Legislature(2025 - 2026)GRUENBERG 120
04/08/2025 10:00 AM House FISHERIES
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB125 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 125 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 125-BOARD OF FISHERIES MEMBERSHIP
10:04:38 AM
CHAIR STUTES announced that the only order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 125, "An Act relating to membership of the Board
of Fisheries."
10:05:21 AM
CHAIR STUTES moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HB 125, labeled 34-
LS0696\A.1, Bullard, 4/3/25, which read as follows:
Page 1, lines 7 - 11:
Delete "[THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT EACH MEMBER
ON THE BASIS OF INTEREST IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, GOOD
JUDGMENT, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITY IN THE FIELD OF
ACTION OF THE BOARD, AND WITH A VIEW TO PROVIDING
DIVERSITY OF INTEREST AND POINTS OF VIEW IN THE
MEMBERSHIP.]"
Insert "The governor shall appoint each member on
the basis of interest in public affairs, good
judgment, knowledge, and ability in the field of
action of the board, and with a view to providing
diversity of interest and points of view in the
membership."
Page 2, line 1, following "fishing":
Insert "and have knowledge and experience in the
commercial fishing industry"
Page 2, line 2, following "fishing":
Insert "and have knowledge and experience in
sport fishing"
Page 2, lines 3 - 5:
Delete ", from a list of four names submitted by
the Alaska Federation of Natives; however, the
governor may reject the list and request that another
list be submitted"
Insert "and have knowledge and experience in
subsistence fishing"
Page 2, line 6:
Delete "who represents"
Insert "of"
Page 2, lines 6 - 9:
Delete ", from a list of three names submitted by
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
however, the governor may reject the list and request
that another list be submitted"
Insert "who has knowledge and experience in
fisheries management"
10:05:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON objected for the purpose of discussion.
CHAIR STUTES said that on page 1, lines 7-9, the amendment would
reinsert language currently in Alaska Statute (AS) 16.05.221(a),
which read that "the governor shall appoint each member on the
basis of interest in public affairs, good judgment, knowledge,
and ability in the field of action of the board, and with a view
to providing diversity of interest and points of view in the
membership." She said the board would have seven members as
originally proposed in HB 125, including 2 commercial fishing
members, 2 sportfishing members, 2 subsistence members, and one
of a scientific background. She said that it removes side
boards of having the names submitted by the Alaska Federation of
Natives (AFN) for the subsistence seats and the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for scientific
appointments and adds the qualification for all seats that
members have knowledge and experience in the fishery. The bill,
with this amendment, would bring an adequate balance to the
board without being overly prescriptive, creating a tie between
statute and user groups. She said this would be a small but
important step in balancing the board without unintended
consequences.
10:07:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON spoke in support of Amendment 1 and
reflected that the committee had heard through public testimony
concerns from stakeholders that support the changes. He said
legislation that changes the makeup of the Alaska Board of
Fisheries should not be taken lightly and he thinks that the
proposed amendment is a well thought out approach. Having
participated with the Board of Fisheries endeavors in the past,
he noted that changes were complicated and the amendment was
positive.
10:08:01 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE said that he liked Amendment 1, as well.
He said that he agreed with Representative Edgmon that this is
something that has been needed for a long time.
10:08:41 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP said that he supported Amendment 1. He
liked the reference to NOAA removed and opined that adding the
language "people with knowledge and experience in fisheries
management" would open up the position to a larger pool of
strong candidates in Alaska. He noted that it recognizes that
Alaska has lots of great candidates for the scientific
appointment to the Board of Fisheries.
