Legislature(2025 - 2026)GRUENBERG 120
03/25/2025 10:00 AM House FISHERIES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB129 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 125 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 129 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
March 25, 2025
10:02 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Louise Stutes, Chair
Representative Bryce Edgmon, Vice Chair
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
Representative Chuck Kopp
Representative Kevin McCabe
Representative Bill Elam
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Sarah Vance
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 125
"An Act relating to membership of the Board of Fisheries."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 129
"An Act relating to the fisheries product development tax
credit; providing for an effective date by amending the
effective date of sec. 2, ch. 31, SLA 2022; and providing for an
effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 125
SHORT TITLE: BOARD OF FISHERIES MEMBERSHIP
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) JIMMIE
03/05/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/05/25 (H) FSH, RES
03/18/25 (H) FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
03/18/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/18/25 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
03/25/25 (H) FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 129
SHORT TITLE: FISHERIES PROD DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT
SPONSOR(s): FISHERIES BY REQUEST OF TASK FORCE EVAL ALASKA
SEAFOOD INDUSTRY
03/10/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/10/25 (H) FSH, FIN
03/20/25 (H) FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
03/20/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/20/25 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
03/25/25 (H) FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE NELLIE UNANGIQ JIMMIE
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, gave an overview of HB
125 and offered interpretation of Fritz Georges testimony.
JOHN MANLEY, representing self
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 125.
KAREN LINNELL, representing self
Glenallen, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 125.
RUSSELL CLARK, representing self
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 125.
JAMES SIMON, representing self
Salcha, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 125.
COLBY ENGSTROM, representing self
Nome, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified about HB 125.
DONALD HERNANDEZ, representing self
Point Baker, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 125.
DOREEN LEAVITT
Inupiaq Community of Arctic Slope
Arctic Slope, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 125.
CHUCK DERRICK, Member
Chitna Dipnetters Association
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 125.
BRIAN RIDLEY, Chief Chairman
Tanana Chiefs Conference
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 125.
ROD ARNO, Policy Director
Alaska Outdoor Council
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with conditional support of HB
125.
FRITZ GEORGE, representing self
Akiachak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 125.
MONTE ROBERTS, representing self
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 125.
SHANNON MARTIN, Executive Director
Kenai River Sportfishing Association
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 125.
NANCY HILLSTRAND, Owner
Pioneer Alaskan Fisheries
Port Lions, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified about HB 125.
JOE FELKL, Legislative Liaison
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions pertaining to HB 125.
MATT GRUENING, Staff
Representative Louise Stutes
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a brief summary of HB 129.
SINCLAIR WILT, Vice President
Westward Seafood
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 129.
ACTION NARRATIVE
10:02:12 AM
CHAIR LOUISE STUTES called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. Representatives
Himschoot, Kopp, McCabe, Elam, and Stutes were present at the
call to order. Representatives Edgmon arrived as the meeting
was in progress.
HB 125-BOARD OF FISHERIES MEMBERSHIP
10:03:48 AM
CHAIR STUTES announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 125, "An Act relating to membership of the Board
of Fisheries."
10:04:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE NELLIE UNANGIQ JIMMIE, Alaska State Legislature,
as prime sponsor, gave an overview of HB 125. She remarked that
the bill would rearrange the composition of the Board of Fish.
It would include two subsistence seats, two commercial seats,
two sportfishing seats, and lastly one scientist. She said that
the aim of the bill is to give a voice to subsistence users, not
only in her district but ideally the rest of Alaska.
10:05:41 AM
CHAIR STUTES, after ascertaining that there were no questions
from committee members, opened public testimony on HB 125.
10:06:07 AM
JOHN MANLEY, representing self, testified in support of HB 125.
