Legislature(2021 - 2022)GRUENBERG 120

03/09/2021 11:00 AM House FISHERIES

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
-- Please Note Time Change --
+= HB 80 SPT FSH HATCHERY FACIL ACCT; SURCHARGE TELECONFERENCED
Moved CSHB 80(FSH) Out of Committee
-- Testimony <Invitation Only> --
+= HB 115 AQUATIC FARMING & HATCHERY SITE LEASES TELECONFERENCED
Moved HB 115 Out of Committee
-- Public Testimony --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
              HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES                                                                            
                         March 9, 2021                                                                                          
                           11:04 a.m.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Geran Tarr, Chair                                                                                                
Representative Louise Stutes                                                                                                    
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins                                                                                          
Representative Andi Story                                                                                                       
Representative Dan Ortiz                                                                                                        
Representative Sarah Vance                                                                                                      
Representative Kevin McCabe                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
All members present.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 80                                                                                                               
"An Act establishing the sport fishing hatchery facilities                                                                      
account; establishing the sport fishing facility surcharge; and                                                                 
providing for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED CSHB 80(FSH) OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 115                                                                                                              
"An Act  relating to  aquatic farming  and hatchery  site leases;                                                               
and requiring  the director of  the division of lands  to provide                                                               
the  legislature  with  an  annual  report  relating  to  aquatic                                                               
farming and hatchery site leases."                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED HB 115 OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB  80                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: SPT FSH HATCHERY FACIL ACCT; SURCHARGE                                                                             
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
02/18/21       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/18/21       (H)       FSH, FIN                                                                                               
02/23/21       (H)       FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120                                                                          
02/23/21       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
02/23/21       (H)       MINUTE(FSH)                                                                                            
02/25/21       (H)       FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120                                                                          
02/25/21       (H)       -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                 
03/02/21       (H)       FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120                                                                          
03/02/21       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/02/21       (H)       MINUTE(FSH)                                                                                            
03/04/21       (H)       FSH AT 11:00 AM GRUENBERG 120                                                                          
03/04/21       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/04/21       (H)       MINUTE(FSH)                                                                                            
03/09/21       (H)       FSH AT 11:00 AM GRUENBERG 120                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 115                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: AQUATIC FARMING & HATCHERY SITE LEASES                                                                             
SPONSOR(s): STORY                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
02/24/21       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/24/21       (H)       FSH, RES                                                                                               
03/04/21       (H)       FSH AT 11:00 AM GRUENBERG 120                                                                          
03/04/21       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/04/21       (H)       MINUTE(FSH)                                                                                            
03/09/21       (H)       FSH AT 11:00 AM GRUENBERG 120                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
DOUGLAS VINCENT-LANG, Commissioner                                                                                              
Alaska Department of Fish and Game                                                                                              
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Answered questions during the hearing on HB
80.                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
11:04:44 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR GERAN TARR called the  House Special Committee on Fisheries                                                             
meeting to  order at  11:04 a.m.   Representatives  Story, Ortiz,                                                               
Vance, McCabe, Stutes, Kreiss-Tompkins,  and Tarr were present at                                                               
the call to order.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ moved that Representative Stutes be elected                                                                
as vice chair of the House Special Committee on Fisheries.                                                                      
There being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
          HB 80-SPT FSH HATCHERY FACIL ACCT; SURCHARGE                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
11:06:42 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TARR  announced that  the first order  of business                                                               
would  be HOUSE  BILL  NO.  80, "An  Act  establishing the  sport                                                               
fishing  hatchery  facilities  account;  establishing  the  sport                                                               
fishing  facility  surcharge;  and  providing  for  an  effective                                                               
date."                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
[At the House  Special Committee on Fisheries  meeting on 3/4/21,                                                               
an amendment  referred to as  Amendment 1 was never  offered; the                                                               
first amendment offered and adopted on 3/4/21 was Amendment 2.]                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
11:07:21 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  VANCE moved  Amendment 3,  labeled 32-GH1609\A.6,                                                               
Bullard, 3/5/21, which read as follows:                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 1:                                                                                                            
          Delete "hatchery facilities"                                                                                        
          Insert "enhancement"                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 2:                                                                                                            
          Delete "facility"                                                                                                   
          Insert "enhancement"                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 5:                                                                                                            
