Legislature(2013 - 2014)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/27/2014 08:30 AM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB143 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 278 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 143 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE BILL NO. 143
"An Act relating to crewmember fishing licenses."
8:36:17 AM
Co-Chair Stoltze noted that a [Department of Labor and
Workforce Development] fiscal note was forthcoming.
Vice-Chair Neuman MOVED to ADOPT the proposed committee
substitute for HB 143, Work Draft 28-LS0520\Y (Bullard,
3/6/14).
Co-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED for discussion.
DANIEL GEORGE, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE BILL STOLTZE,
explained the changes in the CS. Sections 1 and 2 had been
added to conform to changes added in Section 3. Section 3
had previously read that the cost of a commercial seven-day
crewmember fishing license would be $93, which included
one-third of the Carlson differential in addition to a $30
base. The section had been changed to allow one annual
seven-day crewmember fishing license to a resident or
nonresident engaged in commercial fishing who did not
possess an entry or interim-use permit (previously an
individual had the ability to purchase more than one of the
licenses per year). Additionally, a person was entitled to
receive a refund for their purchase of the seven-day
license if they purchased an annual crewmember fishing
license within the same year. The bill included language
directing the department to adopt regulation establishing a
refund procedure. Lastly, the effective date had been
changed from January 1, 2014 to January 1, 2015. He noted
that a Legislative Legal Services opinion dated February
17, 2014 had been provided to members (copy on file). The
opinion addressed existing penalties that would apply if a
person violated the provisions in Section 3.
Co-Chair Stoltze remarked on fee license increases. He
stated that the bill only addressed the intended issue and
not others that were controversial.
8:39:36 AM
Representative Costello asked how many individuals would be
impacted by the ability to only receive one seven-day
license per year.
Mr. George deferred the question to the Department of Fish
and Game (DFG).
KEVIN BROOKS, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND
GAME, replied that 542 fishermen had purchased multiple
seven-day licenses during 2012; 1,344 of the licenses had
been purchased (one person could have purchased between one
and six of the licenses). He relayed that the numbers
tended to be within the same range from year to year.
Representative Costello observed that the seven-day license
fee was listed in statute as $30. She asked for the cost of
the annual crew member fishing license. Mr. Brooks replied
that the annual fee was tied to the Carlson differential
and was currently $250 for a nonresident.
Co-Chair Stoltze surmised that the change would probably
have a positive fiscal impact. Mr. Brooks replied that if
everyone that had previously bought two or more of the
seven-day licenses purchased an annual license the increase
in revenue would be just under $100,000; approximately
$11,000 of the figure would go to the fishermen's fund. He
relayed that the information would be delineated in the
fiscal note.
Co-Chair Stoltze asked if DFG believed the bill met the
intent of the original statute. Mr. Brooks answered in the
affirmative. He detailed that the department had identified
the problem of people purchasing multiple seven-day
licenses.
Co-Chair Stoltze surmised the original statute had intended
individuals to purchase one of the licenses for
recreational or one-time use. Mr. Brooks responded in the
affirmative. He confirmed that the bill would accomplish
the goal and that it provided for the refund option if a
person filled out an application. He elaborated that if a
person fished all season they would be eligible to submit
an application for a credit at the end of the season.
Co-Chair Stoltze asked for verification that an individual
who purchased a nonresident sport fish license would not
have the option to receive a reimbursement if they chose to
buy an annual license. Mr. Brooks replied in the
affirmative. The only time reimbursement would occur under
the mentioned scenario would be if a fishery was closed or
another unlikely situation occurred.
Co-Chair Stoltze commented that the bill treated commercial
fishermen better than sport fishermen.
Representative Guttenberg asked for verification that a
person who purchased a seven-day license and subsequently
purchased a seasonal license would need to request a
refund.
8:43:22 AM
Mr. Brooks agreed. He detailed that the licenses could be
purchased anywhere. The department felt that it should take
the responsibility for handling the refund applications as
opposed to requiring a license vendor to take on the
responsibility.
Co-Chair Stoltze made a remark about an individual's choice
to complete the paperwork.
REPRESENTATIVE PAUL SEATON, SPONSOR appreciated the
committee's attention to the bill. He relayed that the bill
would prevent nonresidents from purchasing multiple
licenses and from not paying the appropriate fees.
Co-Chair Stoltze asked if the sponsor had any objection to
the changes in the CS. He understood the sponsor had a
preferred product and wondered if the CS met the sponsor's
goals.
Representative Seaton replied in the affirmative.
Co-Chair Stoltze WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There being NO
further OBJECTION, Work Draft 28-LS0520\Y was ADOPTED.
8:44:57 AM
AT EASE
8:47:43 AM
RECONVENED
Vice-Chair Neuman discussed the fiscal notes including one
fiscal impact note from the Department of Fish and Game
showing a change in revenue of $14,300 in FY 15 and $83,800
annually from FY 16 through FY 20.
Co-Chair Stoltze remarked that revenue from nonresidents
would increase without any disparity issues. He noted that
nonresident fishermen under the bill were treated better
than nonresident sport fishermen. Mr. Brooks agreed.
Representative Wilson asked why 11 years of age had been
selected as the beginning age the bill would apply to. She
wondered if there were a significant number of children
between the ages of 11 and 18 who purchased the licenses.
Mr. Brooks replied that he did not know why the specific
age had been selected. There were 17 nonresident children
with the license and 378 resident children who fished with
their parents.
Co-Chair Stoltze asked how the adjustment of the extra
license fees would impact the fishermen's fund receipts.
MIKE MONAGLE, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION,
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (via
teleconference), replied there should be a moderate
increase in contributions from DFG of approximately $12,000
per year.
Co-Chair Stoltze asked Mr. Monagle to keep members up to
date on any changes to the fiscal note. Mr. Monagle replied
in the affirmative.
Vice-Chair Neuman MOVED to REPORT CSHB 143(FIN) out of
committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes.
Co-Chair Stoltze noted that the DWLD fiscal note was
forthcoming.
There being NO OBJECTION, CSHB 143(FIN) was REPORTED out of
committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with one new
fiscal impact note from the Department of Labor and
Workforce Development and one new fiscal note from the
Department of Fish and Game.
Co-Chair Stoltze discussed agendas for future meetings.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 143 CS(FIN)-DFG-DAS-3-27-14.pdf |
HFIN 3/27/2014 8:30:00 AM |
HB 143 |
| HB 143 legal opinion.pdf |
HFIN 3/27/2014 8:30:00 AM |
HB 143 |