Legislature(2023 - 2024)

2024-01-26 House Journal

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2024-01-26                     House Journal                      Page 1365
HB 297                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 297 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act establishing the sport fishing angler access account;                                                              
     establishing the sport fishing angler access surcharge; and                                                                
     providing for an effective date."                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                                                          
Fisheries and the Finance Committee.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Fish & Game                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 24 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-01-26                     House Journal                      Page 1366
"Dear Speaker Tilton:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to establish a sport fishing license                                                     
surcharge for the purpose of increasing non-boating angler access to                                                            
fishing resources. This bill adds a surcharge ranging from $4 to $40 to                                                         
sports fishing licenses purchased depending on the type of license                                                              
purchased.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
This bill will create parity in angler access to fishing resources                                                              
between shore access and motorized access. Currently, the Federal Aid                                                           
in Sport Fish Restoration Act directs the majority of its funding to                                                            
boating access projects and cannot be used for projects that primarily                                                          
support subsistence or personal use. Consequently, funding requests                                                             
for non-boating angler access compete directly with other eligible                                                              
programs for State funding. The imposition of the surcharge will                                                                
alleviate some of the pressure on these funding requests and increase                                                           
the ability of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to support                                                                 
subsistence and personal use access to fisheries.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Under the terms of the bill, a sport fishing angler access surcharge is                                                         
assessed on all sport fishing licenses purchased in the State. The bill                                                         
waives the surcharge for disabled veterans and active members of the                                                            
Alaska National Guard, along with individuals eligible for a $5 license                                                         
due to financial issues. The surcharge is $4 for residents and special                                                          
nonresident military licenses. The surcharge for all other nonresidents                                                         
varies between $5 for a one-day license to $40 for an annual                                                                    
nonresident license. The funds collected under the bill will be                                                                 
deposited into the Sport Fishing Angler Access Account within the                                                               
Fish and Game Fund. The purpose of this account is to directly benefit                                                          
anglers through the development and improvement of access, services,                                                            
and facilities for lakes, ponds, or waterways not related to motor or                                                           
power boat use.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Fishing access is of critical importance in Alaska. While federal funds                                                         
assist with ensuring motorized fishing access, many Alaskans utilize                                                            
trails and shore-side assets to engage in recreational and subsistence                                                          
fishing. Establishment of a sport fishing angler access surcharge will                                                          
allow DFG to fund critical services supporting recreational and                                                                 
subsistence fishing, including the construction and maintenance of                                                              

2024-01-26                     House Journal                      Page 1367
trails, development and construction of angler access facilities, and the                                                       
increasing of public awareness of access to angling opportunities                                                               
through publication of guides, brochures, maps, internet sites, and                                                             
other aids.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"