Sponsor Statement for CSHB 32

CSHB 32 is being introduced to fix a problem that has been expressed by numerous members of Alaska’s military service. As the law currently stands, members of the military service who are permanently stationed in Alaska are not allowed to hunt big game animals unless accompanied by a qualified resident or a hired guide. The law currently creates an unnecessary inconvenience and financial burden on the affected individuals.

The bill as amended would continue to make nonresidents hunt with a qualified resident or hired guide unless that nonresident was a member, or dependent of a member of the military service who is on active duty and permanently stationed in Alaska.

CSHB 32 makes only one change to Sec. 2 AS 16.05.407 which allows qualified military members to be excluded from the requirements to use guides imposed on other nonresidents.