2006-02-13                     House Journal                      Page 2510
HB 451                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 451 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
    "An Act relating to the issuance of complimentary fishing and                                   
    hunting licenses and certain tags; providing for the issuance of                                
    complimentary fishing and hunting licenses to certain members of                                
    the Alaska National Guard returning from active duty deployment;                                
    and providing for an effective date."                                                           
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance                                   
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    

2006-02-13                     House Journal                      Page 2511
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Zero, Dept. of Military & Veterans' Affairs                                                     
2.  Fiscal, Dept. of Fish & Game                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 13, 2006, follows:                                 
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Harris:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
Under authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                              
transmitting this bill to honor certain members of the Alaska National                              
Guard by authorizing them to receive complimentary fishing and                                      
hunting licenses.  This bill would demonstrate Alaska's support for                                 
members of the Alaska National Guard, helping them reconnect with                                   
their home and families, by honoring Alaska's returning heroes with                                 
the opportunity to turn to the peace and quiet that hunting and fishing                             
offers.                                                                                             
                                                                                                    
The bill would allow the governor to direct the commissioner of the                                 
Department of Fish and Game to authorize the issuance of                                            
complimentary fishing and hunting licenses by the department or its                                 
authorized agents to those members of the Alaska National Guard who                                 
have been deployed for 30 or more consecutive days for the purpose of                               
fighting in, or providing direct support for, a national conflict outside                           
the United States.  The bill would allow a member who cannot meet                                   
the 30-day deployment requirement due to being injured during the                                   
deployment to still be eligible for a complimentary license.  The                                   
licenses would be valid for the license year in which the Alaska                                    
National Guard member is no longer in deployed status and returns to                                
Alaska, or for the subsequent license year.                                                         
                                                                                                    
The bill also would authorize the issuance of complimentary king                                    
salmon tags to certain distinguished visitors to the state.                                         
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                               Sincerely yours,                                                     
                               /s/                                                                  
                               Frank H. Murkowski                                                   
                                Governor"