Legislature(2011 - 2012)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/13/2012 09:00 AM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB160 | |
| SCR24 | |
| SB91 | |
| SB19 | |
| SB23 | |
| SB210 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SCR 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 91 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 182 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 83 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 23 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 25 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 210 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 160 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 91(FIN)
"An Act amending the termination date of the licensing
of sport fishing operators and sport fishing guides;
and providing for an effective date."
SHYAN ELY, INTERN, SENATOR LESIL MCGUIRE, explained that SB
91 extended the sunset date of the sport fish guide
licensing and reporting program, and provided an effective
date. Legislation for this program was first passed in
2004, and was proven beneficial to the sport fishing
industry. It required licensing and regulation of sport
fishing operators, guides, and vessels. The program has
provided an average of 1,541 sport fishing business
licenses, and 1,828 sport fishing guide licenses annually.
She stated that 90 percent of licenses were Alaska
residents. The sport fishing guide industry had taken more
than 2.6 million clients fishing from 2005 to 2010 totaling
more than 625,000 guided fishing trips in Alaska. Guided
sport fishing had become an integral part of Alaska's
tourism economy. In 2007, $1.39 billion was spent on
licenses and stamps; trip-related expenditures; fishing
packages; equipment; and real estate used for fishing. This
spending supported more than 15,879 jobs in Alaska, and
provided $545.3 million in income. She explained that SB 91
provided accurate counting for Alaska's harvested
resources. Federal law for guided halibut sport fishing was
tied to the Alaska Sport Fishing log books, and failure to
keep the program in place would likely result in the
development of a federal log book for halibut, therefore
creating duplication of efforts at a later date. Alaska is
exempt from participating in the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Saltwater
Angler Registry Program, in part, as a result of the
information collected through the sport fishing guide
licenses and reporting program. She reiterated that SB 91
extended the sunset date of the program.
Co-Chair Thomas MOVED to ADOPT the proposed committee
substitute for CS SB 91 (FIN), Work Draft 27-LS0550\M
(Bullard, 3/16/12).
Co-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED for purpose of discussion.
Representative Neuman wondered if the guide log book
calculations were up to date.
BEN MULLIGAN, SPECIAL ASSISTANT, DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND
GAME, replied that the log books were up to date.
9:50:09 AM
ROD ARNO-PALMER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA OUTDOOR COUNCIL
(via teleconference), testified in opposition to SB 91. He
did not believe that the Department of Fish and Game (DFG)
had administrated the program well. He stated that he was
in support of the program, but could not support a four-
year extension. He stressed that he was not supportive of
the program taking money from guide-less fishermen.
Mr. Mulligan stated that DFG funds were used for the
program, and the cost program administration was greater
than the set fees. He stressed that a large percentage of
sport fishermen use guides, and the log book data helps DFG
harvest surplus, without being too conservative.
Co-Chair Thomas wondered if DFG had the ability to observe
and record the activities of the average sport fisherman.
Mr. Mulligan replied that DFG conducts creel surveys and an
annual sport fish survey.
9:54:25 AM
Co-Chair Stoltze MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1.
Amendment 1
On page 1 line 8
Delete "2017" Insert "2015"
Representative Doogan OBJECTED for purpose of discussion.
Co-Chair Stoltze explained that the amendment would extend
the program for 2 years rather than 4 years. He remarked
that he keeping the program extended for a shorter period
of time would cause the legislature to continue to evaluate
the effectiveness of the program.
Representative Doogan wondered if the amendment would cause
a substantive change in the program. Mr. Mulligan replied
that changing the extension from four years to two, would
result in a more relevant evaluation.
Representative Doogan wondered, again, if the amendment
would make a substantive change to the bill. Mr. Mulligan
replied that the amendment would not make a substantive
change to the bill.
Representative Doogan WITHDREW his objection. There being
NO further OBJECTION Amendment 1 was adopted.
Mr. Mulligan spoke to the fiscal note attached to the bill.
He said that the fiscal note reflected the original
proposed extension to January 1, 2017. Now that the
amendment was adopted, the fiscal note will change by
removing FY 16 and FY 17.
9:57:23 AM
Representative Wilson how many people administer the
program. Mr. Mulligan replied that he did not know the
exact number of people who administer the program. The
process is spread out among people who have multiple duties
and responsibilities.
Co-Chair Thomas MOVED to report HCS CSSB 91(FIN) out of
committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
HCS CSSB 91(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with one new fiscal impact note
from the Department of Fish and Game.
9:58:14 AM
RECESSED
4:37:01 PM
RECONVENED