2026-01-23                     House Journal                      Page 1475
HB 266                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 266 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to the transfer of big game hunting permits; and                                                          
     providing for an effective date."                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance                                                               
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Indeterminate, Dept. of Fish & Game                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 19 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the limited-entry big                                                        
game drawing permit program.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
When a drawing permit will not be used, the opportunity is lost, and                                                            
the resource goes unused. This bill creates a narrow, regulated process                                                         
allowing the original recipient of a big game drawing permit to                                                                 
transfer the permit one time to another eligible hunter, subject to                                                             
conditions that preserve fairness and protect the integrity of the                                                              
drawing system.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The bill integrates this new transfer authority with existing law for                                                           
transfers to a family member following a hunter’s death, with only                                                              

2026-01-23                     House Journal                      Page 1476
minimal technical changes, and includes safeguards to protect the                                                               
public interest, including a clear state liability shield. The bill is                                                          
anticipated to increase participation in the draw hunt system and state                                                         
revenue from application fees without a significant increase in                                                                 
administrative costs to the department.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"