"...which strikes me as exposing the state to considerable liability if someone else were to get hurt and the agency chose to do nothingd espite knowing this bear is out there and has hurt numerous people."
This is such an urban-zoo-biology response.  Living in Alaska requires a sense of shared responsibility snd stewardship toward the land and animals.  Look out for yourself, know how to handle situations involving bears (in this case) and go forth.  If you expect litigation to save you the litigation will eat you alive.  In my opinion.  But seriously people should carry bear spray and make lots of noise and don't run from a grizzly bear etc etc. pay attention.