HOUSE BILL NO. 365 "An Act relating to sharing records regarding fish purchased by fish processors with certain federal agencies, to requirements to obtain and maintain a fisheries business license, and to payment of industry fees required of fish processors; and providing for an effective date." SENATOR CHARISSE MILLETT, SPONSOR, explained that the bill enables processors to provide fish tickets to the National Marine Fisheries so the self-imposed commercial fisheries tax can attain a $21 million loan from the federal government. She noted that the processors were uncomfortable with the amount of $21 million. She referred to a Letter of Intent in the bill that addresses the understanding that the permit level would not fall below 260 permits. She talked positively about the buy-back mechanism and thought it would be a template for other fisheries. 10:02:52 AM Senator Olson asked how many total permits there were. Senator Millett thought there were 380. Total permits fished last year were 212. The total bought back last year was 35. She thought there were 140 latent permits currently not being fished. Senator Olson asked how many permits were from out of state. Senator Millet said there were 193 non- resident permits and 99 of those were fished last year. Co-Chair Hoffman asked if there was a provision to freeze the value of the permits so that as more permits are bought the remaining do not escalate in cost. Senator Millett replied that the bill did not contain that provision. The Letter of Intent addresses that potential problem. Senator Thomas asked if there was a requirement to use a permit with any regularity, or if it could sit unused. Senator Millett said that permits were not required to be used on a regular basis. Senator Thomas pointed out that there used to be consistently 415 permits; now there are 380. He inquired what happened to those 35 permits. Senator Millett reported that the fisheries bought back and retired 35 permits. Co-Chair Hoffman noted two zero fiscal notes, one from the Department of Revenue and one from the Department of Fish and Game, and a Letter of Intent. HB 365 was heard and HELD in Committee for further consideration. 10:07:32 AM