CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 335(RES)(title am) An Act extending the termination date of the Big Game Commercial Services Board; eliminating the requirement for a commercial use permit and for payment of commercial use permit fees; amending the membership of the Big Game Commercial Services Board; relating to the qualifications for an assistant guide-outfitter license; eliminating the requirement for testing of assistant guide-outfitters; providing for additional licensing requirements for transporters; eliminating the requirement for prior approval to enter or remain on state and federal land; eliminating the requirement to register base camps; amending the definition of 'big game commercial services'; and providing for an effective date. Co-chairman Halford directed that CSHB 335 (Res)(title am) be brought on for discussion and referenced correspondence from the Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development, Amendment No. 1, and a draft SCS CSHB 335 (Fin) (9-LS1156\N, Utermohle, 3/27/96). Senator Rieger MOVED for adoption of Amendment No. 1 to the "N" version of SCS CSHB 335 (Fin) dated 3/27/96. Co- chairman Halford provided a review of provisions contained within the amendment: Page 6, line 16: Eighteen years of age is changed to 21 for the class-A assistant guide license. This individual would actually be in charge of a camp. The license is the level below a completely independent registered guide. The age remains at 18 for assistant guide entry into the profession. Page 6, line 21: A technical change relating to assistant guiding deletes "for at least three seasons" and substitutes "during at least three calendar years." There was need for clarity concerning whether the three seasons could occur in a calendar year. Language thus reverted to original statutory language. Page 10, lines 10, 19, 22, and 23-25: The first change at line 10 relates to financial responsibility. It is unclear whether a licensed guide working for another guide would have to carry insurance himself. The amendment clarifies that the person who is required to carry insurance and proof of financial responsibility is the guide who has contracted the hunt. The change at line 19 relates to need for timely action on the part of the department when violations occur. Changes at lines 22 through 25 break up areas in which administrative sanctions apply. Language limits administrative action to minor infractions while court action applies to significant infractions. Page 11, line 12: A provision is inserted saying that if the court takes action on a license, the department cannot take action on the same license for the same infraction. Page 14, line 27: A technical change in citation is made. Page 16, after line 30: New language allows the department to charge nonresidents two times the amount of the resident license fee. Co-chairman Halford noted that licensing of guides is funded from program receipts. The additional cost assessed against nonresident guides reflects costs nonresidents are not paying for the management of lands and resources as well as other management costs associated with the process. The two-to-one ratio does not nearly cover management expenditures by Alaska residents in which nonresidents do not participate. That is the reason for the difference in licensing fees. Brief discussion followed between Co-chairman Halford and Senator Randy Phillips regarding the age change from 18 to 21. Co-chairman Halford called for objections to the amendment. No objection having been raised, Amendment No. 1 was ADOPTED. Co-chairman Frank MOVED for passage of SCS CSHB 335 (Fin) with accompanying fiscal notes. No objection having been raised, SCS CSHB 335 (Fin) was REPORTED OUT of committee with a ($49.6) fiscal note from the Dept. of Fish and Game, a ($24.8) note from the Dept. of Public Safety, and a ($1.8) note from the Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development. Co-chairmen Halford and Frank signed the committee report with a "do pass" recommendation. Senators Rieger and Phillips signed "no recommendation."