04/23/1997 08:12 AM Senate FIN

                                                                               
       SENATE BILL NO. 16                                                      
                                                                               
                                                                               
       "An Act restricting the use  of certain funds deposited                 
  in the    fish and game fund; and relating to the powers and                 
  duties of      the commissioner of fish and game."                           
                                                                               
  Senator Robin  Taylor, sponsor of  the bill, was  invited to                 
  join  the  committee.   He referred  briefly to  his sponsor                 
  statement.      The  State  must  quit  taking   money  from                 
  consumptive users (subsistence) and then  use that money for                 
  other   non-consumptive   purposes.      He  explained   the                 
  frustration on  behalf of  State Fish  and Game  biologists.                 
  These were good  people wanting to good  job.  There was  no                 
  need for more  funds to  be earmarked for  yet another  wolf                 
  study.   Classified program receipts and monies must be used                 
  specifically for the  program designated.  He  compared that                 
  to the same as sport and  commercial fishing.  Senator Adams                 
  felt the  legislation was not  necessary.   The majority  of                 
  hunting is in rural Alaska.   He said the legislature should                 
  not  manage  resource  but  rather  take all  concerns  into                 
  consideration.  Co-chair Sharp concurred with Senator Adams.                 
  He asked how much  money was being spent to  manage wildlife                 
  in  areas  inaccessible.   Senator  Taylor agreed  with both                 
  Senator Adams  and Co-chair  Sharp.     Resources should  be                 
  managed for abundance  not for scarcity.   He said he  would                 
  support any amendments offered by Senator Adams.                             
                                                                               
  Kevin Brooks, Director, Division of Administrative Services,                 
  Department  of  Fish  and  Game  was  invited  to  join  the                 
  committee.  He said the main  concern was for federal funds.                 
  Mr. Wayne Regelin was also invited  to join the committee to                 
  answer questions.                                                            
                                                                               
  Kevin Delaney, Director, Division  Sport Fish, Department of                 
  Fish and Game was invited to join  the committee.  He looked                 
  at the  contents of proposed  SB 16.   He noted  some points                 
  that bothered him as  manager.  If  a separate BRU for  each                 
  project had to be established it  would be necessary to come                 
  to the legislature for each one.                                             
                                                                               
  Co-chair Sharp continued SB 16 and  the rest of the calendar                 
  until 5:30 p.m.                                                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
  ADJOURNMENT                                                                  
                                                                               
  Co-chair Sharp recessed until 5:30 p.m.