Legislature(2023 - 2024)GRUENBERG 120
04/30/2024 10:00 AM House FISHERIES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s)|| Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission | |
| HR8 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HR 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HR 8-FISHERIES BYCATCH REGULATIONS
10:43:27 AM
CHAIR VANCE announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 8, Encouraging the Department of Fish and
Game to adopt certain regulations relating to fisheries bycatch.
10:44:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HR 8, version 33-LS0731\S, Bullard, 4/29/24,
("Version S") as the working document.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER objected for the purpose of discussion.
10:45:15 AM
CHAIR VANCE stated that the previous version of HR 8 focused on
bycatch utilization. After engagement with the public and the
Bycatch Advisory Council, she expressed the understanding that
utilization is not feasible, and Alaskans do not support this.
She stated that all language on utilization was removed from
Version S, with new language beginning on page 2, line 15,
focusing on the recommendations of the Bycatch Advisory Council.
She pointed out that the council recommended that a bycatch
policy be adopted, with the policy including state engagement,
research, and management. She stated that Version S focuses on
work that the commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and
Game (ADF&G) and the state positions on the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) can do to adopt a state
bycatch policy.
CHAIR VANCE pointed out that page 3, line 9 of Version S
references regulations which would provide "real-time genetic"
testing on salmon in Western Alaska. However, this technology
is not yet available. She discussed a conceptual amendment to
address this.
10:47:25 AM
CHAIR VANCE moved Conceptual Amendment 1 to Version S. She
stated that this would delete the language "real-time genetic".
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE objected.
CHAIR VANCE stated that the conceptual amendment would strike
"real-time genetic" from the resolution, as this technology is
currently unavailable.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE questioned why the word "genetic" would
need to be removed, as the language "real-time" is what refers
to the technology that is not developed yet.
10:49:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES expressed the opinion that in order to
provide reporting on [fish] composition, this would be genetic
reporting, and taking out the entire wording "real-time genetic"
would give more latitude.
10:49:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER pointed out that resolutions speak to a
purpose and make recommendations; moreover, they do not change
statute. He expressed the understanding that this type of
technology would be available in the future; therefore, keeping
the language in the resolution could direct future regulations.
He offered the advice that there would be a value in keeping the
terminology in the resolution.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES expressed disagreement on sending out a
resolution requesting something that is not currently available.
She expressed support for the conceptual amendment, as the
genetic composition could still be sought. She stated that this
language could be used in future resolutions to address this
goal.
10:51:41 AM
CHAIR VANCE moved Conceptual Amendment 1 to Conceptual Amendment
1. She explained that this would only strike the term "real-
time" from the resolution.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES objected. She expressed the opinion that
understanding composition could only be done with genetics, so
leaving the word "genetic" in would be redundant.
CHAIR VANCE expressed misunderstanding per Representative
Stutes' recommendation. She remarked that she is seeking to
amend the conceptual amendment so the wording would be smooth,
and the commissioner of ADF&G would be able to understand the
direction the legislature is giving, which is to do the best
possible reporting on salmon in Western Alaska. She expressed
the understanding that if the [real-time] technology is not
ready, genetic reporting could still be done.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES argued that the way the [conceptual
amendment, as amended] is written, only genetic reporting would
be allowed.
10:53:28 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT questioned whether there are other
types of reporting, as taking the entire phrase out would allow
any type of reporting. She expressed the understanding of both
sides of the question.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER removed his objection. He expressed
support for removing "real-time" from the resolution, while
keeping "genetic".
10:54:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES removed her objection. Therefore,
Conceptual Amendment 1, as conceptually amended, to HR 8 was
adopted.
[Although not stated on the record, Representative McCabe's
objection was treated by the committee as removed.]
10:55:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE moved to report HR 8, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the attached zero
fiscal note. He granted Legislative Legal Services permission
to make any necessary technical or conforming changes.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT objected. She expressed concern about
the final section of the resolution. She questioned the
intersection between state and federal bycatch policies.
CHAIR VANCE pointed to the beginning of the resolution and
described the majority of seats on NPFMC as being held by state
representatives. She pointed out that the resolution would
direct these representatives and the commissioner of ADF&G to
influence NPFMC bycatch policy in Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT removed her objection. There being no
further objection, CSHR 8(FSH) was reported out of the House
Special Committee on Fisheries
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Porcaro Fisheries Entry Resume_Redacted.pdf |
HFSH 4/30/2024 10:00:00 AM |
|
| HR 8 - Proposed CS v.S (04-29-24).pdf |
HFSH 4/30/2024 10:00:00 AM |
HR 8 |
| HR 8 - ABRTF Progress Report.pdf |
HFSH 4/30/2024 10:00:00 AM |
HR 8 |