HJR 22-STEWART-HYDER BORDER HOURS  10:26:09 AM CHAIR STOLTZE announced the consideration of HJR 22. 10:26:21 AM REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, prime sponsor, provided an overview of HJR 22 as follows: HJR 22 is a resolution that calls on the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) to reopen a border that exists between Hyder, Alaska and Stewart, British Columbia on a 24 hour basis. As of April 1, the border between Stewart and Hyder was closed and is closed between midnight and 8:00 a.m. He said the border closing has created issues for Hyder's 87 residents and Stewart's 500 residents. He explained that Hyder residents do not have emergency access to hospital facilities. He added that economic issues are involved where tourism is impacted and access to the mine on the Hyder side is affected. He specified that the resolution calls on CBSA to look at their decision and perhaps reopen the border on a 24 hour basis, at least during the border's peak-time during the summertime. He disclosed that he has met with Hyder and Stewart residents at a town meeting and both communities are very much concerned about CBSA's decision. He added that U.S. Senator Murkowski's office and the Governor have been involved as well. 10:28:53 AM CHAIR STOLTZE asked if there has been an issue raised about changing the border hours at the Skagway crossing as well. REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ answered that he is unaware of a border issue with Skagway. CHAIR STOLTZE stated that he will talk to Representative Munoz regarding the Skagway border. He asked how the proposed daylight savings bill is being received in Southeast Alaska. REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ answered that Southeast folks are happy that the bill is on hold. CHAIR STOLTZE asked if the situation with daylight savings will cause issues with the crossing. REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied that the issue with daylight savings has not played into the border crossing discussions. 10:30:30 AM CHAIR STOLTLZE noted that the committee is lacking a quorum and recessed the meeting to a call of the Chair. [The committee did not reconvene this day therefore, HJR 22 was held in committee.]