Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska prohibiting certain initiatives relating to wildlife.

Updated: March 17, 1999
Contact: Representative Carl Morgan at (800) 491-4527

This legislation removes wildlife management from the ballot initiative process in Alaska. The framers of our Constitution restricted the ballot initiative process in Article XI, Section 7 of the Alaska Constitution. Section 7 exempts certain subjects from the ballot and referendum process. I believe wildlife management is an appropriate subject for exemption.

Our wildlife interests are best managed in Alaska by Alaskans. Removing wildlife from the ballot and referendum process will ensure that wildlife decisions are made in Alaska based on sound science, prudent management, and in an open and fair process. The alternative is a repeat of the last two elections where special interest groups from the Lower 48, using emotion and political agendas, attacked Alaska's outstanding wildlife management system.

Alaska is not alone in this fight. In 1998, the citizens of Utah and Minnesota passed constitutional amendments to protect wildlife management and hunting in their states. Presently, there are constitutional amendments to protect wildlife management and traditional wildlife uses working their way through the state legislatures of Arizona, Idaho and North Dakota.

Legislative counsel has advised that the Legislature possesses the power to amend the Alaska Constitution subject to a vote of the people, but does not have the power to make sweeping revisions that radically alter the powers of governmental branches. Counsel believes HJR 56 amounts to an amendment of the Constitution, not a revision, and within the power of the Legislature.