Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
04/14/2023 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB120 | |
| HB104 | |
| Big Game Commercial Services Board | |
| HB98 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 120 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 104 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | HB 98 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 120-HUNT/FISH LICENSE FOR NONRESIDENT STUDENT
1:06:45 PM
CHAIR MCKAY announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 120, "An Act relating to hunting, trapping, and
fishing licenses for certain nonresident postsecondary students;
and providing for an effective date."
1:06:52 PM
CHAIR MCKAY opened public testimony on HB 120.
1:07:28 PM
JOHN ANDERSON, representing self, testified in support of HB
120. He related that 10 years ago as a student at the
University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF), he and other students in
his fraternity went on a fishing trip, but several [non-
resident] students couldn't go because they couldn't afford the
cost of a one-day or three-day fishing license. He said HB 120
could help build stronger organizations and links to Alaska
regardless of whether the students stay in or leave Alaska. If
the students stay, he added, it builds Alaska's workforce and
economy.
1:10:52 PM
AL BARRETTE, representing self, testified in support of HB 120.
He qualified that he is providing his own opinion, not that of
the Board of Game, of which he is a member. He said
[nonresident students] spend a lot of time in Alaska and help
fund the state's education system, and allowing them to
participate in hunting, trapping, and fishing at a resident fee
will benefit the students and the state. He related that the
State of Alaska and non-governmental organizations in Alaska are
participating in a national program called Recruitment,
Retainment, and Reactivate; he submitted that HB 120 would help
promote hunting, fishing, and trapping within Alaska.
1:12:31 PM
CHAIR MCKAY closed public testimony on HB 120 after ascertaining
that no one else wished to testify.
1:12:51 PM
MICHAELA ANDERSON, Staff, Representative Frank Tomaszewski,
Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative
Tomaszewski, prime sponsor, answered questions about HB 120 that
were asked at the [bill's previous hearing]. She explained that
someone falling below the poverty line already gets a well
reduced fee on their license. However, she continued, someone
dependent on their parents and not falling under low income is
when the $5 and free license exemption would activate.
Regarding large game hunting, she advised that HB 120 would not
make someone a resident; the bill deals strictly with licenses
and does not deal with tags, stamps, or other regulations. She
further advised that for large game muzzle loading the student
would still have to go through muzzle loading training and for
bear hunting the student would have to be guided. Ms. Anderson
pointed out that these students would not qualify for dipnetting
because they aren't a resident. She specified that these
students would fall under the same salvage laws as any resident
or nonresident hunter who isn't a student, meaning nonresident
students would have to pack out and utilize any animal that they
shoot.
1:14:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ARMSTRONG asked if the sponsor had considered
nonresident high school exchange students since the license age
is 16 and Alaska receives numerous exchange students.
MS. ANDERSON replied that there was no discussion of that, but
the sponsor would like to have that conversation. She added
that [applicants for this exemption] would have to sign a
certificate certifying they are a student. If stopped by law
enforcement, she continued, the person would have to go through
the route of proving they are a student or dealing with the
consequences [if they aren't a student].
REPRESENTATIVE TOMASZEWSKI stated he is willing to look at the
representative's suggestion before HB 120 goes to the floor.
REPRESENTATIVE ARMSTRONG said she will schedule a meeting with
the sponsor.
1:16:18 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
1:16:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER inquired about the number of full-time
and part-time students in the university system. He said he is
wondering how extending this nonresident postsecondary student
license would affect the demand on Alaska's fish and game
resources.
REPRESENTATIVE TOMASZEWSKI responded that Anchorage has about
1,200 and Fairbanks about 700 enrolled nonresident full-time
students. Responding further, he said he doesn't have the
number of part-time nonresident students.
MS. ANDERSON stated she will get those numbers from the
university and provide them to the committee.
1:18:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER moved to report HB 120 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal
notes. There being no objection, HB 120 was moved out of the
House Resources Standing Committee.