Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
04/26/2021 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB110 | |
| SB125 | |
| SB113 | |
| SB59 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 110 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 113 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 125 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 59 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 79 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 80 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SB 125-HUNTING PERMITS: TRANSFERABILITY
4:18:38 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 125
"An Act relating to the transferability of hunts awarded by
drawing; and providing for an effective date."
4:19:07 PM
SENATOR NATASHA VON IMHOF, speaking as sponsor of SB 125,
explained the legislation is in response to a constituent, Chase
Bowerson, who was awarded a 2021 moose tag about a month after
his tragic death. His mother and the executor of the estate
contacted the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) to let
them know of Chase's death and request the tag be transferred to
a proxy to do the hunt in his honor. The request was denied
because current statute does not allow a proxy in this
situation. SB 125 changes that part of the statute. She deferred
further introduction to Mr. Harbison.
4:20:36 PM
INTIMAYO HARBISON, Staff, Senator Natasha von Imhof, Alaska
State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, read the following sponsor
statement for SB 125 into the record:
Senate Bill 125 would allow a hunting permit awarded
by drawing to be transferred to another qualified
hunter should the original permit holder die before
completing the hunt.
It is the intent of this bill to put an end to the
trauma faced by many families when, after having lost
a family member, they are further denied subsistence
rights which their deceased family member applied for,
paid for, and were awarded.
This bill pertains exclusively to the transfer of draw
hunting permits and would not impact any other
license, tag, or sport fishing vessel registration.
4:21:31 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked if there was a specific reason that the bill
did not also include registration permits and Tier 1 permits.
MR. HARBISON replied the bill was specifically to address the
issue that draw permit tags may not be transferred to a proxy
from a tag holder who is deceased.
SENATOR VON IMHOF asked Senator Kiehl to restate the question.
SENATOR KIEHL said he wondered if she had thought about the
universe of other situations where someone might pass away
before they complete a hunt for which they had received a tag.
SENATOR VON IMHOF replied this is what ADF&G recommended when
she brought the issue forward. She offered to look into adding
registration permits.
4:23:25 PM
MR. HARBISON noted a department representative was online and
available for questions.
4:23:46 PM
NATALIE WEBER, Program Coordinator II, Division of Wildlife
Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G),
Palmer, Alaska, stated that no other types of permits were
included because the original question was whether the bill only
covered the intent of the drawing permits. The answer to that
question is yes. She noted Ms. Henke may have further
information because she coordinated more closely with the
sponsor's office.
4:24:25 PM
RACHEL HANKE, Legislative Liaison, Alaska Department of Fish and
Game (ADF&G), Juneau, Alaska, stated that the idea initially was
to solve the constituent issue, which was for a drawing permit
only. There was no discussion about including other types of
registration permits. She offered to look into it if that was
the wish of the committee.
4:25:06 PM
CHAIR REVAK opened public testimony on SB 125.
4:25:17 PM
WADE BOWERSON, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, stated
support for SB 125. He said he wanted to make sure that no other
family had to endure the double trauma his family had to endure.
He said it was unjust to deprive the family of the hunt after
they had lost their brother and son. He understands this has
happened to more than just his family. He related that the bill
focused on a draw tag because those are different than
registering for a hunt.
4:26:46 PM
DANIELLE CAMPOAMORE, representing self, Brooklyn, New York, said
when she heard that her family was not able to hunt the tag by
proxy in her cousin Chase's honor, she began advocating for a
change in statute. She agreed with previous testimony that other
bereaved families have been similarly affected. She urged the
committee to make this simple and commonsense change in the law.
4:30:38 PM
AARON TRENT, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, stated he was
Chase's older brother, and was calling in support of SB 125. He
opined that passing the bill will impact hundreds to thousands
of Alaskans physically and emotionally. This would have been his
little brother's first big game hunt and he was excited to
become part of the family tradition. Passing SB 125 will honor
his memory and speak volumes for the men and women who put in
the work to ensure fairness and justice. He expressed optimism
that the bill would pass.
