Legislature(2023 - 2024)BUTROVICH 205
01/27/2023 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB10 | |
| Presentation: Status of the Arctic, Yukon, and Kuskokwim River Fisheries | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 10 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 10-HUNTING/TRAPPING/FISHING: DISABLED VETS
3:31:22 PM
CO-CHAIR BISHOP announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO.
10 "An Act providing for trapping licenses for active members of
the Alaska National Guard and military reserves without charge;
making sport fishing, hunting, and trapping permanent
identification cards available to certain disabled veterans
without charge; and providing for an effective date."
3:31:43 PM
SENATOR KAUFMAN joined the committee.
3:31:54 PM
SENATOR JESSE KIEHL, District B, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 10, stated that this legislation
brings parity between several license types and benefits
Alaska's service-disabled veterans. Under current law, Alaskans
60 years of age qualify for a lifetime hunting, fishing, and
trapping license. Current law also provides that Alaska's
service-disabled veterans are entitled to a lifetime hunting and
fishing license, but not a trapping license. There doesn't seem
to be any explanation for this exclusion. SB 10 adds trapping to
the service-disabled veteran lifetime hunting and fishing
license.
SENATOR KIEHL noted that when he introduced the bill last year,
the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) asked him to add
trapping to the annual free hunting and fishing license for
active duty members of the Alaska National Guard and the
military reserves and he was happy to do so. He highlighted that
SB 10 has support from outdoor groups and veteran service
organizations. It's a small token of appreciation and respect
for these men and women.
3:34:04 PM
At ease
3:34:42 PM
CO-CHAIR BISHOP reconvened the meeting and recognized that
Representative CJ McCormick was in the audience.
3:35:09 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN commented that it was a good bill.
3:35:27 PM
CATHY SCHLINGHEYDE, Staff, Senator Jesse Kiehl, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the following sectional
analysis for SB 10 on behalf of the sponsor:
Sec. 1: Makes a conforming change to a cross reference
in the statute exempting service- disabled veterans
from buying waterfowl conservation tags.
Sec. 2: Makes a conforming change to a cross reference
in the statute exempting service- disabled veterans
from buying king salmon tags.
Sec. 3: Adds a free trapping license for active-duty
National Guard members and military reservists. Makes
a conforming change to remove service-disabled
veterans from the free license statute.
Sec. 4: Makes service-disabled veterans who live in
Alaska eligible for a free permanent ID for hunting,
fishing, and trapping.
Sec. 5: Makes a conforming change to repeal and
reenact language for clarity.
Sec. 6: Adds an effective date of January 1, 2024.
3:36:01 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR asked whether the definition for "active members
of the Alaska National Guard and military reserve" would include
members of the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program, which is paid
for with Title 10 funds.
MS. SCHLINGHEYDE replied that the definition was in the current
statute and it cross-referenced a statute about mortgage
eligibility for veterans. The definition in that statute is one
weekend per month and 15 consecutive days per year.
3:37:10 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked if the conditions for Alaska residency
would apply.
SENATOR KIEHL answered that the bill is for Alaska residents and
it uses the existing definition for residency that is in the
fish and game laws. The bill does not change those laws.
CO-CHAIR BISHOP turned to invited testimony.
3:38:13 PM
JOHN STURGEON, President, Safari Club Alaska (SCAA), Anchorage,
Alaska, stated that he was representing the 700 members of
Safari Club Alaska in support of SB 10. It adds trapping to the
existing hunting and fishing license for disabled veterans. SCAA
views this as a small price for the state to pay to show these
veterans that their service was very much appreciated.
3:39:17 PM
TROY ECK, State Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars, North Pole,
Alaska, stated that he works with veterans throughout the state
every day and they view the ability to acquire a hunting and
fishing license as one of the best benefits they enjoy in
Alaska. Adding trapping would get even more veterans outside
into the available areas. When veterans get outside, their
health and happiness improves, and their productivity and
community service increases. He agreed with the previous
comments that this was a small token that would mean the world
to many veterans in the state.
3:40:54 PM
CO-CHAIR BISHOP found no questions or comments, and held SB 10
in committee.