05/15/2025 10:30 AM House FISHERIES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR1 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HCR 1 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
May 15, 2025
10:35 a.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Louise Stutes, Chair
Representative Bryce Edgmon, Vice Chair
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
Representative Chuck Kopp
Representative Bill Elam
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Kevin McCabe
Representative Sarah Vance
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1
Establishing the Joint Legislative Task Force on Sport Fishing
Service Providers in Southeast Alaska.
- MOVED CSHCR 1(FSH) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HCR 1
SHORT TITLE: JOINT SPORT FISH SVC PROVIDERS TASK FORCE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HIMSCHOOT
01/31/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/31/25 (H) FSH, FIN
03/13/25 (H) FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
03/13/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/13/25 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
04/24/25 (H) FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
04/24/25 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/29/25 (H) FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
04/29/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
05/13/25 (H) FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
05/13/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
05/15/25 (H) FSH AT 10:30 AM GRUENBERG 120
WITNESS REGISTER
THATCHER BROUWER, Staff
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of the prime sponsor,
Representative Himschoot, explained the changes associated with
Amendment 1 to HCR 1.
ACTION NARRATIVE
10:35:08 AM
CHAIR LOUISE STUTES called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 10:35 a.m. Representatives Kopp,
Elam, Himschoot, Edgmon, and Stutes were present at the call to
order.
HCR 1-JOINT SPORT FISH SVC PROVIDERS TASK FORCE
10:36:11 AM
CHAIR STUTES announced that the only order of business would be
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1, Establishing the Joint
Legislative Task Force on Sport Fishing Service Providers in
Southeast Alaska.
10:36:53 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON noted that he was comfortable forgoing the
reintroduction since the information was still "fresh."
10:37:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HCR 1,
labeled 34-LS0208\G.2, Bullard, 5/12/25, which read as follows:
Page 2, line 11:
Delete "limit"
Insert "manage"
Page 3, line 13:
Delete "12"
Insert "nine"
Page 3, line 17, through page 4, line 1:
Delete all material and insert:
"(3) four members appointed by the speaker
of the house of representatives as follows:
(A) one member who is a tribal citizen or a
leader of a Native corporation under 43 U.S.C. 1601 et
seq. (Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act) or other
tribal organization and who lives in an area of
Southeast Alaska in which sport fishing services
occur;
(B) one member who is recommended by a
regional Southeast Alaska organization that represents
guides in the sport fishing service sector;
(C) one member who possesses relevant
policy experience and is currently representing the
interests of the sport fishing service industry on a
Southeast Alaska advisory committee established under
AS 16.05.260;
(D) one member who possesses relevant
policy experience and is currently representing the
interests of recreational sport fishermen on a
Southeast Alaska advisory committee established under
AS 16.05.260; and
(4) three members appointed by the
president of the senate as follows:
(A) one member who is a self-guided fishing
operator in Southeast Alaska with relevant policy
experience;
(B) one member recommended by a regional
Southeast Alaska organization that represents guides
in the sport fishing service sector;
(C) one member who possesses relevant
policy experience and is currently representing the
interests of commercial fishermen on a Southeast
Alaska advisory committee established under
AS 16.05.260; and be it"
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expenses authorized for boards and commissions under
AS 39.20.180"
Insert "and are not entitled to per diem and
travel expenses"
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"(10) members of the task force may
virtually attend meetings of the task force; and be
it"
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Insert "February 1, 2027"
CHAIR STUTES objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT responded that her staff could explain
the changes associated with the amendment.
10:37:58 AM
THATCHER BROUWER, Staff, Representative Rebecca Himschoot, on
behalf of the prime sponsor, Representative Himschoot, explained
the changes associated with Amendment 1 to HCR 1.
10:40:52 AM
CHAIR STUTES, removed her objection to Amendment 1. There being
no further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
10:41:19 AM
CHAIR STUTES said that she understood what the bill sponsor was
trying to do but she was confused as to why legislation would be
needed to bring stakeholders together to discuss an issue that
involves them all when this is a regional issue.
10:42:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT responded that there were several
letters of support regarding HCR 1, which involved subsistence
users, tribes, commercial fishermen, guide organizations, and
guides who want to come together to talk. She said that the
need was there and this is such a contentious issue that not one
group has the power to bring people together. She said that
stakeholders are looking to the legislature for leadership, to
bring people together on neutral grounds, allow discussions, and
find solutions. She said that she was in discussions with the
Southeast Conference to have a round table meeting in September
to prepare for the work ahead.
CHAIR STUTES responded that she appreciated the response but was
still at a loss as to why this would require legislation. She
said that everyone is facing the same issue, and she imagines
the common thread is to look for a solution.
10:43:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP shared that initially he had had similar
thoughts as Chair Stutes and what evolved in his thinking over
time was how vast the state is and how many different fisheries
regions the state has. He said that if this issue could turn
into a "good model" for other parts of the state, then he could
get excited about that. He commented on how contentious Cook
Inlet fishing was and Southeast "could break trail a little bit"
and produce a positive outcome.
10:44:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON moved to report HCR 1 out of committee, as
amended, with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHCR 1(FSH) was
reported out of the House Special Committee on Fisheries.
10:45:26 AM
CHAIR STUTES relayed her expectation to the committee that this
would be the last committee meeting for the legislative session.
She thanked the committee members and staff for the help and
discussions throughout the session.
10:46:09 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 10:46
a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HCR 1 Sponsor Statement (1).pdf |
HFSH 5/15/2025 10:30:00 AM |
HCR 1 |
| HCR 1 Version G 1.31.25 (2).pdf |
HFSH 5/15/2025 10:30:00 AM |
HCR 1 |
| HCR 1 - Amendment #1.pdf |
HFSH 5/15/2025 10:30:00 AM |
HCR 1 |
| HCR 1 Explanation of Changes - Amendment One 5.14.25.pdf |
HFSH 5/15/2025 10:30:00 AM |
HCR 1 |
| HCR1 Fiscal note LEG-COU-03-24-2025 (3).pdf |
HFSH 5/15/2025 10:30:00 AM |
HCR 1 |
| HCR 1 Research - SEAGO Economic Study 1.24.25 (6).pdf |
HFSH 5/15/2025 10:30:00 AM |
HCR 1 |
| HCR 1 Testimony - Received by 5.12.25.pdf |
HFSH 5/15/2025 10:30:00 AM |
HCR 1 |
| HCR 1 Letter of Support - UFA 5.14.25.pdf |
HFSH 5/15/2025 10:30:00 AM |
HCR 1 |