Legislature(1993 - 1994)
04/05/1993 08:00 AM House RES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
April 5, 1993
8:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bill Williams, Chairman
Representative Con Bunde
Representative Pat Carney
Representative John Davies
Representative Joe Green
Representative Jeannette James
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Bill Hudson, Vice Chairman
Representative David Finkelstein
Representative Eldon Mulder
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Carl Moses
Representative Kay Brown
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HB 218: "An Act repealing the restriction on the maximum
length of salmon seine vessels; and providing for
an effective date."
ADOPTED CSHB 218 (FSH) AND MOVED FROM COMMITTEE
WITH A DO PASS RECOMMENDATION
HJR 20: Urging modification of the North American Free
Trade Agreement.
ADOPTED CSHJR 20 (ITT) AND MOVED FROM COMMITTEE
WITH A DO PASS RECOMMENDATION
WITNESS REGISTER
Representative Carl Moses
Alaska State Legislature
State Capitol, Room 204
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
Phone: 465-4451
Position Statement: Prime Sponsor, HB 218
Dan Austin, Legislative Aide
to Representative Kay Brown
Alaska State Legislature
State Capitol, Room 517
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
Phone: 465-4998
Position Statement: Presented sponsor statement on HJR 20
Representative Kay Brown
Alaska State Legislature
State Capitol, Room 517
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
Phone: 465-4998
Position Statement: Prime Sponsor, HJR 20
John C. Bhend
8410 Majestic Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99504
Phone: 338-5722
Position Statement: Supported HJR 20
Gene Dekerlegand
Kenai Peninsula Central Labor Council
P.O. Box 1757
Soldotna, Alaska 99669
Phone: 262-5787
Position Statement: Referred members to written testimony
supporting amendments to NAFTA
Joan Bennett-Schraeder
Coalition of Labor Women
P.O. Box 1587
Kenai, Alaska 996111
Phone: 283-4359
Position Statement: Expressed concern over impact of NAFTA
on Alaska
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HB 218
SHORT TITLE: REPEAL 58 FT. LIMIT FOR SEINE VESSELS
BILL VERSION: CSHB 218(FSH)
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) MOSES
TITLE: "An Act relating to the maximum length of salmon
seine vessels; and providing for an effective date."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
03/10/93 592 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
03/10/93 592 (H) FISHERIES, RESOURCES
03/22/93 (H) FSH AT 08:30 AM CAPITOL 17
03/22/93 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
03/29/93 824 (H) FSH RPT CS(FSH) NEW TITLE 2DP
1NR
03/29/93 824 (H) DP: MOSES, PHILLIPS
03/29/93 824 (H) NR: OLBERG
03/29/93 824 (H) -ZERO FISCAL NOTE (F&G)NEW
TITLE 3/29/93
03/26/93 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
03/29/93 (H) FSH AT 08:30 AM CAPITOL 17
03/29/93 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
04/05/93 (H) RES AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 124
04/05/93 977 (H) RES RPT CS(FSH) NEW TITLE 3DP
2NR
04/05/93 977 (H) DP: CARNEY, BUNDE, WILLIAMS
04/05/93 977 (H) NR: GREEN, DAVIES
04/05/93 977 (H) -PREVIOUS ZERO FN(F&G) 3/29/93
BILL: HJR 20
SHORT TITLE: AMEND N. AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
BILL VERSION: CSHJR 20(ITT)
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) BROWN
TITLE: Relating to the North American Free Trade Agreement.
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/29/93 176 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/29/93 176 (H) INTERNATIONAL TRADE & TOURISM,
RESOURCES
02/18/93 (H) ITT AT 05:00 PM CAPITOL 102
02/18/93 (H) MINUTE(ITT)
02/18/93 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
03/04/93 (H) ITT AT 05:00 PM CAPITOL 102
03/04/93 (H) MINUTE(ITT)
03/18/93 (H) MINUTE(ITT)
03/22/93 731 (H) ITT RPT CS(ITT) NEW TITLE 5DP
1NR
03/22/93 731 (H) DP: GREEN, NORDLUND,MENARD,
TOOHEY, JAMES
03/22/93 731 (H) NR: SANDERS
03/22/93 731 (H) -ZERO FISCAL NOTE (ITT/NO
DEPT) 3/22/93
04/05/93 (H) RES AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 124
04/05/93 970 (H) RES RPT CS(ITT) NEW TITLE 4DP
1NR
04/05/93 971 (H) DP: CARNEY, JAMES, DAVIES,
WILLIAMS
04/05/93 971 (H) NR: BUNDE
04/05/93 971 (H) -PREVIOUS ZERO FN(ITT/NO DEPT)
3/22/93
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 93-41, SIDE A
Number 000
The House Resources Committee was called to order by
Chairman Bill Williams at 8:07 a.m. Members present at the
call to order were Representatives Williams, Bunde, Carney,
Davies, and Green. Members absent at the call were
Representatives Hudson, Finkelstein, James, and Mulder.
