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 this legislation passed both bodies of the
legislature in 2024 but was subsequently vetoed due to the
constitutional concerns that it would have passed after midnight
the final night of the session.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES said HB 31 would remove duplicative
registration requirements created by the passage of the derelict
vessel bill of 2018. 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. 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repealed in Senate Bill 92 and as a result, larger vessels fell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
database of who owns and operates vessels in Alaska waters as
well as how to contact those individuals. She noted 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 as it
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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