I, Tony Knowles, Governor of Alaska, make the following findings concerning the big game guiding industry in Alaska:

1. The big game commercial services board (guide board) is the entity with the statutory responsibility to regulate the big game guiding industry. Due to operation of law and legislative inaction, the board terminates on June 30, 1995.

2. Alaska law requires the regulation of the guiding industry, including license and discipline requirements for people offering guiding services. Alaska laws also require hunters from out of state to obtain the services of a licensed guide if they wish to hunt certain big game species in Alaska. These laws were not repealed by the Legislature.

3. The governor is responsible for implementation and execution of the laws. This includes laws requiring the regulation of the big game guiding industry.

4. The guiding industry is an important element of Alaska's economy. In addition to performing services for local residents, Alaska1s professional guides attract many visitors to the state from throughout the world. Continuing this important commercial activity requires a stable regulatory environment.

5. A licensed big game guide in Alaska must have demonstrated proficiency in guiding, high standards of ethical conduct, knowledge of resource conservation laws, and practical knowledge of CPR and first aid. Allowing unqualified persons to offer big game guiding services could result in harm to public health and safety, harm to natural resources, and dissatisfied or defrauded clients.

6. I find that an unregulated big game guiding industry would be detrimental to the public interest. An unregulated big game guiding industry would create risks to the public and the environment, would disrupt commerce, and interfere with the rights of licensed guides.

7. The Legislature did not repeal the requirements that the big game guiding industry be regulated or provide any new laws to create a different industry structure. I believe the majority of Alaska's legislators support continued regulation of the big game guiding industry.

8. At the time of its termination, the guide board was located in the Department of Commerce and Economic Development. Under statute, that department performs many functions relating to the regulation of guides, including issuing license renewals, investigating complaints about licensed guides, administering hearings, and setting license fees. Moreover, the department regulates other occupations for which no regulatory board is provided.

9. After termination of the guide board, the administrative function of regulating guides remains established by law but is not assigned by law to any department. I find the department that, in accordance with the organization of state government, can most appropriately and effectively regulate the big game guiding industry is the Department of Commerce and Economic Development.

ORDER

Under the authority of article III, sections 1, 16, and 24 of the Alaska Constitution, and AS 44.17.060, I, Tony Knowles, Governor of the State of Alaska, order that:

The Department of Commerce and Economic Development is responsible for the administration of all laws concerning the regulation of the big game commercial services industry under AS 08.54.

This Order takes effect July 1, 1995.

DATED at Anchorage, Alaska, this 28 day of June, 1995.

S/S Tony Knowles     
Tony Knowles         
Governor