Legislature(2021 - 2022)ADAMS 519
05/12/2022 01:30 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB201 | |
| SB204 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 201 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 204 | TELECONFERENCED | |
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 204(RES)
"An Act relating to auctions or raffles for hunting
harvest permits and big game tags; and providing for
an effective date."
3:04:35 PM
Co-Chair Merrick indicated that the committee previously
heard the bill on May 10, 2022, and the committee would
take up one amendment. She asked for a review of the fiscal
note.
EDDIE GRASSER, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION,
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME (via teleconference), reviewed
the published zero fiscal note for the Department of Fish
and Game (DFG) (FN1 (DFG) appropriated to Wildlife
Conservation He relayed that there would not be a drain on
the state's coffers as a result of the bill. The department
expected to bring in significant revenue with the
legislation. He furthered that in the prior year the raffle
brought in over $1 million, and the department had received
revenues of $1 million so far for the current year.
3:06:04 PM
Representative Josephson MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1, 32-
LS1319\W.3 (Bullard, 5/11/22) (copy on file):
Page 1, line 1, following "permits":
Insert ",bear viewing permits,"
Page 1, following line 3:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"*Section 1. AS 16.05.130 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(h) Money accruing to the state from the auction or
raffle of bear viewing permits under AS 16.05.343(c)
shall be deposited in a separate account known as the
nongame conservation account in the fish and game
fund. Money n the account shall be allocated to
programs relating to wildlife sanctuaries and refuges,
fish and wildlife diversity, wildlife viewing,
educational programs, and related outreach efforts."
Pate 1, line 4:
Delete "Section 1"
Insert "Sec. 2"
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Representative LeBon OBJECTED for discussion.
Representative Josephson explained the amendment. He
indicated that the purpose of the amendment was to direct
the proceeds of the raffle to a new account within the
existing DFG fund. Funds from the new account could only be
spent on programs related to state wildlife sanctuaries,
refuges, wildlife viewing, and educational programs. He
stated that the sponsor and Mr. Grasser supported the
amendment. He noted that the goal of the bill was to
increase the fund raising capacity to match federal funds.
He reasoned that the amendment would advance the goal
because it appealed to raffle customers that wanted to win
a permit to view bears at the McNeil River State Game
Sanctuary and Refuge. He believed that the amendment would
result in increased ticket sales and more revenue. He
reported that similar sub-accounts in the Fish and Game
Fund in Title 16, AS 16.05 currently existed in statute
that directed proceeds to waterfowl, fur bears, and general
hunting trapping and fishing. He asked for the committees
support.
Representative Johnson asked if the fund would be
dedicated. Representative Josephson answered in the
negative and surmised that it was a designated fund. He
added that the language in the amendment mirrored AS
16.05.130 pertaining to the diversion of funds. He restated
that similar language currently existed for waterfowl
conservation, the sale of resident trapping licenses and
general hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses, and the
Intensive Management (IM) surcharge. The amendment was
aligned with the corollary programs he listed.
3:08:29 PM
Mr. Grasser stated that Representative Josephson was
correct, and the amendment would add language to the
existing statutes for the diversion of funds for management
projects. He responded that the Fish and Game Fund was
dedicated and was protected by the Constitution and the
Statehood Act. He elaborated that the money put into the
fund could be used for a diverse number of activities. He
noted that the first activity adopted under AS 16.05.130
was for a waterfowl stamp program. He concurred that the
amendment aligned with the diversion of funds statute.
Representative Johnson asked if the proposed new account
would be a subaccount under the dedicated fund. Mr. Grasser
answered in the affirmative and added that it would be a
dedication of a dedicated fund.
Representative LeBon asked to hear from the bill sponsor's
staff to confirm the senator was amenable to the amendment.
EMMA TORKELSON, STAFF, SENATOR REVAK, confirmed that
Senator Revak was supportive of Amendment 1.
3:10:57 PM
Representative Josephson reiterated that the division and
sponsor supported the amendment. He did not mean to create
confusion when he stated it was a designated fund. He
maintained that pre-statehood funds were allowed under the
Constitution as dedicated funds. He elucidated that the
additions to the original Fish and Game Fund statute were
made in 1979. 1984, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2005, and 2016.
He concluded that the proposal was not prohibited.
Representative Carpenter agreed that the fund itself was
dedicated. He believed that some of the additional funds
into the account were not protected from the sweep.
Mr. Grasser was unsure that Representative Carpenters
comment was correct. He understood that the Fish and Game
Fund was protected in the Constitution and not allowed to
be swept.
Representative LeBon WITHDREW his OBJECTION.
There being NO further OBJECTION, Amendment 1 was ADOPTED.
SB 204 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Merrick reviewed the schedule for the following
morning.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 201 Public Testimony Rec'd by 051222_.pdf |
HFIN 5/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 201 |
| SB 204 Amendment 1 Josephson 051222.pdf |
HFIN 5/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 204 |
| SB 201 Amendments 1-4 051222.pdf |
HFIN 5/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 201 |
| SB 201 Amendment 5 Johnson Wool 051222.pdf |
HFIN 5/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 201 |
| HB 66 Public Testimony Rec'd by 051222_.pdf |
HFIN 5/12/2022 1:30:00 PM |
HB 66 |