4:32:12 PM
KELLY TRENT, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, said she was
Chase Bowerson's mom. She described her youngest child as a
dynamic, outdoor-loving young man who grew up hunting, fishing,
and camping with his family. She said they always shared the
bounty with family and friends. Most recently the family members
each applied for a 2021 moose tag for the same area in hopes one
would be successful. Chase applied for his tag on December 14.
It was his 26th birthday and he knew it would bring him luck in
getting a tag. Three weeks later, her son was murdered. She
described it as the worst day of her life. A month after that
the results of the drawing were published, and Chase was a
winner. When she was told that the tag could not be transferred
to a family member she said she was stunned. "I couldn't
understand how everything in his estate is ours to handle, but
the one and only thing we can't have is his opportunity to get a
moose."
MS. TRENT said she expects her family will continue to have some
dark days as they continue to deal with their loss. The 2021
moose hunt would have been a way to honor Chase and help the
family heal. If the hunt was successful, the meat would have
helped feed his grandparents, his parents, his siblings, and his
many nieces and nephews. She said she understands that it is too
late for the law to change in time for the fall hunt, but she
would like to know that hers is the last family that this
happens to. She said her son Chase always believed in righting
any wrong and she believes this is something he would have liked
to see made right. It is within the legislature's power to do
so.
4:35:28 PM
CHAIR REVAK asked Commissioner Vincent-Lang whether the
department could issue the tag to the family, or anybody else
who was awarded a tag but died before it was used, if the
committee conceptually amended the bill and made it retroactive.
4:36:02 PM
DOUGLAS VINCENT-LANG, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish
and Game, Anchorage, Alaska, answered he was sure the department
could make that happen if the legislature were to pass the bill
with a retroactivity clause.
4:36:35 PM
JEFF TRENT, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, stated support
for SB 125. He said their son Chase embodied the spirit of
Alaska. He was developing five acres of homestead land and he
loved bringing home the wild bounty of Alaska and sharing with
those who were unable to harvest for themselves. He was always
ready to stand up and speak out for what he believed, he helped
those who were less fortunate, and was always ready to try to
right wrongs. He asked the committee to support SB 125 in his
son's spirit.
4:38:05 PM
MARK RICHARDS, Executive Director, Resident Hunters of Alaska,
Fairbanks, Alaska, stated support for the intent of SB 125 and
extended condolences to the Bowerson family and friends. He said
his reason for testifying was to make two points. The first
point is that the Board of Game and/or the commissioner already
has authority under 5 AAC 92.050 to transfer certain permits. He
added that he would be happy to help the Bowersons draft and
submit a proposal to the Board of Game that asks the board to
exercise its authority to make the transfer.
MR. RICHARDS said the second point is that the proposed
amendment to AS 16.05.420(c) in Section 2 is unnecessary. It
applies to a locking tag that a deceased hunter had purchased,
and it only applies to some brown bear and musk ox hunts.
He thanked Senator von Imhof for sponsoring SB 125.
4:40:20 PM
TERESA CAMPOAMORE, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, said
the Bowersons are family and they all spoke eloquently about
Chase and his love of Alaska. She said it was difficult when
Chase's mother received the news her son had been killed. Then
when she received the news that the hunting permit could not be
transferred, it was another blow. She thanked the sponsor and
the committee for considering the bill.
4:41:47 PM
CHAIR REVAK, after discerning no one else wished to comment,
closed public testimony on SB 125.
CHAIR REVAK offered his understanding that a legislative fix was
necessary and advised that he spoke with the sponsor about
offering a conceptual amendment to make the bill retroactive.
4:42:32 PM
At ease
4:44:35 PM
CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting.
4:44:41 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF moved conceptual Amendment 1 that states the
following:
This bill will be retroactive to apply to draw permits
awarded for the 2021 hunting season.
4:44:53 PM
CHAIR REVAK found no objection and conceptual Amendment 1
passed. Finding no further amendments, questions, or comments,
he solicited a motion.
4:45:20 PM
SENATOR BISHOP moved to report SB 125, work order 32-LS0626\B as
amended, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
4:45:39 PM
CHAIR REVAK found no objection and CSSB 125(RES) was reported
from the Senate Resources Standing Committee.