Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/09/2025 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB147 | |
| SB117 | |
| SB158 | |
| HB116 | |
| SB159 | |
| SB172 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 147 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 117 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 158 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 116 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 159 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 172 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 158-COOK INLET: NEW ADMIN AREA
2:25:28 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 158 "An Act relating to
administrative areas for regulation of certain commercial set
net entry permits; and providing for an effective date."
2:25:44 PM
KONRAD JACKSON, Staff, Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided a summary, on behalf of
the sponsor for SB 158. He said the bill directs the Commercial
Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) to establish a new boundary in
the upper subdistrict of Cook Inlet's Central District,
incorporating six statistical areas traditionally fished by East
Side set netters. He stated that this change reflects the
fishery's unique history and management practices and would
benefit local fishermen and their families.
2:26:36 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 158.
2:27:03 PM
GREG JOHNSON, representing self, Vancouver, Canada, testified in
support of SB 158 and stated that the bill is a crucial first
step toward addressing the challenges facing this long troubled
and currently unviable fishery.
2:27:51 PM
GARY HOLLIER, representing self, Kenai, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 158 and stated that he supports Commercial
Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) Commissioner Glenn Haight's
comment that passing SB 158 would make it simple and
straightforward for CFEC to carry out its intent.
2:28:42 PM
GARY DEIMAN, representing self, Ninilchik, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 158 and asked for the legislators to be fair to
the East Side net setters.
2:30:03 PM
TED CROOKSTON, representing self, Kenai, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 158. Testimony was not audible.
2:30:54 PM
ALLAN CROOKSTON, Owner, Tide Chaser Fisheries, Kenai, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 158 and stated that the past several
years have been disastrous with little hope for the future. He
emphasized that the East Side from Ninilchik to Nikiski is
unique and should be managed separately to address its specific
challenges and needs.
2:32:16 PM
DANIEL NORMAN, representing self, Kenai, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 158. He said fishing unites people, yet East Side
set netters have faced federal disasters in six of the last
seven years and bear most of the burden of Chinook conservation.
East Side set netters fleet is shrinking, the voices are
limited, and they've long been managed differently. He stated
that SB 158 would finally recognize those differences and allow
fair, tailored management for their fishery.
2:33:32 PM
JOANN WICHERS, representing self, Kenai, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 158.
2:34:07 PM
LISA GABRIEL, representing self, Kenai, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 158.
2:34:43 PM
ANDY HALL, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 158. He said his family owns four permits and that
the East Side Set Net fishery has faced federal disaster
declarations in six of the last seven years, with no end in
sight. He emphasized that while their fishery is limited, sport
and personal-use fisheries face no such restrictions and set
netters need tools to build a sustainable future instead of
remaining idle each season.
2:35:45 PM
TRAVIS EVERY, representing self, Kenai, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 158. He said creating a new administrative area
would give fishermen more control over the future of their
permits, fishery, and family businesses. He added that remaining
idle year after year is not a good outcome for the fishery, the
Kenai Peninsula community, or the state.
2:36:53 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony on SB 158.
2:37:06 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited the will of the committee.
2:37:08 PM
SENATOR MERRICK moved to report SB 158, work order 34-LS0519\I,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
2:37:24 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and SB 158 was reported from
the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.