04/15/2010 01:30 PM Senate FINANCE

CS FOR HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 22(FIN)                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Establishing and relating to the Alaska Northern                                                                           
     Waters Task Force.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
3:05:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE, SPONSOR, provided  a broad overview of                                                                    
the  bill.  Due  to  the  Arctic's  unique  needs  regarding                                                                    
melting  ice on  the polar  cap  and the  travel of  freight                                                                    
traffic  ships.  Many  opportunities  for  discussion  exist                                                                    
regarding  cruise  ship  travel  and new  fisheries  in  the                                                                    
arctic  region.  The  Alaska   Northern  Waters  Task  Force                                                                    
created by  this legislation would gather  information about                                                                    
Arctic waters. He explained the  formation of the task force                                                                    
and its potential members.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:09:05 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman noted one fiscal  note from the legislature                                                                    
for  $150 thousand  in general  funds to  cover the  cost of                                                                    
travel and expert witnesses on the task force.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
3:09:43 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MEAD TREADWELL, CHAIR, U.S.  ARCTIC RESEARCH COMMISSION (via                                                                    
teleconference)  enthusiastically offered  to work  with the                                                                    
task force. He stated  that multiple activities to structure                                                                    
arctic  shipping are  underway.  As the  ocean becomes  more                                                                    
accessible, ports and harbors must be considered.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Joule looked forward  to the bill passing out                                                                    
of committee.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HCR  22  was  heard  and   HELD  in  Committee  for  further                                                                    
consideration.