Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/17/2001 01:46 PM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 194
An Act relating to fees for commercial fishing licenses
and permits; and providing for an effective date.
REPRESENTATIVE GARY STEVENS commented that a good compromise
had been reached which was included in the committee
substitute, work draft version 22-LS0441\B, Utermohle,
4/17/01.
Representative Hudson MOVED that committee substitute
version be the version of the bill before the Committee.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted.
Representative Harris MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #1, 22-
LS0441\O.2, Utermohle, 4/09/01. [Copy on File]. Co-Chair
Mulder OBJECTED for the purpose of discussing concerns
previously voiced by the Committee.
Representative Stevens noted that the changed language would
insert the words:
"not to exceed a maximum of $50 for each license holder
for each year;".
Representative Stevens stated that the increase would add
more money into the fund than necessary, which had been
addressed through the amendment.
Co-Chair Mulder questioned where the excess money would go.
Representative Stevens replied that the money would
eventually end up in commercial fisheries. He added that
the fishermen were "happy" with the proposed change.
KEVIN BROOKS, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, explained that the revenue from
the sale of the licenses was addressed in the language in
the front of the bill, placing a deposit into the Fish and
Game Fund. There is a component in that Fund which has been
separated out for the commercial fisheries and it is
available for appropriation for commercial fishing projects.
Representative Davies asked what the fiscal impact would be.
Mr. Brooks replied that without the amendment, there would
be a potential increase of $116 thousand dollars, and that
by FY03; it would amount to $300 thousand dollars.
Co-Chair Mulder WITHDREW his OBJECTION. Representative
Croft pointed out that the drafters should note that the
page numbers shifted with the adoption of the current
version. There being NO FURTHER OBJECTION, Amendment #1 was
adopted.
Representative Davies MOVED a change to Page 4, Line 9,
deleting "does not exceed" and inserting language "is as
close as is practical to". Co-Chair Williams OBJECTED for
purposed of discussion.
Representative Davies explained the bill would provide
direction. He stated that it should not be equal to the
maximum as the amounts vary from year to year. The proposed
language would give the necessary instruction to maximize
the concern.
Representative Hudson suggested a "friendly" amendment,
deleting the language proposed by Representative J. Davies
and instead adding "is". Representative Davies explained
that the other language had been chosen as a result from
previous discussion requiring them to enter a maximum amount
every year. Representative Hudson WITHDREW his MOTION to
amend.
Mr. Brooks commented that the fee had been based on the
prior year's expenditures. Much of the language is to deal
with the logistics of that. At the heart of the license
issue, originally there was a $500 dollar spread.
Historically, the charge was between $30 and $90 dollars.
Now it is between $60 and $125 dollars. He pointed out that
the gap is $100 dollars or less. If the Courts came back
with a differential, there could be a crewmember charge of
$60 dollars for a resident and $160 dollars for a non-
resident. He discussed the magnitude of the differential on
the low end rather than focusing on the high end.
Representative Stevens referenced Page 2, Line 13, advising
that the wording would need to be changed there
additionally.
Representative Davies MOVED the amendment to include
language on both Page 2 and Page 4.
Co-Chair Williams WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There being NO
further OBJECTION, the amendment was adopted.
Co-Chair Mulder pointed out that there was no fiscal note
from the Department of Fish and Game. Mr. Brooks indicated
that it would be forth coming.
Co-Chair Mulder MOVED to report CS HB 194 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal notes.
CS HB 194 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a fiscal note by the
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission and the Department of
Fish and Game.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|