Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
02/21/2007 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB108 | |
| HB7 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 7 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 108 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 108
"An Act extending the termination date for the Board of
Marine Pilots; and providing for an effective date."
ELEANOR WOLFE, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE KURT OLSON, explained
that HB 108 extends the Board of Marine Pilots until 2013.
She offered to answer questions.
1:45:14 PM
RICK URION, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING,
observed that the Board of Marine Pilots comes under his
division. He spoke in support of the bill and offered to
answer questions.
1:46:05 PM
AL CLOUGH, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE,
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF
MARINE PILOTS, stated support for the bill and offered to
answer questions.
Co-Chair Chenault asked if marine pilots only pilot foreign
flag vessels in Alaskan waters. Mr. Clough replied that
foreign flag vessels are required to have a U.S. Marine
Pilot on board; other vessels may choose to have a pilot on
board. Most of the American flag tankers out of Valdez
choose to have a licensed marine pilot.
Representative Stoltze asked if large foreign flag pleasure
craft need a marine pilot. Mr. Clough replied that there is
an exemption for yachts up to 175 feet.
1:48:23 PM
Co-Chair Meyer wondered if there is a penalty to the
association or the pilot if the pilot is not enrolled in a
drug testing program. Mr. Clough explained that pilots are
required by the Coast Guard and by state regulation to be
enrolled in such a program. The issues brought out in the
audit were related to record keeping.
Co-Chair Meyer asked what the penalty is if drug testing is
not done. Mr. Clough said it is a requirement and there
currently is no problem with lack of compliance.
1:50:36 PM
Representative Stoltze asked about a requirement for drug
testing for pleasure crafts. Mr. Clough explained that it
is not the state's issue because there is not a pilot on
board. If there were an incident, then the Coast Guard
would respond.
1:51:55 PM
CAPTAIN LARRY VOSE, PRESIDENT OF SOUTHEAST PILOTS
ASSOCIATION, stated support for HB 108. He elaborated on
the previous question regarding U.S. flag vessels. There
are two types of pilots, federal and state. Federal pilots
apply to U.S. flag vessels. The vessels that go to Valdez
have both federal and state pilots on board. All state
pilots have to have a federal pilot license as a
prerequisite. A vessel has to be over 1,600 tons to require
a federal pilot. Regarding the drug testing requirement, it
is a condition of employment and the pilot has to show
evidence of compliance in order to dispatch.
Representative Stoltze asked for a definition of a marine
pilot. Captain Vose related the qualifications for marine
pilots.
1:56:34 PM
Co-Chair Meyer asked where the pilots board oil tankers up
north. Captain Vose explained regional boarding procedures.
Representative Joule asked if the pilot associations are
closed and if applicants must receive an invitation to join.
He also wondered about age restrictions. Captain Vose
explained the current competitive process for application to
become a marine pilot. He maintained it is a fair and open
process. Captain Vose noted it takes about seven years to
become a fully licensed pilot.
Co-Chair Chenault asked about state vs. federal pilot limits
in the Gulf of Alaska as they relate to oil spills. Captain
Vose explained that federal pilotage waters are from three
miles out, inward - the United States territorial seas.
State pilotage boundaries are within the inside waters of
the state.
2:03:40 PM
Representative Gara questioned the marine pilot involvement
as it related to the Exxon Valdez. Captain Vose said that
the accident happened after the marine pilot was off the
ship. The pilot station has since been moved seaward. He
spoke of difficulties of providing pilots in all areas and
the safety issues of boarding the ships.
2:06:33 PM
Co-Chair Meyer noted a new fiscal note written by the House
Finance Committee for the Department of Commerce, Community
and Economic Development.
Representative Hawker MOVED to report CSHB 108 out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CSHB 108 (L&C) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a fiscal note by the House
Finance Committee for Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development.
2:07:26 PM
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