Legislature(2009 - 2010)BARNES 124
04/12/2010 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB301 | |
| SB144 | |
| SB305 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 144 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 301 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 305 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 144-MUSK OXEN PERMITS & FEES
1:18:57 PM
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON announced that the next order of business is CS
FOR SENATE BILL NO. 144(FIN), "An Act relating to hunting
permits and tag fees for musk oxen."
1:19:22 PM
TIM BENINTENDI, Staff, Senator Donny Olson, Alaska State
Legislature, provided the following testimony:
At its core, Senate Bill 144 would authorize a second
permit hunt for resident and subsistence hunters for
the taking of musk ox. It would double the chances of
taking an animal, but it would not change the bag
limit which currently stands at one animal, either a
bull or a cow. Nonresident hunters would not qualify.
If a hunter did not harvest a musk ox under the first
permit, then a second permit could be issued upon
application for another chance in a different hunt
area or in a different game management unit. Musk
oxen are the only game animals in Alaska for which the
one permit restriction still applies. There are four
game management units in the state where these animals
are found. Unit 18 is on both Nunivak and Nelson
Islands, Unit 22 and 23 are on the Seward Peninsula
and in the Northwest, and Unit 26 is in the Northeast.
The wild musk ox population is currently estimated to
be at 4,400 animals; and annually between 325 and 350
are available for harvest. Wildlife biologists and
regulators within the Department of Fish & Game have
determined that the health and size of the state's
herd is well past the threshold for expanding hunting
opportunities. They estimate that a minimum number of
permits will be issued under this bill and perhaps 25
more animals might be harvested annually.
Under Senate Bill 144, the Board of Game would have
the authority to reduce or eliminate subsistence tag
and fee requirements. And because Senate Bill 144
changes a year from a calendar year to a regulatory
year, which is July 1st to June 30th, the department
would be able to issue permits for seasons which
straddle the calendar year and not have to charge a
hunter twice and issue two permits for the same
season. If passed, this legislation would take effect
in August. And the bill carries a zero fiscal note,
has the support of the department, support of the
hunting community in the Northwest Alaska, including
the Northern and Southern Norton Sound Advisory
Committees, and the Seward Peninsula Musk Ox
Cooperators Group.
1:21:47 PM
MR. BENINTENDI, in response to Co-Chair Johnson, stated that the
next committee of referral for SB 144 is the House Finance
Committee.
1:21:59 PM
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON then inquired as to how one permit, rather than
two, can be issued due to straddling the year without having an
impact.
MR. BENINTENDI informed the committee that currently there is a
season from August until March. Currently, the hunter would
have to apply and obtain a permit. Assuming that hunter doesn't
take an animal by January 1st, that hunter would have to apply
for the permit again and pay again. This legislation would
change the year basis upon which that structure is based. In
further response to Co-Chair Johnson, Mr. Benintendi confirmed
that there could be a negligible revenue factor. He related
that [the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G)] estimated
that under the proposed system there would be less than 50
permits. However, they estimate that the increased amount of
animals taken will be about 25.
1:23:18 PM
CO-CHAIR NEUMAN related his understanding that hunters will
still have to purchase a hunting license each year, [but under
SB 144] a hunter who doesn't harvest an animal will continue to
have a permit that will carry through. Co-Chair Neuman opined
that there wouldn't be any fiscal impact since the hunter will
have to purchase a hunting license the next year in order to use
that [tag] they already have [through the permit they already
have].
1:24:03 PM
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON clarified that SB 144 only extends the tags,
not the hunting license through the permit period.
MR. BENINTENDI noted his agreement. He then added that this
doesn't impede any of the Board of Game's current authority, in
fact it provides the board a bit more liberty.
1:24:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON surmised then that a person who purchases
a $500 resident tag is entitled to a bag limit of one. That
person can then apply for another permit and purchase it for
another $500. He further surmised that the bag limit for the
permit is one, but he questioned whether the bag limit of the
season is increased to as many multiples of the $500 as the
person purchases.
MR. BENINTENDI replied no, and added that the person doesn't pay
a second time. If SB 144 passes, then a person would have the
opportunity to have a second permit. The Board of Game would
determine the fee structure.
