Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
01/26/2024 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB243 | |
| HB201 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 243 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 201 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 201-RESIDENCY REQ: HUNTING, TRAPPING, FISHING
1:24:10 PM
CHAIR MCKAY announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 201, "An Act changing the residency requirements
for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing privileges; and
providing for an effective date."
1:24:46 PM
CHAIR MCKAY opened public testimony on HB 201 and asked if
Representative Himschoot would please remain available for
questions.
1:25:20 PM
DAVID EGELSEON, representing self, identified as a retired New
York State Trooper with 30 years of experience. He also said he
is a current member of the East Prince of Wales Advisory
Committee. He said he fully supported HB 201 and thanked
Representative Himschoot and staff for crafting the legislation.
He provided an example from Thorne Bay, where there are hunters
and fishers that live on the island only 2-4 months of the year
and are not legal residents. He continued that these fake
residents also go north to hunt caribou, sheep, goats, and brown
[grizzly] bears. He stated he has lived in Alaska only 12 years
but intends to stay. He held a strong belief that the resources
are essential to residents first before sharing them with
outsiders. He urged the committee to require non-residents to
pay for the privilege to hunt and fish in Alaska the way Alaska
residents do. He said the requirements are too low for
residency status.
1:29:20 PM
STUART EDDY, representing self, testified in support of HB 201
as a fourth-generation Alaskan, commercial fisherman, and
hunting guide. He opined that the current hunting, fishing, and
trapping requirements are too lenient, and those resources are
being taken advantage of. He cited that the state is losing
money from the Pittman-Robertson [Act] and Dingell-Johnson Act.
He advocated for HB 201 as a tool for law enforcement and
citizens.
1:30:51 PM
KENT BARKHAU, representing self, testified in support of HB 201.
From his perspective, he said, it is a privilege to hunt and
fish in Alaska. He cited the requirements to hunt, fish, and
trap should be the same as the permanent fund dividend (PFD)
requirements. He advocated for HB 201 as well as the Sitka Fish
and Game Advisory Council.
1:33:17 PM
JAKE COMBS, representing self, testified in full support of HB
201 because it would ensure the residents access to what they
need to hunt, fish, and trap. He advocated for a six-month
residency standard. He said the privilege of hunting and
fishing far outweighs the amount of the PFD and objected to the
current requirement for a non-resident hunting and fishing
license. He concluded that non-residents should not be able to
take fish and game out of state without paying a fee.
1:36:03 PM
JIM BRENNAN, representing self, said he opposed HB 201 because
it would penalize bona fide residents such as himself. He lives
in both Washington and Alaska but does not receive the PFD
because he is not eligible. He said he regarded himself as an
Alaskan and there are better ways to mitigate the problem other
than HB 201.
1:39:15 PM
TAD FUJIOKA, representing self, spoke in support of HB 201 as a
fourth-generation Alaskan. He emphasized HB 201 would help the
Alaska Wildlife Troopers, ADF&G, and residents.
1:41:51 PM
LEWIS HIATT, representing self, testified in support of HB 201.
He urged the committee to better define the term "resident" with
an example of a California couple that fish halibut, crab, and
shrimp claiming resident status but ship it to the Lower 48. He
expressed concern for his children that still rely on Alaska's
resources.
1:44:01 PM
PAUL JOHNSON, representing self, testified in support of HB 201
and described what it was like before statehood. He said the
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) created
a loophole for non-residents to claim residency on federal lands
and HB 201 would close that loophole.
1:46:34 PM
MATT BECK, representing self, testified that he had purchased a
non-resident hunting and fishing license and subsequently became
a resident. He stressed that out-of-state visitors are taking
Alaska's resources and do not give back to the communities in
which they hunt and fish. He stressed the cost of groceries is
rising and resources are declining and difficult to get access
to for residents. He cited the Pitman-Robertson Act as a means
to obtain additional funds for ADF&G.
1:49:27 PM
CHET POWELL, representing self, testified in support of HB 201
because the residency requirement is too easy to obtain. He
urged the committee to synchronize the PFD and hunting and
fishing requirements.
1:51:42 PM
JOEY EDMUNDS, representing self, testified that she was in
support of HB 201 because the current requirements for Alaska
residency should be stricter. She said non-residents create a
greater [hunting/fishing] pressure. She opined that the
residency standard is negatively affecting revenue for ADF&G.
1:53:18 PM
THOMAS HARDEN, representing self, testified in support of HB 201
because it makes sense and assists with law enforcement.
Seasonal workers take many of the resources with no intention of
living in the state. He contended that Alaska needs higher
standards. He advocated for the Pittman-Robertson Act which
raises money for conservation issues.
1:55:59 PM
SEAN DAVIS, representing self, testified in support of HB 201
due to the hunting and fishing pressure from non-residents. He
said mirroring the PFD requirement would help measure a system
that is already in place.
1:57:02 PM
KEVIN CASTLE, representing self, testified in support of HB 201
because summer visitors setting halibut skates exploit that
resource. He suggested more restrictive requirements for
residency.
1:58:40 PM
DENNIS NICKERSON, Tribal President, Klawock Cooperative
Association Tribe; Chair, Klawock Fish and Game Advisory
Committee, testified that the Klawock Tribe supported HB 201
specifically for the hunting, fishing, and trapping clause. He
felt residents are threatened by non-residents hunters and
fishers. He advocated for a balanced approach to harvesting
fish and game throughout the year. He said the tribe also
continues with the traditional barter system to share with those
in need. He stated that food security is as high as it's ever
been and non-residents have been exploiting Prince of Wales
Island for a long time. He stated that salmon have been
depleted by out-of-state fishers and thanked the sponsor of HB
201, Representative Himschoot.
2:01:08 PM
LARRY RIVERS, representing self, testified in support of HB 201.
He claimed the residency requirement is too loose and difficult
to enforce. He said he has seen people stay in Alaska for a
couple months, get a post office box, and leave the state but
still claim residency. He insisted that the six-month residency
is far too lenient and suggest it be changed to eight or ten
months for residency status.
2:02:56 PM
ELLEN HANNAN, representing self, identified herself as a
lifelong resident of Alaska and said HB 201 would close the
loophole on residency status by tying it to the Permanent Fund
Dividend residency requirements. She maintained residents
should be prioritized when it comes to Alaska's resources.
2:04:12 PM
CHAIR MCKAY, after ascertaining there was no one else who wished
to testify, closed public testimony on HB 201.
2:04:27 PM
CHAIR MCKAY announced that HB 201 was held over.