Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
05/12/2021 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB10 | |
| HB41 | |
| HB80 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 41 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 10 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 80 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 80-SPT FSH HATCHERY FACIL ACCT; SURCHARGE
4:18:03 PM
CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 80(FSH) "An Act
establishing the sport fishing enhancement account; establishing
the sport fishing enhancement surcharge; and providing for an
effective date."
He advised that the committee heard the companion bill, SB 60,
on April 12 and public testimony was taken. He noted that HB 80
has a finance referral after it leaves this committee. He asked
Commissioner Vincent-Lang and Ms. Hanke to discuss the
differences between the two bills.
4:19:13 PM
RACHEL HANKE, Legislative Liaison, Alaska Department of Fish and
Game, Juneau, Alaska, read the following changes from version A
to version B for HB 80:
Page 1, lines 1-14 In the previous version of the
bill, the surcharge was allocated to "ongoing
maintenance and operation of the department's sport
fish hatchery facilities and sport fishing stock
enhancement intended to directly benefit license
purchasers." In version B, the allocation of the
surcharge was split into two subsections (h)(1) and
(h)(2).
• (h)(1) allocates $2.50 of each surcharge towards
fisheries management, fisheries research,
invasive species suppression and eradication and
habitat restoration.
• (h)(2) allocates the remainder of the surcharge
to sport fishing stock enhancement and ongoing
maintenance of the department's sport fishing
hatchery facilities.
Page 2, line 24 through Page 3, line 1 all surcharge
prices were increased by $2.50.
4:20:19 PM
DOUGLAS VINCENT-LANG, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish
and Game, Juneau, stated the $4 surcharge that was originally
proposed was primarily meant to support hatchery operations in
Southeast that went away with the sunset. HB 80 was amended to
add $2.50 to the surcharge, specifically for fisheries research,
fisheries management, and invasive species. The department is
also required to report periodically on how the money is spent.
He highlighted that most of the fees would be paid by
nonresidents.
4:21:27 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE noted the surcharge was a 60 percent increase.
He asked what the vision was above the governor's that was
largely status quo.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG answered he believes the committee
felt there were people that would be paying the surcharge that
would not directly benefit from hatchery programs. They saw this
as an opportunity for the surcharge to go toward other non-
hatchery-related activities, specifically fisheries management,
fisheries research, and invasive species such as pike in lakes
the department is stocking.
SENATOR MICCICHE asked if the administration supports the 60
percent increase of the $4 surcharge.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG answered had not discussed the $2.50
increase with the governor, but "from the discussions that I
have had, I think we would consider that, yes."
4:23:16 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE commented, "So you don't know if the
administration supports the increase above the $4 increase."
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG repeated he had not had that
conversation with the governor. He added that his recommendation
would be to support the additional increase.
4:23:38 PM
SENATOR STEVENS observed that invasive species was not mentioned
in the original bill. He asked if there was other funding for
invasive species.
4:23:50 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG replied the department is able to do
invasive species work through the state wildlife action grants.
There is no dedicated funding to match those grants, and this
would provide a funding source.
SENATOR STEVENS asked if invasive species includes plants and
fish. He asked him to identify the specific concerns.
4:24:15 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG answered the bill is written to add a
surcharge on sport fishing licenses so the funds could only be
used to benefit sport fisheries. Invasive species that do not
affect sport fishing would not qualify.
4:24:40 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked where most of the nonresident licenses are
sold and if the cash from those sales will be used in that
region or for a particular purpose.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG answered the $4 hatchery piece of the
surcharge would be used to fund operations for the Fairbanks and
Anchorage state hatcheries and $500,000 would also flow to fund
operations in Southeast. The remaining $2.50 surcharge would be
spent on the highest needs statewide.
SENATOR MICCICHE recalled that the original surcharge was $9 and
HB 80 initially called for a $4 surcharge but that was increased
by $2.50 during the committee process. He asked if his
recollection was accurate.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG recounted that the original $9 sport
fishing license sunsetted. HB 80 was introduced and initially
proposed a $4 increase and a committee added $2.50 so the
increase is $6.50, which results in $3.50 savings.
4:26:55 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE calculated that the expected revenue change
statewide would be $1.5 million.
MS. HANKE confirmed that was the difference between the original
version of the bill and this version.
4:27:22 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked how the department will report to the
legislature how much was spent on fisheries management,
fisheries research, and invasive species/habitat restoration,
and in what areas the funds were spent.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG explained the department will report
to the legislature what was spent to fund the two hatcheries in
Southeast as well as any capital outlays. The department will
also report annually to the legislature the location and how
much was spent for fisheries management, fisheries research, and
invasive species/habitat restoration.
SENATOR MICCICHE asked if the bill had a wider reach than just
for Southeast hatcheries.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG recounted that when the original bill
with the surcharge passed, $500,000 was subcontracted to the
Crystal Lake and DIPAC hatcheries in Southeast Alaska because
there were no state-owned hatcheries in the region, and it was
not feasible to ship hatchery fish to Southeast from either of
the state hatcheries in Anchorage and Fairbanks. When the
surcharge sunset, the ability to subcontract also disappeared.
When the decision was made to reinstitute the surcharge, it
again included $500,000 to support stock fisheries in Southeast
that are important to sport fisheries.
