HOUSE BILL NO. 267 "An Act relating to authorizing the state to join with other states entering into the Wildlife Violator Compact and authorizing the compact to supersede existing statutes by approving standards, rules, or other action under the terms of the compact; and directing the initiation of civil actions to revoke appropriate licenses in this state based on a resident licensee's violation of or failure to comply with the terms of a wildlife resource citation issued in another state that is a party to the compact." 3:12:07 PM JEANNE OSTNES, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG JOHNSON, said HB 267 was patterned after the driver's license compact which all other states in the nation have entered into. If a person's driver's license is revoked in one state in the country, that person cannot get a license in another state. In 1985, states began making a similar compact in relation to wildlife violators, and it was quickly recognized as a valuable tool to deter serious wildlife violators everywhere in the nation. Twenty-six states are currently compact members. She referred to a photograph (On File) of a poacher who had been fined and jailed in Alaska, but was able to return to his home state and obtain another hunting license. The biggest reason for the compact is to stop inter-state travel of serious poachers. Second, the compact provides for the issuance of citations to nonresidents, which is a big issue in Alaska; currently the violator must be immediately taken before a magistrate to prevent them from fleeing across state lines to avoid citation consequences. Third, the compact provides a strong deterrent for serious fish and wildlife crimes. Ms. Ostnes listed the provisions of the Wildlife Violator Compact (Copy on File). 3:15:34 PM Co-Chair Meyer referred to two zero notes. Representative Thomas wondered if the poacher she had referred to lost his license in Alaska. Ms. Ostnes said his Alaska license was revoked. REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG JOHNSON, SPONSOR, referred to the map of member states (Copy on File) and pointed out that a violator in any of those states would either go to Texas or Alaska to poach. He related Committee testimony about hunters telephoning the Department of Fish and Game and asking if Alaska were a member of the compact, an indicator that people who have violated in their own states are looking for an open place to hunt. 3:17:09 PM Vice-Chair Stoltze observed that some of the non-compact states, including Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Texas, are some of the biggest hunting states. He wondered if Representative Johnson was aware of why those states are not part of the compact. Representative Johnson replied that Texas has many private reserves. Vice-Chair Stoltze mentioned regulations in California, which is a compact member, and worried that Californian regulations would affect Alaskans if Alaska became part of the compact. Representative Johnson replied that Alaska is still in control of its own laws; HB 267 does not give up any sovereignty. The State also has the right to review and determine whether an individual would lose their license. Vice-Chair Stoltze characterized HB 267 as preventing Alaska from being the last refuge of scoundrels. 3:21:16 PM ROD ARNO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA OUTDOOR COUNCIL (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), spoke in support of HB 267. He said the bill deals mainly with nonresidents. In his years of experience, the majority of violators are violators everywhere. This is a tool that will help the wildlife troopers in Alaska, especially given the vastness of the state and the shortage of officers. CAPTAIN BURKE WALDRON, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, ALASKA WILDLIFE TROOPERS (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), spoke in favor of HB 267 on behalf of the Department of Public Safety. He thought the compact would deter poachers caught in Alaska from failing to appear on their citations, and make wildlife troopers more efficient in the field. Currently time is wasted processing poachers who are arrested. 3:23:52 PM Co-Chair Meyer closed public testimony. Vice-Chair Stoltze MOVED report the CS for HB 267 (RES) out of Committee with individual recommendations and with attached zero note #1 by the Department of Fish and Game and zero note #2 by the Department of Public Safety. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS HB 267 (RES) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with zero note #1 by the Department of Fish and Game and zero note #2 by the Department of Public Safety.