Legislature(2019 - 2020)BUTROVICH 205
02/14/2020 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB145 | |
| SB155 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 155 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 145 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 145-REGISTRATION OF BOATS: EXEMPTION
3:31:20 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO.
145, "An Act relating to the registration of commercial fishing
vessels; and providing for an effective date."
3:31:47 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE, speaking as sponsor of SB 145, referred to
Senate Bill 92, the derelict vessel bill that passed [in 2018].
He expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of the bill
because it has created confusion. He suggested that SB 145 and
the companion bill found solutions to better manage vessel
registration. He said he is working on a committee substitute
for SB 145.
3:32:57 PM
KONRAD JACKSON, Staff, Senator Peter Micciche, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, said SB 145 relates to the
exemption of vessel registration and unintended consequences of
Senate Bill 92, as the sponsor mentioned. During implementation
of the derelict vessel bill, the commercial fishing fleet
expressed their frustration.
MR. JACKSON paraphrased from the sponsor statement for SB 145:
SB 145 removes a duplicative and confusing
registration requirement for active commercial fishing
vessels, which was inadvertently created by the
passage of the derelict vessel bill, [Senate Bill 92],
in 2018.
Passage of [Senate Bill 92] was meant to improve
Alaska's prevention and management of derelict vessels
throughout coastal Alaska and on the State's major
river systems. The intent was not to create
duplicative registration requirements and duplicative
vessel numbering. SB 145 removes these duplicative
registration and numbering requirements by allowing
vessels registered with the Commercial Fisheries Entry
Commission (CFEC) to bypass DMV registration.
CFEC maintains a database of registered vessels that
provides necessary ownership and contact information,
which meets the intent of the derelict vessel bill.
Vessel licensure with the CFEC requires annual renewal
and already provides the necessary contact information
in a sharable, state database.
Alaska's commercial fishing vessels are key to
Alaska's fishermen's ability earn a living while
nourishing our state, the nation and the world with
quality seafood. Policies should support thriving
commerce by removing of unnecessary and duplicative
bureaucratic regulatory burdens whenever possible. SB
145 does exactly that.
I urge your support of this legislation which will
relieve an unnecessary burden from our commercial
fishing community and the Alaskan families the
industry supports.
MR. JACKSON reviewed the sectional analysis of SB 145. The bill
would amend AS 05.25.055(i) by adding new language, which read,
"a commercial fishing vessel that has a valid license issued
under AS 16.05.490 or 16.05.530;". These refer to statutes for
the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) registration,
he said. Members' packets include examples of the Division of
Motor Vehicles (DMV) boat title application and registration
forms, the CFEC vessel license application, and license tags.
The U.S. Coast Guard provided a document on documentation and
tonnage of smaller commercial vessels. He assured members that
these vessels are adequately identified. He referred to page 2,
line 9 and recommended the committee consider amending the bill
to delete the word "fishing." Not all boats registered by the
CFEC are actively engaged in the fishing industry, such as
tenders. These vessels are registered and complying with the
intent of Senate Bill 92, related to derelict vessels.
3:36:38 PM
SENATOR COGHILL asked if this would effectively require two
registrations.
MR. JACKSON answered that this bill would remove one of the
duplicative registrations. Currently, vessel owners register
with the CFEC and with the DMV. This bill will remove the DMV
registration requirement.
CHAIR MICCICHE reminded members that the language [instituted by
Senate Bill 92] to help prevent derelict vessels was largely
ignored. This bill would solve both issues. Vessels that are in
the water for only 90 days are not a part of the derelict vessel
problem. Typically, derelict vessels are larger ones that are
left in the water and sink lower and lower until they are on the
bottom of the harbor. The vessel owner information is captured
through the CFEC, he said. If vessels are boarded and are not
registered, the vessels are out of compliance. Another problem
that arose was that the duplicate requirement resulted in owners
adhering extra numbers on their vessels. However, these vessels
were already adequately numbered. This meant that vessels must
have their CFEC registration, and if documented, a vessel number
on the hull. SB 145 will provide a better process while still
meeting the intent of the derelict vessel bill passed in 2018.
3:38:42 PM
SENATOR COGHILL said he understood there are boat licenses and
fishing vessel licenses, but this bill only relates to the
CFEC's vessel [registration].
MR. JACKSON answered yes. SB 145 relates only to vessel
registration.
SENATOR COGHILL noted that the Department of Administration,
Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) fiscal note shows a reduction.
He asked whether this reduction will be offset by another fiscal
note.
