03/02/1998 03:40 PM House RLS

HB 310 - UTILIZATION OF GROUNDFISH                                             
                                                                               
Number 0069                                                                    
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN KOTT announced the committee would address HB 310, "An Act            
relating to the utilization of groundfish; and providing for an                
effective date," sponsored by Representative Austerman.                        
                                                                               
Number 0075                                                                    
                                                                               
AMY DAUGHERTY, Legislative Administrative Assistant to                         
Representative Alan Austerman, Alaska State Legislature, came                  
before the committee to explain HB 310.  She read the following                
statement into the record:                                                     
                                                                               
"HB 310 extends, to other groundfish species, the current ban in               
state law regarding the waste of pollock.  It enables the Board of             
Fish to require processors to meet minimal standards for the                   
utilization of other groundfish in addition to pollock, similar to             
the regulations adopted by the Secretary of Commerce for offshore              
processors.  The legislation is necessary because current state law            
only prohibits the waste of pollock and not other groundfish                   
species, such as Pacific cod, rock sole and yellowfin sole."                   
                                                                               
MS. DAUGHERTY informed the committee there is a proposed amendment.            
                                                                               
Number 0154                                                                    
                                                                               
CHAIR KOTT explained it is a one word amendment on page 1, line 10,            
following the word "fish" insert "bait".                                       
                                                                               
MS. DAUGHERTY pointed out that the section lays out exemptions to              
the waste and  the word "bait" would be inserted.  It was brought              
up at the United Fishermen of Alaska meeting that this exemption               
was needed.  Often groundfish and pollock are used (indisc.) in                
crab bait or halibut bait.  She said that exemption needs to be                
included in the bill.  Ms. Daugherty noted that Geron Bruce was in             
attendance if the committee would like more details on why the                 
legislation is needed.  She stated, "Essentially, the council                  
oversees this IRU which is increased retention utilization for the             
offshore sector.  And in fact the board has the authority on the               
vessels within three miles, but we need to extend the authority to             
the inshore sector - the processors."                                          
                                                                               
Number 0243                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE KIM ELTON moved that the committee adopt Amendment              
1.                                                                             
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN KOTT noted the word "bait" would be inserted after the                
word "fish", on page 1, line 10.  He asked if there was an                     
objection.  There being none, Amendment 1 was adopted.                         
                                                                               
Number 0302                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN PORTER made a motion to move HB 310, as                   
amended, from committee with individual recommendations and with               
the attached fiscal notes.  There being no objection CSHB 310(RLS)             
moved out of the House Rules Standing Committee.