Legislature(2025 - 2026)BUTROVICH 205
04/24/2025 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB104 | |
| HB31 | |
| SB165 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 31 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 165 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 104 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 31-VESSELS: REGISTRATION/DERELICT FUND
2:14:40 PM
VICE CHAIR TOBIN reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 31 "An Act relating to the
registration of commercial vessels; and relating to the derelict
vessel prevention program fund."
2:15:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LOUISE STUTES, District 5, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, said that HB 31 is identical to
legislation that passed during the previous legislative session.
That legislation was subsequently vetoed, due to constitutional
concerns related to its passage after midnight on the final day
of the legislative session. She paraphrased from the following
sponsor statement for HB 31:
[Original punctuation provided.]
House Bill 31- Version A
Sponsor Statement
(Prepared 3.31.25)
"An Act relating to the registration of commercial
vessels; and relating to the derelict vessel
prevention program fund"
House Bill 31 exempts active commercial fishing
vessels from duplicative registration requirements
created by the passage of SB 92, "the derelict vessel
bill," in 2018.
Specifically, the bill removes the requirement for
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) documented vessels with a
current Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC)
license to register every three years with the
Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Prior to the passage of SB 92, USCG documented vessels
were exempt from DMV registration; however, that
exemption was repealed by the bill and as a result,
documented vessels now must register with the DMV.
The rationale for this requirement was to provide the
State and local municipalities with a state-maintained
database of who owns and operates vessels in Alaskan
waters, as well as how to contact those individuals.
However, the database the CFEC maintains for
commercial fishing vessels was overlooked. Active
commercial fishing vessel owners must renew their
vessel license annually with the CFEC and the
commission provides the necessary contact information
in a publicly accessible, state database.
Alaska's commercial fishing fleet is the backbone of
one of our state's most vital industries. We should
not require those vessels to register every three
years with the DMV, at additional expense, only to
provide information that the State already has through
the vessel's annual license renewal process.
Additionally, this legislation repeals the Derelict
Vessel Prevention Program Fund, which was created in
SB92, and transfers the balance to the general fund.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES added that HB 31 repeals the duties and
powers of the department related to expenditures from the fund
and establishing an associated program. She said that HB 31
would transfer $1.67 million into the state's general fund and
is therefore fiscally responsible.
2:19:05 PM
SENATOR STEDMAN opined that HB 31 is good legislation that
cleans up the language passed in 2018 and the double
registration requirement. He noted many derelict vessels in
communities along the coast. He asked how many derelict vessels
the Department of Natural Resources has dealt with over the
years.
2:20:01 PM
AARON TIMIAN, Natural Resource Specialist, Division of Mining,
Land and Water, Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
Anchorage, asked if the question is related to how many derelict
vessel situations DNR has resolved or how many derelict vessels
DNR has paid to remove.
2:20:30 PM
SENATOR STEDMAN said both.
2:20:37 PM
MR. TIMIAM shared his understanding that DNR has paid for the
removal of two derelict vessels over the last three years. He
offered to provide the number of derelict vessels that DNR has
been able to resolve. He explained that DNR engages with owners
and insurance companies to have the owners remove those vessels.
2:21:09 PM
SENATOR STEDMAN said that information would be beneficial. He
also asked for information on the stranded barge in Katlian Bay.
He opined that it would not be difficult to find the owner, as
this information is well known. He described the barge and said
there are three sunken vessels in the adjacent cove. He
expressed concern that the money is piling up in the fund;
however, no movement is happening.
2:22:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES said that, for three years, the fund held
just over $200,000. A recent lawsuit resulted in a significant
deposit.
VICE CHAIR TOBIN asked Mr. Timian to provide the requested
derelict vessel information.
2:23:19 PM
SENATOR STEDMAN recalled that many derelict vessels are found in
harbors. He suggested that DNR put pressure on municipalities to
pursue the boat owners. He noted the high cost associated with
derelict vessels, which fall to the state and/or municipalities.
2:24:53 PM
SENATOR KIEHL commented on squatters on state land and the role
of both state and local governments. He asked if there are any
boats for which finding the legal owner may be impossible.
2:25:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES deferred the question.
2:25:42 PM
MATT GRUENING, Staff, Representative Louis Stutes, Alaska State
Legislature, Junea, Alaska, answered that if HB 31 passes, it
will have detailed contact information for all registered
vessels. He noted that this information is renewed annually, so
the list would be updated regularly.
2:26:02 PM
VICE CHAIR TOBIN announced invited testimony on HB 31.
2:26:28 PM
NELS EVENS, Executive Director, Petersburg Vessel Owners
Association (PVOA), Petersburg, Alaska, said he is also a member
of United Fishermen of Alaska's (UFA) executive committee. He
expressed support of HB 31, which eliminates duplicative
registration requirements for Alaska's commercial fishing fleet.
He stated that, while PVOA recognizes the rationale behind the
derelict vessel act, it created an unnecessary registration
requirement for the commercial fishing sector. He explained that
all commercial fishing vessels that are operating in Alaska's
waters must register with the Commercial Fisheries Entry
Commission (CFEC). This registration is renewed annually.
Therefore, the DMV vessel registration requirement is
unnecessary. He opined that the registration information
collected by CFEC would make it easy for DNR to contact derelict
vessel owners. He thanked the Department of Public Safety for
its work on this issue and for delaying implementation; however,
PVOA would prefer to see the issue corrected rather than to
continue to delay its implementation. This would provide
additional clarification for vessel owners and the DMV.
2:29:02 PM
JERRY MCKEOWN, representing self, Cordova, Alaska, expressed his
support for HB 31. He stated that this legislation would save
time for both fishermen and the DMV by removing the DMV
commercial fishing vessel registration requirement. He said
there is no DMV in Cordova; HB 31 would save thousands of
vessels from having to register. He reiterated that the removal
of the DMV registration requirement would save time.
2:30:01 PM
VICE CHAIR TOBIN concluded invited testimony.
2:30:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES thanked the committee for hearing HB 31.
2:30:15 PM
VICE CHAIR TOBIN held HB 31 in committee.