01/29/2024 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE

           SB 182-EXTEND BIG GAME COMM SERVICES BOARD                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:33:27 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BJORKMAN announced  the consideration  of SENATE  BILL NO.                                                               
182  "An Act  extending  the  termination date  of  the Big  Game                                                               
Commercial Services Board; and providing for an effective date."                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:34:17 PM                                                                                                                    
RAYMIE MATIASHOWSKI, Staff, Senator  Jesse Bjorkman, Alaska State                                                               
Legislature,  Juneau, Alaska,  provided  a recap  of  SB 182.  He                                                               
explained that  SB 182 extends  the Big Game  Commercial Services                                                               
Board until June 30, 2032.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:35:23 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON expressed gratitude  for the timely response                                                               
to her questions  at the previous meeting. She  stated that while                                                               
she  supports extending  the Big  Game Commercial  Services Board                                                               
(the  Board),  she  respects the  auditors'  [recommendation]  to                                                               
extend the Board for 6 years.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:36:02 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 182.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:36:38 PM                                                                                                                    
CABOT  PITTS, representing  self,  Palmer,  Alaska, testified  in                                                               
support of SB 182. He said he  has been an Alaska resident for 15                                                               
years and holds  a registered guide license. He added  that he is                                                               
a bush  pilot and a  commercial fisherman. He explained  that his                                                               
work as  a guide  has been positively  impacted by  the oversight                                                               
that the Board  provides. The Board puts  forth regulations, sets                                                               
high standards, and holds individuals  accountable, which has had                                                               
a  positive  impact  on  the   industry.  He  said  that  keeping                                                               
licensees up  to date  with current  rules and  regulations saves                                                               
money.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:39:19 PM                                                                                                                    
DICK  ROHRER, representing  self,  Kodiak,  Alaska, testified  in                                                               
support of  SB 182. He  said he has  been an Alaska  resident for                                                               
over 50 years and is  a master guide-outfitter. He explained that                                                               
he  was one  of two  guides to  serve on  the Board  when it  was                                                               
reinstated in 2005. He acknowledged  the time commitment required                                                               
from board members.  He shared the Board's  recommendation that a                                                               
permanent full-time  executive administrator position  be created                                                               
and added that this could be paid for with Board funds.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:41:59 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony on SB 182.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:42:13 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  GRAY-JACKSON corrected  her earlier  statement, changing                                                               
"auditor's opinion" to "auditor's recommendation."                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:42:28 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN  acknowledged the  need for a  full-time executive                                                               
administrator position and stated his  intention to keep SB 182 a                                                               
sunset bill,  without adding  additional legislative  changes. He                                                               
said  he  plans to  introduce  legislation  that would  create  a                                                               
position  that   would  assist  the  Board   with  licensing  and                                                               
administrative support.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:43:45 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN  invited further  comment from  committee members.                                                               
Finding none, he solicited the will of the committee.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:43:53 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  GRAY-JACKSON moved  to  report SB  182,  work order  33-                                                               
LS1124\A,  from  committee  with individual  recommendations  and                                                               
attached fiscal note(s).                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:44:03 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN  found no objection  and SB 182 was  reported from                                                               
the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.