2000-02-02                     House Journal                      Page 2071
HB 334                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 334 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               

2000-02-02                     House Journal                      Page 2072
HB 334                                                                       
"An Act relating to the establishment of and accounting for an                
administrative cost charge for the state's role in the community               
development quota program and to the appropriation of receipts                 
from the charge; and providing for an effective date."                         
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional               
Affairs, Labor & Commerce, and Finance Committees.                             
                                                                               
The following fiscal note applies:                                             
                                                                               
Fiscal note, Dept. of Community & Economic Development, 2/2/00                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 1, 2000, appears              
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                          
                                                                               
The community development quota (CDQ) program has created jobs                 
and expanded economic opportunity in western Alaska.  It is essential          
to this region of the state that we ensure the continuance of this federal     
fisheries resource program.  This bill I transmit today meets that             
challenge by partnering with the CDQ participants to cover the state's         
administrative cost of the program.                                            
                                                                               
Under this bill, community development groups that participate in the          
CDQ program will pay assessment fees to the state.  The proposed fee           
structure has two components.  First, each group will pay a standard,          
flat amount that will total half the state's administrative costs.  Second,    
each group will pay a variable share of the remaining administrative           
costs based upon the value of that group's fisheries quota allocation.         
                                                                               
The Department of Community and Economic Development would                     
administer the cost charge, which is added to the statutory list of            
program receipts subject to separate accounting procedures.                    
                                                                               
Participants of the CDQ program recognize their future success hinges          
on the ability of the state to continue to administer the program.  To         
that end,  the groups proposed the funding plan forwarded in this bill         
                                                                               

2000-02-02                     House Journal                      Page 2073
HB 334                                                                       
and are ready to give it their full support.  To protect this vital            
program and improve the efficiency and operation of the state's role in        
it, I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                   
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"