          Delete "facility"                                                                                                     
          Insert "enhancement"                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 7:                                                                                                            
          Delete "hatchery facilities"                                                                                          
          Insert "enhancement"                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, lines 7 - 10:                                                                                                      
          Delete "Money in the sport fishing hatchery                                                                           
     facilities  account  shall   be  allocated  to  ongoing                                                                    
     maintenance  and operation  of  the department's  sport                                                                    
     fish  hatchery  facilities   and  sport  fishing  stock                                                                    
     enhancement  intended   to  directly   benefit  license                                                                    
     purchasers."                                                                                                               
          Insert "The department shall allocate money in                                                                        
     the  enhancement   account  to  programs   intended  to                                                                    
     directly benefit license purchasers as follows:                                                                            
               (1)  $2.50 of each surcharge collected to                                                                        
     fisheries  management,   fisheries  research,  invasive                                                                    
     species    suppression    and   eradication,    habitat                                                                    
     restoration,   and    ongoing   maintenance    of   the                                                                    
     department's   sport  fishing   facilities  and   sport                                                                    
     fishing hatchery facilities; and                                                                                           
               (2)  the remainder of each surcharge                                                                             
        collected to sport fishing stock enhancement and                                                                        
     ongoing maintenance of the department's sport fishing                                                                      
     hatchery facilities."                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, line 11:                                                                                                           
          Delete "facility"                                                                                                     
          Insert "enhancement"                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, lines 12 - 13:                                                                                                     
          Delete "ongoing maintenance and operation of the                                                                      
        department's fish hatchery facilities and sport                                                                         
     fishing stock enhancement"                                                                                                 
          Insert "enhancement of sport fisheries"                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, line 19:                                                                                                           
          Delete "facility"                                                                                                     
          Insert "enhancement"                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR TARR objected for the purposes of discussion.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE  explained that  the purpose of  Amendment 3                                                               
would be  to allow flexibility  to both maintain the  fishery and                                                               
the maintenance and operations of [hatchery] facilities.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
11:08:30 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ  asked for an  explanation on the  impact of                                                               
the proposed  amendment on  how the resources  have been  used in                                                               
the past  and how  they may  be used in  the future,  should this                                                               
amendment be adopted [and HB 80 pass as amended].                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  VANCE  explained  that,   with  the  adoption  of                                                               
Amendment  2  [adopted  at  the  March  4,  2021,  House  Special                                                               
Committee  on   Fisheries  meeting],   the  surcharge   had  been                                                               
increased to $6.50.  She  explained that under Amendment 3, $2.50                                                               
of each  surcharge would be ["collected  to fisheries management,                                                               
fisheries    research,   invasive    species   suppression    and                                                               
eradication, habitat restoration, and  ongoing maintenance of the                                                               
department's sport fishing facilities  and sport fishing hatchery                                                               
facilities"]; the  remaining $4.00 would be  ["collected to sport                                                               
fishing  stock   enhancement  and  ongoing  maintenance   of  the                                                               
department's sport fishing hatchery facilities"].                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
11:09:37 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  ORTIZ   sought  to  clarify  that   the  proposed                                                               
Amendment (3) would ensure that  funds would be used for hatchery                                                               
maintenance as well as other [program] areas.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  VANCE confirmed  this as  correct and  added that                                                               
funds  would be  used  within the  Sportfish  Division of  Alaska                                                               
Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G).                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
11:10:06 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ asked whether the  fee had been lowered, and                                                               
the  lowering  of  the  fee   to  $2.50  would  result  in  lower                                                               
[available] resources overall.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   VANCE   answered   that  the   entire   proposed                                                               
assessment would be  $6.50.  Without the  proposed amendment, the                                                               
full  fee  would be  designated  for  [enhancement and  hatchery]                                                               
maintenance; Amendment  3 would provide that  $2.50 be designated                                                               
to the previously listed enhancements.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
11:11:22 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ asked whether the  amendment had been at the                                                               
request of the department or any other [interested party].                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE answered no,  Amendment 3 had been conceived                                                               
to  include language  that  had  been included  in  the bill  the                                                               
previous year prior to COVID-19.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
11:12:07 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STUTES  offered  additional  explanation  that  a                                                               
previous version  of the bill had  proposed a total fee  of $9.00                                                               
which  had been  reduced  to $6.50,  and  the proposed  amendment                                                               
provides  for  $2.50 of  that  fee  to  be designated  for  other                                                               
[sportfish division]  activities.   She added that  the amendment                                                               
would provide  flexibility for how  the department may  spend the                                                               
funds.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
11:13:13 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ  sought to clarify that,  under the proposed                                                               
amendment, the full  fees would not be  available for maintenance                                                               
and operations of hatcheries.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES answered  yes, and no.   She explained that                                                               
the bonds [for which the  fees had been previously collected] had                                                               
been paid  off and the result  of Amendment 3 would  be that more                                                               
funds would  be available for  both the hatchery  maintenance and                                                               
operations  as   well  as  other  program   activities,  and  she                                                               
characterized it as a "win-win".                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
11:14:29 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STORY stated that it  was her intention to support                                                               
the  original intent  of the  bill, which  had included  both the                                                               
maintenance  and  operations  of hatcheries  and  enhancement  of                                                               
fisheries.  She  stated her understanding that the  fees had been                                                               
increased from  the original  bill as  requested by  the governor                                                               
and  asked whether  Amendment 3  would restore  the full  fee [as                                                               
proposed in previous versions of the bill].                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
11:15:19 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
DOUGLAS  VINCENT-LANG, Commissioner,  Alaska  Department of  Fish                                                               
and Game, answered  that, during the preparation of  [HB 80], the                                                               
costs  had  been  taken  into  consideration  for  both  hatchery                                                               
maintenance and  operations as well  as enhancement  of Southeast                                                               
fisheries.    He  stated  his  understanding  that  the  increase                                                               
resulting  the  adoption  of  Amendment   2  would  be  used  for                                                               
additional   fisheries   management   activities  that   may   be                                                               
requested.   He stated that he  had not had discussions  with the                                                               
governor about the use of the additional funds.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
11:16:44 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked what  the implications would be should                                                               
a future committee reamend the bill and reduce the fee by $2.50.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  VINCENT-LANG   answered  that   the  result   of  a                                                               
reduction would  be a draw  [from other sources] since  the $4.00                                                               
fee alone  would not  be adequate to  fund the  maintenance costs                                                               
and proposed enhancement activities.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
11:17:47 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MCCABE   stated  that   another  bill   would  be                                                               
considered pertaining  to invasive species mitigation  that had a                                                               
fiscal  note.    He  asked   whether  the  $2.50  proposed  under                                                               
Amendment 3  would be sufficient  to cover the fiscal  note [with                                                               
the other bill].  He allowed that  the question may be " a little                                                               
off topic" [of HB 80].                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  VINCENT-LANG   stated  that   the  bill   to  which                                                               
Representative McCabe  had referred  would establish  an invasive                                                               
species council  and he estimated  the associate fiscal  note for                                                               
that to  be between  $70,000 to  $80,000.   He suggested  that it                                                               
could be possible to use the $2.50for the [proposed] council.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
11:19:16 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS  asked whether the  $6.50 surcharge                                                               
would be  adequate to cover  costs of maintenance  and operations                                                               
of  hatcheries  in  addition to  additional  activities  such  as                                                               
invasive species management.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG  answered that hatchery  operations and                                                               
maintenance would be adequately funded  with the proposed fee but                                                               
cautioned he could not state  with certainty that the funds would                                                               
be  adequate to  fully fund  all  the programs,  only that  there                                                               
would be  funds to  initially address some  needs.   He suggested                                                               
the example of habitat restoration  as a program that could fully                                                               
consume the  additional available funding  over the next  five to                                                               
six years.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  KREISS-TOMKINS stated  his support  for Amendment                                                               
3.   He observed there  were two versions  of Amendment 3  in the                                                               
committee packet,  one with the second  and third line of  page 2                                                               
of the amendment crossed out and  the other with no lines crossed                                                               
out.   He asked to confirm  the correct version of  the amendment                                                               
under consideration among the paperwork before him.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
11:21:30 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TARR stated that  Representative Vance would offer                                                               
a  conceptual amendment  to provide  additional clarification  of                                                               
the amendment being considered.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
11:21:38 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  VANCE  stated  that,  immediately  prior  to  the                                                               
meeting,  it   had  been  discovered  there   exists  duplicative                                                               
language in the bill.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  VANCE moved  to adopt  Conceptual Amendment  1 to                                                               
Amendment 3:  on page  2, line 1 following "habitat restoration",                                                               
to delete  the comma and insert  a period, and to  delete lines 2                                                               
and 3 [as numbered in Amendment 3].                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
11:22:10 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  TARR objected  for  the  purposes of  discussion,                                                               
then removed  her objection.   There being no  further objection,                                                               
Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment 3 was adopted.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
11:22:44 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TARR  offered Conceptual Amendment 2  to Amendment                                                               
3 [as amended] to delete  the words "suppression and eradication"                                                               
on line  1 [as numbered in  the amendment] and replace  them with                                                               
the  word  "management"  at  the  suggestion  of  the  department                                                               
regarding invasive species.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
11:23:15 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  VANCE objected  for the  purposes of  discussion.                                                               
She  drew attention  to  page  1, line  23,  of  Amendment 3,  as                                                               
amended,  which read:    "$2.50 of  each  surcharge collected  to                                                               
fisheries management",  to demonstrate the word  "management" was                                                               
included.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
11:23:28 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR TARR  referenced the words "suppression"  and "eradication"                                                               
specifically regarding invasive  species management and expressed                                                               
that, according  to the department, "management"  would allow for                                                               
maximum flexibility in addressing invasive species.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  VANCE  removed her  objection.    There being  no                                                               
further  objection, Conceptual  Amendment  2 to  Amendment 3  was                                                               
adopted.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
11:24:19 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STORY stated  her support for the  Amendment 3, as                                                               
amended, and stated  her concern that, should the  fee be reduced                                                               
by future potential  amendments, the original intent  of the bill                                                               
would be at  risk.  She asked  members to keep that  in mind [for                                                               
future consideration of the bill].                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
11:25:21 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TARR  expressed her  pleasure that  the department                                                               
representatives  were present  for the  discussion and  that they                                                               
would  be involved  in  future  hearings of  the  bill and  could                                                               
advocate that the original intent be maintained.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
11:25:36 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES stated that  the proposed language had been                                                               
included in  previous versions of  the bill and that  the amounts                                                               
had not changed during consideration  of the bill.  She expressed                                                               
her confidence that the full  fee would remain intact, especially                                                               
considering  the  "hit" caused  by  the  [COVID-19] pandemic,  it                                                               
would further  encourage [legislators] to maintain  the amount as                                                               
proposed throughout future consideration of the bill.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
11:26:33 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE  stated that  she had  been in  contact with                                                               
Legislative Legal  Services and  was confident with  their answer                                                               
suggesting that the  language as proposed was  adequate to ensure                                                               
that  the $2.50  would remain,  and for  that language  to be  at                                                               
risk, the bill would have to be [rewritten to reverse it].                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
11:27:53 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  KREISS-TOMKINS  echoed   the  concern  raised  by                                                               
Representative Story  and stated  that his  support for  the bill                                                               
would be on the condition that the underlying intent remain.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
11:28:27 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  ORTIZ  echoed  comments  made  by  Representative                                                               
Story and asked  whether the sponsor of Amendment  3, as amended,                                                               
would  consider an  additional  conceptual  amendment to  include                                                               
some assurance to maintain the intent of the bill.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE agreed  to follow the will  of the committee                                                               
to consider such a conceptual amendment.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ stated that  his individual viewpoint may or                                                               
may not reflect the will of the committee.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
11:29:24 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The committee took a brief at-ease.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
11:30:20 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TARR stated  that during the at-ease,  it had been                                                               
discussed  that  the  language,   since  it  remained  intact  in                                                               
previous versions  of the  bill, would likely  go forth  with the                                                               
original  intent  of  the  bill   intact.    She  encouraged  the                                                               
department  to follow  the legislation  closely and  monitor that                                                               
the original intent should remain.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
11:30:48 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TARR  asked if the  commissioner had a  comment to                                                               
add to the discussion.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG  stated his understanding  that, should                                                               
[Amendment  2,  adopted  on  3/4/21]  remain  [unchanged]  during                                                               
future  consideration  of the  bill,  the  original intent  would                                                               
remain.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
11:31:26 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TARR removed her objection  to the motion to adopt                                                               
Amendment  3, as  amended.   There  being  no further  objection,                                                               
Amendment 3, as amended, was adopted.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
11:31:51 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  KREISS-TOMKINS   moved  to  adopt   Amendment  4,                                                               
labeled as GH-1609\A.8, Bullard, 3/8/21, which read as follows:                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 2, following "surcharge;":                                                                                  
          Insert "relating to the power of the commissioner                                                                   
     of fish and game to adopt certain regulations;"                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 11, through page 2, line 7:                                                                                   
          Delete all material.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, following line 31:                                                                                                 
     Insert a new bill section to read:                                                                                         
        "* Sec. 3. AS 16.05.340(i) is repealed."                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Renumber the following bill section accordingly.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TARR objected for the purposes of discussion.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS stated  that the proposed amendment                                                               
pertained to  the discretion of  the commissioner related  to the                                                               
relationship   between   Alaska   and   Yukon   [Territory]   for                                                               
reciprocity  of  resident   license  fees.    He   asked  if  the                                                               
commissioner could provide cost benefit data.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
11:33:07 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  VINCENT-LANG answered  that between  2017 and  2019                                                               
the  average number  of licenses  was estimated  to be  2,300 and                                                               
$65,000 in revenue.   He added that, in 2020,  the license number                                                               
totaled eight.   He  stated that he  had learned  of considerable                                                               
public opposition [to the proposed  Amendment 4], especially from                                                               
the community of Haines, which  experienced economic benefit from                                                               
the reciprocity and its resulting tourism.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  KREISS-TOMKINS  withdrew   his  motion  to  adopt                                                               
Amendment 4.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
11:34:26 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  TARR  added  that the  department  had  submitted                                                               
information  specific to  Representative  Kreiss-Tomkins line  of                                                               
questioning and it had been included in the committee packet.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
11:34:36 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE  stated that she had  initially had concerns                                                               
with  lost  revenue from  the  reciprocity  agreement and,  after                                                               
discussions  with  Representative   Hannan,  the  apparent  "lost                                                               
revenue"  in  fact  resulted  in   an  economic  benefit  with  a                                                               
multiplier effect in  the economies of the  communities of Haines                                                               
and Skagway.   She asked  whether the department could  share its                                                               
understanding of the economic impact  and return on investment in                                                               
those communities.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER   VINCENT-LANG  stated   that,  while   no  economic                                                               
analysis had been conducted on  the matter, he was confident that                                                               
the $67,000  in apparent losses  was "more  than made up  for" in                                                               
economic benefits.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
11:36:13 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked what  benefit might exist for Alaskans                                                               
on the Yukon side of  the state-to-state agreement and added that                                                               
there   existed   some   "heartburn"   due   to   recent   travel                                                               
restrictions.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  VINCENT-LANG answered  that  Alaskans benefit  from                                                               
resident hunting and fishing license  fees in Yukon.  He recalled                                                               
that  the inception  of the  program had  occurred under  [former                                                               
Governor  Frank] Murkowski  and had  been proposed  by Alaska  to                                                               
Yukon Territory  as a  way to  establish a  good-neighbor policy.                                                               
He allowed that  there exist some difficulties  with travel under                                                               
COVID-19  imposed restrictions,  although he  suggested that  the                                                               
longer-term  viewpoint  was more  of  a  diplomatic one  than  an                                                               
economic one,  considering the long  border shared  between Yukon                                                               
and Alaska.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
11:38:01 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  VANCE  stated that  the  last  page of  the  bill                                                               
contained an  effective date  of July 1,  2020 and  asked whether                                                               
the committee wished to consider  a more immediate effective date                                                               
upon passage of the bill.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
11:38:43 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  TARR  asked  the   commissioner  to  confirm  the                                                               
expiration date [of the program]  as January 1, 2021, and whether                                                               
there would  be a resulting  "void" between [the  effective date]                                                               
July 1, 2020, and January 1, 2021.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG  stated that the implementation  of the                                                               
surcharge would  most likely occur  at the beginning of  the next                                                               
calendar year  to align with the  license year.  He  allowed that                                                               
the result  would include a year  of [lost revenue] but  that the                                                               
enhancement payment had already taken place for that year.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
11:39:41 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MCCABE  expressed   his  concern  that  Southeast                                                               
Alaska enhancement  had been discussed twice  [during the hearing                                                               
of  HB 80]  and asked  whether  the fee  would be  used to  cover                                                               
anything in addition to fixing  the cement raceway at the Crystal                                                               
Lake facility.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
