This bill establishes new provisions related to the duties of the commissioner of fish and game in Alaska, specifically focusing on the economic impacts of sport fishing. It mandates the commissioner to produce a biennial report on these impacts, modeled after a previous publication by the Department of Fish and Game. Additionally, the bill creates a sport fishing angler access account funded by a new surcharge of one dollar imposed on each sport fishing license purchased. This surcharge is intended to support the production and dissemination of the required biennial report.

The bill also includes amendments to existing statutes regarding sport fishing licenses, allowing for residents of Yukon, Canada, to obtain nonresident licenses at the same fees charged to Alaskan residents. It repeals certain sections of current law while introducing new subsections that outline the implementation of the surcharge and the establishment of the angler access account. The effective dates for various provisions are staggered, with some taking effect immediately and others set for January 1, 2027, and January 1, 2032.

Statutes affected:
HB0304A, AM HB 304, introduced 02/13/2026: 16.05.050, 16.05.130, 16.05.340, 16.05.341