Juneau -- Representative Carl Morgan (R-Aniak) Wednesday introduced House Joint Resolution 56, which would remove wildlife management issues from the ballot initiative process in Alaska. HJR 56 is co-sponsored by nine other legislators, showing bipartisan and widespread support.

"Alaska is blessed. Alaska is gifted with truly wondrous populations of wildlife and vast stretches of pristine wilderness which the Board of Game has done an enviable job of managing over the years," Morgan said. "This amendment would place into Alaska's Constitution the time-tested and scientific process of management through the Board of Game.

"HJR 56 would effectively remove wildlife management from the ballot initiative process in Alaska," Morgan said. "In 1998 the citizens of Utah and Minnesota passed similar amendments to their state constitutions to protect wildlife in their states."

Recently, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled (Bess v. Ulmer) that the legislature has the power to amend, but not to revise the Alaska Constitution. Morgan noted that HJR 56 would be an amendment to the State Constitution, not a revision.

"This measure is not about politics," Morgan said. "It's about preserving a treasured part of the Alaskan way of life for all Alaskans."

HJR 56 was referred to the House Resources, Judiciary, and Finance Committees.

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= Carl Morgan, 70 K