03/03/1993 09:10 AM Senate FIN

                                                                               
  SENATE BILL NO. 46                                                           
                                                                               
       An Act authorizing moose farming.                                       
                                                                               
  Co-chair Pearce  directed  that  SB 46  be  brought  on  for                 
  discussion;  referenced a  draft CSSB  46 (Fin)  (8-LS037\J,                 
  Utermohle,  3/1/93);   and  explained that  it  incorporates                 
  Amendments Nos. 1 and 2, adopted at a previous meeting.  She                 
  also noted a  new, zero fiscal  note from the Dept.  of Fish                 
  and Game.                                                                    
                                                                               
  DARSIE  BECK,   Alaska  Environmental  Lobby,   came  before                 
  committee in opposition  to SB 46.   He  said that the  bill                 
  would be both detrimental to Alaska  wildlife and a waste of                 
  taxpayers' money.   Concerns  relating to  biological issues                 
  have been well documented.  Moose farming  will increase the                 
  spread of  disease in  both domestic  and wild  populations.                 
  Negative  impact on  predator populations  will  occur under                 
  game farmer control.                                                         
                                                                               
  SB 46  also creates incentive  for illegal  harvest of  wild                 
  moose by poachers.                                                           
                                                                               
                                                                               
  The fact  that fiscal  notes accompanying  the bill  show no                 
  cost to the  state is suspect.   The Dept. of  Environmental                 
  Conservation would incur the cost of monitoring and treating                 
  diseased livestock.   The Dept.  of Fish and  Game would  be                 
  responsible for responding  to complaints from  tourists and                 
  other  parties  concerning the  treatment of  captive moose.                 
  The department  would also bear  the cost  of ensuring  that                 
  disease is not transmitted by domestic moose to wild stocks.                 
  The Dept. of  Public Safety would  incur increased costs  to                 
  control poaching.   While the above-mentioned costs  are not                 
  shown on department fiscal notes, they would  be incurred by                 
  department budgets.  The magnitude of these costs may not be                 
  realized until  a tragedy occurs.   In Alberta,  Canada, $10                 
  million was spent and 2,000  domestic elk were eradicated in                 
  an unsuccessful effort  to control tuberculosis.   Costs and                 
  the  biological  risk  associated  with  moose  farming  far                 
  outweigh possible benefits.                                                  
                                                                               
  Senator Sharp  requested that  Mr.  Beck present  documented                 
  facts  associated with the  situation in Alberta.   Mr. Beck                 
  agreed to do so.                                                             
                                                                               
  Co-chair  Pearce queried  members concerning  disposition of                 
  the bill.  Senator Kelly MOVED for passage of CSSB 46  (Fin)                 
  with individual  recommendations and  the accompanying  zero                 
  fiscal  notes.   No objection  having  been raised,  CSSB 46                 
  (Fin)  was REPORTED OUT of  committee with zero fiscal notes                 
  from the departments  of Natural  Resources, Fish and  Game,                 
  and Environmental Conservation.  Co-chairs Pearce  and Frank                 
  and Senators Kelly,  Rieger, and Sharp signed  the committee                 
  report with a  "do pass"  recommendation.  Senator  Kerttula                 
  signed "Do not pass."