SB 10-HUNTING/TRAPPING/FISHING: DISABLED VETS  3:31:22 PM CO-CHAIR BISHOP announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 10 "An Act providing for trapping licenses for active members of the Alaska National Guard and military reserves without charge; making sport fishing, hunting, and trapping permanent identification cards available to certain disabled veterans without charge; and providing for an effective date." 3:31:43 PM SENATOR KAUFMAN joined the committee. 3:31:54 PM SENATOR JESSE KIEHL, District B, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 10, stated that this legislation brings parity between several license types and benefits Alaska's service-disabled veterans. Under current law, Alaskans 60 years of age qualify for a lifetime hunting, fishing, and trapping license. Current law also provides that Alaska's service-disabled veterans are entitled to a lifetime hunting and fishing license, but not a trapping license. There doesn't seem to be any explanation for this exclusion. SB 10 adds trapping to the service-disabled veteran lifetime hunting and fishing license. SENATOR KIEHL noted that when he introduced the bill last year, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) asked him to add trapping to the annual free hunting and fishing license for active duty members of the Alaska National Guard and the military reserves and he was happy to do so. He highlighted that SB 10 has support from outdoor groups and veteran service organizations. It's a small token of appreciation and respect for these men and women. 3:34:04 PM At ease 3:34:42 PM CO-CHAIR BISHOP reconvened the meeting and recognized that Representative CJ McCormick was in the audience. 3:35:09 PM SENATOR CLAMAN commented that it was a good bill. 3:35:27 PM CATHY SCHLINGHEYDE, Staff, Senator Jesse Kiehl, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the following sectional analysis for SB 10 on behalf of the sponsor: Sec. 1: Makes a conforming change to a cross reference in the statute exempting service- disabled veterans from buying waterfowl conservation tags. Sec. 2: Makes a conforming change to a cross reference in the statute exempting service- disabled veterans from buying king salmon tags. Sec. 3: Adds a free trapping license for active-duty National Guard members and military reservists. Makes a conforming change to remove service-disabled veterans from the free license statute. Sec. 4: Makes service-disabled veterans who live in Alaska eligible for a free permanent ID for hunting, fishing, and trapping. Sec. 5: Makes a conforming change to repeal and reenact language for clarity. Sec. 6: Adds an effective date of January 1, 2024. 3:36:01 PM SENATOR DUNBAR asked whether the definition for "active members of the Alaska National Guard and military reserve" would include members of the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program, which is paid for with Title 10 funds. MS. SCHLINGHEYDE replied that the definition was in the current statute and it cross-referenced a statute about mortgage eligibility for veterans. The definition in that statute is one weekend per month and 15 consecutive days per year. 3:37:10 PM SENATOR KAWASAKI asked if the conditions for Alaska residency would apply. SENATOR KIEHL answered that the bill is for Alaska residents and it uses the existing definition for residency that is in the fish and game laws. The bill does not change those laws. CO-CHAIR BISHOP turned to invited testimony. 3:38:13 PM JOHN STURGEON, President, Safari Club Alaska (SCAA), Anchorage, Alaska, stated that he was representing the 700 members of Safari Club Alaska in support of SB 10. It adds trapping to the existing hunting and fishing license for disabled veterans. SCAA views this as a small price for the state to pay to show these veterans that their service was very much appreciated. 3:39:17 PM TROY ECK, State Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars, North Pole, Alaska, stated that he works with veterans throughout the state every day and they view the ability to acquire a hunting and fishing license as one of the best benefits they enjoy in Alaska. Adding trapping would get even more veterans outside into the available areas. When veterans get outside, their health and happiness improves, and their productivity and community service increases. He agreed with the previous comments that this was a small token that would mean the world to many veterans in the state. 3:40:54 PM CO-CHAIR BISHOP found no questions or comments, and held SB 10 in committee.