Legislature(2009 - 2010)
04/17/2009 04:54 PM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB75 | |
| SB165 | |
| SB177 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 177(FIN)
"An Act relating to an exception for professional
fishing guide services in the Kenai River Special
Management Area; relating to the licensing and
regulation of sport fishing operators and sport fishing
guides and licensing and registration of sport fishing
vessels; and providing for an effective date."
7:15:07 PM
SENATOR KEVIN MEYER, SPONSOR, stated that the bill would
continue the licensing and regulation of sport fishing
operators and guides through the next five years. He said
that in order to protect the guides and the clients, minimum
standards were needed. The program began in 2004, and
provided information pertaining to the number of guides in
the field, what kind of fish were being caught, and what
kind of activity was occurring in the guided industry. It
also provided basic standards for guides in the areas of
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and
liability insurance. He shared that the program has
increased the level of professionalism, which has helped to
raise the standards in the industry throughout the state.
The bill was modified to include a waiver for in-season
replacement of guides on the Kenai River. This would allow
the quick replacement of a guide should one be lost mid-
season. The replacement guide would be required to meet the
minimum requirements of licensing, first aid, and drug
testing.
7:16:25 PM
Senator Meyer relayed that the replacement would be required
to attend the Kenai River Guide Academy should they wish to
continue guiding the following season. He felt that the
program has benefited the sport fishing industry throughout
the state.
Representative Foster asked if there were any extenuating
subsistence issues. Senator Meyer replied no.
Co-Chair Stoltze asked Senator Meyer if he supported the
legislation encompassed in the proposed CS. Senator Meyer
responded that the change in the CS would change the
effective date of the bill.
Co-Chair Hawker MOVED to adopt the CSSB 177 (FIN), Version
26LS0832\ S.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
ANDY SZCZESNY, OWNER, ALASKA FISH AND FLOAT, KENAI,
testified in support of the bill.
7:20:07 PM
MONTE ROBERTS, KENAI RIVER PROFESSIONAL GUIDE ASSOCIATION,
SOLDOTNA, testified via teleconference. He testified in
support of the bill. He believed that the CS would keep
members of the industry, in emergency situations, from going
out of business.
7:21:34 PM
ROBER L. JAYNES, SELF, VALDEZ, testified via teleconference.
He testified that he had some problems with the bill in its
current form. He expressed concern for untrained guides
operating on the Kenai, at any time. He shared that he was
not opposed to the licensing per se, but felt that fee
involved was too high. He stated that the data collection
system posed problems. He related that his licensing fees
pay for the data collection, but that the data currently
collected was from charter operators only.
7:24:58 PM
Representative Foster questioned the fiscal note. He
wondered what the cost would be to the state.
Co-Chair Stoltze closed public testimony.
7:25:54 PM
CHARLES SWANTON, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF SPORT FISH,
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, replied that the division of
funds was 50/50, between the fees collected from the guides
and the operators, versus licensed anglers. He clarified
that $256,000 was collected by the fee program, and
$200,000 was from fishing licenses.
Vice-Chair Thomas commented that there was a surplus of $3
million put into the Fish and Game budget and could that be
considered a contribution toward the sport fish management.
Co-Chair Hawker stated that the only change in the new CS
from the previous version and the version to which the
fiscal note was written was that the time period until the
statutes would be repealed has been shortened, from January
1, 2015 until January 1, 2011. He wondered if that would
necessitate a new fiscal note.
7:27:30 PM
Mr. Swanton replied that a new fiscal note would not be
needed.
7:28:37 PM
Co-Chair Hawker exhibited surprise and requested
clarification.
JENNIFER YUHAS, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND
GAME, offered to provide a new fiscal note, showing no
subsidy for the following years, should the Committee adopt
the new CS.
7:29:05 PM
Representative Foster MOVED to report CSSB 177 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with a new
fiscal note.
HCS CSSB 177 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal note by the
Department of Fish and Game.
7:30:32 PM
RECESSED: 7:31:18 PM
RECONVENED: 9:02 PM
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 PM.
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