2024-01-26                     House Journal                      Page 1360
HB 294                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 294 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to electronic monitoring of fishing vessels; and                                                          
     providing for an effective date."                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                                                          
Fisheries and the Finance Committee.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Dept. of Fish & Game                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 24 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Tilton:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to electronic monitoring                                                        
(i.e., video cameras and gear sensors that capture information on                                                               
fishing location and catch) of fishing vessels. State law provides                                                              
authority for the Board of Fisheries (Board) to establish by regulation                                                         
onboard observer programs for fishing vessels in fisheries based on its                                                         

2024-01-26                     House Journal                      Page 1361
determination that enumerated criteria are met. The Commissioner of                                                             
the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is authorized to implement                                                                
an onboard observer program required by the Board. This bill would                                                              
authorize the Board to require electronic monitoring as an alternative                                                          
or additional option to onboard observers in State fisheries and would                                                          
authorize the Commissioner of DFG to implement electronic                                                                       
monitoring programs required by the Board.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Electronic monitoring has been increasingly adopted to collect catch                                                            
data in Federal fisheries. While onboard observers have traditionally                                                           
been the primary way to collect independent information on a vessel's                                                           
activities and catch, placing observers on vessels can create challenges                                                        
due to the additional cost and space required onboard. Electronic                                                               
monitoring offers an efficient, less intrusive, and more cost-effective                                                         
alternative. Establishing the Board and DFG's ability to implement an                                                           
electronic monitoring program now would allow use of current                                                                    
technologies while positioning the State to use new technologies once                                                           
they are widely available.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"