CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 267(RES) "An Act requiring the release of certain records relating to big game hunters, guided hunts, and guided sport fishing activities to municipalities for verification of taxes payable; and providing for an effective date." 9:54:16 AM Co-Chair MacKinnon gave a brief history of the bill. She noted that public testimony had been opened and closed. TIM CLARK, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON, offered a sponsor statement: For boroughs and other municipalities that bring in revenues through levies on fish and game guiding, CSHB267(RES) will provide a tool to help confirm that activities within their jurisdictions subject to taxation are being accurately reported to them. The bill would allow municipalities access to certain records collected by the state that relate to big game hunters, guided hunts, and guided sport fishing for the purpose of verifying taxes payable. All such information would remain confidential. The access that CSHB267(RES) permits municipalities is modeled after long-existing provisions in AS 16.05.815(a)(4) and AS 43.75.133, both of which allow local governments to review certain records, reports, and returns to verify payment of local commercial fishing taxes. With state-government cutbacks resulting in greater responsibilities and costs being borne by local governments, all necessary resources should be made available to our municipalities to ensure they are receiving the revenues due to them according to their local ordinances. Co-Chair MacKinnon summarized that the bill was for municipalities trying to collect sales tax from individuals. Mr. Clark stated that the tax would take the form of a per- person, per-day fee. He used the example of the Lake and Peninsula Borough where a charge of $3, per-person, per day was charged to clientele. He likened it to a hotel bed tax. Vice-Chair Bishop discussed FN1, OMB Component 473, Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Conservation. The note reflected zero fiscal impact. He read from the analysis: Hunting log and registration records that would be released to municipalities under this legislation are handled entirely by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED), Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing, Big Game Commercial Services Board. Vice-Chair Bishop addressed FN2, OMB Component 2360, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. The projected cost for FY19 was $7,700. He read from the analysis: If the bill passes the following expenses will be incurred: Services: $2.7 (regulations project) $5.0 (information technology costs to create reports from the licensing database) Professional licensing programs within the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing are funded by Receipt Supported Services, fund source 1156 Rcpt Svcs (DGF). Licensing fees for each occupation are set per AS 08.01.065 so the total amount of revenue collected approximately equals the occupation's actual regulatory costs. Vice-Chair Bishop addressed FN4, OMB Component 464, Department of Fish and Game, Sport Fisheries. The note reflected a fiscal impact in FY19 of $9,100. He recommended that each member read the attached analysis. 10:00:11 AM AT EASE 10:02:12 AM RECONVENED Co-Chair MacKinnon referenced FN4. She explained that under the "Changes in Revenue" line the code 1251, Non-UGF (Other) would be stricken and amended to reflect 1005, GF/Program DGF. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. FN 4 was amended Senator Micciche wondered whether the change would alter the fiscal impact of the note. Co-Chair MacKinnon replied in the negative. She explained that the fund source would be changed, but not the actual numbers. Senator Micciche pointed to a letter from the Big Game Commercial Services Board that had expressed confidentiality concerns. Mr. Clark stated that every concern that was brought forward by the board had been amended in the other body. 10:06:05 AM Senator Micciche asked whether the sponsor had received an updated letter from the board. Mr. Clark responded in the negative. He said that he had received assurances from guided hunting associations, associated with the board, that the board was not concerned about the impacts of the legislation. Co-Chair MacKinnon announced that confirmation on the matter should be made with the board. CSHB 267(RES) was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.