Legislature(1999 - 2000)
1999-04-20 House Journal
Full Journal pdf1999-04-20 House Journal Page 0881 HJR 37 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 37 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to subsistence use of renewable natural resources by residents; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Fisheries, and the Resources, Judiciary and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note applies: Fiscal note, Office of the Governor, 4/20/99 The Governor's transmittal letter dated April 19, 1999, appears below: "Dear Speaker Porter: In less than six months, on October 1, the Federal Subsistence Board will take over management of subsistence fishing on nearly 60 percent of Alaskas rivers and lakes. That date will mark a historic reversal of Alaskas independence; our state will lose the right to manage a significant portion of the fish and wildlife within its borders. It would 1999-04-20 House Journal Page 0882 HJR 37 be irresponsible to turn over our right and responsibility to manage Alaska's fish and game to the federal government - a right that was at the heart of Alaska Statehood - without doing everything within my power to prevent it. Today I am once again putting forward the only approach that will resolve the subsistence issue. This approach, amending the Alaska Constitution, is the clear way to regain and retain state management of fish and wildlife. Other proposals, which fall short of establishing a rural resident priority, will not meet state constitutional requirements nor satisfy Title VIII of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. In the past, the consequences of inaction by the Legislature have been postponed by the action of our Congressional delegation and the Secretary of Interior, but the messages from Washington now are loud and clear -- no one is going to bail us out again this year; there are no more reprieves. Either the Legislature acts to bring the state into compliance with the provisions of ANILCA, or the federal government will take over management of subsistence resources in a significant part of Alaska. This joint resolution calls for a vote on a state constitutional amendment to permit a preference to rural residents for subsistence uses of renewable natural resources, a principle a majority of Alaskans support. Subsistence defines the special tie Alaskans have to our land. It makes us unique among the 50 states. In rural Alaska, subsistence is the special bond that defines the very essence of the rural way of life. The language of the amendment is similar to that proposed in the past by myself, the Governors Subsistence Task Force, and rural legislators. When the amendment is coupled with appropriate statutory changes, it would enable the state to comply with ANILCA and retain complete management of fish, and to regain management of wildlife on all land and water in Alaska. The time is right to give Alaska voters an opportunity to help solve the subsistence dilemma. There are no viable alternatives. Federal funding will enable a federal takeover of subsistence management 1999-04-20 House Journal Page 0883 HJR 37 starting October 1 of this year. On the other hand, if the Legislature has adopted a resolution allowing Alaskans to vote on a constitutional amendment to establish a rural resident priority, that federal money will instead be fully available for state subsistence management of fish and wildlife. I call on the Legislature to take action now. There is still sufficient time this session to pass this resolution and avert a federal takeover. I urge you to demonstrate your faith in Alaskans by allowing a vote on this constitutional amendment. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor"