02/04/2020 11:00 AM House FISHERIES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB203 | |
| HB185 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 203 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 185 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
February 4, 2020
11:07 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Louise Stutes, Chair
Representative Bryce Edgmon
Representative Chuck Kopp
Representative Geran Tarr
Representative Sarah Vance
Representative Mark Neuman
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 203
"An Act relating to transportation of live crab."
- MOVED CSHB 203(FSH) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 185
"An Act relating to the registration of commercial vessels; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 203
SHORT TITLE: TRANSPORTATION OF LIVE CRAB
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) KNOPP
01/21/20 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/21/20 (H) FSH, RES
01/30/20 (H) FSH AT 11:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
01/30/20 (H) Heard & Held
01/30/20 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
02/04/20 (H) FSH AT 11:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 185
SHORT TITLE: REGISTRATION OF BOATS: EXEMPTION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STUTES
01/21/20 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/10/20
01/21/20 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/21/20 (H) FSH, TRA
02/04/20 (H) FSH AT 11:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor of HB 203, spoke to
Amendment 1.
INTIMAYO HARBISON, Staff
Representative Gary Knopp
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered information during the hearing on
HB 203 on behalf of Representative Knopp, prime sponsor.
MATT GRUENING, Staff
Representative Louise Stutes
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 185 on behalf of
Representative Stutes, prime sponsor.
ACTION NARRATIVE
11:07:45 AM
CHAIR LOUISE STUTES called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 11:07 a.m. Representatives
Edgmon, Kopp, Vance, Neuman, and Stutes were present at the call
to order. Representative Tarr arrived as the meeting was in
progress.
HB 203-TRANSPORTATION OF LIVE CRAB
11:08:55 AM
CHAIR STUTES announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 203, "An Act relating to transportation of live
crab."
CHAIR STUTES noted that the committee had received word from the
Environmental Health Division, within the Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC), stating that the division has
no issue with the proposed legislation. She further noted that
an amendment to HB 203 was in the committee packet.
11:09:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor
of HB 203, expressed gratitude for the amendment before the
committee, Amendment 1, which was borne out of public feedback.
He remarked that it is nice to carry a bill that is "virtually
noncontroversial and broadly supported across the state from
every industry." He said he thinks the proposed legislation
would result in value added regarding the shipping of crab.
11:10:29 AM
CHAIR STUTES opened public testimony on HB 203. After
ascertaining there was no one who wished to testify, she closed
public testimony.
11:10:53 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON moved to adopt Amendment 1, labeled 31-
LS1405\M.3, Klein, 1/31/20, which read as follows:
Page 1, lines 6 - 10:
Delete all material and insert:
"taken live [KING] crab, unless the crab have
been landed in a port in the state and recorded on a
fish ticket form prescribed by the department [SPECIES
PARALITHODES CAMTSCHATICA, LIVE DUNGENESS CRAB,
SPECIES CANCER MAGISTER, OR LIVE TANNER CRAB, SPECIES
CHIONOECETES BAIRDI, EXCEPT THAT ALL OF THESE SPECIES
MAY BE SHIPPED LIVE VIA AIR FREIGHT AFTER PRE-
PACKAGING]."
Page 1, lines 11 - 12:
Delete "Dungeness crab, species Cancer magister,"
Insert "[DUNGENESS] crab [, SPECIES CANCER
MAGISTER,]"
Page 1, line 15:
Delete "Dungeness"
Insert "[DUNGENESS]"
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON explained that Amendment 1 would add more
specific information on species. He deferred to the bill
sponsor to provide further information.
11:11:24 AM
CHAIR STUTES objected to the motion to adopt Amendment 1, for
purposes of discussion.
11:11:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP noted concerns expressed by the Department
of Public Safety (DPS) regarding language potentially becoming
misconstrued. He said the department initially recommended
repealing the entire statute; however, he recommended listing
the scientific names of three species "and what used to be
exempt" for the purpose of preserving the ability of the
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to do paralytic
shellfish poisoning (PSP) testing.
11:12:28 AM
INTIMAYO HARBISON, Staff, Representative Gary Knopp, Alaska
State Legislature, related that Amendment 1 would remove
restriction on all crab species for the purpose of testing as
well as expansion of future industry.
11:13:00 AM
CHAIR STUTES removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
11:13:19 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 11:13 a.m.
11:13:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON moved to report HB 203, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 203(FSH) was
reported out of the House Special Committee on Fisheries.
11:13:00 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 11:14 a.m. to 11:16:11 a.m.
HB 185-REGISTRATION OF BOATS: EXEMPTION
11:16:11 AM
CHAIR STUTES announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 185, "An Act relating to the registration of
commercial vessels; and providing for an effective date."
11:16:38 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 11:16 a.m. to 11:17 a.m.
11:16:38 AM
CHAIR STUTES, as prime sponsor, explained that HB 185 would
exempt active commercial fishing vessels that already have been
registered with the state from having to be registered a second
time with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), thus eliminating
additional cost and frustration.
11:18:40 AM
MATT GRUENING, Staff, Representative Louise Stutes, Alaska State
Legislature, presented HB 185 on behalf of Representative
Stutes, prime sponsor. He explained vessel documentation, a
very old form of documentation, which includes but is not
limited to evidence of ownership and is one of the first
functions of the federal government. He said HB 185 would
exempt active fishing vessels from duplicative registration
requirements created by passage of Senate Bill 92 [passed during
the Thirtieth Alaska State Legislature], removing requirements
for current Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC)-
licensed vessels to be registered every three years with the DMV
at a $24.00 fee.
MR. GRUENING pointed out that prior to 2018, United States Coast
Guard (USCG)-documented vessels were exempt from DMV
registration. That exemption was repealed with Senate Bill 92
and, as a result, larger vessels fell under DMV's purview. The
aim behind Senate Bill 92 in 2018, aside from providing the
state and municipalities additional tools for dealing with
derelict vessels, was to ensure that vessels operated in Alaska
waters were registered with the state, that the state would be
aware who owns and operates those vessels, and that the state
would know how to get ahold of those owners and operators and
hold them accountable in the event of a vessel's becoming
derelict.
MR. GRUENING said Senate Bill 92 overlooked the existing
licensing process for CFEC, whose vessel licensure requires
annual renewal and already provides the necessary ownership and
contact information in a publicly accessible state database. He
added that commercial fishing vessels are the backbone of
Alaska's most vital industry, and with very few exceptions, all
commercial fishing vessels, including tenders, processors, and
transporters engaged in commercial fishing in Alaska waters are
required to be under CFEC licensure. The exceptions are
primarily limited to setnet skiffs. The licensing statute for
commercial fishing vessels in Alaska states that as a condition
of delivery or landing fish, a license is required for a
commercial vessel. The CFEC licensed 8,806 vessels in 2019 for
a total of $629,052 in licensing fees. The commission's license
forms require quite a bit of ownership and contact information.
11:23:30 AM
MR. GRUENING passed out CFEC vessel license application, request
for duplicate license, and license change of information forms
to the committee with requirements for proving ownership
highlighted. The CFEC licensing vessel forms are also located
on the Alaska Legislature's Bill Action & Status Inquiry System
(BASIS), he pointed out. On page 1 of the vessel licensing
form, under penalty of perjury, the applicant must identify the
legal owner, contact person, the owner's mailing and permanent
address, social security number, phone number, date of birth,
and email address. If the vessel is new to the individual or
fisheries and thus does not have an Alaska Department of Fish
and Game (ADF&G) number, then the applicant must submit a
current copy of the vessel's USCG documentation for the state
registration to the CFEC and fill out an additional vessel
history section on page 2. This section includes where and when
the vessel was purchased, from whom, the numbers issued in
another state for which the vessel fished, and other questions
about the vessel's lineage and history.
MR. GRUENING let the committee know that every year the same
information needs to be verified and signed. Intentionally
providing false information is punishable by up to a year in
prison and/or $25,000 fine and subjects the permit holder to a
suspension of fishing privileges or possible revocation of
permit. He emphasized that there are few people who are being
dishonest on these forms, particularly when taken into
consideration how expensive the vessels and permits are. An
additional layer of assurance for vessel provenance is that to
even have a vessel in the first place, one must first be a valid
permit holder: hold an Alaskan fishing permit, register that
through the CFEC, and then get the vessel license.
11:26:38 AM
MR. GRUENING passed to the committee an example of the decal to
be displayed on a vessel, which is issued every year by CFEC.
The metal plate to be permanently affixed to the vessel was also
explained to the committee. More specifics about registering
vessels with CFEC, and the correct way to display said
registration, were explained. Mr. Gruening reiterated that HB
185 removes a duplicative registration requirement created by
the passage of Senate Bill 92 by exempting aforementioned
vessels with valid CFEC licenses from having to be registered
every three years with the DMV. Owners of active commercial
fishing vessels already must renew their registration annually,
so the moment CFEC registration is no longer valid they would be
required to register with the DMV. Not a free pass for life for
commercial fishing boats, HB 185 would be a one-year exemption
for active businesses that have renewed that year.
11:29:21 AM
MR. GRUENING let committee members know that a copy of the
proposed legislation was provided to the Alaska Association of
Harbormasters and Port Administrators (AAHPA); the association
submitted a letter of non-opposition to the bill. He encouraged
members to read the letter, as well as Senate Bill 92, to
reference changes that would be made under HB 185. Letters of
support came from United Fishermen of Alaska, Cordova District
Fishermen United, United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters
Association, and Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers, as well as from
individuals.
11:31:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP suggested he should declare a conflict [of
interest] as a commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay. At the
invitation of Chair Stutes, he asked for clarification regarding
setnet registration exemption.
11:32:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked whether the DMV has a required decal
for law officers for purposes of identification related to non-
CFEC vessels.
