Legislature(1999 - 2000)
03/23/1999 01:40 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 114
"An Act repealing the prohibition against the taking of
antlerless moose."
EDDIE GRASSER, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE BEVERLY MASEK, advised
that HB 114 would remove the statutory stipulations
requiring advisory committees to approve anterless hunts
before the Board of Game can implement them. He stated that
it would effectively reduce the time involved in
implementing anterless hunts, as well as save money.
Mr. Grasser continued, since 1975, the Board of Game has
been required to obtain the approval of a majority of the
local advisory committees in proximity to the game
management unit for which the hunt is proposed. The
requirement has caused the Department of Fish and Game and
the Board, time and expense to pursue antlerless moose
hunts. Originally, the provision was instigated on behalf
of Alaskans who felt that cow moose hunts were wrong for a
variety of reasons regardless of the biological evidence.
Since then, the Department has managed to educate most
Alaskans about the benefits of anterless hunts in relation
to overall population dynamics and quality of habitat.
Mr. Grasser stated that HB 114 would benefit the State and
the Board of Game by streamlining the regulatory process
providing a cost savings to the State in time and money.
The Board costs about $10 thousand dollars a day in order to
be in session.
Co-Chair Therriault questioned if the Department of Fish and
Game's fiscal note adequately reflected the anticipated
savings. Mr. Grasser ascertained that the Department
hastily had calculated the fiscal note, however, he believed
that there would not be huge savings. In response to Co-
Chair Therriault, Mr. Grasser informed members that an
antlerless moose is a cow moose.
Representative Grussendorf voiced concern with the
Department not being able to call emergency closures to
regulate the stocks.
Representative Bunde spoke in support of the legislation.
He went on to say that scientific research has proven that
anterless harvest can be beneficial. Representative
Austerman asked if the reason for the legislation was that
the advisory board was no longer needed. Mr. Grasser
explained that historical record has proven that they are no
longer required. He pointed out that anterless moose hunts
are the only regulated hunt in the State, which require this
special step to take place before the hunt can begin. He
added that in Alaska, it is legal to hunt cow caribou, nanny
goats and sows without cubs.
MATTHEW ROBUS, ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR, WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, stated that the
Department supports HB 114 which would repeal the
requirement to annually reauthorize each moose hunt in the
State. Current law causes an unnecessary burden and some
extra costs to the Department staff. The present Board of
Game cycle addresses four regions of the State once every
two years. The Department is forced every spring to address
every anterless moose season in the State. Each spring,
area biologists and advisory committees are required to go
through this process.
Mr. Robus commented that the fiscal note was based on the
increased costs from the annual reauthorization exercise at
the Board of Game level. There have been increased costs
for area biologists to travel to advisory boards. Those
costs are not well reflected in the note, and he admitted
that there could be additional savings. Mr. Robus urged
passage of the legislation to achieve better wildlife
management while saving money.
Co-Chair Therriault asked if the "other" travel by the
biologists would be listed in the Fish and Game fund or the
general fund travel expenditure. Mr. Robus replied it would
be listed in the fish and game funds and the federal program
receipt funds.
Representative Grussendorf commented that if the advisory
boards were no longer used, the Department would be called
upon more often to address questions and give advice to the
Board of Game. He suggested that would result in not much
savings. Mr. Robus replied that the Department meets with
the advisory committees quite regularly and offered
assurance that if there was a problem, it would continue to
be addressed. Area biologists have emergency authority
delegated to address any harvest season.
Mr. Robus continued, there has been much effort put into
working situations out with advisory committees. He
recommended that it is always better to address concerns at
a local level. Advisory committees will continue to be
involved in the management process. Mr. Robus added that
the federal subsistence process and the dual management
system have substantially modified the State's jurisdiction
for wildlife.
Representative Bunde advised that the legislation does not
preclude advisory board participation; it simply removes
their statutory veto power. He added that advisory boards
will participate on many subjects and would continue to be
involved on important concerns.
DAVID KELLYHOUSE, ALASKA OUTDOOR COUNCIL, FAIRBANKS,
acknowledged that the test of any good government is its
willingness to take unnecessary and expensive regulations
off statute when the opportunity arises to save money. He
urged the Committee's support of the legislation.
Representative Foster MOVED to report HB 114 out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
HB 114 was reported out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with a fiscal note by the Department of
Fish and Game dated 3/16/99.
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