Legislature(2007 - 2008)BARNES 124
04/02/2007 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB203 | |
| HJR4 | |
| HB220 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 203 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HJR 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 132 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 220 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 220-BAN COMPUTER-ASSISTED REMOTE HUNTING 2:50:59 PM CO-CHAIR GATTO announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 220, "An Act prohibiting computer-assisted remote hunting." 2:51:08 PM REPRESENTATIVE BOB BUCH, speaking as the sponsor of HB 220, paraphrased from the following sponsor statement [original punctuation provided]: This bill would outlaw computer assisted remote hunting in Alaska. This practice began in Texas in 2005 when an entrepreneur offered "hunters" the ability to shoot big game on his land via remote control technology. Computerized hunting - or internet hunting, as it is sometimes called - enables a person anywhere in the world to hunt big game from the comfort of their homes. Through the use of the internet, a computer can be hooked up to a webcam and rifle mounted on a remote control rig. The "hunter" is able to control the aiming and firing of the rifle from their keypad and to make a kill with the click of a mouse. Currently, twenty five states have passed legislation to ban internet hunting. Nine other states have legislation pending to outlaw it. HB 220 has three important provisions. First, it would prohibit individuals from engaging in internet hunting in Alaska. It would also prohibit anyone from providing services or operating facilities in the state to enable computerized hunting activities. Finally, it would make sure that future technology designed to assist the legitimate needs of handicapped or disabled hunters would not be subject to the ban created in the bill. I urge your support of HB 220. REPRESENTATIVE BUCH informed the committee that those in support of HB 220 include the Humane Society, the National Rifle Association (NRA), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), hunting organizations, and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G). 2:53:55 PM CO-CHAIR GATTO asked if there could be a situation in which an individual is watching television and when a commercial comes on, he/she could aim a rifle, press a button, and an animal could fall somewhere in Alaska. Someone in Alaska would pickup the animal and butcher to ship to the person. MR. BUCH said that could potentially occur. He stated that he doesn't agree to such and wants to ensure that it doesn't occur. 2:54:54 PM ROD ARNO, Executive Director, Alaska Outdoor Council (AOC), related AOC's support for HB 220. He further related that the AOC is built on the premise of being outdoors and computer- assisted remote hunting flies in the face of that. 2:55:27 PM CO-CHAIR GATTO characterized computer-assisted remote hunting as an abomination. 2:55:58 PM JOE KLUTSCH, President, Alaska Professional Hunters Association, Inc. Board of Directors, Alaska Professional Hunters Association, Inc. (APHA), informed the committee that APHA represents guides and outfitters around the state. Mr. Klutsch related his support for HB 220, as written. He emphasized that computer-assisted remote hunting is not hunting. He noted that the committee should have a letter he wrote related to hunting, which he characterized as a real life drama. Computer-assisted remote hunting is the organized killing of an animal via cyberspace and robotics. Therefore, he requested that this not be referred to as "hunting." Mr. Klutsch commended the sponsor of HB 220. 2:58:09 PM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to adopt CS for HB 220, Version 25- LS0795\C, Kane, 4/2/07, as the working document. There being no objection, Version C was before the committee. 2:58:54 PM RONNIE ROSENBERG testified in support of HB 220. She opined that computer-assisted remote hunting reduces animals to nothing more than a pawn in a video game. She said that computer- assisted remote hunting shouldn't be allowed in Alaska. 2:59:21 PM CO-CHAIR GATTO, upon determining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony. 2:59:37 PM REPRESENTATIVE ROSES related his understanding that HB 220 would prohibit computer-assisted remote hunting in Alaska as well as such hunting in another state from a computer in Alaska. MR. BUCH confirmed that to be the case. 3:00:01 PM REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG referred to page 1, line 5, and asked if the sponsor would want to consider inserting the term "and service" following the term "facility". MR. BUCH said that he would take that under advisement. 3:00:30 PM REPRESENTATIVE WILSON moved to report CSHB 220, Version 25- LS0795\C, Kane, 4/2/07, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 220(RES) was reported from the House Resources Standing Committee.
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