Legislature(2025 - 2026)BUTROVICH 205
05/06/2025 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB31 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 31 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 31-VESSELS: REGISTRATION/DERELICT FUND
2:40:28 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN 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."
2:41:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LOUISE STUTES, District 5, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided a brief overview of HB 31.
She noted that a version of this legislation passed both bodies
of the legislature in 2024; however, it passed after midnight on
the final night of the session, which raised constitutional
concerns. That legislation was subsequently vetoed.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES said HB 31 would remove duplicative
registration requirements created by the passage of the derelict
vessel bill of 2018. Specifically, HB 31 would remove the
requirement for U.S. Coast Guard documented vessels with current
commercial fishery entry commission licenses to register every
three years with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). She
explained that, prior to the passage of Senate Bill 92 in 2018,
documented vessels were exempt from DMV registration; however,
that exemption was repealed in Senate Bill 92. As a result,
larger vessels fell under the DMV's purview. The rationale
behind Senate Bill 92 was to provide the state and local
municipalities with a state vessel database. She stated that the
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) database had been
overlooked. She explained that vessel licensure with the CFEC
requires all the necessary annual renewal information in a
publicly accessible, state-maintained database. HB 31 also
repeals the derelict vessel prevention program fund created in
Senate Bill 92 and transfers the balance of the fund to the
general fund.
2:43:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES concluded the overview, emphasizing that
HB 31 is a fiscally responsible piece of legislation that
transfers $1.67 million from the derelict vessel fund to the
general coffers. She thanked the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee for hearing HB 31.
2:44:43 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on HB 31; finding none,
he closed public testimony.
2:45:17 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited the will of the committee.
2:45:19 PM
SENATOR TOBIN moved to report HB 31, work order 34-LS0326\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal notes.
2:45:38 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and HB 31 was reported from
the Senate Transportation Standing Committee.
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