Legislature(1993 - 1994)
02/03/1994 01:34 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 230 "An Act relating to fees for commercial fishing licenses and permits." REPRESENTATIVE CARL MOSES explained that CSHB 230 (RES) would provide a more equitable distribution of commercial fishing vessel licensing fees. He emphasized that under current law a 14 foot skiff is charged the same as a 250 foot vessel. He observed that the United Fishermen of Alaska support CSHB 230 (RES). He pointed out that the effective date needs to be changed from 1994 to 1995. Representative Hanley noted that language regarding a reduction in fee costs for a two year licence purchase was deleted. In response to a question by Representative Parnell, Representative Moses noted that vessel license fees would be at the following schedule: * 0-25 feet ....................$20 * 25-50 feet....................$50 * 50-75 feet....................$100 * 75-150 feet...................$250 * 150-250 feet..................$500 * over 251 feet.................$750. JERRY MCCUNE, PRESIDENT, UNITED FISHERMEN OF ALASKA spoke in support of CSHB 230 (RES). He asserted that the fishing industry is paying its way. He observed that the current 2 vessel fees have not been changed since 1978. Co-Chair Larson noted that according to research by the House Research Agency, the State of Alaska receives approximately a 75 percent return of its fisheries resource investments. Representative Navarre noted that if the shared fish tax was included in the calculation, the return on the State's investment would be closer to 132 percent. FRANK HOMAN, COMMISSIONER, COMMERCIAL FISHERIES ENTRY COMMISSION explained that vessels could be licensed for two years at twice the yearly cost. Representative Therriault MOVED to ADOPT the language "one- year or two-year" on page 1, line 8, after "a". Representative Parnell asked if regulations could address the issue of one or two year fees. Representative Navarre MOVED to AMEND Amendment 1 to delete "year" after "one". The amendment would read "one or two year". There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Co-Chair Larson MOVED to delete "1994" and insert "1995" on page 2, line 13. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Representative Martin noted that there would not be an incentive to license vessels for two years if the previous discount is not offered. Mr. Homan observed that few licenses had been purchased under the two year discount. He noted that the Commission did not anticipate that many vessels would be licensed under the two year option in the future. Representative Navarre MOVED to report CSHB 230 (FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and with the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSHB 230 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a fiscal impact note by the Department of Fish and Game.
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