JUNEAU (AP) -- Firefighters, police and emergency medical workers who responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks could fish for free in Alaska under a bill approved by the Senate on Tuesday.
Senate Bill 279 lets the state commissioner of Fish and Game issue up to 250 complimentary sport fishing licenses and salmon stamps to first responders.
The bill includes anyone who participated as a firefighter, police officer or emergency medical worker at the site of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon between Sept. 11 and Nov. 11, 2001. It also includes the spouses of such workers.
The offer expires Dec. 31, 2003.
Sen. Gary Wilken, R-Fairbanks, sponsored the measure to honor the workers who aided cleanup efforts after the attacks. Wilken said less than 100 such workers were expected to take the state up on its offer.
The measure passed 18-0 and now goes to the House for consideration.
