Raja asks if Governor must always seek rescue costs

Abid Raja of Venstre (the Liberal Party) has asked the justice and preparedness minister to clarify whether the rules require the Governor of Svalbard (Sysselmesteren) to demand reimbursement in every case, or whether discretion is still allowed, the Storting said on Tuesday 3 November. He also asks what such a practice could mean for preparedness, safety and responsible tourism.

Local operators say the Governor changed practice in 2026 and now demands reimbursement regardless of cause, where discretion was used more often before. The industry argues that the field safety regulations, in force since Thursday 1 January 2026, allow discretion.

The Governor holds that the rules impose a duty to demand reimbursement, so the question has gone to the justice and preparedness department for clarification.

Coverage: Stortinget