Lawmakers in the Alaska State House are on the verge of passing HB 93, which would increase the number of days Alaskans must be physically present in the state in order to qualify as a resident hunter, fisherman or trapper.

If passed, the proposal would make it more difficult for individuals to become resident fisherman than to cast an Alaska ballot.

Sponsored by leftwing Sitka Rep. Rebecca Himschoot, the stated goal of bill is to reduce pressure on fish and game resources by ensuring resident license holders are full-time residents.

Currently, individuals who spend little-to-no time in Alaska can still obtain generous hunting and fishing bag and possession licenses, along with reduced fees. That’s because these licenses are granted to Alaskans who are indefinitely absent, so long as they “intend” to return to Alaska, maintain a home in the state and haven’t establish official residency elsewhere.

Those are nearly identical to the qualifications for voting in local and national elections, which has resulted in massively bloated and wildly inaccurate Alaska voter rolls where ballots are still mailed to people who have long since left the state.

If Rep. Himschoot gets her way, that wouldn’t be tolerated when it comes to obtaining resident fishing and hunting licenses.

According to Himschoot, her legislation is needed in order to ensure that those who qualify for resident licenses are “in fact year-round residents of Alaska who deserve the privileges.”

If HB 93 passes the House and Senate and is signed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, it would require resident hunters and fishermen to meet a much more difficult residency threshold – akin to what is needed in order to collect an annual Permanent Fund Dividend check, which mandates that Alaskans be physically present in the state for at least 185 days a year, with limited exceptions.

Himschoot’s bill has made it through the committee process and is now set for a vote before the full house on Jan. 30.

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