JUNEAU — The House Rules Committee on Tuesday advanced legislation that would allow out-of-state residents to serve on the board of directors of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp.

The committee introduced HB383 at the request of House Speaker Mike Chenault, who was a lead sponsor of a measure passed last year that set up the organization, power and governance of the corporation, known as the AGDC.

Chenault, R-Nikiski, said it was an oversight to have not specifically exempted the AGDC from a state law requiring that individuals appointed to boards or commissions of state government be registered Alaska voters. 

He said testimony and legal guidance at the time the bill establishing the AGDC, HB4, was being considered was that language in HB4 allowed for Alaska residents and nonresidents alike to serve as part of an effort to ensure the most qualified people are on the board.