4:29:34 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE asked how the original $4 million would benefit
sport fishing statewide.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG answered it will go to fund the
operations of the Fairbanks and Anchorage hatcheries. He noted
there are ongoing maintenance issues associated with both the
hatcheries. Specifically, the complex water treatment facility
at the Fairbanks hatchery will be replaced as necessary, and the
Anchorage hatchery needs a new well. He said the hope is that
funds from the surcharge will prevent the department from having
to request more money in the capital budget for long-term
maintenance associated with those two hatcheries.
SENATOR MICCICHE asked him to confirm that the Fairbanks and
Anchorage hatcheries are hatching and rearing fish that are
distributed throughout the Interior and Southcentral Alaska.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG clarified that the Anchorage and
Fairbanks hatcheries produce fish for sport fishing, primarily
for lake stocking throughout Interior and Southcentral Alaska.
The $500,000 that goes to the subcontracted hatcheries is used
for the same purpose in Southeast Alaska.
CHAIR REVAK found no further questions or comments and announced
the committee would consider amendments.
4:31:37 PM
CHAIR REVAK moved Amendment 1.
32-GH1609\B.10
Bullard
5/12/21
AMENDMENT 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR REVAK
TO: CSHB 80(FSH)
Page 1, line 7, following "fund.":
Insert "The department shall submit an annual
report describing capital improvements and other
projects funded by money in the account to the senate
secretary and chief clerk of the house of
representatives on or before the first day of each
regular session of the legislature and shall notify
the legislature that the report is available."
Page 1, lines 10 - 11:
Delete all material and insert:
"(1) $5.00 of each surcharge collected to
the construction and maintenance of capital
improvements that directly support sport fishing access
or sport fishing but may not be allocated under
paragraph (2) of this subsection; and"
Page 2, line 24:
Delete "$6.50"
Insert "$9.00"
Page 2, line 25:
Delete "6.50"
Insert "9.00"
Page 2, line 26:
Delete "6.50"
Insert "9.00"
Page 2, line 27:
Delete "27.50"
Insert "30.00"
Page 2, line 28:
Delete "22.50"
Insert "25.00"
Page 2, line 29:
Delete "12.50"
Insert "15.00"
Page 2, line 30:
Delete "7.50"
Insert "10.00"
Page 2, line 31:
Delete "42.50"
Insert "45.00"
Page 3, line 1:
Delete "6.50"
Insert "9.00"
Page 3, following line 1:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 4. AS 37.05.146(c) is amended by adding a
new paragraph to read:
(80) money in the sport fishing enhancement
account within the fish and game fund
(AS 16.05.130(h))."
Renumber the following bill section accordingly.
SENATOR STEVENS objected for discussion purposes.
4:32:02 PM
At ease
4:32:13 PM
CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting and asked Mr. Craft to
explain Amendment 1.
4:32:34 PM
DIRK CRAFT, Staff, Senator Josh Revak, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, stated Amendment 1 adds a requirement for the
department to report annually to the legislature the capital
improvements and other projects that were funded by money in
this account. The second change replaces the language in
paragraph (1) on page 1, lines 10-11. He read the new language
that states, "$5 of each surcharge collected to the construction
and maintenance of capital improvements that directly support
sport fishing access or sport fishing but may not be allocated
under paragraph (2) of this subsection; and". He said the third
and final change adds a new Section 4 that amends
AS 37.05.146(c). The new paragraph reads, "(80) money in the
sport fishing enhancement account within the fish and game fund
(AS 16.05.130(h))."
4:33:35 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked if the amendment effectively eliminates
funding that might go to eradicate pike, Elodea or Milfoil.
MR. CRAFT replied the amendment seeks to narrow the language to
benefit only sport fishing and the users who pay the surcharge.
4:34:13 PM
SENATOR KIEHL said he received the report and he understands
that the amendment deletes money for fisheries management and
fisheries research, but the question was whether it deletes
money for invasive species.
MR. CRAFT replied the amendment removes the invasive species and
habitat restoration language and he was not sure whether or not
the funds could still be used for that purpose.
4:35:09 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI offered his perspective that the amendment
could be interpreted to allow the money to be spent more
broadly.
MR. CLARK added that part of the concern was that without the
amendment, the funds could be used for things unrelated to sport
fishing.
4:36:03 PM
SENATOR STEVENS recalled that a bill he carried in 2000 raised
the price of licenses for nonresidents and it was considered
unconstitutional. He questioned whether HB 80 would face the
same challenge.
MR. CRAFT deferred the question to the department.
4:36:56 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG said his interpretation of the
amendment is that it would reinstate the surcharge that was
assessed to pay off the hatchery bonds initially. He was not
aware of any constitutional challenge to that surcharge.
4:37:41 PM
At ease
4:41:19 PM
CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting and asked if there were
additional questions about Amendment 1.
4:41:30 PM
SENATOR KIEHL said he believes there is value in capital
improvements for sport fishing access, but he was concerned with
the changes the amendment would make. He explained, "We can put
a great fishing dock on a lake, but if it's full of pike there's
not much to catch in that lake; and if it's full of invasive
weeds, there is nothing to catch in that lake."
CHAIR REVAK offered his perspective that the amendment was
focused narrowly to apply only to this surcharge.
4:42:26 PM
At ease
4:42:47 PM
CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting and announced he would
withdraw Amendment 1 and take it up with members of the next
committee of referral.
He solicited a motion.
4:43:25 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report the CS for HB 80, work order
32-GH1609\B, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
4:43:44 PM
CHAIR REVAK found no objection and CSHB 80(FSH) was reported
from the Senate Resources Standing Committee.