HB 93-RESIDENCY REQ: HUNTING, TRAPPING, FISHING  2:00:52 PM CO-CHAIR BURKE announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 79 "An Act naming the Vic Fischer Shoup Bay State Marine Park." 2:01:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE ZACK FIELDS, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, introduced HB 79. 2:01:23 PM CO-CHAIR DIBERT moved to adopt HB 79, work order 34-LS0495\A from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. 2:01:49 PM There being no objection, HB 79 was reported out of the House Resources Standing Committee. HB 93-RESIDENCY REQ: HUNTING, TRAPPING, FISHING  2:05:28 PM CO-CHAIR BURKE announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 93 "An Act changing the residency requirements for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing privileges; and providing for an effective date." 2:05:40 PM REPRESENTATIVE REBECCA HIMSCHOOT, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, introduced HB 93. 2:06:03 PM THATCHER BROUWER, Staff, Representative Himschoot, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Himschoot, prime sponsor, presented the sectional analysis of HB 93, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: Section 1 amends AS 16.05.400 by adding a new subsection that requires a permanent identification card holder to meet the updated residency requirements in the bill. Section 2 amends AS 16.05.415(a) bringing up to date the requirements for an individual to qualify for a resident sport fishing, hunting, or trapping license. A new subsection, AS 16.05.415(a)(3), is added which stipulates an individual must be physically present at all times in Alaska during the 12 months preceding the application for a resident license, or if absent, only absent as allowed for someone who is eligible for a permanent fund dividend (AS 43.23.0008). Section 3 amends AS 16.05.415(e) specifying an alien must meet the same residency requirements in section 2 of the bill to qualify for a resident sport fishing, hunting or trapping license. Section 4 adds a new subsection to AS 16.05.415 directing the commissioner to adopt regulations under AS 44.62 for determining eligibility of a person to receive a resident sport fishing, hunting or trapping license. Section 5 establishes a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027, for the bill. 2:08:18 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT presented a PowerPoint highlighting HB 93 and the issues addressed by the bill [hard copy included in the committee file]. She showed slide 1, which reiterated the title of the bill and moved to slide 2, which stated that HB 93 "closely aligns the requirements to get a resident sport fishing, hunting, or trapping license with the requirements to get a permanent fund dividend." She proceeded to slide 3 which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: THE CURRENT RESIDENT REQUIREMENTS ARE DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE • This allows individuals who are only here a few months of the year to take advantage of our generous resident bag limits and reduced license fees. • This impacts Alaskans who live here year-round and depend the most on our fish and game resources. 2:09:50 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT moved to slide 4, titled "Current Requirements to Qualify for A Resident License," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: 1. Physical presence in the state with the intent to remain in the state indefinitely and to make a home in the state. 2. Maintenance of a domicile in the state for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the application for a license. 3. No claim of residency in another state, territory, or country. AS 16.05.940 (11) "domicile" means the true and permanent home of a person from which the person has no present intention of moving and to which the person intends to return whenever the person is away. 2:10:33 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT advanced to slide 6, titled "Summary of Allowable Absences," followed by slide 7, titled "Permanent Fund Dividend Requirements You Will Not Need to Meet to Get a Resident License with Hb 93," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: • General: Absences up to 180 days (subject to certain limits based on other allowable absences claimed) consistent with the individual's intent to remain an Alaska resident. • Education-Related: Full-time secondary or post- secondary education or other full-time education program not available in Alaska. • Military Service: Serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces or accompanying a family member who is serving and is eligible for a dividend. • Merchant Marine Service: Serving under foreign or coastal articles of employment aboard a U.S. oceangoing vessel. • Medical Treatment: Receiving continuous medical treatment recommended by a licensed physician or convalescing as recommended by the physician. • Caregiving: Providing care for a critically ill family member, or for a terminally ill family member. • Settling an Estate: Managing the estate of a deceased family member, as long as the absence doesn't exceed 220 cumulative days. • Congressional Service: Serving as a member of the U.S. Congress or on the staff of an Alaskan member of Congress. • State Employment: Working as a state employee in a field office or another location outside Alaska. • Accompanying a Minor or Eligible Resident: Accompanying a minor or another eligible resident who is absent for certain allowable reasons. • Peace Corps and Olympic Training: Serving in the federal Peace Corps or training or competing as a member of the U.S. Olympic Team. • Student Fellowships with U.S. Department of Education or Department of State: Participating for educational purposes. PERMANENT FUND DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS YOU WILL NOT NEED TO MEET TO GET A RESIDENT LICENSE WITH HB 93 1. Physically present in the state at all times during the entire qualifying year or, if absent, the absence was an allowable absence (AS 43.23.008). 