Legislature(1999 - 2000)
02/29/2000 01:45 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 206 An Act relating to the migratory game bird conservation tag, to a nonresident combined sport fishing and hunting license, to the nonresident military small game and sport fishing license, to applications for certain licenses, tags, and permits issued by the Department of Fish and Game, and to duplicate crewmember licenses. MIKE TIBBLES, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE GENE THERRIUALT, spoke to the two modifications made in the work draft committee substitute. The first change resulted from a conceptual amendment insertion of "annual", Page 3, Line 12. Mr. Tibble advised the other change addressed the confusing wording in Section 5. That language was removed and the specified amount for the non-resident military small game hunting license and the amount for the non-resident sport- fishing license. Mr. Tibble's added that there was an error to Page 3, Line 30. The amount should read "$20". Co-Chair Mulder MOVED to adopt the work draft, 1-LS0858\M, Utermohle, 2/29/00. There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted. Co-Chair Mulder MOVED to adopt Amendment #1, 1-LS0858\K.3, Utermohle, 2/28/00. [Copy on File]. He explained that the amendment would allow for a reciprocal relationship with the Yukon Territory for a resident license fee. He noted that the Yukon currently offers this option to Alaskans. He suggested that to offer it back, would be in the "spirit of compromising". Co-Chair Therriault OBJECTED. He believed it would be more advantageous for residents of the Yukon to come into Alaska to fish than it would be for the Alaskan residents to go into the Yukon. Representative Phillips noted that this issue had come up during the Subcommittee meetings. She pointed out the many sport fishermen that go to the Yukon for hunting and fishing. She supported the amendment, stating the timing was right. Co-Chair Mulder pointed out that the amendment addressed only the Yukon Territory, not British Columbia. The Yukon is not a large area, yet those residents have a mobile population that likes to come into Alaska to take advantage of these activities. GERON BRUCE, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, advised that there would be a fiscal impact with a negative impact to revenues. He agreed with Co-Chair Mulder that it would be minimal. Mr. Bruce commented that the Department would need to do some analysis to determine the amount. Mr. Bruce advised that the Department has not taken a position on the amendment at this point. He pointed out that when Senator Donley enacted SB 7, it significantly raised non-resident fishing license. The purpose of that bill was to reduce the impact on Alaska resident fishers from non-residents coming in and competing and the action did have that effect. He noted that HB 206 would run contrary to SB 7. Mr. Bruce stated that it is not clear that the suggested arrangement is currently offered to Alaskans going into the Yukon. Vice Chair Bunde asked what type fisheries were in the Yukon. Mr. Bruce could not speak to the type of fish traffic going into the Yukon. Representative Grussendorf agreed that there would be more pressure for the Canadians to come into Alaska for fishing. He noted that he would not support the amendment. Vice Chair Bunde thought that the greatest impact would be to Southeast Alaska. He asked the projected impact the bill would have to the tourist industry. Mr. Bruce could only speculate on that traffic. Representative Phillips reiterated that the population in the Yukon Territory is small and that the legislation would bring "good will" between the two areas. Discussion followed regarding the threat to the entire ferry fleet in Canada for only six fish. Co-Chair Mulder corrected that was in British Columbia and not the Yukon. Co-Chair Therriault maintained his objection to the amendment. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Moses, Phillips, Bunde, G. Davis, Foster, Mulder OPPOSED: Williams, J. Davies, Grussendorf, Therriault Representative Austerman was not present for the vote. The MOTION PASSED (6-4). Co-Chair Therriault noted that the amendment would change the dollar amount. He requested that the Department provide the new note before the bill would move from Committee. Co- Chair Mulder commented that the fiscal note would affect the Department of Fish and Game and not the general fund. HB 206 was HELD in Committee for final approval of the fiscal note.
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