1:25:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON pointed out that on page 2, line 5, of SB
144 the language "a person is not eligible for more than one
musk oxen permit a year." is being eliminated. He asked if that
means a person can take two or three musk oxen. "The question
is can a person, at the same time, hold more than one permit and
get one animal on the bag limit for that permit, if we eliminate
lines 5-6, ... on page 2," he asked.
MR. BENINTENDI related that his understanding is no. He opined
that a person is allowed one animal per year regardless of the
number of attempts or location.
1:26:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON, referring to the sectional analysis,
surmised that SB 144 would allow an individual who holds a
permit but didn't harvest an animal to have another chance [to
harvest an animal.
MR. BENINTENDI replied yes, the legislation would provide one
more chance.
1:27:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said that he understands the intent, but
he expressed concern with deleting the language on page 2, lines
5-6, because it's essentially saying a person can have more than
one musk ox permit a year.
MR. BENINTENDI responded that would likely still fall to the
Board of Game to regulate. He related that he hasn't heard any
concern for the taking of multiple animals.
CO-CHAIR NEUMAN pointed out that the regulations for each game
management unit can be different and can be changed [per the
Board of Game].
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON remarked that although he believes [the
legislation] would do what Representative Seaton is concerned
about, he indicated that it's a decision for the Board of Game.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON explained that he raised the issue because
the language was in statute to ensure there wasn't a multiple
safari hunt or multiple game animals [harvested]. He said that
although he didn't want to hold the legislation, he did want the
sponsor to make sure what the legislation achieves prior to
being forwarded to the House Finance Committee.
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON requested that Mr. Benintendi pass on this
concern to the sponsor.
1:31:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI expressed concern that portions of the
sponsor's statement seem ambiguous. He opined that he's unclear
as to whether Representative Seaton's concern is correct.
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON reiterated that he has asked the sponsor,
Senator Olson, to clearly spell out the intent of the
legislation. He related his intention to forward the
legislation with the aforementioned caveat.
1:33:15 PM
MR. BENINTENDI remarked that it's a valid question that deserves
an answer, which he could forward to the committee.
1:33:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON opined that it seems implicit that the
Board of Game is being given another tool through SB 144. There
are four far flung game management units and animals that are
likely growing beyond their threshold. In the event it's
necessary to allow harvesting more than one animal, there would
be the authority to do so.
1:33:56 PM
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON remarked that although he believes [the taking
of more than one animal] should be an option, it should be
discussed.
1:34:13 PM
CO-CHAIR NEUMAN pointed out that there are many areas in the
state where multiple animals can be harvested, it depends upon
the population in a given area. The aforementioned is a
decision for the Board of Game to make and the legislation
clearly refers to the regulations.
1:35:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI remarked that he wouldn't have a problem
moving SB 144 if he's assured that it will be forwarded to the
House Finance Committee with a zero fiscal note.
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON said that SB 144 does have a referral to the
House Finance Committee because it involves fees.
MR. BENINTENDI interjected that the sponsor isn't interested in
waiving SB 144 from the House Finance Committee.
1:35:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON remarked that although he has full
confidence in the Board of Game, the board may not have
addressed this in the regulations because the statute says not
more than one animal a year can be taken. Therefore, he wanted
to raise the issue so that the Board of Game will be on notice
that its regulations may not address this.
1:36:23 PM
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON, upon determining no one wished to testify,
closed public testimony.
1:36:51 PM
CO-CHAIR NEUMAN clarified that SB 144 would allow people to use
their permit to harvest game when that game is still available,
the season is still open, [and the person didn't harvest under
their initial permit].
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI commented that other units, such as the
Central Arctic herd, have similar rules and regulations.
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON surmised that this legislation is in response
to a constituent who came forward with a problem.
1:38:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON moved to report CSSB 144(FIN) from
committee. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 144 Bill Packet.pdf |
HRES 4/12/2010 1:00:00 PM |
SB 144 |
| SB 301 Bill Packet.pdf |
HRES 4/12/2010 1:00:00 PM |
SB 301 |