Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Friday passed House Joint Resolution 59, sponsored by the House Resources Committee. HJR 59 requests that the United States Congress pass H.R. 3671, the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000.

"Both the Dingell-Johnson Trust of 1950 and the Pittman-Robertson Trust Fund of 1938 levy taxes on sportsmen to provide money that is reapportioned back to the states as grants for programs which 'benefit fish and wildlife,'" said Representative Beverly Masek (R-Willow), Co-Chair of the House Resources Committee. "Recently, Congressman Don Young, Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Resources, asked the General Accounting Office for an audit of the Pittman-Robertson Fund. This audit uncovered waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, including junkets and bonuses for Interior Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees, and hand-outs to so-called "animal rights" groups who are working to destroy hunting.

In 1999, about 15% of Alaskans contributed to the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Trust by buying hunting licenses while 30% purchased sportfishing licenses. HJR 59 demonstrates the Alaska Legislature's support for the proper use and management of money in these funds and for the protection of the rights and interests of sportsmen and -women who pay these fees.

HJR 59 passed unanimously.