He believed that the current Board of Fisheries was "grossly
imbalanced right now." He raised concerns that recently a board
member at an Anchorage hearing suggested that they would like to
see a day where there is no driftnet fishing in Cook Inlet. He
opined that comments like this should disqualify individuals
from candidacy or continued service to the board. He said that
no one should serve on that board who has an objective to
eliminate one user group from participating in a fishery. He
remarked that he was a commercial fisherman who has fished Cook
Inlet for a long-time. He did not know the criteria for how the
board would be composed but opined that HB 125 was a step in the
right direction.
10:08:05 AM
KAREN LINNELL, Executive Director, AHTNA Intertribal Resource
Commission, testified in support of HB 125. She said that she
appreciates where this bill is trying to go. However, she
raised concerns that a National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) candidate for the scientist position was
inappropriate and did not believe that a federal agency should
have a voice on a state-run Board of Fish. She did suggest that
two scientists appointed to the board would also be favorable,
and a sportfishing appointment as well since they bring "a lot
of economy to Alaska." She said that some of these seats should
be "river seats" since she believed that concerns occurring on
Alaska Rivers were not being adequately addressed by the board,
especially salmon in the rivers. She said that she has
participated in Board of Fisheries and Board of Game meetings
for twenty or more years and the current closures around the
state are concerning. She remarked that looking at
sustainability is important.
MS. LINNEL also raised concerns over appointments from the
Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN). She said that other tribal
members unaffiliated with the group should be able to be
candidates for subsistence nominations.
10:11:09 AM
RUSSELL CLARK, representing self, testified in support of HB
125. He remarked that he has commercially fished Cook Inlet for
24 years and believed that HB 125 was a "step in the right
direction." He said that currently a problem with the board is
that one user group has potentially more board members than
another user group. He reiterated that he believes the proposed
bill would strike a balance but raised concerns that the
scientific appointment to the board should not have federal
affiliations.
MR. CLARK also said that the current rules regarding conflicts
of interest at board deliberations need to be revisited. He
said that recusal is preventing appropriate local representation
and does not foster good deliberations, if the representative
member of the fishery must recuse themself.
10:13:58 AM
JAMES SIMON, representing self, testified in support of HB 125.
He said that the proposed bill is a great step forward in making
sure that all Alaskans have representation on the Board of
Fisheries. Like others, he opined that a federal appointee for
the scientist position on the board was unnecessary, and the
state had several other options for selecting candidates, such
as the state's university systems. He also suggested that
subsistence appointees should not solely be selected by a list
provided by the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) but other
tribal affiliates and organizations as well.
10:15:58 AM
COLBY ENGSTROM, representing self, testified about HB 125. He
said that he commercial fishes but also practices a subsistence
lifestyle. Like other testifiers, he opined that the proposed
bill was a "step in the right direction." However, he opposed
the bill's current construction. He believed the intent of the
bill was to give a voice to different user groups for the
purpose of conservation and development. He raised concerns
that due to the nature of board members being appointed solely
by the governor, the board may focus more on development than
conservation. He said that the board decisions should be in the
best interests of Alaskans, not any political agenda. He
proposed that the six selected board members could select a
scientific appointment rather than having an appointment made by
NOAA, which is a federal agency.
MR. ENGSTROM said that the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation
(APFC) Board was a perfect example of current political
manipulation that impacts Alaskans. He said that a survey
suggests that 74 percent of Alaskans disagree with the current
management. He raised concerns that campaign contributions may
sway the decision making associated with the APFC Board. He
said that checks and balances must be maintained for the benefit
of all Alaskans. He said that he does not believe the governor
should have control over the board.
10:18:02 AM
DONALD HERNANDEZ, representing self, testified in support of HB
125. He said that Point Baker is a remote rural community and
relies heavily on subsistence practices. He also said that he
had a long history of involvement with the regulatory process in
Alaska. He said that subsistence harvests are the priority
harvests in Alaska, and he did not feel that the user group has
been well represented in previous board deliberations. He noted
that the proposed bill would ensure that the Board of Fisheries
would have fair and equitable distribution of user groups
represented by the board. He remarked that the scientific
addition to the proposed board restructuring was a positive
thing as well.
10:19:33 AM
DOREEN LEAVITT, Inupiaq Community of Arctic Slope, speaking on
behalf of the community of Arctic Slope and the Alaska Regional
Coalition, testified in support of HB 125. She stated that the
Inupiaq Community of Arctic Slope is a federally recognized
tribe, and its role is to be stewards of the land and waters of
the Arctic Slope Region. She said that the proposed bill would
create more representation of actual user groups on the Board of
Fisheries. She said that her group, one that represents over
70,000 Alaskans, enthusiastically supports the addition of
subsistence users to the board. Additionally, the group
supports the addition of a science member to the board. She
urged the incorporation of indigenous knowledge into scientific
deliberations. She asked that subsistence appointees to the
board would have no qualifying factors or ties to sport or
commercial fishing.
10:22:04 AM
CHUCK DERRICK, Member, Chitna Dipnetters Association, testified
in opposition to HB 125. He said that he speaks for the Chitna
Dipnetters Association, which represents personal use fishing
activities. He said that the association opposes HB 125 as it
is written. He said that personal use fishing is not classified
as sport, subsistence, or commercial fishing. He said that over
40,000 residents in Southcentral Alaska participate in personal
use dipnet fisheries and there are others that personal use fish
for crab, shrimp, and other species as well. He said that
personal use fishing is not a user group that would be
represented on the proposed restructuring of the Board of
Fisheries. He noted that the process that exists now allows
appointees to be anyone who is interested. He remarked that
there is likely a better way to get more appointees interested
in open board positions. He reminded the committee that
personal use is a resident only fishery, while sport fishing is
resident and non-resident alike, and subsistence is qualified by
multiple criteria. Personal use is not technically considered
subsistence and is not commercial, as there is no sale of fish.
He said that personal use exists to feed families with harvested
fish. He reiterated that the Chitna Dipnetters Association
opposed HB 125 due to its failure to include personal use
fisheries as a user group.
10:25:14 AM
BRIAN RIDLEY, Chief Chairman, Tanana Chiefs Conference,
testified in support of HB 125. He said that the Tanana Chiefs
Conference is a tribal consortium that represents 37 federally
recognized tribes and approximately 18,000 Alaska Natives who
live, work, and subsist on the 1,400 miles of Yukon and
Kuskokwim River drainages. He said that Alaska has what has
long been called "the subsistence priority," which is written
into state statutes, and it aims to optimize subsistence first,
above all other user groups. He said that according to ADF&G,
of all wild resources harvested in Alaska during 2017,
commercial fishing accounted for 98.6 percent while subsistence
accounted for less than 1 percent of all fish and animals
harvested. He said that when looking at the subsistence take,
it accounts for approximately 47 million pounds of food, about
25 percent is consumed in urban Alaska and 75 percent is
consumed in rural Alaska. He said these numbers are significant
because they illustrate that subsistence practices compose the
food of rural Alaska.
MR. RIDLEY remarked the Board of Fisheries, and the Board of
Game have been skewed over time to over represent commercial
interests. He remarked that the ADF&G budget is overrepresented
by commercial interests, and, by the numbers, it appears that
subsistence users are less of a priority and more of an
afterthought to the state. He said that HB 125 seeks to provide
equity in user groups to ensure that the decisions made by the
Board of Fisheries are representative of all Alaskans. He said
that what is good for subsistence users is good for Alaska and
subsistence users are on the front-line and fighting for an
abundance of wild resources for the state.
10:27:53 AM
ROD ARNO, Policy Director, Alaska Outdoor Council, testified
with conditional support of HB 125. He said that the Alaska
Outdoor Council has been involved with conservation issues since
1955. He has personally attended Board of Fisheries meetings
for 3.5 decades. He said that he supports the bill with a
single amendment, making one of the subsistence appointments a
personal use appointment. Additionally, he said it would be
ideal to allow the Alaska Outdoor Council to submit a list of
nominees for the Board of Fisheries. He said it would be a real
advantage to make appointees to the board without the politics
of any governor. He said that most of the folks in Alaska that
participate in personal use fisheries do not live in areas that
federally qualify for subsistence activities. He said that
having a science board appointment was good but raised concerns
regarding a NOAA appointment to a state board.
10:30:47 AM
FRITZ GEORGE, representing self, testified in support of HB 125.
He gave his testimony in Yupik' regarding HB 125.
REPRESENTATIVE NELLIE UNANGIQ JIMMIE, acting as a translator for
the previous testifier, stated that he said that traditional
fishing has always been the way of life for his community, and
he felt that subsistence users were not adequately represented
on the Board of Fisheries.
10:35:34 AM
MONTE ROBERTS, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
125. He remarked that he is the president of the Kenai River
Professional Guides Organization and sits on the Kenai and
Soldotna Fish & Game Advisory Committee. Additionally, he
teaches public policy to fishing guides. He said that one of
the shocking things when listening to testifiers is the
misconceptions regarding what the board does and is. He said
there was not enough time to talk about this and he would send
in a letter. He said that when discussing designated seats, on
Friday there was a passionate speech by a legislator that their
interests were not shared by a member on the board. He said the
bill gives the impression that board members would exclusively
represent a single user group. He said the current board
structure is not partial and attempts to balance interests for
different user groups. He said the current structure supports
board-based interest for state fishing activities.
MR. ROBERTS remarked that there are 81 Fish & Game Advisory
Committees across the state and if those people are not feeling
like they are being heard, they have 15 member boards they can
meet with and provide feedback to give to the Board of
Fisheries. He said that he does not see all the rural
communities contributing on a consistent basis and they have
already been provided with this opportunity. He said that there
is regional advice and local expertise that can share feedback,
he said there cannot be an 800-member Board of Fisheries, but
these other avenues were present. He said that he looked
forward to finding a balanced solution.
10:39:04 AM
SHANNON MARTIN, Executive Director, Kenai River Sportfishing
Association, Testified in opposition to HB 125. She stated the
Kenai River Sportfishing Association (KRSA) is a 503C nonprofit
organization that is dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of
the Kenai River and Alaska fish resources. She noted that KRSA
advocates for sport fishing and personal use user groups and
their access to Alaska resources. She said that the group
currently has over 3,600 members. KRSA has concerns regarding
HB 125, particularly the provision to include the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with the Board of
Fisheries. She stated that Alaska has fought hard to get
management of its fisheries and the injection of federal
affiliates into a state board was concerning. She said that
Alaskans know the fishery best and KRSA strongly recommends
removing this provision. She also raised concerns over what
constitutes a sportfishing appointment, whether this was simply
owning a resident fishing license or what other qualifications
were in place. In 2024 there were over 150,000 resident fishing
licenses sold in Alaska, and in total more than 500,000 sport
fishing licenses sold. She said there may be additional
criteria regarding who should represent the user groups. While
KRSA has concerns regarding bill structuring, the group
recognizes and appreciates the spirit of the bill and shares the
same concern that there are too few salmon returning to their
spawning beds. The group supports a Board of Fisheries that
strives to put more salmon into Alaska Rivers. In conclusion
she reiterated that the biggest concern is the introduction of
NOAA into a state-run Board of Fisheries.
10:41:25 AM
NANCY HILLSTRAND, Owner, Pioneer Alaskan Fisheries, testified
that she has spent a lot of time with the Board of Fisheries and
has attended several meetings since 1994. She said that there
is a diversity of science that is introduced to the board. She
asked how and who is giving the information to the board for
decision making. She spent 17 years on the advisory committee
and if people went to the boards with a minority vote then the
boards liked it since there were better discussions and debates.
