This bill seeks to enhance the management and protection of wildlife in Alaska by establishing uniform regulations for state refuges, sanctuaries, and critical habitat areas. It emphasizes the legislature's intent to manage existing game refuges and sanctuaries as wildlife refuges and sanctuaries. Key amendments include the prohibition of brown bear hunting in specific areas, particularly around the McNeil River Wildlife Sanctuary and Katmai National Park, and the introduction of new sections that clarify the purposes of wildlife refuges, allowing for regulated public activities such as hunting, trapping, and wildlife viewing. The bill also updates various sections of existing law to replace the term "game" with "wildlife," reflecting a broader focus on wildlife conservation.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to establish and redefine several wildlife refuges in Alaska, including the Palmer Hay Flats, Yakataga, Mendenhall Wetlands, and Susitna Flats Wildlife Refuges. It specifies that the state cannot acquire privately owned land within these areas through eminent domain but may do so through purchase or exchange from willing owners. The bill outlines management and protection goals for these refuges, emphasizing habitat preservation, public recreational activities, and sustainable resource use. It also includes provisions for establishing access corridors for private property owners and allows for the development of management plans for each refuge, aiming to enhance conservation efforts while respecting existing rights and uses.

Statutes affected:
HB0321A, AM HB 321, introduced 02/23/2026: 02.20.050, 16.05.050, 16.05.251, 16.05.255, 16.05.270, 16.20.010, 16.20.162, 16.20.550, 16.20.690, 16.20.500, 38.04.200, 41.21.020, 16.05.343, 16.20.160, 16.20.020, 16.20.075, 16.20.030, 16.20.031, 16.20.032, 16.20.033, 16.20.080, 16.20.034, 44.62.560, 44.62.570, 16.20.036, 16.20.037, 16.20.038, 16.20.039, 16.20.041, 38.05.185, 38.05.275, 16.20.050, 16.20.090, 16.20.098, 16.20.092, 16.20.094, 16.20.096, 16.20.150, 16.20.120, 16.20.140, 16.20.555, 16.20.560, 16.20.565, 16.20.570, 16.20.575, 16.20.580, 16.20.585, 16.20.590, 16.20.595, 16.20.600, 16.20.605, 16.20.610, 16.20.615, 16.20.620, 16.20.510, 16.20.530, 16.20.625, 16.20.630, 38.05.030, 38.05.825, 41.21.131, 41.21.612, 41.23.480, 41.23.500, 16.20.520
HB0321B, AM CSHB 321(RES), introduced 04/21/2026: 02.20.050, 16.05.050, 16.05.251, 16.05.255, 16.05.270, 16.20.010, 16.20.162, 16.20.550, 16.20.690, 16.20.500, 38.04.200, 41.21.020, 16.05.343, 16.20.160, 16.20.020, 16.20.075, 16.20.030, 16.20.031, 16.20.032, 16.20.033, 16.20.080, 16.20.034, 44.62.560, 44.62.570, 16.20.036, 16.20.037, 16.20.038, 16.20.039, 16.20.041, 38.05.185, 38.05.275, 16.20.050, 16.20.090, 16.20.098, 16.20.092, 16.20.094, 16.20.096, 16.20.150, 16.20.120, 16.20.140, 16.20.555, 16.20.560, 16.20.565, 16.20.570, 16.20.575, 16.20.580, 16.20.585, 16.20.590, 16.20.595, 16.20.600, 16.20.605, 16.20.610, 16.20.615, 16.20.620, 16.20.510, 16.20.530, 16.20.625, 16.20.630, 38.05.030, 38.05.825, 41.21.131, 41.21.612, 41.23.480, 41.23.500, 16.20.520