11:40:19 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  VINCENT-LANG  stated  that   the  surcharge  as  it                                                               
existed had funded  repayment of bonds, and  approximately a half                                                               
million  dollars had  been designated  to Southeast  Alaska.   He                                                               
added  that  a  portion  of  the  fees  were  paid  by  Southeast                                                               
fishermen and  expressed his hope  to use  some of the  funds for                                                               
deferred  maintenance on  the Crystal  Lake  facility, which  the                                                               
state owns.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
11:41:18 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 11:41 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
11:45:20 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES moved  to report HB 80, as  amended, out of                                                               
committee  with individual  recommendations and  the accompanying                                                               
fiscal  notes.    There  being no  objection,  CSHB  80(FSH)  was                                                               
reported out of the House Special Committee on Fisheries.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR TARR stated  that the House Special  Committee on Fisheries                                                               
would  grant   Legislative  Legal   and  Research   Services  the                                                               
authority  to  make  technical and  conforming  changes  to  CSHB
80(FSH).                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
         HB 115-AQUATIC FARMING & HATCHERY SITE LEASES                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
11:46:09 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR TARR  announced that the  final order of business  would be                                                               
HOUSE  BILL NO.  115, "An  Act  relating to  aquatic farming  and                                                               
hatchery site leases; and requiring  the director of the division                                                               
of  lands  to  provide  the legislature  with  an  annual  report                                                               
relating to aquatic farming and hatchery site leases."                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
11:46:26 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STORY stated that  the bill pertains to expediting                                                               
the leasing  process.  She  stated that,  should HB 115  pass and                                                               
become law,  the expedited lease  process would  remain optional;                                                               
the commissioner could still require  an applicant to undergo the                                                               
full  lengthy  process; the  public  would  continue to  have  an                                                               
opportunity to contact the Department  of Natural Resources (DNR)                                                               
with any complaints  at any time; and the  department would still                                                               
be required to  issue public notice of an  approved renewal which                                                               
includes a 30-day appeal window.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
11:47:56 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  TARR   opened  public   testimony  on   HB  115.     After                                                               
ascertaining that  there was  no one who  wished to  testify, she                                                               
closed public testimony.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
11:50:15 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 11:50 a.m. to 11:51 a.m.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
11:51:40 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES  moved to  report HB  115 out  of committee                                                               
with  individual  recommendations  and  the  accompanying  fiscal                                                               
note.   There  being no  objection, HB  115 was  reported out  of                                                               
House Special Committee on Fisheries.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
11:53:39 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being no further business before the committee, the House                                                                 
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 11:53                                                                   
a.m.                                                                                                                            

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HB 80 Transmittal Letter 1.28.21.pdf HFSH 2/23/2021 10:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 80 v A 2.18.21.PDF HFSH 2/23/2021 10:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 80 Sectional Analysis - ver. A 2.18.21.pdf HFSH 2/23/2021 10:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 80 Fiscal Note #1 ADF&G 2.18.21.pdf HFSH 2/23/2021 10:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 80 Support Doc - Surcharge Revenue Breakdown 1.27.21.pdf HFSH 2/23/2021 10:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB80 Support Doc - Stocking FAQ Revised 2.24.21.pdf HFSH 3/2/2021 10:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 80 Support Letter-Alaska Salmon Hatchery Operators 2.21.21.pdf HFSH 2/23/2021 10:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 80 Support Letter-SEAFA 2.22.21.pdf HFSH 2/23/2021 10:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 80 Support Letter-UFA 2.22.21.pdf HFSH 2/23/2021 10:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 80 Support Letter ATA 2.23.21.pdf HFSH 2/23/2021 10:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 80 Letter of Support - SSRAA 3.4.21.pdf HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 80 Letter of Support - Petersburg Economic Development Council 3.4.21.pdf HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 80 Email of Opposition - Derrick 3.2.21.pdf HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 115 Sponsor Statement 02.24.21.pdf HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HRES 3/19/2021 1:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 ver W 02.24.21.PDF HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 115
HB 115 ver W Sectional Analysis 02.24.21.pdf HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HRES 3/19/2021 1:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 Fiscal Note - DNR-MLW 02.26.21.pdf HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 115
HB 115 Seagrove letter of support 03.02.21.pdf HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HRES 3/19/2021 1:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 MTF Letter of Support 03.01.21.pdf HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HRES 3/19/2021 1:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 Marble Seafoods Hump Island letter of support 03.02.21.pdf HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HRES 3/19/2021 1:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 Global Seas letter of support 03.02.21.pdf HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HRES 3/19/2021 1:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 AFDF Letter of Support 03.01.21.pdf HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HRES 3/19/2021 1:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 Southeast Conference Letter of Support 3.3.21.pdf HFSH 3/4/2021 11:00:00 AM
HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HRES 3/19/2021 1:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 115 Letter of Support - Simpson Bay Oyster Company 3.3.21.pdf HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HRES 3/19/2021 1:00:00 PM
HB 115
HB 80 Amendment Two (A.5) - Stutes - ADOPTED 3.3.21.pdf HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 80 Amendment Three (A.6) - Vance 3.8.21.pdf HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 80 Amendment Four (A.8) - Kreiss-Tomkins 3.8.21.pdf HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 80 Supporting Document - Yukon License Fees 3.8.21.pdf HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 80
HB 115 Resolution of Support - JEDC 3.9.21.pdf HFSH 3/9/2021 11:00:00 AM
HB 115