Legislature(2001 - 2002)
03/20/2002 01:05 PM House RES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 422-SPORT FISH LICENSES FOR 9/11 RESPONDERS [Contains discussion of SB 279, the companion bill] CO-CHAIR SCALZI announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 422, "An Act authorizing the commissioner of fish and game to issue complimentary sport fishing licenses and tags to September 11 emergency responders and their spouses; and providing for an effective date." [There was a motion to adopt HB 422 as the working document, but it was already before the committee.] Number 0100 REPRESENTATIVE FATE, speaking as sponsor of HB 422, offered the following: On September 11 [2001] the United States experienced an unprecedented attack within its borders. This attack was not only on the United States, but also on the entire civilized world. Citizens of more than 80 countries from around the world died. Thus HB 422 authorizes the commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) to issue up to 250 complimentary sport fishing licenses and salmon tags, as appropriate, per year to firemen, police, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who responded to the events on September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center in New York and at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.; he specified that spouses are included. He noted that this section would sunset December 31, 2003. REPRESENTATIVE FATE characterized this bill as a small gift that the State of Alaska could make to those brave men and women who served the world so admirably in the shadow of these horrible events. He pointed out that other states had made "life contributions." For example, Iowa [donated] 1,500 quilts, Louisiana [donated] 3 fire trucks; North Dakota [donated] 17 tons of macaroni and cheese; Texas [donated] 26,000 grapefruits; Naples, Italy [donated] a 1-ton nativity scene; Hawaii [donated] free vacations; California [donated] a Manhattan-shaped bonsai forest; and Japan [donated] thousands of origami paper cranes, representing peace and goodwill. Representative Fate asked, "Mr. Chairman, is the State of Alaska to be outdone?" He offered two amendments that would conform with amendments made to the Senate companion bill [SB 279]. Number 0401 REPRESENTATIVE FATE moved to adopt Amendment 1 [original punctuation provided]: Page 1, line 12, following "season": Insert "before December 31, 2003," There being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. Number 0495 REPRESENTATIVE FATE moved to adopt Amendment 2 [original punctuation provided]: Page 1, line 10, following "who": Insert ", at some time between September 11, 2001, and November 11, 2001, inclusive," Page 1, lines 11 - 12: Delete "on September 11, 2001," There being no objection, Amendment 2 was adopted. Number 0646 KEVIN BROOKS, Director, Division of Administrative Services, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, told the committee ADF&G supports [HB 422] and appreciates the effort and the gesture to the [rescue workers] during the terrible tragedies. He indicated the department had been working to "clean up" language in the [companion bill, SB 279]. Mr. Brooks pointed out that the Senate committee substitute (CS) had removed [unnecessary] language requiring the commissioner to adopt regulations. He said [the department] doesn't currently draft regulations for recreational licenses. Mr. Brooks recommended amending [HB 422] to coincide with the Senate CS. In response to Representative Fate, he said [ADF&G] appreciates the [effort towards consistency], which will help in administering it efficiently. Number 0755 REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS inquired about distribution of the licenses. MR. BROOKS explained that the department would distribute a letter to police and fire departments in New York [City] and Washington, D.C., and would set up a process so that someone in a supervisory capacity would have to certify the [rescue workers'] involvement with a written authorization. He added that the [rescue workers] would have to apply for the [license or tag] by mail or possibly online. CO-CHAIR SCALZI asked if [a further] amendment would be required to be consistent with the companion bill. MR. BROOKS turned attention to page 2, line 2, and suggested striking, "The commissioner shall expeditiously adopt regulations as may be necessary to efficiently administer the issuance of licenses and tags under this section." Number 0952 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN moved to adopt the foregoing as Amendment 3. There being no objection, Amendment 3 was adopted. Number 0980 MR. BROOKS, in response to Representative Chenault, said the department envisions [issuing] a fishing license that would include a king salmon tag, which is the only one being sold through the centralized licensing agency for recreational fishing. In further response, he indicated a king salmon [tag] is required to fish in the state, regardless of the area. He indicated it is estimated [about 100 licenses would be used], and that the number of [licenses and tags in the bill] is to keep it a "relatively small size." Number 1129 RUDY VETTER testified briefly via teleconference. He told the committee that he agreed with HB 422. Number 1187 CO-CHAIR MASEK moved to report CSHB 422 [HB 422, as amended] out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note; she requested unanimous consent. There being no objection, CSHB 422(RES) was moved out of the House Resources Standing Committee.
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