Alaska State Legislature

News From The House Majority

Ken Freeman, Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
phone: (907) 465-3804
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Rep. Ivan Seeks Funding Source for Sled Dog Races

For Immediate Release: May 1, 1997 Contact: Rep. Ivan Ivan (907) 465-4942

JUNEAU - Representative Ivan Ivan (D-Akiak) is seeking to help financially strapped Alaska sled dog races continue through a bill passed Wednesday by the Alaska State Senate by a 14-5 vote. HB 20 authorizes dog mushers' associations to award monetary prizes to those who participate in statewide games of chance.

"High profile protests from animal rights activists have caused important corporate sponsors to withdraw financial support from sled dog races. Hopefully, this bill will provide a mechanism to allow sled dog races which do not have strong financial backing to continue," said Ivan.

Participants who buy tickets would make guesses on three elements of uncertainty about the race such as checkpoints or finish line arrival times, total number of dogs that finish the race, temperature at the time the winner crosses the finish line, etc. The winner is the one who has the closest guess or guesses, similar to that sponsored by the Nenana Ice Classic.

The bill was expanded from its original version introduced last session to allow all those organizations recognized by the Division of Charitable Gaming to conduct a game of chance. The original version only addressed Iditarod qualifying races. After extended testimony, other races were included for the good of the communities and the sport of dog mushing.

"Dog mushing contests have historically been significant to Alaskans for many generations. It has become a sport that is enjoyed by many throughout Alaska and the world," said Ivan. "House Bill 20 is intended to help keep dog mushing alive, whether it is the Kusko 300, the Nushagak 200, the Galena Winter Carnival, the Kobuk 440, the North American or Fur Rondy."

The bill next goes to the Governor.

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