CSHB 220(JUD)-BAN COMPUTER-ASSISTED REMOTE HUNTING  4:21:48 PM CHAIR HUGGINS announced to be up for consideration. [CSHB 220(JUD) was before the committee.] REPRESENTATIVE BOB BUCH, sponsor of HB 220, said this bill talks about Internet hunting, which is when a people anywhere in the world can shoot animals from their living rooms by aiming and firing a rifle from a computer keypad and making the kill with a click of a mouse. This bill does three things. It would prohibit individuals from engaging in Internet hunting in Alaska, it would prohibit anyone from providing services or operating facilities in the state to enable computerized hunting activities, and finally it would make sure that future technology designed to assist the legitimate needs of handicapped or disabled hunters out in the woods would not be subject the ban otherwise created in this bill. REPRESENTATIVE BUCH said HB 220 has a broad spectrum of support including the Humane Society, the National Rifle Association (NRA), the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), hunting organizations and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). One person in this building had objections [he indicated Senator Wielechowski]. 4:23:31 PM SENATOR WAGONER asked if he were a rancher with his own herd of buffalo, why wouldn't he be able to hunt like that. He said most of the instances they are talking about occur on private land, but with resources that are owned by the state. REPRESENTATIVE BUCH answered: We object to the fact that they are using it through the Internet; that they're using a technology and our objection is that they are not doing it in person and care-taking for that critter, whatever that critter is. There is a certain relevance there to that animal. And it is a complete disregard to that animal and to those of us who participate in the fair chase sport of hunting. JOE KLUTSCH, Alaska Professional Hunters Association, supported HB 220. He said using the Internet it is not hunting. His members are committed to fair chase hunting practices and ethical standards of conduct. He stated: The organization of killing animals by cyberspace and robotics is not hunting. True hunting is a problem solving exercise that involves planning, knowledge of the species being pursued, its habitat. The hunter has to be prepared to cope with all the elements in nature, and particularly in Alaska. It involves real- life drama that involves doubt, frustration, anxiety, discovery, great physical and mental challenge, joy and disappointment. And the outcome of the process is by no means assured. That's what fair chase hunting is. MR. KLUTSCH said this bill follows the lead of many other states. 4:27:01 PM ROD ARNO, Alaska Outdoor Council, supported HB 220. He pointed out that advertisements for Internet hunting say it can save you days in the field, but that is just what the Council is advocating - days in the field. 4:27:24 PM BOB FITHIAN, Executive Director, Alaska Professional Hunter's Association, deferred to Mr. Klutsch's testimony and followed with a few other comments. He supported HB 220 saying that it seeks to stop hunting that doesn't have any concept of fair chase, wilderness lore, or stewardship and develops unneeded anti-hunting sentiment. SENATOR STEVENS asked Representative Buch to explain line 10. REPRESENTATIVE BUCH answered that organizations like the "Make a Wish Foundation" provide a final wish for disabled people who are dying and he wasn't going to create a ban on technologies that assist those people. 4:29:21 PM MATT ROBUS, Director, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), said that the department supported the bill and that the House amended it to deal with his concern. At first it couldn't have possibly been interpreted to allow somebody to remain at their residence and use this technology in order to take an animal if they had disabilities. He said the department has a very long and successful history of accommodating persons with disabilities to allow equal access to the extent possible to hunting opportunity. In fact, the Board of Game has delegated through regulation to the division the job of granting methods and means and exemptions to allow somebody with a disability to use a method not used under the normal hunting regulations. This has been backed up by the state ADA coordinator in that the person in that situation has always been required to make some sort of active attempt to go to the field and participate in the taking of the animal. The bill still requires the person with a disability to be present in the field making a meaningful attempt to participate in the hunt. SENATOR STEVENS asked if this is a minimal issue. MR. ROBUS replied yes and it would be applied on a case by case basis and be based on a person's ability to participate in a hunt. 4:31:45 PM SENATOR STEVENS moved to pass CSHB 220(JUD) from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note. There were no objections and it was so ordered.