Committee moves bill to codify executive administrator for Big Game Commercial Services Board

Senate Bill 29, which would statutorily establish and fund an executive administrator position for the Big Game Commercial Services Board, was moved from the Senate Finance Committee to the Rules Committee after committee members adopted a motion to send the bill from committee.

Sponsor Sen. Jesse Bjorkman said the position would provide specialized expertise on the laws and regulations that govern hunting guides, administer oral examinations for guides across the state and assist the board with enforcement and license reviews. He told the committee the position would be funded by guide license fees and designated general funds; the bill’s proponents — including the Big Game Commercial Services Board and the Alaska Professional Hunters Association — told the committee they support the change and are willing to pay for the position.

Senator Stedman moved to report the bill from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes; the motion passed without recorded objection. The committee did not record a roll‑call tally in the hearing transcript. The bill advances to the Rules Committee for further consideration and any fiscal or staffing details will be set out in forthcoming fiscal notes.