00 Enrolled SB 155                                                                                                         
01 Relating to predator control programs; and providing for an effective date.                                             
02                           _______________                                                                               
03    * Section 1.  AS 16.05.783(a) is amended to read:                                                                  
04            (a)  A person may not shoot or assist in shooting a free-ranging wolf or [,]                             
05       wolverine [, FOX, OR LYNX] the same day that a person has been airborne.                                          
06       However, the Board of Game may authorize a predator control program as part of a                              
07       game management plan that involves airborne or same day airborne shooting                                     
08       [INVOLVING SHOOTING FROM THE AIR] if                                                                              
09                 [(1)]  the board has determined based on information provided by                                    
10       the department                                                                                                
11                 (1)  in regard to an identified big game prey population under                                      
12       AS 16.05.255(g) that [COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND GAME ACTING UNDER                                              
13       A REQUEST FROM THE BOARD OF GAME MAKES WRITTEN FINDINGS                                                           
14       BASED ON PREY POPULATION] objectives set by the board for the population                                      
15       have not been achieved and [UNDER AS 16.05.255(g)] that                                                       
01                 [(A)]  predation is an important cause for the failure to achieve the                               
02       objectives set by the board [FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO A LOW OR                                                  
03       DECLINING PREY POPULATION THAT IS INCONSISTENT WITH A GAME                                                        
04       MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AUTHORIZED BY THE BOARD OF GAME], and                                                          
05       that a reduction of predation can reasonably be expected to aid in the achievement of                         
06       the objectives [RESULT IN AIDING AN INCREASE IN THE PREY                                                      
07       POPULATION OR IN ARRESTING THE DECLINE OF THE PREY                                                                
08       POPULATION]; or                                                                                                   
09                 (2)  that [(B)]  a disease or parasite of a predator population                                     
10                      (A) [(i)]  is threatening the normal biological condition of the                               
11            predator population; or                                                                                      
12                      (B) [(ii)]  if left untreated, would spread to other populations [;                            
13            AND                                                                                                          
14                 (2)  THE COMMISSIONER DETERMINES THAT AIRBORNE OR                                                       
15       SAME DAY AIRBORNE SHOOTING IS NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH A                                                           
16       GAME MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AUTHORIZED BY THE BOARD OF                                                                
17       GAME].                                                                                                            
18    * Sec. 2.  AS 16.05.783 is amended by adding new subsections to read:                                              
19            (e)  When the Board of Game authorizes a predator control program that                                       
20       includes airborne or same day airborne shooting, the board shall have the prerogative                             
21       to establish predator reduction objectives and limits, methods and means to be                                    
22       employed, who is authorized to participate in the program, and the conditions for                                 
23       participation of individuals in the program.                                                                      
24            (f)  The use of state employees or state owned or chartered equipment,                                       
25       including helicopters, in a predator control program is prohibited without the approval                           
26       of the commissioner.                                                                                              
27    * Sec. 3.  This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).