CHAIR MICCICHE replied SB 145 mirrors the approach taken in the
House version of the bill. He explained that vessel owners could
register or renew their vessels by clicking on the registration
renewal form on the CFEC's website and be charged an $8 fee. He
said it is not necessary to have an offsetting fiscal note since
the revenues will not change. He said he favors this approach
since commercial vessel owners must pay the registration of
their vessels and permits in order to participate in any
commercial fishery, but owners would not need to pay an
additional, duplicate license. He envisioned that this process
would be seamless.
3:40:34 PM
SENATOR KIEHL said the sponsor described that a fishing vessel
would have a CFEC registration number to verify the vessel
registration. He related his understanding that this
registration will lapse unless the vessel owner registers it
under the provisions of Senate Bill 92.
CHAIR MICCICHE responded that the triangle decal indicates the
year and each year is uniquely colored and easy to recognize
from a distance. He described another option for those who
previously commercially fished. He related that a friend
converted his fishing vessel to a pleasure boat. When his
registration expired, he re-registered it with the DMV, so a
person would still have that option, he said.
3:42:37 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE opened public testimony on SB 145.
3:42:56 PM
RICHARD DAVIS, Member, Seafood Producers Co-op (SPC), Juneau,
Alaska, spoke in support of SB 145. He said the SPC represents
over 500 fishermen who collectively harvest and market their
fish together. The 200 members who have documented vessels would
be required by provisions in Senate Bill 92 to pay duplicate
registration fees. Currently, involvement in Alaska commercial
fisheries requires the vessel owner to register with the U.S.
Coast Guard and the CFEC to provide information on the boat and
its owner to obtain an annual vessel license. He asked members
to please pass the bill to remove the duplicate requirement
since the information is readily available to harbormasters or
port managers.
3:45:27 PM
JERRY MCCUNE, Lobbyist, Cordova District Fishermen United,
Cordova, Alaska, spoke in support of SB 145. He said the current
vessel registration process is duplicative and complicated. In
Cordova, the DMV is only open two days a week. When he went to
register at the DMV, the office did not have any decals so he
advised the Alaska State Troopers to make sure the troopers
would not issue tickets to Cordova fishermen. The database is
online so anyone can access the registered vessel information.
SB 145 will fix this issue, he said. He remarked that no one
wants to stand in line at the DMV to get another set of numbers.
3:46:50 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE said he would keep public testimony open on SB
145.
3:47:16 PM
SENATOR COGHILL acknowledged that the bill provides a remedy for
a specific issue. He asked how many vessels had registered. The
goal of Senate Bill 92 was to identify vessels that would
potentially become derelict vessels and provide the ability to
locate the vessel owners.
3:48:12 PM
JOANNE OLSEN, Interim Director, Division of Motor Vehicles
(DMV), Department of Administration, Anchorage, Alaska, answered
a question on derelict vessel owners. She said that the DMV does
not track the vehicles that are derelict. The DMV tracks when
people come in to register their vehicles.
SENATOR COGHILL said he would talk to the sponsor about the
derelict vessel issue.
3:48:32 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE said he has data that could be shared at the next
committee meeting.
3:48:44 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE announced that SB 145 would be held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 155 AMA Testimony on DNR Fiscal Note 02.13.2020.pdf |
SRES 2/14/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 155 |
| SB 145 ver. A.pdf |
SRES 2/14/2020 3:30:00 PM SRES 2/24/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 145 |
| SB 145 Sponsor Statement 02.12.2020.pdf |
SRES 2/14/2020 3:30:00 PM SRES 2/24/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 145 |
| SB 145 Fiscal Note - DOA-DMV-02-07-2020.pdf |
SRES 2/14/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 145 |
| SB 145 Fiscal Note - DPS-AWT-02-07-2020.pdf |
SRES 2/14/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 145 |
| SB 145 CFEC Current DMV Vessel Registration Docs & FAQ 02.13.2020.pdf |
SRES 2/14/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 145 |
| SB 145 CFEC Vessel Licensing Forms 02.12.2020.pdf |
SRES 2/14/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 145 |
| SB 145 USCG Brochure Documentation and Tonnage 02.12.2020.pdf |
SRES 2/14/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 145 |
| SB 145 CFEC MOCK UP Vessel Packet, 2020.pdf |
SRES 2/14/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 145 |
| SB 145 CFEC NEW 2020 Commercial Fishing Vessel Licensing Overview.pdf |
SRES 2/14/2020 3:30:00 PM |
SB 145 |