2. Physically present in the state for at least 72 consecutive hours at some time during the prior two years before the current dividend year. 3. Compliance with military selective service registration requirements. 4. Not sentenced as a result of a state felony conviction during the qualifying year. 5. Not incarcerated as a result of the conviction in this state of: (A) felony; or (B) misdemeanor if the individual has been convicted of (i) a prior felony as defined in AS 11.81.900; or (ii) two or more prior misdemeanors as defined in AS 11.81.900. 2:12:02 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT explained the differences between requirements for a permanent fund dividend (PFD) and the requirements for a resident license with HB 93. She discussed the charts on slide 8 and slide 9 which gave examples of differences between sport fishing and hunting regulations for residents and non-residents. She showed slide 10 which compared differences in fees for residents and non-residents. She pointed out that people who live outside Alaska for more than six months have access to a lower cost of living. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing the fish and game resources of the state for those who are in Alaska, raising their families and need access to a full freezer. 2:14:19 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT discussed the similarities between HB 201 from the 33rd legislature and the current bill (HB 93), noting the on-going support from Alaska communities, organizations, and fish and game advisory committees. 2:15:01 PM THATCHER BROUWER summarized letters of support for HB 93. 2:15:38 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT moved to slide 12, titled "HB 93 Will Ensure Our Fish and Game Resources Go to Those Who Need Them the Most," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: • Residency requirements will be clear and enforceable. • Generous bag limits will be preserved for year-round residents who depend on our fish and game resources to put food on the table. • Residents will continue to enjoy reduced cost licenses and tags. • Bag limits and hunting and fishing opportunities for non-residents will not be impacted. 2:16:24 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT responded to a question from Representative Rauscher by explaining that the charts on slides 8, 9, and 10 were used as examples and did not represent changes in fees and bag limits. 2:17:21 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT, in response to a question from Representative Coulombe, described how HB 93 simplifies the process of verifying residency, so it is easier to determine whether a person who spends a month in a community harvesting resources is an Alaskan resident. 2:18:39 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT and Representative Rauscher engaged in a discussion regarding permanent identification cards and the definition of "permanent." She explained that she was open to discussing amendments. 2:20:15 PM THATCHER BROUWER discussed the qualifications for permanent identification cards for hunting, sports fishing, and trapping. 2:21:27 PM CO-CHAIR BURKE opened invited testimony on HB 93. 2:21:41 PM JILL WEITZ, Government Affairs Staff, Office of the President, Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, on behalf of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, testified in favor of HB 93. She explained that the management of resources in Alaska must be improved, especially when it comes to ensuring a rural subsistence priority for Alaska residents. She stated that the legislation would be instrumental in protecting local resources for those who lived in the state year-round and contributed to conservation efforts through taxes and other means. It would also help reduce the number of out-of-state individuals who disproportionately benefited from local resources without necessarily contributing to their preservation. She emphasized the importance of harvesting fish and game to offset the exorbitant costs and limited availability of groceries in rural areas. She also described the deep cultural ties of rural communities to hunting and fishing. She explained that HB 93 is a necessary step in ensuring that state residency requirements for fish and game licensing are enforced properly. It would play a vital role in protecting resources, supporting subsistence priorities, and ensuring the sustainable management of wildlife populations and ecosystems. 2:25:31 PM The committee took an at-ease from 2:25 p.m. to 2:27 p.m. 2:27:23 PM KURT WHITEHEAD, Secretary, East Prince of Wales Island Advisory Committee, Treasure Hunter Lodge, testified in support of HB 93. He explained that he was the secretary of the East Prince of Wales Island Advisory Committee, the Klawock Advisory Committee, and the Craig Advisory Committee. He gave examples of individuals from the Lower 48 who used illegal means to avoid paying fees for fishing and hunting licenses. He described how people would "whack and stack" fish, taking valuable local resources, and shipping them south. He said that some seasonal residents had obtained permanent identification licenses. He asked the committee to support HB 93. 2:32:42 PM CO-CHAIR BURKE announced that HB 93 would be held over.