02/04/2002 03:39 PM House FSH

HB 286-OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN ONE FISHERY PERMIT                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  WILSON  announced  that  the first  matter  before  the                                                               
committee would be HOUSE BILL NO.  286, "An Act allowing a person                                                               
to  hold more  than one  commercial  fishing entry  permit for  a                                                               
fishery;  relating to  the power  of  the Board  of Fisheries  to                                                               
establish fishing  periods and areas for  subgroups of commercial                                                               
fishing  permits and  commercial  fishing permit  holders and  to                                                               
establish limits on  the amount of fishing gear that  may be used                                                               
by certain  commercial fishing permit holders;  and providing for                                                               
an effective date."                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Number 0128                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  SCALZI,   speaking  as  the  sponsor,   told  the                                                               
committee that  HB 286 was  what was  referred to as  a "stacking                                                               
bill" for  people who made  the presentation at the  fish caucus.                                                               
He said it  has gone before the United Fisherman  of Alaska (UFA)                                                               
board and  had revisions made  that he  concurred with.   He said                                                               
over the  weekend, he and  the board reviewed those  revisions; a                                                               
proposed CS is in progress.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SCALZI said  that despite the changes  made to the                                                               
bill,  it  still  remains  a  bill with  a  primary  function  of                                                               
"reducing gear  in the water."   He said this aim  is achieved by                                                               
allowing an  individual to own  up to two  permits per area.   He                                                               
said provisions allowing  more gear or extended  fishing time for                                                               
holders of  multiple permits  had been deleted  from the  bill so                                                               
that a majority of  permit holders could have a vote  on it.  [HB
 was held over.]