Sponsor Statement for HB 96

Subsistence is one of the major issues facing Alaska. Our constitution mandates that our fish and game resources be managed on the sustained yield principle. A state with 565,000 square miles, over a million lakes, and more coastline than the rest of the country put together should be able to produce enough food to feed its citizens.

HB 96 is an attempt to recognize and put into statute the basic value of consumptive uses of fish and game resources. All Alaskans do and will continue to benefit from our fish and game resources. This bill will ensure that members of our boards that manage fish and game resources will have personal experience in the value of the consumptive uses of our resources. In addition, it provides that they have practical experience in managing these resources by virtue of previously having served on a board with management responsibilities for fish and game resources.

Abundance of fish and wildlife for all Alaskans is the only practical solution to the subsistence impasse. Abundance of fish and wildlife is what the people of Alaska need, want, and demand.

In addition, the programs that the Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game administer are paid for by license fees. These are not voluntary contributions. The people that manage our fish and game programs should be users that help fund the programs.