CHAIRMAN BILL WILLIAMS announced the meeting was being held
by teleconference, and that the first bill for consideration
would be HB 218.
HB 218: REPEAL 58 FT. LIMIT FOR SEINE VESSELS
Number 042
REPRESENTATIVE CARL MOSES, PRIME SPONSOR OF HB 218,
explained that in 1970, the Alaska legislature banned the
use of seine boats longer than 58 feet in order to keep
larger boats from competing with small local vessels. He
cited attempts in recent years to repeal the limit in an
attempt to diversify the fisheries. If the restriction is
repealed, he said, it would allow the same vessel to be used
in salmon, groundfish and crab fisheries, rather than
requiring separate vessels and increased expense.
Number 065
REPRESENTATIVE MOSES noted that the restriction has resulted
in giving much of Alaska's crab and groundfish to non-
resident fisheries. With the pending implementation of the
Individual Fishery Quota (IFQ) program, he said there is
more reason to allow more participation for Alaskans in the
fisheries. He explained changes made to HB 218 in the House
Special Committee on Fisheries. He noted CSHB 218 (FSH)
would ensure that length restrictions for salmon seine
vessels would be determined by the Board of Fisheries on a
regional basis. The board would have a three-year period to
take up those restrictions, he said.
REPRESENTATIVE MOSES mentioned the support for HB 218 given
by the Southeast Seiners, the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian
Salmon Seiners Association.
Number 098
REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE referred to areas where the 58-foot
limit might be kept and asked under what circumstances that
might happen.
REPRESENTATIVE MOSES replied that he personally did not feel
that it would be necessary, but that the Board of Fisheries
would review the seine length requirements on a regional
basis.
Number 120
REPRESENTATIVE JOE GREEN asked why the 58-foot limit was
established in the first place.
REPRESENTATIVE MOSES explained that the intent was to keep
out large boats from outside of Alaska. Because that is now
regulated by the limited entry system, and because the limit
is keeping residents from participating in other larger
boats, the repeal is now seen as necessary, he said.
Number 140
REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE asked if the 58-foot limit was seen as
a safety factor in rough water.
REPRESENTATIVE MOSES said that some 58-foot seiners had
tried to participate in the Bering Sea bottom fisheries but
sea conditions there made it too difficult, so some
fishermen had bought larger boats for those fisheries.
Because of the cost, many had bought older boats which have
safety problems.
Number 170
REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE MOVED to pass CSHB 218 (FSH) from
committee with individual recommendations. He asked
unanimous consent.
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked if there were any objections to the
motion. Hearing none, the MOTION PASSED.
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS announced the next bill to be heard by the
committee would be HJR 20.
HJR 20: AMEND N. AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
Number 183
DAN AUSTIN, LEGISLATIVE AIDE TO REPRESENTATIVE KAY BROWN,
offered to explain how the International Trade and Tourism
(ITT) Committee substitute differed from the original
version of HJR 20. He read from the resolution, which
called for the federal government and partners in the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to give consideration
to the potential impact on Alaska's economy, labor force and
environment.
MR. AUSTIN explained that the CSHJR 20 (ITT) adds language
on line 6 regarding NAFTA's ability to challenge states'
rights. Lines 10 and 11, he said, delete language regarding
banned chemicals and agricultural controls. Line 11 adds
"state standards," he added. Page 2 of CSHJR 20 (ITT), he
explained, adds a new "whereas" clause regarding jobs lost,
and line 3 added language regarding dispute resolution.
MR. AUSTIN continued his explanation of CSHJR 20 (ITT),
noting a new "resolve" clause on line 5, requiring a vote
within 90 days. Line 11 on page 2, he said, adds another
resolve clause calling for the full partnership of the
state.
Number 290
REPRESENTATIVE KAY BROWN, PRIME SPONSOR OF HJR 20, told the
committee that it was important to let the U.S. Congress
know the state's concerns relating to NAFTA, to avoid having
the state's powers usurped.
REPRESENTATIVE JOE GREEN referred to a recent energy
conference in Washington, D.C. and noted the overwhelming
support voiced for NAFTA there. He commented that HJR 20
appears to say that Alaska does not like NAFTA.
Number 321
REPRESENTATIVE BROWN responded that HJR 20 does not
necessarily say that the state does not like NAFTA. Rather,
she explained, it sends a message that energy-producing
states will lose jobs as a result of NAFTA. She added that
Mexico is a competitor as an oil producer, and pointed out
that there are areas of NAFTA that need to be addressed to
keep the agreement from having a negative impact on the
state. Environmental standards, she added, were also in
jeopardy of being compromised. She cited as an example the
biodegradable plastic rings on soda and beer six-packs.
