Legislature(2007 - 2008)BELTZ 211
03/25/2008 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing - Alcohol Beverage Control Board and Regulatory Commission of Alaska | |
| SB179 | |
| SB77 | |
| SB179 | |
| SJR18 | |
| SB179 | |
| HB289 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | SB 77 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 305 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SJR 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 289 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 179 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 320 | TELECONFERENCED | |
CSHB 289(FSH)-EMPLOYMENT TAX EXEMPTION: SPILL RESPONSE
2:49:18 PM
CHAIR ELLIS announced CSHB 289(FSH) to be up for consideration.
2:50:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PAUL SEATON, sponsor of HB 289, explained this
measure deals with oil spill response. He explained that under
state and federal law, a contingency plan must exist for an oil
spill response. About 359 fishing vessels are under contract
right now for the contingency plan. These vessels undergo short
periods of training each year and HB 289 exempts them from state
unemployment insurance for these short periods of time. It only
applies if there is less than seven continuous days of training.
So if there is a major oil spill and people are employed for any
length of time, they are automatically required to be under the
unemployment insurance provisions.
He said this bill came about because many fishermen after
discovering that they would have to file quarterly reports and
all the paperwork that would entail. This would mean the state's
contingency plans wouldn't be in effect and oil might not be
able to transit Alaska. He noted that this measure only affects
commercial fishermen who are paid a percentage of the catch and
that his operation is a tender, so this does not affect him. It
doesn't cover tug boats or tenders or anyone that is an
employee.
SENATOR BUNDE asked if fishermen who are training for oil
response are covered by workers' compensation.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON answered no; fishermen fall outside of
that regime and workers' compensation doesn't cover anyone on a
fishing vessel.
2:52:24 PM
JAMES HERBERT, Fishing Vessel owner, Seward, supported HB 289.
He said the bottom line is that the amount of revenue the state
thinks it's going to get from collecting unemployment insurance
from the three or so days of training will be minimal compared
to the aggravation of filing these quarterly reports throughout
the whole year. That would prompt an exodus of some of the
vessels that have participated in the program in the past. With
them will go their expertise and knowledge; more importantly if
another catastrophic oil spill ever happened, there would be a
delay in responding. It's important to keep people trained and
not burden them with regulations.
2:54:54 PM
TRACEY MAYHEW, Port Representative, Seafarers International
Union, supported HB 289. She said her union represents merchant
mariners working on board large ocean going vessels in Alaskan
waters. They support this bill because the contingency plan for
oil spill response relies upon the participation of fishermen.
If they don't participate, it could put contingency plans in a
non-compliant position and threaten the livelihood of her
members working on board those vessels. She emphasized that
local fishermen drill with tanker crews and are needed to help
maintain a good response team.
2:56:19 PM
JERRY MCCUNE, United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA), Cordova
Fishermen United, briefly stated that both organizations
supported HB 289. He noted that he is president of Cordova
Fishermen United where the contingency program is housed.
2:56:51 PM
CHAIR ELLIS closed the public hearing on HB 289 and held it for
further consideration. There being no further business to come
before the committee, he adjourned the meeting at 2:57:18 PM.
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