2024-01-26                     House Journal                      Page 1361
HB 295                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 295 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to salmon hatchery permits; and authorizing the                                                           
     sale of salmon to permitted persons for stocking lakes."                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                                                          
Fisheries.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Dept. of Fish & Game                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                

2024-01-26                     House Journal                      Page 1362
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 24 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Tilton:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the sale of salmon by                                                        
private nonprofit hatcheries (PNP) to private persons for purposes of                                                           
stocking lakes. Salmon hatcheries are governed by AS 16.10.375 -                                                                
16.10.480. The Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game                                                                  
(DFG) is empowered by AS 16.10.400 to issue permits to nonprofit                                                                
corporations for construction and operations of salmon hatcheries.                                                              
                                                                                                                                
This bill is intended to provide an exception to the limitations on sale                                                        
of salmon by PNP hatcheries. Sale of salmon eggs are not included in                                                            
the exception. The bill would clarify that nothing in a PNP hatchery                                                            
permit may prohibit the sale of salmon by a hatchery to a person for                                                            
the purpose of stocking lakes in the State. A person who wishes to                                                              
purchase salmon under this bill would need to first obtain a fish                                                               
transport permit under 5 AAC 41.005, which is required to collect,                                                              
transport, possess, propagate, export from the State, or release into                                                           
waters of the State, any aquatic organisms. Permitting provides DFG                                                             
the ability to evaluate proposed stocking locations, land ownership,                                                            
and possible impacts to wild fish populations. This process will ensure                                                         
that fish sold to the public will not adversely affect Alaska's wild fish                                                       
populations.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"