REPRESENTATIVE BROWN said that as a result of NAFTA's policy
of adopting the "lowest common denominator" in environmental
standards, that environmental safeguard could be
compromised, she said.
Number 350
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DAVIES referred to deleted language in
CSHJR 20 (ITT) regarding the use of banned chemicals, and
noted that it was his impression that the U.S. Department of
Agriculture was not doing a good job of enforcing and
implementing environmental safeguards.
MR. AUSTIN replied that this was an area where negotiation
was on-going. He explained that the Department of
Agriculture had been instructed to keep strict restrictions,
and that the real question was one of enforcement and
inspection. He confirmed for Representative Davies that
standards would be maintained.
Number 380
REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE referred to the resolve clause that
said the state legislature was a partner in dispute
resolution, and raised the question of problems this might
create with U.S. sovereignty, as well as potential confusion
with a number of individual states involved in any one
dispute. He suggested it might never get resolved with too
many parties involved.
REPRESENTATIVE BROWN explained that state involvement in
dispute resolution would only occur when one state's laws
are affected by activities associated with NAFTA. She
agreed it would be cumbersome if all states were involved in
resolving a dispute.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES suggested clarifying that section to
specify that the state would be involved and not the state
legislature.
Number 410
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS announced the committee would now take
testimony from the teleconference sites.
JOHN C. BHEND, REPRESENTING HIMSELF, believed NAFTA was ill-
conceived, and would result in jobs from Alaska and the rest
of the U.S. being lost to Mexico. He suggested that the
agreement won't help the conditions of workers in Mexico,
and that it hurts the rights of working people. In
addition, he cautioned that NAFTA undermines environmental
standards and does not provide a means for enforcing
standards. Other problems he saw with NAFTA included
conflicts with states's sovereignty and the hampering of
efforts to lower health care costs.
Number 467
MR. BHEND cautioned that NAFTA would be an economic and
social disaster as increasing numbers of jobs will be lost
to Mexico. He noted that Canada's economy had suffered
already, and he estimated that approximately 500,000 jobs
will be lost from the United States. A ripple effect was
likely to reach into the entire economy, he added. He
stated his support of HJR 20, to ensure that Alaska benefits
from and is not harmed by increased international trade.
GENE DEKERLEGAND, KENAI PENINSULA CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL,
testified via teleconference from Kenai. He directed
members' attention to his written testimony contained in
their bill packets. (A copy of Mr. Dekerlegand's testimony
may be found in the House Resources Committee Room, Capitol
Room 124, and after the adjournment of the second session of
the 18th Alaska State Legislature, in the Legislative
Reference Library.)
Number 532
JOAN BENNETT-SCHRAEDER, COALITION OF LABOR WOMEN, testified
via teleconference from Kenai. She asked Representative
Brown whether the various agencies and departments of the
state had prepared reports to show the anticipated impact
that NAFTA would have on Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE BROWN answered that she was not aware of any.
She said she had worked with the Office of International
Trade in preparing HJR 20, but added that the administration
had not taken a position.
MS. BENNETT-SCHRAEDER told the committee that the impact of
NAFTA on the state is too important for agencies to remain
neutral.
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked if any one else wished to testify on
HJR 20. There was no response.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES made a MOTION to move CSHJR 20 (ITT)
with individual recommendations.
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS noted before taking a vote on the motion
that the comments of Mr. Dekerlegand of Kenai would be
included with the bill files as part of the record on
HJR 20.
Number 560
REPRESENTATIVE JEANNETTE JAMES recommended that the
legislative research office be requested to provide more
information on the impact NAFTA would have on Alaska. She
also suggested the administration provide the legislature
with a position on HJR 20 and on NAFTA.
REPRESENTATIVE BROWN agreed that this work would be on-going
during the legislative interim. She mentioned that Alaska
had responded to a survey circulated among states regarding
potential effects of NAFTA, but added that the survey dealt
only with banking and securities' issues. She noted that it
is difficult to determine the effects of something like
NAFTA until the effects actually take place. There was no
data base on which to gauge the effects, she said, although
she was convinced NAFTA would affect a number of areas of
the state's economy.
Number 601
REPRESENTATIVE JAMES agreed that we would not know what
NAFTA would do until it was done, but added that everyone
needed to be aware of the potential effects.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES underscored that there had been
frustrations in attempts to establish local hire provisions,
and that it was important to work now to avoid similar
potential problems associated with NAFTA.
Number 612
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS referred to the motion before the
committee to move CSHJR 20 (ITT) from the Resources
committee with individual recommendations. He asked if
there were any objections, and hearing none, the MOTION
PASSED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS announced the committee would next meet on
April 7, 1993 at 8:00 a.m. to hear HB 260 and to take action
on the confirmation of an appointee to the Big Game
Commercial Services Board.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the House
Resources Committee, Chairman Williams adjourned the meeting
at 8:45 a.m.
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