10:09:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON removed his objection. There being no
further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
10:09:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE moved to adopt Amendment 2 to HB 125,
labeled 34-LS0696\A.4, Wallace/Bullard, 4/3/25, which read as
follows:
Page 1, line 1, following "Fisheries":
Insert "; and providing for an effective date"
Page 1, line 3, through page 2, line 9:
Delete all material and insert:
"* Section 1. AS 16.05.221(a) is amended to read:
(a) For purposes of the conservation and
development of the fishery resources of the state,
there is created the Board of Fisheries composed of
seven members appointed by the governor, subject to
confirmation by a majority of the members of the
legislature in joint session. In making appointments
to the Board of Fisheries, the governor shall consider
prospective appointees who have previously served on
an advisory committee established under regulations
adopted by the department and shall select members
(1) who have interest and experience in
public affairs, demonstrate good judgment, and have
knowledge and experience in the field of fisheries;
(2) with a view to providing balanced
representation of the diverse fishery interests of the
state as follows:
(A) four members who are regional
representatives, who have demonstrated knowledge of
the fishery resources and needs of the region the
member represents, and who will prioritize the
sustainability of the fisheries and the economic and
cultural needs of the region the member represents,
appointed as follows:
(i) one member who represents Southeast
Alaska and Yakutat;
(ii) one member who represents Bristol Bay;
(iii) one member who represents
Southcentral Alaska, Cook Inlet, and Prince William
Sound; and
(iv) one member who represents the Arctic-
Yukon-Kuskokwim and Western Alaska;
(B) three members who are fishery user
group representatives, who have demonstrated expertise
and engagement in the fishery the member represents,
and who will advocate for the interests of the fishery
user group the member represents across all regions of
the state, appointed as follows:
(i) one member who represents the
commercial fishing industry;
(ii) one member who represents subsistence
fishing; and
(iii) one member who represents the sport
fishing industry [THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT EACH
MEMBER ON THE BASIS OF INTEREST IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS,
GOOD JUDGMENT, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITY IN THE FIELD OF
ACTION OF THE BOARD, AND WITH A VIEW TO PROVIDING
DIVERSITY OF INTEREST AND POINTS OF VIEW IN THE
MEMBERSHIP. THE APPOINTED MEMBERS SHALL BE RESIDENTS
OF THE STATE AND SHALL BE APPOINTED WITHOUT REGARD TO
POLITICAL AFFILIATION OR GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF
RESIDENCE. THE COMMISSIONER IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE
BOARD OF FISHERIES, BUT SHALL BE EX OFFICIO
SECRETARY]."
Page 2, following line 15:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 3. This Act takes effect July 1, 2025."
CHAIR STUTES objected for the purpose of discussion.
10:09:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE noted that she had considered making this
as a separate bill just for conversation purposes since over the
years, she has heard that more regional representation was
needed on the Board of Fisheries, not just user group
representation. She said that this amendment would make the
Board of Fisheries a hybrid model that would combine the best of
both worlds, based upon the four fishery regions and working
with current fisheries management and keeping with the number of
members currently on the board. She said that she wanted to
open this bill topic up to conversation so that the public knows
that the legislature is being very deliberative about the makeup
of the Board of Fisheries and that they understood the requests
for regional representation. She wanted the public to know that
when advancing HB 125, they had considered a variety of options,
instead of one singular path. She wanted stakeholders and
members of the public who feel that they are not being
represented and who have requested regional representation to
know that their voice is being heard in this process.
10:11:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON said that he appreciates the spirit of the
amendment and what everyone was trying to achieve was regional
representation and an element of fairness and that everyone had
a voice. He said that the one thing that gives him pause was
that there was another piece of legislation that had passed
regarding conflict of [interest]. He said there are times when
[a board] would want someone to participate without getting
"conflicted out." He said that two names coming through the
committee had support from his region despite not being from his
region.
10:12:58 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE said that last year there was a talk about
the Joint Legislative Seafood Taskforce and a debate over the
size of the taskforce. He inquired whether there was a better
way to do things. He said that he loved the idea of regional
representation but asked whether potential advisors could be
considered. These would be non-voting members that could be
appointed by their community or region. He said that there were
regional advisory committees (RACs), and they could appoint an
advisor to advise the committee and attend the Board of
Fisheries meetings. He said that this way, it may prevent
things from getting "unwieldy." He said that he feels that
Amendment 2 is "too big a bite" at this moment and he could not
support it but liked the idea and the discussion.
10:14:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT said that she liked Amendment 2 since
regional representation has been missing from her community.
She said that having regional representation would be wonderful
but she was worried about how exactly regional representation
would be defined. She concluded that she cannot support the
amendment today but likes the idea.
10:14:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP said that he likes the idea of regional
representation, but Amendment 1 was much better for bringing
balance to the board. He said that if he was the governor, he
could pick someone with solely a commercial fishing,
sportfishing, or subsistence background out of all four of these
regions. He said that he could easily stack the board with
whatever interest he had. He said that the first amendment does
a much better job striving for balance and for this reason, he
was opposed to Amendment 2.
