Legislature(2009 - 2010)
04/16/2009 05:11 PM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| SB1 | |
| HB88 | |
| HB151 | |
| SB57 | |
| SB96 | |
| SB170 | |
| SB114 | |
| SB75 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 151
"An Act repealing the termination date of the statewide
boating safety and education program; providing for an
effective date by repealing the effective dates of
secs. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, 23, 26, and 27,
ch. 28, SLA 2000, and sec. 3, ch. 119, SLA 2003; and
providing for an effective date."
JAMES ELLIS, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE MARK NEUMAN, explained
that the bill would extend the sunset date of the Statewide
Boating Safety and Education Program. The program has
reduced boating related deaths in the state by 20 percent
since 2000. Timely expedition of the legislation would allow
the state to receive federal funding.
6:17:46 PM
Co-Chair Hawker noted that the original bill had asked for
the sunset date to be extended through 2018. The potential
CS for HB 151 provides a one-year extension, with the
intention of revisiting the issue during the 2010 session.
He wondered if the sponsor was comfortable with the
compromise. Mr. Ellis replied in the affirmative.
6:18:38 PM
JAMES KING, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PARKS AND OUTDOOR
RECREATION, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, highlighted the
importance of the Kids Don't Float program. He shared that
the Boating Safety and Education program has been a major
contributor to the 514 life-jacket loaner boards, in 153
communities, throughout the state. The Kids Don't Float
program has provided education to over 63,000 people in
communities all across the state. Mr. King detailed other
educational programs that benefit under the Boating Safety
and Education Program. He stated that since the program
began, recreational boating fatalities have declined by 20
percent. He emphasized his support for the one year
extension.
6:21:02 PM
Co-Chair Stoltze moved to adopt the CS for HB 151 26-
LSO422\P as a working document. There being NO OBJECTION,
it was so ordered.
6:21:35 PM
MICHAEL FOKERTS, RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY SPECIALIST,
U.S. COAST GUARD, read from the White Paper (copy on file).
He testified that the Coast Guard, through the Secretary of
Homeland Security, is directed to carry out a national
recreational boating safety program under chapter 131 of
title 46 of the United States Code. The goal of the program
is to encourage states to assume the role in assisting and
enforcing the carrying out of boating safety education and
activities. Under this program the Coast Guard allocates and
distributes funds to eligible states to assist in developing
and implementing boating safety programs. Federal financial
assistance is provided through the Boating Safety account of
the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, also known as the Sport
Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. Alaska met the
eligibility requirements to receive the funds in 2000 with
the passing of HB 108, the Alaska Boating Safety Act. The
Alaska Boating and Safety Program is funded almost entirely
by the federal grant. The program has now been in place for
nearly ten years. Under the program recreational boaters are
safer and more educated and boating fatalities have
declined. He relayed that the Coast Guard will continue to
maintain a working relationship with the state.
Co-Chair Hawker solicited further testimony.
JEFF JOHNSON, BOATING LAW ADMINISTRATOR, DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES (DNR), was available, via teleconference,
for questions.
Representative Foster commended DNR for their good work.
Co-Chair Hawker closed public testimony.
6:25:19 PM
Representative Joule spoke in support of the bill. He hoped
the program would help provide closure for mourning families
by aiding in the quick recovery of drowning victims.
Vice-Chair Thomas remarked that he had seen the Kid's Don't
Float program working in action. He asserted there should be
a similar program for adults.
Co-Chair Hawker noted the one year sunset from June 30, 2010
to June 30, 2011. He pointed out to the committee the fiscal
note showing an additional expenditure needed in 2010. He
asked if the fiscal note was in the 2010 budget or if it was
an incremental. Mr. King replied that the fiscal note
reflected boat registration fees. He said that those fees
would be for 2010. Co-Chair Hawker asked if the
appropriations and capital expenditures were already in the
2010 budget. He added that the note reflected inter-agency
receipts being spent for personal services. He wondered if
the expenditures were already in the 2010 budget. Mr. King
replied in the affirmative. Co-Chair Hawker clarified that
it was not an incremental fiscal note. He asked if the
capital expenditure was already in the 2010 budget. Mr. King
replied that the division receives a federal grant and that
the receipt authority for that grant is in the 2010 budget.
Co-Chair Hawker summarized that the division has the amounts
already in the budget and that the fiscal note was presented
for information purposes only. He asked the committee to
forward the bill with the zero fiscal note to prevent the
duplication of authority. Mr. King requested confirmation
from Mr. Johnson.
Mr. Johnson stated that it was a continuation of the budget
that has always existed. He said that it varies from year to
year, but that the department was in the capital budget for
the specified amount.
6:29:30 PM
Co-Chair Hawker MOVED to change the fiscal note to show a
zero appropriation in FY 2010, leaving in what the
department already has budgeted. There being NO OBJECTION,
it was so ordered.
Co-Chair Stoltze commented on the dissimilarities between
the federal and state fiscal year, and recognized this could
pose a problem when applying for federal grants. He said
that he had drafted the CS for the one year sunset extension
with the intention of examining the complexities of the
program. He mentioned his concerns with the regulation of
responsible adults and DNR bureaucrats and hoped that the
bill would reflect the ways in which Alaskans could benefit
from their own natural resources.
Co-Chair Stoltze MOVED to report CSHB 151 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CSHB 151 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal note by the
Department of Natural Resources.
6:35:01 PM
Representative Foster wondered about school involvement in
the Kid's Don't Float program. Mr. King replied that the
program was taught in schools throughout the state. He
stressed that the effort to educate children is an absolute
priority.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|