Legislature(2019 - 2020)BARNES 124
02/18/2020 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s):|| Board of Marine Pilots | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 18, 2020
1:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Louise Stutes, Chair
Representative Matt Claman
Representative Harriet Drummond
Representative Andi Story
Representative Dave Talerico
Representative Mel Gillis
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Bryce Edgmon
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Board of Marine Pilots
Richard Harris - Juneau
Luke Hasenbank - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action recorded.
WITNESS REGISTER
RICHARD HARRIS, Appointee
Board of Marine Pilots
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified before the committee regarding
qualifications to serve on Board of Marine Pilots
LUKE HASENBANK, Appointee
Board of Marine Pilots
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified before the committee regarding
qualifications to serve on Board of Marine Pilots
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:03:41 PM
CHAIR LOUISE STUTES called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:03 p.m. Representatives
Talerico, Story, Drummond, and Stutes were present at the call
to order. Representatives Gillis and Claman arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^Board of Marine Pilots
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Board of Marine Pilots
1:04:49 PM
CHAIR STUTES announced that the only order of business would be
consideration of the governor's appointees for the Board of
Marine Pilots.
1:05:05 PM
RICHARD HARRIS, Appointee, Board of Marine Pilots, let the
committee know that he is up for reappointment.
1:05:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Mr. Harris if he would inform the
committee of a particular area within the board with which he is
concerned, and also how the board's training is affected by [the
Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) cancellations].
1:06:39 PM
MR. HARRIS imparted to the committee that he got onto the board
because of his long career history involvement with the marine
environment, having worked for the largest company of log ship
charters on the West Coast, as well as in aquaculture. He went
on to say that he gained a great deal of experience working with
ship agents and marine pilots, and he began to understand the
myriad of challenges faced while sailing in waters that are not
well marked.
MR. HARRIS told committee members that the experience and skill
of pilots was essential to the safety of traffic, and so when
the opportunity to serve on the board arose, he couldn't turn it
down. He said it was a great experience to have worked with
pilots all around Alaska, as well as others who are generally
concerned with safety and navigation of ships. Mr. Harris added
that when looked at from an environmental as well as from a
regulatory side, he would be able to bring something to the
board.
MR. HARRIS then addressed Representative Story's question
regarding AMHS. Training for pilots was a topic of the board
meeting in January [2020], he noted. Pilots must ride a vessel
for training, Mr. Harris explained; training cannot take place
by sitting at a desk. The board's primary function is to issue
certifications and licenses, and in Southeast Alaska, pilots
ride ferries and pay a fee to the ferry system for that training
opportunity.
MR. HARRIS continued by adding that pilots who have gained
experience sailing [Southeast Alaska] areas use their
certifications to sail very large vessels such as cruise ships
and cargo vessels. Pilots go to places that most people haven't
heard of, Mr. Harris added, and the ferry is a vital part of the
training program for pilots. With the loss of ferry sailings,
the board loses opportunities for pilots to get training in some
major ports.
1:10:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND asked Mr. Harris to which seat, public
or pilot, he is seeking reappointment.
1:11:25 PM
MR. HARRIS replied that he is one of the two public members on
the board and is seeking reappointment to represent public
interest as it relates to the licensing of pilots and the safety
of navigation through Alaska's waters.
1:11:40 PM
CHAIR STUTES opened public testimony. After ascertaining there
was no one who wished to testify, she closed public testimony.
1:12:12 PM
LUKE HASENBANK, Appointee, Board of Marine Pilots, told the
committee that his job is to handle a variety of cargo ships in
Alaska, and, through a partnership with Southeast Alaska also
known as Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska (CLAA), he handles all
the cruise ships that call in Alaska waters. Mr. Hasenbank let
the committee know that one of the main duties with the CLAA is
dispatching marine pilots.
MR. HASENBANK informed the committee that he moved to Alaska in
2003 after completing his Master's in Business Administration
and started working with "Alaska Maritime" immediately. He went
on to say that throughout the last 17 years he has developed a
"good working relationship" with many pilots in three different
associations: the Southeast Alaska Pilots' Association, the
Southwest Alaska Pilots' Association, and Alaska Marine Pilots.
Mr. Hasenbank added that he has been attending Board of Marine
Pilot meetings for 10 years, is on the board for the Prince
William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council, and that he
represents the Cook Inlet Harbor Safety Committee.
1:14:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN asked Mr. Hasenbank whether he is applying
for a seat he is currently holding or if he is a new appointment
to the board.
1:15:01 PM
MR. HASENBANK replied that he is a new appointment looking to
fill the spot formerly occupied by his general manager [at
Alaska Maritime].
1:15:19 PM
CHAIR STUTES opened public testimony. After ascertaining there
was no one who wished to testify, closed public testimony.
1:15:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO asked Mr. Hasenbank for a brief
description of the activities of the Cook Inlet Harbor Safety
Committee.
1:15:57 PM
MR. HASENBANK replied that there is a "post-season hot wash"
scheduled for early May [2020], at which one of the main topics
will be winter operating guidelines, which deal with the
movement of tankers, cargo ships, and tug-and-barges during
winter conditions. The committee, Mr. Hasenbank explained,
takes recommendations from pilots as well as from the U.S. Coast
Guard to make sure everyone is transiting safely.
1:17:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND asked what "post-season hot wash" meant,
and that she wondered if she had surmised correctly that it is
kind of a nickname for the forum on safety.
1:18:19 PM
MR. HASENBANK confirmed that Representative Drummond was
correct; it was a slang term for the post-season review of
concerns, issues, and improvements to be made.
1:19:18 PM
CHAIR STUTES moved to advance the confirmation of Richard Harris
and Luke Hasenbank, appointees to the Board of Marine Pilots, to
the joint session for consideration. She reminded the committee
that signing the reports regarding appointments to boards and
commissions in no way reflects individual members' approval or
disapproval of the appointees, and the nominations are merely
forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or rejection.
1:20:06 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 1:20
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Board of Marine Pilots - Richard Harris Resume 2.18.2020.pdf |
HTRA 2/18/2020 1:00:00 PM |
|
| Board of Marine Pilots - Richard Harris - Supporting Document 2.18.2020.pdf |
HTRA 2/18/2020 1:00:00 PM |
|
| Board of Marine Pilots - Lucas Hasenbank Resume 2.18.2020.pdf |
HTRA 2/18/2020 1:00:00 PM |