00                             HOUSE BILL NO. 309                                                                          
01 "An Act prohibiting the release of nonindigenous predatory fish into public water."                                     
02 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
03    * Section 1.  AS 16.35 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                 
04            Sec. 16.35.210.  Release of nonindigenous predatory fish.  (a)  A person may                               
05       not knowingly transport or release live nonindigenous predatory fish into a body of                               
06       fresh public water if that species of fish is not indigenous to that body of fresh water,                         
07       unless the person possesses a permit issued by the department to transport and release                            
08       the fish.  This section does not apply to a fisherman who catches and releases a fish                             
09       into the water from which the fish was taken.  In this subsection, "public water" has                             
10       the meaning given in AS 38.05.965.                                                                                
11            (b)  A person who violates this section is guilty of a class C felony.