2015-04-08                     Senate Journal                      Page 0869
SB 101                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 101 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                               
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
            "An Act relating to fees for use of state park system                                                              
            facilities; and relating to the sale of merchandise by                                                             
          the Department of Natural Resources."                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance                                                               
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Natural Resources                                                                             
                                                                                                                                

2015-04-08                     Senate Journal                      Page 0870
Governor's transmittal letter dated April 7:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Meyer:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                                                      
transmitting a bill relating to the collection of state park fees and to the                                                    
authority of the Department of Natural Resources to sell merchandise                                                            
to retailers for profit in support of ongoing park operations.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The bill would amend AS 41.21.026 to grant the Alaska Department                                                                
of Natural Resources (department) the authority to sell merchandise                                                             
for informational, educational, or promotional purposes to support                                                              
ongoing park operations. The department would make sales to retailers                                                           
for resale at a price to ensure a fair and reasonable return to the                                                             
department. The bill also would remove language requiring all                                                                   
authorized fees to be collected in a park unit, making clear that the                                                           
department has the authority to collect fees online or in locations                                                             
outside of a park unit.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor