HB 71-AK REGIONAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM  CHAIR HAWKER announced that the only order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 71, "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska regional economic assistance program; and providing for an effective date." He noted that the committee would be operating under Uniform Rule 42, Conference and Free Conference Committees, to consider the proposed committee substitute (CS). 12:41:10 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY moved to adopt the proposed Free Conference Committee Substitute (FCCS) for HB 71, labeled 28-LS0288\T, Martin, 2/18/14, as the working draft. CHAIR HAWKER objected for discussion. 12:41:56 PM JULI LUCKY, Staff, Representative Mike Hawker, Alaska State Legislature, noted the previously appointed and discharged conference committees, acting with limited powers, which have preceded the appointment of today's Free Conference Committee (FCC). She explained the language that has subsequently been proposed, with accord, for the committee to consider in the FCCS. The Alaska Regional Development Organization (ARDOR) programs will be retroactively reinstated, as of 7/1/13, with a new sunset date of 7/1/16. Further, the governing department, Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED), will be required to implement additional reporting about the activities and projects of the ARDORs. Transitional language is included to allow the existing ARDOR regulations to remain in place pending the department's adoption of new regulations. The CS also reenacts the vessel-based limited entry fisheries system for the Bering Sea hair crab fishery, effective immediately upon passage of the bill, with a sunset date of 12/30/18. A biennial report on the harvest and earnings of the Bering Sea hair crab fishery is a stipulated requirement, commencing in 2015. Finally, she pointed out that the previously considered extension of the vessel limited Weathervane scallop fishery is not included in the proposed legislation. 12:44:09 PM CHAIR HAWKER [removed his objection], and without further objection, Version T was before the committee. 12:44:47 PM CHAIR DUNLEAVY moved to report FCCS HB 71, 28-LS0288\T, Martin, 2/18/14, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. Without objection FCCS HB 71, was moved from the Free Conference Committee on HB 71.