BIG GAME GUIDE PERMIT PROGRAM
Sponsored By: SENATE RESOURCES
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
Transfers allowed; violations risk losing permits
You may transfer a permit during its term, but only if the commissioner approves and the new holder is qualified. The commissioner can suspend or revoke permits for violations after written notice and a chance to be heard. The department may issue citations. Breaking the rules can stop your business in that area.
Permit required to guide in these areas
Beginning July 23, 2024, you must hold a big game guide concession area permit to guide hunts in a concession area on state land. DNR runs the permit program and limits how many guides may operate in each approved area. DNR also runs the first area's program in the unit the board selects.
How concession areas are set and limited
The Board of Game creates concession areas after at least 15 days of public notice. It picks the first unit or subunit after public comment and agency consultation, and sets how many full and limited permits to offer and what they allow. One concession area cannot include more than three existing guide use areas. Only one concession area may sit inside a single guide use area. New proposals for other areas wait until the first area is in place and DNR has run it for at least three years.
How permits are awarded and what they cost
DNR awards full and limited permits in an open, public competition, not by highest bid. Each permit lasts 10 years and cannot be renewed without competing again. A guide may hold at most three state-land permits at once. The commissioner sets who qualifies and sets reasonable permit fees, considering fees elsewhere and the number and type of permits. When picking winners, the commissioner consults named boards and large landowners (5,000+ acres) and considers each applicant’s professional history and reputation. The department keeps your proprietary and financial application materials confidential.
Old guide laws repealed and replaced
Effective July 23, 2024, the law repeals AS 08.54.600(a)(9), AS 16.05.262, AS 38.05.022, and Sections 46 and 48 of chapter 15, SLA 2024. Agencies and guides now follow the new concession-area program and its rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
SENATE RESOURCES
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
(H) FN7: (CC:HB53/DNR)
10/15/2025House(H) FN(S) ATTACHED TO APPROP. BILL HB 53
10/15/2025House(H) LEG FINANCE APPROPRIATION MESSAGE 9/30/25
10/15/2025House(S) LEG FINANCE APPROPRIATION MESSAGE 9/30/25
10/15/2025Senate(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW SEE CHAPTER
7/30/2025Senate(S) SIGNED INTO LAW 6/24 CHAPTER 16 SLA 25
7/30/2025Senate(S) MANIFEST ERROR(S)
7/30/2025Senate(S) 10:30 A.M. 6/20/25 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR
7/30/2025Senate(H) VERSION: SB 97
5/16/2025House(H) RETURN TO (S), TRANSMIT TO GOV NEXT
5/16/2025House(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
5/16/2025House(H) PASSED Y39 E1
5/16/2025House(H) READ THE THIRD TIME SB 97
5/16/2025House(H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC
5/16/2025House(H) READ THE SECOND TIME
5/16/2025House(H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/16/2025
5/16/2025House(H) FN6: (DNR)
5/14/2025House(H) FN5: (DFG)
5/14/2025House(H) FN4: (DFG)
5/14/2025House(H) NR: HANNAN, JOHNSON, ALLARD, BYNUM
5/14/2025House(H) DP: JIMMIE, GALVIN, TOMASZEWSKI, FOSTER, JOSEPHSON, SCHRAGE
5/14/2025House(H) FIN RPT 6DP 4NR
5/14/2025House(H) Minutes (HFIN)
5/13/2025House(H) Moved SB 97 Out of Committee -- Recessed to a Call of the Chair --
5/13/2025House(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
5/13/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled SB 97
5/16/2025
SB 97
2/12/2025