SENATE BILL NO. 214 "An Act relating to big game hunting by nonresident members of the military service and their dependents; and providing for an effective date." Senator Huggins MOVED to ADOPT Committee Substitute 25- LS1261\K as the working document before this Committee. Co-Chair Stedman OBJECTED for discussion purposes. Jody Simpson, Staff, Senator Huggins, remarked that the Committee Substitute adds to the legislation the individual listing of the United State Coast Guard into the document. It was learned that, due to a language change, the United States Coast Guard must be listed individually. Co-Chair Stedman WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There being NO further OBJECTION, Committee Substitute 25-LS1261\K was adopted as the working document before this Committee. Ms. Simpson remarked that Senator Charlie Huggins goal was to waive the twelve month waiting period currently required for military members, the United States Coast Guard, and their dependents, to qualify for resident rate hunting licenses and Big Game tags. 10:09:17 AM Ms. Simpson disclosed that forty-five states have reduced the resident rate for stationed military personnel and Alaska currently has the longest waiting period. She continued that waiving the twelve-month waiting period would allow military personnel and their dependents to purchase Big Game tags at a reduced rate. Ms. Simpson referred to a $40,000 fiscal note reflecting lost revenue from the Department of Fish & Game. Ms. Simpson emphasized that this legislation would not affect residency eligibility for receiving the Permanent Fund Dividend or serving on jury duty. She also declared this would not affect personal use and subsistence which would still require the one year residency. Ms. Simpson revealed that SB 214 would not take effect until January 1, 2009 because of the time needed to reprint the forms and provide additional training. 10:13:06 AM Senator Elton referred to line 7, "on active duty who are permanently stationed in the state, and their dependents," and asked if this would preclude those here on temporary duty assignment. Ms. Simpson agreed it would not apply to military here on temporary assignment. She added this would cover military personnel who are stationed in Alaska but shipped overseas. 10:14:29 AM Senator Elton referred to a letter of concern from the Alaska Professional Hunters Association. Non-residents are required to be guided on Big Game hunts based on the belief that non-residents may not have the skills or the understanding of the Alaska hunting experience. Senator Elton questioned if there had been any resolution indicating that military person have this hunting expertise. Ms. Simpson revealed that the bill retains the requirements for an Alaska Professional Hunters Association guide for the three Big Game hunts and, with this provision, the hunters association now approves this bill. Senator Huggins expressed the need to acknowledge the good work of the military for the state and the country, and he believed that this bill, which would involve little money, would make Alaska a "good host." He emphasized that professional hunters have no problem with this bill and it would in no way affect the residency requirements for the Permanent Fund Dividend. 10:19:37 AM Senator Thomas believed there could be the appearance of treating the military differently from other individuals coming to the state with the intention of establishing residency. Ms. Simpson responded that the question of residency was worked out through several hearings in Senate Resources. She believed that Senator Huggins's comment of "being a good host" to the military best describes the intent of the bill. 10:20:48 AM Senator Huggins revealed that young people in the military are often subjected to many strange provisions. 10:21:47 AM Senator Dyson commended his colleague for bringing this forward and helping to make Alaska one of the military's more attractive deployments. 10:22:51 AM ROBERT FITHIAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA PROFESSIONAL HUNTERS ASSOCIATION testified via teleconference in support of SB 214. 10:23:55 AM Senator Huggins concluded that this bill captured the essence of Alaskan's attitude toward the military especially during a time of war. 10:25:05 AM Senator Huggins MOVED to REPORT CSSB 214 (FIN)\K from committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS 214 (FIN)\K was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and an accompanying previously published fiscal note from the Department of Fish and Game. 10:26:18 AM