SB 204-KENNY & PATTI BARBER SHOOTING RANGE  9:01:52 AM CHAIR STOLTZE announced the consideration of SB 204. 9:02:22 AM DANIEL GEORGE, staff, Senator Stoltze, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented a video showing a recent news vignette for the new shooting range at the Knik River Public Use Area (KRPUA) in Butte, Alaska. CHAIR STOLTZE stated that Kenny and Patti Barber were ordinary Alaskans who have done a lot of extraordinary things. He said the Barbers were integral in helping develop KRPUA. He noted that he and Senator Huggins started the legislation for KRPUA that unanimously passed the Legislature in 2006. 9:04:47 AM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI joined the committee meeting. 9:06:56 AM SENATOR HUGGINS commented that Kenny and Patti Barber were like relatives that always were looking to do things and never looking for credit. He pointed out that the Barbers were well known in the Mat-Su area, especially in the sporting community. He stated that Barbers deserved their name recognition at the KPRUA shooting range. He commended Chair Stoltze for making things like KPRUA work. He revealed that Chair Stoltze added language in the KPRUA bill that specified the land not be used as a park and be designated as a public-use area for sporting with the guarantee for hunting and fishing. He opined that the country's national forests have become national preserves where an individual cannot do anything because more and more things are prohibited. CHAIR STOLTZE stated that the Barbers were fiscally responsible people that did not crave the attention from SB 204. He pointed out that transition language was included in the legislation where the signs with the Barbers' names would not be erected until the current signs wear out. He announced that the committee would hear public testimony on SB 204. 9:09:38 AM RICHARD BISHOP, representing himself, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in support of SB 204. He said naming the range for the Barbers was appropriate and noted their involvement with KRPUA. 9:10:54 AM EARL LACKEY, representing himself, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in support of SB 204. He said the Barbers were instrumental in the funding and development of KRPUA and the shooting range. 9:12:38 AM RICK ELLIS, representing himself, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in support of SB 204. He revealed that he worked with the Barbers on a number of outdoor related projects. 9:13:33 AM TODD CLARK, representing himself, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in support of SB 204. He said the KRUPA and shooting range development's success would be hard to imagine without the Barber's help. He said naming the shooting range after the Barbers was a small thing when considering the amount of effort, time, and sacrifice the Barbers had put into the whole area and community as a whole. 9:14:56 AM GARY STEVENS, representing himself, Chugiak, Alaska, testified in support of SB 204. He stated that he normally did not support naming public facilities after individuals, but naming the shooting range after the Barbers was extremely well deserved. 9:15:33 AM ROD ARNO, Executive Director, Alaska Outdoor Council, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified that the Alaska Outdoor Council was in support of SB 204. He set forth that the Barbers have always been supporters of hunters, trappers, and outdoor access. He stated that naming the shooting range would let future hunters know the Barber's contribution for outdoor folks in Alaska. CHAIR STOLTZE noted that the Alaska Outdoor Council passed a resolution supporting SB 204. 9:17:09 AM RON SOMERVILLE, representing himself, Juneau, Alaska, testified in support of SB 204. He said he has known the Barbers since his service on the Alaska Board of Game. He asserted that the Barbers were humble Alaskans who always worked for things that benefited everybody. He said naming the shooting range for the Barbers was important in the recognition for the work the Barbers had done. 9:18:39 AM JENNIFER EHMANN, representing herself, Palmer, Alaska, testified in support of SB 204. She noted that she chaired the Matanuska Valley Advisory Committee and served on the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission. She revealed that she has worked with the Barbers throughout the last five years and noted that the couple has acted as mentors to her. She said she was amazed to see the support of the shooting range and has watched the facility develop with the knowledge that the Barbers were behind the project. She remarked that the Barbers' volunteering and efforts have not gone unnoticed and the community was in support of the effort that the Barbers have put forward. 9:20:42 AM LYNN KEOGH, representing himself, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 204. He stated that he could not think of two more deserving people than the Barbers. He revealed that he has known the Barbers for over 20 years and their tireless efforts has benefited Alaskans for continued opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. 9:21:26 AM RON JOHNSON, representing himself, Butte, Alaska, testified in support of SB 204. He asserted that he knows of no one that has tirelessly given their time, energy, and money than the Barbers. He stated that the Barbers have taken a lead in many outdoor issues for a long time. CHAIR STOLTZE noted that the Butte Community Council was the first to endorse the naming of the shooting range before SB 204 was introduced. 9:23:36 AM ED FOGELS, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 204. He said he has nothing but admiration and respect for the Barbers. He declared that the Barbers were true stewards of the land and have been a great help to the department's land managers in addition to taking care of KRPUA's vast and heavily used area. He noted that KRPUA was difficult to manage prior to its development and the Barbers have helped solve the area's problems. He set forth that KRPUA was a beautiful place and the department could not think of a better name for the shooting range. He stated that keeping the shooting range's current signage until they wore out was the reason for the bill's zero- fiscal note. 9:25:04 AM CHAIR STOLTZE announced that public testimony was closed. He summarized that the zero-fiscal note reflected the Barbers' values for not wanting dollars spent on signage versus promoting the facility. 9:26:00 AM SENATOR HUGGINS moved to report SB 204, [29-LS1576\W], from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero- fiscal note. 9:26:20 AM CHAIR STOLTZE announced that seeing no objection, SB 204 moves from committee.