HB 137-HUNT/FISH/TRAP: FEES;LICENSES;EXEMPTIONS  8:36:21 AM CHAIR TALERICO announced that the only order of business before the committee would be CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 137(FIN) am, "An Act raising certain fees related to sport fishing, hunting, and trapping; relating to the fish and game fund; providing for the repeal of the sport fishing surcharge and sport fishing facility revenue bonds; replacing the permanent sport fishing, hunting, or trapping identification card for certain residents with an identification card valid for three years; relating to hunting and fishing by proxy; relating to fish and game conservation decals; raising the age of eligibility for a sport fishing, hunting, or trapping license exemption for state residents; raising the age at which a state resident is required to obtain a license for sport fishing, hunting, or trapping; and providing for an effective date." and SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 137(FIN) am S, "An Act establishing an intensive management surcharge; providing for the repeal of the intensive management surcharge; establishing certain special hunting and fishing licenses and permits for residents with developmental disabilities; establishing a separate sustainable wildlife account in the fish and game fund; raising certain fees related to sport fishing, hunting, and trapping; relating to the fish and game fund; providing for the repeal of the sport fishing surcharge and sport fishing facility revenue bonds; relating to the regulation of nonresident hunters; relating to hunting and fishing by proxy; relating to fish and game conservation decals; raising the age at which a state resident is required to obtain a license for sport fishing, hunting, or trapping; relating to the Chitina dip net fishery; and providing for an effective date." CHAIR TALERICO reviewed that after its 5/5/16 hearing on HB 137, the Conference Committee on HB 137 had requested limited powers of free conference, which were granted on 5/5/16 in the House and 5/6/16 in the Senate. He said his office had prepared a conference committee substitute in response to prior discussions. 8:36:52 AM CHAIR GIESSEL moved to adopt the proposed conference committee substitute (CCS) for HB 137, Version 29LS0625\Q, Kirsch/Bullard, 5/5/16, as a working document. There being no objection, Version Q was before the committee. 8:37:09 AM CHAIR TALERICO stated that Version Q was the Senate's version, but with two changes made to it: first, Section 29 was deleted, and second, Section 1 was added to require an annual report regarding the allocation of big game hunting opportunities for both residents and nonresidents. He said he worked with the sponsor of the original amendment on the new language. He said a title change was required and, to that end, SCR 22 was authorized and passed by both bodies on April 17, 2016. Chair Talerico pointed to a new fiscal note, which shows that under Version Q, no changes would be made to the fiscal note. 8:38:39 AM REPRESENTATIVE TARR indicated she had received some e-mails from people who did not like an added surcharge under Version Q, but she offered her understanding that the committee would not address that issue. She added that she had heard no other concerns about Version Q. 8:39:26 AM SENATOR STEVENS expressed gratitude to Chair Talerico, Chair Giessel, and Senator McGuire, for their work on Version Q, which would address unintended consequences, thus saving an industry that is crucial to his community and hires approximately 400 people. 8:39:55 AM SENATOR STOLTZE asked whether the Board of Game had provided any formal input on [Version Q]. He said the board is the power authorized by the legislature and is the people's voice, and he wanted to make sure "this isn't a department whitewash," but that the Board of Game is actually the operative group involved. CHAIR TALERICO responded that he had received no official documents from the Board of Game, but had been contacted by one board member, who told him the board does produce some information "we" will be receiving, and the board does this on an annual basis. He offered his understanding that the board provides that information to the department. He indicated that the board member had said the Board of Game did not think [Version Q] would increase its workload. 8:41:06 AM SENATOR STOLTZE stated, "I won't be here, but I'll be watching. I hope this is channeled through a process that's driven ... by the Board of Game and not by department staff." 8:41:26 AM CHAIR TALERICO expressed his appreciation of Chair Giessel and her staff in relation to their work on the proposed legislation. 8:42:01 AM CHAIR GIESSEL moved that the Conference Committee on HB 137 recommend that the House and Senate adopt CCSHB 137, Version 29LS0625\Q, Kirsch/Bullard, 5/5/16, with the Senate fiscal note, [which has the identifier CCSHB137-DFG-DAS-05-06-16]. 8:42:27 AM A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Tarr and Talerico voted in favor of the motion to recommend that the House and Senate adopt CCSHB 137, Version 29LS0625\Q, Kirsch/Bullard, 5/5/16. Senators Stevens, Stoltze, and Giessel voted in favor of the motion to recommend that the House and Senate adopt CCSHB 137, Version 29LS0625\Q, Kirsch/Bullard, 5/5/16. Therefore, the motion passed by a vote of 2:0 (House) and 3:0 (Senate).