Legislature(2011 - 2012)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/13/2012 09:00 AM House FINANCE
Audio | Topic |
---|---|
Start | |
SB160 | |
SCR24 | |
SB91 | |
SB19 | |
SB23 | |
SB210 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ | SCR 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | SB 91 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | SB 182 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | SB 83 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | SB 23 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | SB 25 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | SB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | SB 210 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | SB 160 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
+= | SB 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 91(FIN) "An Act amending the termination date of the licensing of sport fishing operators and sport fishing guides; and providing for an effective date." SHYAN ELY, INTERN, SENATOR LESIL MCGUIRE, explained that SB 91 extended the sunset date of the sport fish guide licensing and reporting program, and provided an effective date. Legislation for this program was first passed in 2004, and was proven beneficial to the sport fishing industry. It required licensing and regulation of sport fishing operators, guides, and vessels. The program has provided an average of 1,541 sport fishing business licenses, and 1,828 sport fishing guide licenses annually. She stated that 90 percent of licenses were Alaska residents. The sport fishing guide industry had taken more than 2.6 million clients fishing from 2005 to 2010 totaling more than 625,000 guided fishing trips in Alaska. Guided sport fishing had become an integral part of Alaska's tourism economy. In 2007, $1.39 billion was spent on licenses and stamps; trip-related expenditures; fishing packages; equipment; and real estate used for fishing. This spending supported more than 15,879 jobs in Alaska, and provided $545.3 million in income. She explained that SB 91 provided accurate counting for Alaska's harvested resources. Federal law for guided halibut sport fishing was tied to the Alaska Sport Fishing log books, and failure to keep the program in place would likely result in the development of a federal log book for halibut, therefore creating duplication of efforts at a later date. Alaska is exempt from participating in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Saltwater Angler Registry Program, in part, as a result of the information collected through the sport fishing guide licenses and reporting program. She reiterated that SB 91 extended the sunset date of the program. Co-Chair Thomas MOVED to ADOPT the proposed committee substitute for CS SB 91 (FIN), Work Draft 27-LS0550\M (Bullard, 3/16/12). Co-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED for purpose of discussion. Representative Neuman wondered if the guide log book calculations were up to date. BEN MULLIGAN, SPECIAL ASSISTANT, DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, replied that the log books were up to date. 9:50:09 AM ROD ARNO-PALMER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA OUTDOOR COUNCIL (via teleconference), testified in opposition to SB 91. He did not believe that the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) had administrated the program well. He stated that he was in support of the program, but could not support a four- year extension. He stressed that he was not supportive of the program taking money from guide-less fishermen. Mr. Mulligan stated that DFG funds were used for the program, and the cost program administration was greater than the set fees. He stressed that a large percentage of sport fishermen use guides, and the log book data helps DFG harvest surplus, without being too conservative. Co-Chair Thomas wondered if DFG had the ability to observe and record the activities of the average sport fisherman. Mr. Mulligan replied that DFG conducts creel surveys and an annual sport fish survey. 9:54:25 AM Co-Chair Stoltze MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1. Amendment 1 On page 1 line 8 Delete "2017" Insert "2015" Representative Doogan OBJECTED for purpose of discussion. Co-Chair Stoltze explained that the amendment would extend the program for 2 years rather than 4 years. He remarked that he keeping the program extended for a shorter period of time would cause the legislature to continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Representative Doogan wondered if the amendment would cause a substantive change in the program. Mr. Mulligan replied that changing the extension from four years to two, would result in a more relevant evaluation. Representative Doogan wondered, again, if the amendment would make a substantive change to the bill. Mr. Mulligan replied that the amendment would not make a substantive change to the bill. Representative Doogan WITHDREW his objection. There being NO further OBJECTION Amendment 1 was adopted. Mr. Mulligan spoke to the fiscal note attached to the bill. He said that the fiscal note reflected the original proposed extension to January 1, 2017. Now that the amendment was adopted, the fiscal note will change by removing FY 16 and FY 17. 9:57:23 AM Representative Wilson how many people administer the program. Mr. Mulligan replied that he did not know the exact number of people who administer the program. The process is spread out among people who have multiple duties and responsibilities. Co-Chair Thomas MOVED to report HCS CSSB 91(FIN) out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. HCS CSSB 91(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with one new fiscal impact note from the Department of Fish and Game. 9:58:14 AM RECESSED 4:37:01 PM RECONVENED