Legislature(2023 - 2024)BUTROVICH 205
03/21/2023 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing: Board of Marine Pilots | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 105 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 21, 2023
1:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator James Kaufman, Chair
Senator David Wilson, Vice Chair
Senator Löki Tobin
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Robert Myers
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING
Board of Marine Pilots:
James Cunningham - Homer
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
SENATE BILL NO. 105
"An Act authorizing the Alaska Railroad Corporation to issue
revenue bonds to finance the replacement of the Alaska Railroad
Corporation's passenger dock and related terminal facility in
Seward, Alaska; and providing for an effective date."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JAMES CUNNINGHAM, Appointee
Board of Marine Pilots
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Board of
Marine Pilots.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:32:08 PM
CHAIR JAMES KAUFMAN called the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:32 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Wilson, Tobin, Kiehl, Myers and Chair
Kaufman.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING: BOARD OF MARINE PILOTS
CONFIRMATION HEARING
BOARD OF MARINE PILOTS
1:32:55 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN announced the consideration of governor's
appointee to the Board of Marine Pilots. He welcomed Mr. James
Cunningham to the committee as an appointee to the Board of
Marine Pilots. He noted that Alaska Statute 08.62 establishes
the Board of Marine Pilots and the duties. The board adopts
regulations to conduct its mission to provide efficient and
competent pilotage service for the protection of shipping, the
safety of human life and property, and the protection of the
marine environment. The board makes final licensing decisions
and takes disciplinary action against people who violate the
licensing laws. The board meets three times a year and offers a
public comment period at each meeting. He noted that Mr.
Cunningham was appointed to the board on May 25, 2022. If
confirmed, his term would expire March 1, 2025.
1:34:14 PM
JAMES CUNNINGHAM, Appointee, Board of Marine Pilots, Department
of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), Homer,
Alaska, shared that he is a graduate of the Maine Maritime
Academy. He stated that he grew up in Washington and spent time
as a child in Ketchikan. He reported working on seine and fish
tender boats along the Alaskan coast. He added that he shipped
container boats all over the world and was able to meet and get
to know the pilots. He moved his family to Homer where he enjoys
working as a first class pilot.
1:36:07 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN expressed appreciation for Mr. Cunninghams
extensive resume with related experience and professional
development.
1:36:30 PM
SENATOR WILSON expressed appreciation for Mr. Cunninghams
willingness to serve on the Board of Marine Pilots. He asked for
a definition of the far east listed in his resume.
MR. CUNNINGHAM replied that he worked on tankers in the
Mediterranean regions, Israel and the Black Sea. He stated that
he also worked on container ships traveling to Singapore, China
and Japan.
SENATOR WILSON asked about challenges for marine pilots in
Alaska.
1:38:01 PM
MR. CUNNINGHAM replied that attracting qualified pilots to
Alaska can be problematic. He spoke to the challenge of moving
new recruits to Alaska to train and stay. He expressed
additional challenges such as maintaining equipment and
improving established policies and docking facilities. He shared
that he initially began visiting Alaska while working on
container ships. The container ships utilized anchors for towing
because tugboats were not available. He stated that Anchorage
currently had two tugboats in the winter. He hoped to help
streamline and modernize the Port of Anchorage and Homer Port
and Harbor.
1:41:31 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN asked how his work on the board touches his
priorities.
1:42:02 PM
MR. CUNNINGHAM responded that he prioritizes streamlining
archaic rules related to training and qualifications for new
pilots. He stressed the priority of updating the Pilots
Association Training Program. He explained that many rules were
established before electronic capabilities existed. The modern
age requires rules that reflect new technology. He reminded the
committee that the board position was new to him. He shared that
he was learning how to participate by providing industry
knowledge to streamline state and Pilot Association regulations.
1:44:43 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN expressed appreciation for Mr. Cunninghams
priority to streamline processes.
1:45:07 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN opened public testimony on James Cunningham's
appointment to the Board of Marine Pilots. After ascertaining
that no one in the room or online wished to testify, he closed
public testimony.
1:45:40 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN thanked Mr. Cunningham for being willing to serve
on the Board of Marine Pilots.
1:46:06 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Transportation Standing Committee reviewed the following
and recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint session
for consideration:
Board of Marine Pilots
James Kaufman - Homer
Signing the reports regarding appointments to boards and
commissions in no way reflects individual members' approval or
disapproval of the appointees; the nominations are merely
forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or rejection.
1:46:28 PM
At ease
1:47:54 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN reconvened the meeting.
1:48:41 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Kaufman adjourned the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting at 1:48 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| James Cunningham Marine Pilot Application 1.31.23.pdf |
STRA 3/21/2023 1:30:00 PM |
|
| James Cunningham Marine Pilot Resume 3.20.23.pdf |
STRA 3/21/2023 1:30:00 PM |