1998-07-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 4329
SJR 201                                                                      
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 201 BY THE SENATE                                  
RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR,                                    
                                                                               
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the                             
State of Alaska relating to establishing a priority for                        
subsistence uses of fish and wildlife; and relating to                         
the effective date and repeal of the subsistence                               
amendment.                                                                     
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee.               
                                                                               
Zero fiscal notes published today from Office of the Governor,                 
Department of Law.                                                             
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated July 20:                                    
                                                                               
Dear President Miller:                                                         
                                                                               
The attached joint resolution, calling for a vote on a state                   
constitutional amendment, is the key element of a compromise plan              
developed at the end of the last special session.  Along with a bill           
I am also introducing today on legal standing, this resolution offers          
a solution to Alaska's longstanding subsistence dilemma.  The                  
measure is the foundation of a plan that will enable the state to              
regain and retain complete management of fish and wildlife on all              
land and water in Alaska.                                                      
                                                                               
                                                                               

1998-07-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 4330
SJR 201                                                                      
This legislation will allow the people of the state to vote in this            
November's general election to amend the Alaska Constitution.  The             
constitutional amendment would require the Legislature to provide a            
subsistence priority for residents of an area substantially dependent          
on fish and wildlife.  The priority may be based on place of                   
residence.                                                                     
                                                                               
The resolution also addresses concerns over the on-going court                 
challenge to ANILCA's subsistence provisions.  If approved by the              
voters, the constitutional amendment would not take effect until               
October 1, 2000, allowing time to pursue legal action.  Should a               
final court decision find ANILCA's subsistence priority                        
unconstitutional, the state constitutional amendment would be                  
automatically repealed.                                                        
                                                                               
Since the last special session this approach has been reviewed and             
received the support of the Secretary of the Interior and Alaska's             
Congressional Delegation.  If favorable action is taken on a                   
constitutional amendment this year, the Secretary has agreed to delay          
further federal takeover of fish and wildlife management now slated            
for December 1 of this year. To regain state management, however,              
the Legislature must still pass state statutory changes necessary to           
comply with ANILCA.                                                            
                                                                               
Giving Alaskans an opportunity to make their contribution to solving           
the dilemma by allowing them to vote on the amendment is critical.             
To adopt the proposal, the Legislature must act prior to the July 26           
deadline for placing an amendment on the November ballot.  I urge              
the Legislature to demonstrate its faith in Alaskans by promptly               
considering and passing this resolution.  This is our last opportunity         
for a number of years to prevent the federal government from                   
dominating the management of fish and wildlife in Alaska.                      
                                                                               
	Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor