Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124
03/14/2025 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR11 | |
| HB93 | |
| Presentation(s): Fire Protection Program Overview | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 79 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 93 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 11 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 93-RESIDENCY REQ: HUNTING, TRAPPING, FISHING
2:00:52 PM
CO-CHAIR BURKE announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 79 "An Act naming the Vic Fischer Shoup Bay
State Marine Park."
2:01:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ZACK FIELDS, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, introduced HB 79.
2:01:23 PM
CO-CHAIR DIBERT moved to adopt HB 79, work order 34-LS0495\A
from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note.
2:01:49 PM
There being no objection, HB 79 was reported out of the House
Resources Standing Committee.
HB 93-RESIDENCY REQ: HUNTING, TRAPPING, FISHING
2:05:28 PM
CO-CHAIR BURKE announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 93 "An Act changing the residency requirements
for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing privileges; and
providing for an effective date."
2:05:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE REBECCA HIMSCHOOT, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor, introduced HB 93.
2:06:03 PM
THATCHER BROUWER, Staff, Representative Himschoot, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Himschoot, prime
sponsor, presented the sectional analysis of HB 93, which read
as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Section 1 amends AS 16.05.400 by adding a new
subsection that requires a permanent identification
card holder to meet the updated residency requirements
in the bill.
Section 2 amends AS 16.05.415(a) bringing up to date
the requirements for an individual to qualify for a
resident sport fishing, hunting, or trapping license.
A new subsection, AS 16.05.415(a)(3), is added which
stipulates an individual must be physically present at
all times in Alaska during the 12 months preceding the
application for a resident license, or if absent, only
absent as allowed for someone who is eligible for a
permanent fund dividend (AS 43.23.0008).
Section 3 amends AS 16.05.415(e) specifying an alien
must meet the same residency requirements in section 2
of the bill to qualify for a resident sport fishing,
hunting or trapping license.
Section 4 adds a new subsection to AS 16.05.415
directing the commissioner to adopt regulations under
AS 44.62 for determining eligibility of a person to
receive a resident sport fishing, hunting or trapping
license.
Section 5 establishes a delayed effective date of
January 1, 2027, for the bill.
2:08:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT presented a PowerPoint highlighting HB
93 and the issues addressed by the bill [hard copy included in
the committee file]. She showed slide 1, which reiterated the
title of the bill and moved to slide 2, which stated that HB 93
"closely aligns the requirements to get a resident sport
fishing, hunting, or trapping license with the requirements to
get a permanent fund dividend." She proceeded to slide 3 which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
THE CURRENT RESIDENT REQUIREMENTS ARE DIFFICULT TO
ENFORCE
• This allows individuals who are only here a few
months of the year to take advantage of our generous
resident bag limits and reduced license fees.
• This impacts Alaskans who live here year-round and
depend the most on our fish and game resources.
2:09:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT moved to slide 4, titled "Current
Requirements to Qualify for A Resident License," which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
1. Physical presence in the state with the intent to
remain in the state indefinitely and to make a home in
the state.
2. Maintenance of a domicile in the state for the 12
consecutive months immediately preceding the
application for a license.
3. No claim of residency in another state, territory,
or country.
AS 16.05.940 (11) "domicile" means the true and
permanent home of a person from which the person has
no present intention of moving and to which the person
intends to return whenever the person is away.
2:10:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT advanced to slide 6, titled "Summary of
Allowable Absences," followed by slide 7, titled "Permanent Fund
Dividend Requirements You Will Not Need to Meet to Get a
Resident License with Hb 93," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
• General: Absences up to 180 days (subject to certain
limits based on other allowable absences claimed)
consistent with the individual's intent to remain an
Alaska resident.
• Education-Related: Full-time secondary or post-
secondary education or other full-time education
program not available in Alaska.
• Military Service: Serving on active duty in the U.S.
armed forces or accompanying a family member who is
serving and is eligible for a dividend.
• Merchant Marine Service: Serving under foreign or
coastal articles of employment aboard a U.S.
oceangoing vessel.
• Medical Treatment: Receiving continuous medical
treatment recommended by a licensed physician or
convalescing as recommended by the physician.
• Caregiving: Providing care for a critically ill
family member, or for a terminally ill family member.
• Settling an Estate: Managing the estate of a
deceased family member, as long as the absence doesn't
exceed 220 cumulative days.
• Congressional Service: Serving as a member of the
U.S. Congress or on the staff of an Alaskan member of
Congress.
• State Employment: Working as a state employee in a
field office or another location outside Alaska.
• Accompanying a Minor or Eligible Resident:
Accompanying a minor or another eligible resident who
is absent for certain allowable reasons.
• Peace Corps and Olympic Training: Serving in the
federal Peace Corps or training or competing as a
member of the U.S. Olympic Team.
• Student Fellowships with U.S. Department of
Education or Department of State: Participating for
educational purposes.
PERMANENT FUND DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS YOU WILL NOT NEED
TO MEET TO GET A RESIDENT LICENSE WITH HB 93
1. Physically present in the state at all times during
the entire qualifying year or, if absent, the absence
was an allowable absence (AS 43.23.008).
