03/29/2023 01:00 PM House RESOURCES

              HB 125-TRAPPING CABINS ON STATE LAND                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:03:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCKAY announced  that the first order of  business would be                                                               
HOUSE BILL NO.  125 "An Act relating to trapping  cabins on state                                                               
land; and relating to trapping cabin permit fees."                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:05:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
RANDY  ZARNKE,  President,  Alaska  Trappers  Association  (ATA),                                                               
provided invited  testimony.  He  said he was speaking  on behalf                                                               
of  the  1,100 members  of  the  association,  and he  urged  the                                                               
committee to  support HB 125.   He explained that  the Department                                                               
of Natural Resources (DNR) has  had a system for granting permits                                                               
for trapping  cabins since the  1980s.  He expressed  the opinion                                                               
that it has worked well  for many years; however, recently fellow                                                               
trappers have  expressed concerns  that the  original legislation                                                               
would not authorize DNR to renew  permits.  He explained that not                                                               
all  trappers need  cabins, but  those who  trap in  large remote                                                               
areas  do.   He quoted  an ATA  member who  said, "It's  just one                                                               
small warm place  in a big cold  space."  He advised  that even a                                                               
cabin  as small  as  100 square  feet can  ensure  survival.   He                                                               
offered  to answer  any questions  about  trapper activities  and                                                               
lifestyles.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:07:26 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCKAY opened public testimony.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:07:45 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
AL  BARRETTE,  representing   himself,  described  the  five-year                                                               
process and  the numerous  meetings with  DNR concerning  HB 125.                                                               
He explained  that the  proposed legislation  would clean  up the                                                               
statutes   so  permits   [for  cabins]   can   be  reissued   and                                                               
reauthorized.   With  urban sprawl  and increased  recreation, he                                                               
said,  trapping  is being  pushed  farther  into the  bush  where                                                               
shelter and safety will be needed.   He expressed support for the                                                               
bill and asked the committee for its support.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCKAY, after ascertaining there  was no one else who wished                                                               
to testify, closed public testimony.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCKAY announced that HB 125 was held over.