2024-01-18                     House Journal                      Page 1301
HB 272                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 272 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to big game hunts for persons with physical                                                               
     disabilities; and providing for an effective date."                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Zero, Dept. of Fish & Game                                                                                                   

2024-01-18                     House Journal                      Page 1302
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 16 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Tilton:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to big game hunts for                                                           
persons with physical disabilities.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
This bill would authorize the Board of Game to establish annual big                                                             
game hunting seasons in appropriate areas of the State for persons                                                              
with physical disabilities. Under existing law, a "person with physical                                                         
disabilities" is one who provides documentation to the Department of                                                            
Fish and Game that he or she receives at least 70 percent disability                                                            
compensation from a government entity or an affidavit from an Alaska                                                            
licensed physician that he or she is at least 70 percent physically                                                             
disabled. A physically disabled person participating in a hunt                                                                  
authorized by the bill would be required to be accompanied by a                                                                 
licensed hunter capable of retrieving game.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
In 2001, to encourage adults to take children hunting, the "Take-A-                                                             
Child-Hunting" bill was enacted to allow the Board of Game to                                                                   
establish annual hunting seasons for children accompanied by family                                                             
members to participate in big game hunts. This bill would create a                                                              
similar opportunity for persons with physical disabilities to participate                                                       
in big game hunts.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"