She said she loved the idea of scientific advisors but stated
that NOAA was not the appropriate pick. She also said that a
panel of scientists that could act as consultants could also be
useful. She said that having science interpreters for the board
would be good. She said that Alaska is losing its fisheries,
and many have been lost over the last 40 years. She said it may
have to do with what information is getting to the board. She
also asked how the Board of Fisheries can get the voice of ADF&G
to have the ability to answer questions during deliberations.
She raised concerns that board appointees were the only ones who
could answer.
10:44:52 AM
CHAIR STUTES, after ascertaining that there were no additional
testifiers, closed public testimony on HB 125.
10:45:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked how many fishery biologists were
employed ADF&G and noted that this information would be helpful
when considering an amendment for the bill.
10:45:40 AM
JOE FELKL, Legislative Liaison, Alaska Department of Fish &
Game, said that he did not have this information available but
would get it to the committee in short order.
10:45:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE remarked that he understands the pushback
on federal involvement with the Board of Fisheries. He said
that in his opinion, it may be better to appoint a state
biologist or state scientist than NOAA, which is a federal
entity.
10:46:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP echoed what Representative McCabe had
suggested. He noted that finding the right scientist voice that
was more representative of Alaska may be better. He said that
the University of Alaska systems could have scientists as well.
He also remarked what has been made clear was that the proposed
bill would require a tightening of definitions. He said that
several testifiers raised questions regarding what constitutes a
sportfishing appointment and opined that a sportfishing charter
may be appropriate. Additionally, he said something would need
to ensure that personal use fishermen are represented as well.
He also said that ensuring that the scientific voice represented
on the board would not have an agenda but striving for true
science was important as well.
10:47:50 AM
CHAIR STUTES set an amendment deadline and announced that HB 125
was held over.
HB 129-FISHERIES PROD DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT
10:48:42 AM
CHAIR STUTES announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 129, "An Act relating to the fisheries product
development tax credit; providing for an effective date by
amending the effective date of sec. 2, ch. 31, SLA 2022; and
providing for an effective date."
10:49:00 AM
MATT GRUENING, Staff, Representative Louise Stutes, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of the bill sponsor, the House Special
Committee on Fisheries by request of the Joint Legislative
Taskforce Evaluating Alaska's Seafood Industry, gave a summary
of HB 129. He said that the proposed legislation expands the
Fisheries Product Development Tax Credit to allow for continued
incentives for supporting value-added products as well as new
technologies and processes that add quality and value to Alaska
fish products. The current credit allows the processor to
deduct up to 50 percent of its Fisheries Business Tax Liability.
He noted that this legislation would expand the use of the
credit to all species of fish and shellfish. It would add new
qualifiers for the credit, require a faster determination of
credit eligibility from the Department of Revenue, and extend
the sunset date of the tax credits by three years. He remarked
that the passage of this bill would enhance the ability of
Alaska seafood processors to receive capital cost recovery for
installing new equipment and making significant investments to
get more value for each fish. He said that during a time of
historically poor market conditions and low value for Alaska
seafood, HB 129 would support the processing industry and
incentivize processors to continue to add value to the state's
seafood and by doing so, support fishermen in the state.
10:51:10 AM
CHAIR STUTES opened public testimony on HB 129.
10:51:27 AM
SINCLAIR WILT, Vice President, Westward Seafood, testified in
support of HB 129. She said that Westward Seafood has three
processing operations in Dutch Harbor and its primary focus was
on pollock but processed pacific cod, crab varieties, halibut,
and black cod as well. He said that as product species and
market conditions evolve, processers try to respond to customer
wishes. He said that as many of the committee members are
aware, the seafood industry is going through trying times right
now given the poor market conditions. He stated that whatever
could be done to help respond to the market demand and improve
products would be helpful. He said that he has supported prior
versions of the bill, and the expansion of qualifying species
would be useful for Westward Seafood's product line.
10:53:55 AM
CHAIR STUTES, after ascertaining there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 129 and set an
amendment deadline for the bill.
Chair Stutes announced that HB 129 was held over.
10:54:17 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 10:55
a.m.