11:32:22 AM
MATT GRUENING answered that since House Bill 108 in May of 2000
[passed during the Twenty-first Alaska State Legislature] all
undocumented vessels, CFEC-registered or not, had been required
to be registered through the DMV. The way HB 185 is currently
written with the exemption being broad and applying to all CFEC
vessels, some of which are undocumented, rolls back a pre-Senate
Bill 92 requirement for a small segment of CFEC vessels that
previously had to be registered with the DMV. The same
rationale exists for exempting CFEC-undocumented vessels as
documented; both fill out the same information through the same
license renewal process with the CFEC. Further, there was a
titling requirement created in Senate Bill 92, which states
those undocumented vessels also have to title. Exempting the
undocumented CFEC vessels rolls back a pre-Senate Bill 92
requirement on a smaller subset of fishing vessels and would
reduce some fees. Mr. Gruening posited that having
documentation tied to CFEC registration does make sense, and for
this reason sought to make the committee aware that the way the
bill is currently drafted applies to all CFEC vessels, which
does exempt a small amount of undocumented vessels, which are
those vessels less than five net tons.
MR. GRUENING mentioned in closing that the committee could
choose to offer an amendment to clarify that HB 185 would apply
to documented CFEC vessels.
11:35:30 AM
CHAIR STUTES stated that HB 185 would remove an unnecessary
burden placed on Alaskans. She added that it is her hope to
move HB 185 at the next hearing. Furthermore, she said that she
would consider the clarifying amendment and would confer with
the committee before the next meeting, at which both public and
invited testimony would be allowed.
[HB 185 was held over.]
11:36:54 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 11:36
a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 185 Sponsor Statement v. M 1.30.20.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM |
HB 185 |
| HB 185 v M 1.21.20.PDF |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/6/2020 11:00:00 AM |
HB 185 |
| HB 185 Fiscal Note DMV 2.1.20.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/6/2020 11:00:00 AM |
HB 185 |
| HB 185 Fiscal Note DPS 1.31.20.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/6/2020 11:00:00 AM |
HB 185 |
| HB 185 CFEC Vessel Licensing Forms 2.2.20.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/6/2020 11:00:00 AM HTRA 2/25/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 185 |
| HB 185 Additional Document SB 92 (Enrolled 2018).PDF |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/6/2020 11:00:00 AM |
HB 185 SB 92 |
| HB 185 USCG Brochure Documentation and Tonnage.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/6/2020 11:00:00 AM HTRA 2/25/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 185 |
| HB 185 UFA Support Letter 1.20.20.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/6/2020 11:00:00 AM |
HB 185 |
| HB 185 USAG Support Letter 1.31.20.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/6/2020 11:00:00 AM HTRA 2/25/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 185 |
| HB 203 Sponsor Statement 01.24.20.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |
| HB 203 1.21.20.PDF |
HFSH 1/30/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/19/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |
| HB 203 Fiscal Note ADF&G 1.25.20.pdf |
HFSH 1/30/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |
| HB 203 City of Unalaska Support Letter 1.25.20.pdf |
HFSH 1/30/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |
| HB 203 Fiscal Note DPS 1.24.20.pdf |
HFSH 1/30/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |
| HB 203 Lynden Suport Letter 1.29.20.pdf |
HFSH 1/30/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |
| HB 203 Ocean Beauty Support Letter 01.28.20.pdf |
HFSH 1/30/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |
| HB 203 SEAFA Support Letter 1.29.20.pdf |
HFSH 1/30/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |
| HB 203 Sponsor Statement 01.25.20.pdf |
HFSH 1/30/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |
| HB 203 Testimony Recieved by 1.29.20.pdf |
HFSH 1/30/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/19/2020 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |
| HB 203 United Fishermen of Alaska Support Letter 1.14.20.pdf |
HFSH 1/30/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |
| HB 203 Edward Poulsen and Tom Enlow Letter of Support 1.23.20.pdf |
HFSH 1/30/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |
| HB 203 Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers Letter of Support 1.28.20.pdf |
HFSH 1/30/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |
| HB 203 ASMI Letter of Support 1.30.20.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |
| HB 203 Response from DEC 02.02.20.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |
| HB 185 2020 CFEC- Fishing Vessel Licensing 2.3.20.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM |
HB 185 |
| HB 185 CDFU Support Letter 2.3.20.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/6/2020 11:00:00 AM HTRA 2/25/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 185 |
| HB 185 CFEC Vessesl License. Number Plate, and Decal 2.3.20.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/6/2020 11:00:00 AM |
HB 185 |
| HB 185 Testimony Recieved by 2.3.20.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM |
HB 185 |
| HB 185 Support Letter ABSCA 2.3.20.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/6/2020 11:00:00 AM HTRA 2/25/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 185 |
| HB185 AAHPA Board Statement 2-3-2020.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/6/2020 11:00:00 AM |
HB 185 |
| HB 185 City of Seldovia CFEC Automatic Registration Resolution.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HFSH 2/6/2020 11:00:00 AM HTRA 2/25/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 185 |
| HB 203 Amendment #1 Edgmon 01.31.20.pdf |
HFSH 2/4/2020 11:00:00 AM HRES 2/21/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 203 |