Legislature(2013 - 2014)BARNES 124
02/07/2014 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
HB285 | |
HB268 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ | HB 285 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
+= | HB 268 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 268-BIG BULL MOOSE DERBIES 1:23:21 PM CO-CHAIR SADDLER announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 268, "An Act relating to big bull moose derbies." [Before the committee was Version 28-LS0851\N, Martin, 1/31/14, adopted as the working document on 2/3/14.] REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute for HB 268, Version C, labeled 28-LS0851\C, Martin, 2/4/14 as the working draft. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON objected for discussion purposes. 1:24:00 PM REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON, Alaska State Legislature, explained the change, which adds "Snow Town Ice Classic" to the title. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON removed his objection [Version C was before the committee]. 1:24:50 PM REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI moved to adopt Amendment 1, labeled 28- LS0851\C.1, Martin, 2/6/14, which read as follows: Page 1, line 1: Delete "derbies" Insert "classics" Page 2, line 24: Delete "derbies" Insert "classics" Page 3, line 4: Delete "derbies" Insert "classics" Page 3, line 12: Delete "derbies" Insert "classics" Page 3, line 18: Delete "derbies" Insert "classics" Page 4, line 11: Delete "derby" Insert "classic" REPRESENTATIVE HAWKER objected for discussion purposes. 1:25:24 PM REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI explained that "derby" gives a perverse financial incentive to hunt. He was unsure if the bill would increase the number of hunters for a limited resource. He stated that Amendment 1 would highlight betting on the size of the antlers. In Fairbanks there are 6,200 permits and 1,400 moose killed [annually], so ideally 6,200 people would participate in the derby; however, under Amendment 1, it could attract more people to bet on the size of the antlers rather than competing for the size of the largest antlers. 1:27:18 PM REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON asked the sponsor to weigh in on Amendment 1. REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON responded it was not her intent to encourage someone to shoot the biggest moose, but she was unsure that changing the term from "derbies" to "classics" makes the intended change. 1:28:41 PM BRUCE TANGEMAN, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Revenue (DOR), responded that he was unsure of the language in Amendment 1. CO-CHAIR SADDLER explained that the word "derbies" would be deleted and the word "classics" inserted in its stead. JOE KOSS, Tax Auditor, Anchorage Office, Tax Division, responded that the statutes don't specifically define this. In general, however, the use has been that classics are considered guessing games in which the person guesses the depth of snow or the specific time the ice goes out, whereas with a derby, such as a fish derby, would identify the biggest fish caught or in this case the widest spread of antlers taken during the derby. 1:30:26 PM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said that a constituent in his area had expressed concern about the potential increase in the moose harvest. He pointed out existing antler size restrictions that require a minimum of spike four or above "50" inch spread due to the limited number of moose. He pointed out the definition of "big bull moose derby" means a contest in which prizes are awarded for harvesting "bull moose" based on the size or spread of the antlers. Therefore, based on the definition and his conversation with the sponsor, he understood that the amendment would eliminate "big bull moose" derbies and only allow a classic. He pointed out the statute will affect the entire state so he would favor broadly-permissive language for derbies and classics, which could allow communities to choose whatever is more applicable for the area. Therefore, he is not in favor of Amendment 1, as written. He asked whether the sponsor would be willing to consider broader language. 1:32:46 PM REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON answered that opening it up to the most people is the purpose of this bill. She pointed out that this provides one mechanism to raise revenue. She appreciated Representative Seaton's statement since she hopes for more opportunities for groups so she supports opening it up. 1:33:56 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked regardless of what it is called, a person could create an element of chance even if the person wasn't hunting. He asked if he was wrong in this assumption. MR. KOSS requested clarification of the question. REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON explained that the person who guessed closest to the size of antlers could share the pot of money. He clarified it would be a lottery and asked whether it matters if it is called a derby or a classic. MR. KOSS supposed so and did not see a problem with that. 1:35:24 PM REPRESENTATIVE HAWKER, addressing his objection to Amendment 1, stated he is going to support the sponsor in calling this a derby. He offered his belief there isn't any reasonably defined difference between a classic and a derby. Further, he did not think this has anything to do with conservation issues since those matters are handled in rigorous and controlled manners. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON agreed if just talking about the word derby or classic that would be so; however, on page 4, [AS 04.15.690 (50) reads: "big bull moose derby" means a contest in which prizes are awarded for harvesting bull moose based on the size or spread of the antlers. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON explained that the problem isn't the general term but that the definition specifically includes harvesting bull moose. He appreciated the sponsor recognizing all areas of the state. He suggested one fix if acceptable to sponsor, could insert "derbies or classics" to create more options for communities. 1:38:16 PM REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI withdrew Amendment 1. REPRESENTATIVE OLSON agreed with Representative Hawker that bills can be challenging with respect to derbies and classics. REPRESENTATIVE HAWKER concurred with withdrawing Amendment 1. 1:39:07 PM CO-CHAIR SADDLER moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 2, to remove the references to "big" as it may be cleaner to allow the derby organization to advertise the specifics. REPRESENTATIVE HAWKER objected, saying he wants to preserve the sponsor's original intent of the bill. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked the sponsor to comment. REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON said she would like organizations in her area to be able to raise money. She offered her belief that having the language "big" or not having it was fine either way. 1:40:46 PM A roll call vote was taken. Representative Saddler voted in favor of Conceptual Amendment 2. Representative Hawker, Johnson, Olson, Seaton, P. Wilson, and Kawasaki voted against it. Therefore, Conceptual Amendment 2 failed by a vote of 1-6. REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON encouraged the sponsor to remove "harvesting" in the next committee, which would give people an opportunity to participate. CO-CHAIR SADDLER, after first determining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 268. 1:43:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON moved to report the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 268, Version C, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 268(RES) was reported from the House Resources Standing Committee.