events.
Bernard Odo told the committee the sponsor’s intent is to explore monetizing underused state assets so they offset operating costs. Committee members asked whether other states rent executive residences; Odo said most states have executive residences but he did not identify other states that allow short‑term rental of the official residence. Committee staff also noted the governor’s house budget includes year‑round positions (a resident manager, a chef and two housekeepers) already funded in the FY‑26 OMB budget.
Committee members pressed for a more concrete fiscal estimate and for administrative detail such as how a governor’s personal belongings would be handled during rentals, who would manage bookings and how security and historic‑preservation concerns would be addressed. Vice Chair Story said she is cautious about using the historic residence for rentals and urged protections for the residence and governor’s access.
The hearing was introductory; chair Kerrick said the bill and its fiscal note will return to the committee for additional review at the next meeting.