10:15:50 AM
CHAIR STUTES said that she appreciates the proposed amendment
and the conversation it fostered as "food for thought."
However, she felt that it may make the Board of Fisheries too
prescriptive and eliminate some potentially good candidates for
the board. For this reason, she was unable to support Amendment
2.
10:16:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said that Alaskans deserve this robust
conversation. She said that she brought this conversation
forward to let Alaskans know that the legislature has done the
work regarding this type of proposal. She said that she
believed the amendment may have too many points of concern, the
largest being that the board could be stacked towards one user
group under the wording of this amendment.
Representative Vance [moved to withdraw] Amendment 2. [There
being no objection,] Amendment 2 was withdrawn.
10:18:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE moved to adopt Amendment 3 to HB 125,
labeled 34-LS0696\A.5, Bullard, 4/8/25, which read as follows:
Page 1, line 7, following "session.":
Insert "In making appointments to the Board of
Fisheries, the governor shall give preference to
prospective appointees who have previously served on
an advisory committee established under regulations
adopted by the department."
10:18:12 AM
CHAIR STUTES objected for the purpose of discussion.
10:18:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said that when talking about regional
representation and people with experience, Amendment 3 would add
language for the governor to use when making considerations of
appointments to the Board of Fisheries. It would require the
advisory committees to be utilized as a source of potential
appointments. She said that these are people who are already
involved in the process and understood pertinent issues
discussed on the Board of Fisheries. She noted that preference
is a broad interpretation, and it would not prohibit the
governor from choosing whomever they felt was the best
candidate. She said that the intent behind the amendment is to
have as much localized experience and insight into the fisheries
as possible and it also would let people serving on the regional
advisory committees know that their voice is important. This
would just point the governor "in the right direction."
10:20:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON said that HB 125, which was offered by
Representative Jimmie, proposes to change the Board of Fisheries
in a significant way. He opined that when thinking about people
that greatly qualify as a subsistence user, they may not
necessarily be affiliated with the regional advisory committees.
He said that he appreciated the discussion but would not support
Amendment 3 at this time.
10:21:12 AM
CHAIR STUTES observed that the amendment states that "the
governor shall give preference" and noted that this suggests
that preference would be given to advisory council (AC) members.
She said that an AC member is usually localized and focused on
local issues, and they might come to the Board of Fisheries with
ideas on how to manage fisheries that are rooted in their
region. She said that the board needs to look at doing good for
the state, not just their districts. She said that the wording
"shall give preference" is disconcerting and could limit board
accessibility of good people.
10:22:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT said that she has engaged with her AC
and asked Representative Vance whether the AC's have appointed
seats such as subsistence seats.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE responded that in her district the AC has a
variety of people involved in various fisheries, but she was not
sure about subsistence representation. She said that Amendment
3 was a way to acknowledge AC members as potential candidates
for Board of Fisheries appointments.
10:24:07 AM
CHAIR STUTES noted that Mr. Felkl, from the Alaska Department of
Fish & Game, could help answer this question.
10:24:20 AM
JOE FELKL, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner,
Alaska Department of Fish & Game, answered questions related to
HB 125. He said that there is nothing that requires advisory
councils to have designated seats, and they determine the
composition of members.
10:24:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked how many advisory councils were
currently active.
MR. FELKL responded that he would follow up with an answer, but
he recalled that there were around 80 ACs in total with around
70 being active.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked how many ACs are affiliated with
coastal communities.
MR. FELKL said that he did not know how many but noted that non-
coastal ACs exist, as well. He said that he could follow up
with a concise answer.
10:26:14 AM
CHAIR STUTES maintained objection to the motion to adopt
Amendment 3.
10:27:11 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives McCabe, Vance, and
Himschoot voted in favor of Amendment 3 to HB 125.
Representatives Kopp, Edgmon, and Stutes voted against it.
Therefore, Amendment 3 failed to be adopted by a vote of 3-3.
10:27:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE NELLIE UNANGIQ JIMMIE, Alaska State Legislator,
as prime sponsor of HB 125, thanked committee members for their
consideration of the bill.
10:28:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON moved to report HB 125, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 125(FSH) was
reported out of the House Special Committee on Fisheries.