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Sponsor Statement for SB 328
Big Game Hunters Accompanied by Guide

An Act requiring that a nonresident big game hunter be accompanied by a big game guide who is providing big game hunting services to the nonresident under a contract with the nonresident or who is employed by a big game guide who has a contract to provide big game hunting services to the nonresident.

Senate Bill 328 makes changes to AS.16.05 to clarify the language in order to conform with the original legislative intent that nonresidents must obtain the services of a registered guide or a master guide to hunt big game in Alaska, as well as the requirements for guiding nonresident big game hunters.

Alaska law states that non-resident or non-resident alien cannot hunt brown and grizzly bear, mountain goat or sheep without the services of a registered or mater guide. An interpretation of the current law created a loophole that allows non-resident or non-resident alien assistant guides, who only have to meet a minimal threshold of qualifications, to hunt these big game species without the services of a registered or master guide. This recent interpretation of current law allows these non-resident assistant guides to act as their own guides.

Under the proposed changes to AS 16.05.407(a) an assistant guide would be able to accompany the nonresident or nonresident alien only if a registered or master guide employs him, and the hunter has a contract with the registered or master guide.

AS 16.05.408(a), the statute requiring nonresident aliens to obtain guide services in order to hunt big game in Alaska is also amended to provide the same requirement for assistant guides accompanying nonresident aliens.

These proposed amendments to the current statute would close this loophole and return to the original intent of the legislature.

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