HB 366 MARINE SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAMS Number 011 REPRESENTATIVE ALAN AUSTERMAN, sponsor of HB 366, was first to testify. He said that for ten years the Alaskan Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) has been providing education for both fishermen, students and other interested people in the state of Alaska. This program was federally funded and that funding will terminate at the end of this year. He said the CSHB 366(HES) proposes that this education be continued through state dollars generated from the Fishermen's Fund. That fund derives its money from fishermen's licenses and CSHB 366(HES) would be funded from the interest off of this fund. REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN said approximately 7,300 people trained through the AMSEA program, of that figure 200 were fishermen and 3700 children. He concluded that Alaska does not have a water safety program and HB 366 provides for that. Number 160 REPRESENTATIVE JERRY SANDERS asked why CSHB 366(HES) is going to the finance committee if it has a zero fiscal note. Number 170 REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN said there is approximately a $200,000 cost associated with CSHB 366(HES). He said he does not know why they didn't put it on the top of the fiscal note. He said CSHB 366(HES) is asking for $150,000 to be put into this program on a yearly basis. He added that the Governor has put $80,000 in the budget for this program. Number 206 REPRESENTATIVE SANDERS asked if this money was going to be taken away from someone else. Number 212 REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN said the money will come from general fund money, because that is where the interest from the Fisherman's Fund goes. CHAIRMAN GARY DAVIS said the reason why it is going into the finance committee, is because of the analysis on the fiscal note which reads, "While the funding source would clearly be the General Fund, it is difficult to determine which Department should reflect the fiscal impact as the bill does not address who the granting agency would be." He concluded that how CSHB 366(HES) is funded and allocated to, will be determined by the finance committee. Number 270 MARK JOHNSON, Chief, Emergency Medical Services, Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Social Services, was next to testify. He said his division has studied the problems of drowning and boating related injuries for a number of years. He said his division and regional Emergency Medical Service (EMS) programs have worked with the AMSEA program. He said they have found AMSEA to be very successful. Statistics have shown that AMSEA is helping to reduce this problem in Alaska, which has been a significant problem. He showed some training materials developed by AMSEA, and training programs for instructors. He urged support of CSHB 366(HES). Number 420 CHAIRMAN GARY DAVIS asked if there were letters of support from fishermen around the state. AMY DAUGHERTY, Committee Aide to Representative Austerman, said United Fisherman of Alaska (UFA) doesn't issue support publicly until it has their board meeting. She said that CSHB 366(HES) has wide support. Number 490 REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN said he would present letters of support at the finance committee. Number 520 JERRY DZUGAN, Director and Training Coordinator, Alaska Marine Safety Education Association, testified via teleconference from Sitka. He said he was available for questions and referred to letters available in the committee packet supporting CSHB 366(HES). He said last week the last of the federal funds were spent for this program so this is a critical time for this program. CHAIRMAN GARY DAVIS expressed regret that they were unable to receive testimony from Jim Herbert, from AvTech. REPRESENTATIVE SANDERS made a motion to move CSHB 366(HES) with accompanying fiscal notes and individual recommendations out of committee. Hearing no objection it was so moved from the House Transportation Standing Committee.