2015-04-08                     House Journal                      Page 0775
HB 184                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 184 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                

2015-04-08                     House Journal                      Page 0776
     "An Act relating to fees for use of state park system facilities; and                                                      
     relating to the sale of merchandise by the Department of Natural                                                           
     Resources."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance                                                               
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Natural Resources                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated April 7, 2015, follows:                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Chenault:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the collection of State                                                      
park fees and to the authority of the Department of Natural Resources                                                           
to sell merchandise to retailers for profit in support of ongoing park                                                          
operations.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The bill would amend AS 41.21.026 to grant the Alaska Department                                                                
of Natural Resources (Department) the authority to sell merchandise                                                             
for informational, educational, or promotional purposes to support                                                              
ongoing park operations. The Department would make sales to                                                                     
retailers for resale at a price to ensure a fair and reasonable return to                                                       
the Department. The bill also would remove language requiring all                                                               
authorized fees to be collected in a park unit, making clear that the                                                           
Department has the authority to collect fees online or in locations                                                             
outside of a park unit.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor"