HOUSE BILL NO. 137 "An Act amending the requirements for the identification card needed for sport fishing, hunting, and trapping without a license by residents who are 60 years of age or more." Vice-Chair Stoltz MOVED to ADOPT the work draft for HB 137, labeled 25-LS0118\R, Kane, 3/28/07. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. REPRESENTATIVE PAUL SEATON, sponsor, explained the costs to the Department of Fish and Game for dispersing complimentary sport fishing and hunting licenses to Alaska National Guard members and to residents 60 years and older. The process would involve cross referencing PFD lists and sending new TID cards. 1:41:02 PM Representative Seaton reported that the enforcement section was removed from the bill. 1:43:30 PM Representative Kelly related a personal experience with the PID. He suggested another way of dealing with the problem of having to reissue new cards. 1:44:54 PM Representative Seaton related that the estimate of loss from abuse of the cards is $137,000 per year. Anyone with a PID will get a new card in the mail. There is a lot of unverifiable abuse, which is a problem with the current method. Representative Kelly thought it would be another layer of bureaucracy and an unwelcome hassle for current cardholders. 1:47:47 PM Co-Chair Chenault asked if there is a way to issue a fix-it ticket for current cardholders. Representative Seaton replied that the enforcement portion of the bill was removed in order to accomplish that. Everyone who is qualified will get a new license in the mail. Representative Joule wondered if bar coding would work, or other technology. Representative Seaton thought the PFD qualification requirement would take care of the problem. Representative Kelly suggested another way to check for eligibility by requiring a valid Alaska driver's license along with a PID. Representative Seaton said he has not thought about it. Representative Kelly thought it would solve most of the problems. 1:54:05 PM KATHERINE SHOWS, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE SEATON, pointed out that other states have varying driver's license requirements. Some seniors may qualify for a PFD and yet have an out-of-state license. Co-Chair Meyer noted that the legislation was amended to incorporate amendments by Representative Thomas. Representative Thomas explained that the amendments incorporated into Sections 1 - 3 would provide a free license to active members of the Alaska National Guard (ANG). He clarified that the gift is not an inducement to join the ANG, but a way to allow members to relax before they are deployed. There will be 1,400 Guard members by the end of the year. He said that the other body has no problem with this amendment. 1:58:20 PM Vice Chair Stoltze wondered if this could be a separate bill. Representative Thomas replied how the decision was made to attach the amendments to the bill. Vice Chair Stoltze commented in favor of those amendments. Co-Chair Meyer pointed out that the bill has a 3-year sunset. Representative Kelly asked who requested this addendum. Representative Thomas said it was his way to say thank you to National Guard members. Representative Seaton said the bill was part of a bill from another committee and the chair gave permission from that committee to attach these amendments. Co-Chair Meyer noted that the fiscal note needs to be rewritten. 2:03:11 PM Representative Foster MOVED to REPORT CSHB 137 (FIN) out of committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSHB 137 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal note by the Department of Fish and Game. 2:05:23 PM