03/09/1993 03:00 PM House L&C

  HJR 33:  FEDERAL FISHING VESSEL SAFETY RULES                                 
                                                                               
  REP. HARLEY OLBERG testified as the PRIME SPONSOR of HJR 33.                 
  Rep. Olberg read the following sponsor statement:                            
                                                                               
       "The U.S. Coast Guard recently announced new commercial                 
  vessel safety regulations for all commercial fishing boats                   
  which the fishing industry finds extremely difficult to                      
  understand, excessive and financially burdensome.                            
                                                                               
       These new commercial vessel safety regulations were                     
  brought to my attention by Cordova District Fisherman                        
  United.  Since that time, I have learned that many                           
  commercial fishing organizations, as well as Pacific                         
  Fisheries Legislative Task Force, have sent objections to                    
  the Coast Guard.  Senator Jacko and I introduced companion                   
  legislation to add the legislative voice for the second                      
  largest industry in the state.                                               
                                                                               
       This resolution is requesting that the Coast Guard hold                 
  public hearings and extend the comment period on the                         
  Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Regulations and respond                   
  to fisherman's suggestions and suggestions made by naval                     
  architects not employed by the Coast Guard.                                  
                                                                               
       It also requests that a separate set of regulations for                 
  commercial fishing vessels under 79 feet be proposed, as                     
  boats less than 79 feet historically have had a class and                    
  regulations of their own.                                                    
                                                                               
       It further asks that the effective date of the                          
  regulations be delayed for a minimum of one year in order                    
  for the industry to prepare for the new regulations.                         
                                                                               
       The potential magnitude and impact of these regulations                 
  on the Alaska fleet must be fully understood and ample                       
  opportunity for comment must be provided.  This resolution                   
  seeks to ensure that process."                                               
                                                                               
  REP. OLBERG noted that the Bering Sea Fisherman's                            
  Association, Bristol Bay Driftnetters Association, Cordova                   
  District Fisherman United, Alaska Trollers, United Cook                      
  Inlet Drift Association, and the United Fisherman of Alaska                  
  support this resolution.                                                     
                                                                               
  Number 423                                                                   
                                                                               
  JERRY MCCUNE, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, UNITED FISHERMAN OF                     
  ALASKA CORDOVA DISTRICT FISHERMAN'S UNITED, testified in                     
  support of HJR 33.  Mr. McCune stated that the last time the                 
  Coast Guard issued new regulations it took over two weeks to                 
  condense them into a version readily understandable.  Mr.                    
  McCune also noted that blanket regulations will not work for                 
  all vessels.                                                                 
                                                                               
  Number 445                                                                   
                                                                               
  REP. HUDSON noted his previous career with the Coast Guard,                  
  including vessel rule making, and said he believes this                      
  resolution is extremely reasonable.  Rep. Hudson told the                    
  committee that he had spoken with Congressman Young who                      
  indicated that this resolution would help him show that he                   
  has the added support from the state legislature in solving                  
  this matter.                                                                 
                                                                               
  REP. PORTER moved for passage of SSHJR 33 with a zero fiscal                 
  note, individual recommendations, and unanimous consent.  No                 
  objections were heard, it was so ordered.