2. Physically present in the state for at least 72
consecutive hours at some time during the prior two
years before the current dividend year.
3. Compliance with military selective service
registration requirements.
4. Not sentenced as a result of a state felony
conviction during the qualifying year.
5. Not incarcerated as a result of the conviction in
this state of:
(A) felony; or
(B) misdemeanor if the individual has been
convicted of
(i) a prior felony as defined in AS 11.81.900; or
(ii) two or more prior misdemeanors as defined in
AS 11.81.900.
2:12:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT explained the differences between
requirements for a permanent fund dividend (PFD) and the
requirements for a resident license with HB 93. She discussed
the charts on slide 8 and slide 9 which gave examples of
differences between sport fishing and hunting regulations for
residents and non-residents. She showed slide 10 which compared
differences in fees for residents and non-residents. She
pointed out that people who live outside Alaska for more than
six months have access to a lower cost of living. She
emphasized the importance of prioritizing the fish and game
resources of the state for those who are in Alaska, raising
their families and need access to a full freezer.
2:14:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT discussed the similarities between HB
201 from the 33rd legislature and the current bill (HB 93),
noting the on-going support from Alaska communities,
organizations, and fish and game advisory committees.
2:15:01 PM
THATCHER BROUWER summarized letters of support for HB 93.
2:15:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT moved to slide 12, titled "HB 93 Will
Ensure Our Fish and Game Resources Go to Those Who Need Them the
Most," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
• Residency requirements will be clear and
enforceable.
• Generous bag limits will be preserved for year-round
residents who depend on our fish and game resources to
put food on the table.
• Residents will continue to enjoy reduced cost
licenses and tags.
• Bag limits and hunting and fishing opportunities for
non-residents will not be impacted.
2:16:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT responded to a question from
Representative Rauscher by explaining that the charts on slides
8, 9, and 10 were used as examples and did not represent changes
in fees and bag limits.
2:17:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT, in response to a question from
Representative Coulombe, described how HB 93 simplifies the
process of verifying residency, so it is easier to determine
whether a person who spends a month in a community harvesting
resources is an Alaskan resident.
2:18:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT and Representative Rauscher engaged in
a discussion regarding permanent identification cards and the
definition of "permanent." She explained that she was open to
discussing amendments.
2:20:15 PM
THATCHER BROUWER discussed the qualifications for permanent
identification cards for hunting, sports fishing, and trapping.
2:21:27 PM
CO-CHAIR BURKE opened invited testimony on HB 93.
2:21:41 PM
JILL WEITZ, Government Affairs Staff, Office of the President,
Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska,
on behalf of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian
Tribes of Alaska, testified in favor of HB 93. She explained
that the management of resources in Alaska must be improved,
especially when it comes to ensuring a rural subsistence
priority for Alaska residents. She stated that the legislation
would be instrumental in protecting local resources for those
who lived in the state year-round and contributed to
conservation efforts through taxes and other means. It would
also help reduce the number of out-of-state individuals who
disproportionately benefited from local resources without
necessarily contributing to their preservation. She emphasized
the importance of harvesting fish and game to offset the
exorbitant costs and limited availability of groceries in rural
areas. She also described the deep cultural ties of rural
communities to hunting and fishing. She explained that HB 93 is
a necessary step in ensuring that state residency requirements
for fish and game licensing are enforced properly. It would
play a vital role in protecting resources, supporting
subsistence priorities, and ensuring the sustainable management
of wildlife populations and ecosystems.
2:25:31 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 2:25 p.m. to 2:27 p.m.
2:27:23 PM
KURT WHITEHEAD, Secretary, East Prince of Wales Island Advisory
Committee, Treasure Hunter Lodge, testified in support of HB 93.
He explained that he was the secretary of the East Prince of
Wales Island Advisory Committee, the Klawock Advisory Committee,
and the Craig Advisory Committee. He gave examples of
individuals from the Lower 48 who used illegal means to avoid
paying fees for fishing and hunting licenses. He described how
people would "whack and stack" fish, taking valuable local
resources, and shipping them south. He said that some seasonal
residents had obtained permanent identification licenses. He
asked the committee to support HB 93.
2:32:42 PM
CO-CHAIR BURKE announced that HB 93 would be held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| DNR Wildland Fire Presentation HRES 03.14.2025.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
|
| DRAFT CSHJR 11 (RES) 3.14.25.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 11 |
| HJR 11 Summary of Changes I to H.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 11 |
| HJR 11 Supporting Document_Haines Junction to Haines Letter 2.26.25.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 11 |
| HJR 11 Supporting Document_Haines Resolution 25-03-1166.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 11 |
| HJR 11 Supporting Document_Alaska Beacon Article 3.6.25.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 11 |
| HJR 11 Supporting Document_Skagway Letter to AK Delegation 2.27.25.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 11 |
| HJR 11 Supporting Document_Whitehorse to Haines Letter 2.14.25.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 11 |
| DNR Response to HRES re wildland fire at 3.14.25 meeting.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |