00                           SENATE BILL NO. 270 am H                                                                      
01 "An Act establishing November as Avalanche Awareness Month."                                                            
02 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
03    * Section 1.  The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section                         
04 to read:                                                                                                                
05       INTENT.  Alaskans live, work, and play on the edge of the wilderness.  We spend                                   
06 twice as much time engaging in winter recreational activities as most other Americans.  Many                            
07 of the state's popular winter recreation areas are subject to avalanche danger.  Many Alaskans                          
08 are not properly educated or equipped to recognize and respond to avalanches.  Alaska has the                           
09 highest avalanche death rate per capita in the nation:  more than 70 Alaskans have died in                              
10 avalanches in Alaska since 1968, with 28 of those deaths occurring since 1999.  In                                      
11 establishing November as Avalanche Awareness Month, it is the intent of the legislature to                              
12 encourage education of Alaskans about avalanche risks, responding to avalanches, and the use                            
13 of appropriate equipment, in order to reduce the incidence of avalanche-related fatalities.                             
14    * Sec. 2.  AS 44.12 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                    
15            Sec. 44.12.098.  Avalanche Awareness Month.  The month of November                                         
01       each year is established as Avalanche Awareness Month.  Avalanche Awareness                                       
02       Month may be observed by schools, community groups, and other public and private                                  
03       agencies and individuals with appropriate activities that increase the public's                                   
04       awareness of avalanche dangers, how to respond to avalanches, and the use of                                      
05       appropriate equipment in avalanche areas.