Legislature(1997 - 1998)
03/26/1997 01:35 PM Senate CRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
Number 001
CSHB 13(FIN) am MARINE SAFETY TRAINING & EDUCATION
CHAIRMAN MACKIE called the Senate Community & Regional Affairs
Committee meeting to order at 1:35 p.m., and noted the presence of
Senators Wilken, Donley, Hoffman and Mackie. He then brought CSHB
13(FIN) am before the committee as the only order of business.
REPRESENTATIVE ALAN AUSTERMAN , prime sponsor of HB 13, explained
the bill is basically the same bill he introduced last year, which
passed the House but failed to make it through the Senate during
the final days of the session.
Representative Austerman said because the state of Alaska does not
have a water safety program for saving lives, the Alaska Marine
Safety Education Association (AMSEA) was formed after a federal law
was passed requiring the state to have something in place for
safety training and equipment for commercial fishing vessels.
Federal funding for that program is running out, and because the
state does not have a safety water program, it it felt that this
program should continue on. The legislation accomplishes this by
providing that 50 percent of the proceeds from the Fishermen's Fund
interest earnings may be used to fund marine safety training and
education programs.
Representative Austerman noted the original bill specifically
designated AMSEA as the recipient of the funds, but that has been
removed so that if somebody else comes along with a better program,
it still can be funded.
Number 045
SENATOR HOFFMAN agreed the bill allows that to happen, but he
questioned if the Legislature would still have to appropriate the
dollars. REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN advised that the House budget
contains $150,000 in program receipts and designated grants in the
Department of Community & Regional Affairs' budget.
Number 055
SENATOR WILKEN noted backup material makes reference to the
Disabled Fisherman's Fund, which was put into place several years
ago to help with the costs of occupational injuries and illnesses
for licensed commercial fishermen, and he asked if that is what the
proceeds go to now. REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN clarified that was a
dedicated fund that was created before statehood, however, this
legislation is not asking that any part of the dedicated fund be
touched. He said 60 percent of a crewman's license fee goes into
this fund every year and the interest earnings off of the fund go
into the general fund. The legislation provides that up to half of
the interest earnings be used to fund marine safety training and
education programs.
Number 085
CHAIRMAN MACKIE asked how the education programs will be applied.
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN explained it is a statewide program that
is done through the schools and the Alaska Marine Safety Education
Association conducts classes that are available for the general
public as well. He pointed out that in 1995, 7,300 people took
part in this training, and out of that number, 3,700 were children
that were actually trained.
Number 116
MARK JOHNSON , Chief, Community Health & Emergency Medical Services,
Department of Health & Social Services, voiced the department's
support for CSHB 13(FIN) am. He related that they were involved in
the formation of the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association as
a part of a broad coalition back in the mid-eighties. The
department believes that this is an important issue because some
years there are more drowning fatalities in the state than there
are fatalities from accidents on the highways.
Mr. Johnson said his division has assisted in trying to find
federal grants to help AMSEA over the years, but they are getting
to the end of any pots of money to be found, and this would be an
opportunity to find some stable funding for the program for the
future.
Mr. Johnson pointed out AMSEA has trained over 350 instructors
throughout the state. He also pointed out that a study done by Ron
Perkins at the Alaska Native Health Service, which focused on the
commercial fishing community, revealed that statistically, this
program is working and is saving lives.
Number 142
SENATOR HOFFMAN asked where Alaska stands in drownings per capita.
MR. JOHNSON responded Alaska ranks highest in the nation and it is
something like 10 times the national average right now.
Number 152
PAUL GROSSI , Director, Workers' Compensation, Department of Labor,
and Chair of the Fishermen's Fund Advisory Council, stated the
department supports CSHB 13(FIN) am.
Responding to a question from Senator Wilken concerning workers'
compensation for fishermen, Mr. Grossi explained the fishermen are
exempt from workers' compensation. The fishermen's fund pays for
medical costs up to $2,500, but they can ask for an extension of
that benefit to pay above $2,500. It is a program that is just for
the payment of medical costs that aren't covered by any other
insurance.
Number 200
There being no further testimony on HB 13, CHAIRMAN MACKIE asked
for the pleasure of the committee.
SENATOR DONLEY moved CSHB 13(FIN) am and the accompanying fiscal
notes be passed out of committee with individual recommendations.
Hearing no objection, it was so ordered.
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