HB 120-HUNT/FISH LICENSE FOR NONRESIDENT STUDENT  CHAIR MCKAY announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 120, "An Act relating to hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses for certain nonresident postsecondary students; and providing for an effective date." 1:04:42 PM REPRESENTATIVE FRANK TOMASZEWSKI, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, presented HB 120. He stated that the proposed legislation would create a new hunting, fishing, and trapping license for nonresident students enrolled full or part time at an Alaskan university. MICHAELA ANDERSON, Staff, Representative Tomaszewski, Alaska State Legislature, gave a sectional analysis of HB 120, which read as follows [hard copy included in the committee packet]. Section 1: Amends the section to include the new nonresident postsecondary student license. Section 2: Adds a new subsection allowing for nonresident students who are enrolled half-time or part-time in postsecondary education to purchase a special nonresident postsecondary student license for sport fishing, hunting, or trapping at the same cost as a resident license. Section 3: Provides uncodified law that allows the Department of Fish and Game to adopt regulations to implement to the new license. Section 4: Provides for an effective date. Section 5: Provides for an effective date. MS. ANDERSON, reviewing the contents of HB 120, gave an example showing that if the legislation passes, students will save $200 when purchasing a nonresident hunting, trapping, and fishing license. She also detailed that the proposed bill would not change the rules or cost for stamps and tags. 1:07:33 PM MS. ANDERSON, in response to a question from Representative Mears, said that nonresident students would not be permitted to dip net. 1:07:54 PM REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked about the estimated number of students who may be interested in a license. MS. ANDERSON expressed uncertainty about this current number. She mentioned that, according to fiscal notes, there would be a zero fiscal note and not a major loss of revenue. 1:08:43 PM REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER asked about the eligibility. MS. ANDERSON replied that she would follow up to the committee with the exemptions. REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER asked whether the students receiving the benefit would live in the dorms. He also asked about whether the license applied to moose and caribou. MS. ANDERSON answered that the students would not necessarily need to live on campus or in a dorm. She stated that HB 120 is for all part-time and full-time students, and the license would not cover large game, like moose and caribou. If applicable, the students would need to purchase large game stamps or tags at the regular nonresident cost. 1:10:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE TOMASZEWSKI clarified that all students enrolled in the University of Alaska system and other post-secondary schools within the state could benefit whether they live on or off campus. CHAIR MCKAY questioned whether the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) would need to verify that the students are enrolled in a post-secondary school in Alaska. MS. ANDERSON replied that students could use enrollment papers or student identification cards to show their status. She stated that she would speak to ADF&G for specifics concerning the documents needed. She assured the committee that store clerks have experience checking for the validity of military identification cards; therefore, these clerks are trained to determine the validity of identification cards. 1:12:55 PM REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER asked whether the meat would be going outside of Alaska or utilized in the state. MS. ANDERSON answered that meat leaving the state would likely be an uncommon exception. 1:14:00 PM REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT confirmed that a student identification card would be sufficient proof of enrollment when students apply for a license. He questioned the activities nonresident students are permitted to do at present. MS. ANDERSON answered that they are currently treated as nonresident sportsman and can get a license for hunting and fishing; however, they must pay the nonresident fees and are not eligible for a trapping license. 1:15:05 PM REPRESENTATIVE DIBERT commented on the training needed for nonresidents who are fishing and hunting. REPRESENTATIVE TOMASZEWSKI said that ADF&G offers classes anyone can attend. MS. ANDERSON said training is currently not a requirement. 1:15:59 PM CHAIR MCKAY announced that HB 120 was held over.