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SB 59                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 59 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                                
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
            "An Act relating to salt water sport fishing operators                                                             
            and salt water sport fishing guides; and providing for                                                             
          an effective date."                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance                                                               
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Fish and Game                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 28:                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Micciche:                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill regarding sportfish guide and                                                            
operator licensing.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
This bill would reinstitute the saltwater sportfishing guide and                                                                
operator licensing standards, saltwater guide and operator fees, and                                                            
logbook reporting requirements for those saltwater guides. The                                                                  
logbook data provided by saltwater fishing guides and services                                                                  
provides critical information that informs sustainable fisheries                                                                
management decisions under treaties for the management of halibut                                                               
and salmon. Further, the Board of Fisheries management plans benefit                                                            
from updated and complete information. This bill would establish                                                                
license fees for saltwater sportfishing guide services and set                                                                  
responsible operating standards for guides. These standards are                                                                 

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designed to ensure a level of professionalism to protect Alaskans and                                                           
visitors who use the saltwater guide industry, but they do not establish                                                        
overly-burdensome or unnecessary requirements not directly related to                                                           
key sportfishing components. This type of "right-sized" state law                                                               
allows for a robust industry while still protecting our fisheries                                                               
resources and users of the industry services.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor