"An Act relating to the Big Game Commercial Services Board and to the regulation of big game hunting services and transportation services; and providing for an effective date. "

This bill would re-establish the Big Game Commercial Services Board to oversee an important industry that exists largely on the basis of a healthy wildlife population. The board was allowed to sunset a decade ago, and in the following years, professional hunters, wildlife biologists, public and private land managers and the hunting public themselves have discovered the problems associated with a decentralized, uncoordinated system of licensing and regulating guides and transporters.

An audit commissioned by the 23rd Alaska Legislature and released in December, 2003, recommends the legislature consider re-establishing the board. Auditors concluded after extensive interviews with affected agencies, land owners and hunters that wildlife populations would benefit from more coordinated enforcement of existing laws, and that consumer protection and hunter-client safety could be improved. The Alaska Board of Game has also asked repeatedly that a guide licensing board be re-established.

This bill would create a seven-member board within the Department of Community and Economic Development. Two members would represent active registered guide-outfitters, two members would be licensed transporters, one member would be assigned by the Board of Game, one member would represent private landholders, and one member would represent the public. The bill also increases from $1,000 to $5,000 the maximum civil penalty for disciplinary purposes.

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Amendments to HB 76

1. Pg 3, line6: After "licenses" delete "at the first meeting of the board"


2. Pg. 11, Line 30 following (services.) insert: Guide service contracts shall address but are not limited to the following clauses:
   1. Species to be hunted,
   2. Duration of time in the field,
   3. Whether transportation is included,
   4. Whether accommodations and meals are to be provided,
   5. Name and license # of guide contracting services.
   6. Amount to be paid for services rendered
   Transportation service contracts shall address but are not limited to the following clauses:
   1. Species to be hunted,
   2. Duration of time in the field,
   3. A complete travel itinerary,
   4. Name and license # of transporter contracting services,
   5. Amount to be paid for services rendered.
   The affected departments (should we list them or define them in some way?) may request a copy of these contracts. These contracts shall remain confidential.


3. pg. 08.54.605 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (D) In this section "sentence of imprisonment" and "fine" include only the unsuspended portion of the sentence and/or fine.