1998-01-14                     Senate Journal                      Page 2191
SJR 31                                                                       
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 31 BY THE SENATE RULES                             
COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR,                                          
                                                                               
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the                             
State of Alaska authorizing a priority for subsistence                         
uses of renewable natural resources that is based on                           
place of residence; and providing for an effective date.                       
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Resources, Judiciary and           
Finance Committees.                                                            
                                                                               
Fiscal note published today from Office of the Governor.                       
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated January 14:                                 
                                                                               
Dear President Miller:                                                         
                                                                               
This joint resolution calling for a vote on a state constitutional             
amendment is the key element in a plan that offers a solution to               
Alaska's longstanding subsistence dilemma. Taken in conjunction with           
a companion bill I also present today on behalf of Alaskans and the            
subsistence  task  force,  and  with  amendments to the Alaska National        
                                                                               

1998-01-14                     Senate Journal                      Page 2192
SJR 31                                                                       
Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) passed by Congress in 1997,           
this measure will enable the state to regain and retain complete               
management of fish and wildlife on all land and water in Alaska.               
                                                                               
This comprehensive solution to the subsistence question is the result of       
the outstanding work of a bipartisan task force made up of public and          
private members I convened last summer. These Alaska leaders joined            
me in developing an approach which not only enables the state to regain        
subsistence management of fish and wildlife, but also recognizes the           
paramount importance of the subsistence lifestyle to Alaskans. The task        
force members included Lt. Governor Fran Ulmer, Senate President Mike          
Miller, House Speaker Gail Phillips, former Governor Jay Hammond,              
former Attorney General Charlie Cole and Byron Mallott, Executive              
Director of the Permanent Fund Corporation and myself. Working                 
together, we agreed the best approach was to adhere to the original            
intent of ANILCA, not to expand or diminish its fundamental provisions,        
and to recommend only those changes in current federal and state law           
absolutely necessary to affect the original purposes.                          
                                                                               
The attached joint resolution allows the people of the state to vote to        
amend the Alaska Constitution. Under this constitutional amendment, the        
Legislature could establish a priority for subsistence uses of fish and        
game based on a person's place of residence.                                   
                                                                               
The task force designed its three-part package--the constitutional             
amendment, state statutory changes, and amendments to ANILCA--to be            
interdependent. Neither the statutory changes presented in the companion       
bill, nor the already-approved amendments to ANILCA, will take effect          
unless the voters adopt this constitutional amendment. Giving Alaskans         
an opportunity to make their contribution to solving the dilemma by            
voting on the amendment is critical. I urge the Legislature to                 
demonstrate its faith in Alaskans by considering and passing this              
resolution.                                                                    
                                                                               
	Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
	Tony Knowles                                                             
	Governor