2024-01-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 1430
SB 210                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 210 BY THE SENATE 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 Resources Committee.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Fish and Game                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 24:                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Stevens:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
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.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                

2024-01-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 1431
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor