Legislature(1999 - 2000)
04/07/2000 09:09 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 301(RES)
"An Act relating to the Chitina dip net fishing
permit; and providing for an effective date."
This was the second hearing for this bill in the Senate
Finance Committee.
Senator Wilken moved to adopt CS SB 301, 1-LS1516\K as a
workdraft. There was no objection.
Amendment #2: this bill made the following changes to page
1, lines 7-10 of the committee substitute.
Delete: "A person who has in the person's
physical possession a permanent identification card
issued under AS 16.05.100(b) and members of the
person's family who are in the presence of the person
are not required to pay the fee for the permit while
engaged in dip net fishing at Chitina."
Insert: "A person who has received a permanent
identification card issued under AS 16.05.400(b) may
obtain a Chitina dip net fishing permit without
charge.
The members of the family of a person who
has obtained a Chitina dip net fishing permit are
not required to have a Chitina dip net fishing
permit while they are engaged in dip net fishing
at Chitina if they are engaged in fishing in the
presence of the person and the person has the
Chitina dip net fishing permit in the person's
physical possession."
Senator Wilken moved for adoption. He referenced a
memorandum from the Division of Legal and Research Services
dated April 6, which recommends the adoption of this
amendment. [Copy on file.] Senator Wilken explained it
clarifies the stipulation that senior citizens are required
to obtain a permit, but that there is no charge to them for
the permit. In addition, he said, the amendment allows
family members of a person holding a permit to participate
in the fishery so long as the permit holder is present.
Without objection, the amendment was ADOPTED.
KEVIN DELANEY, Director, Division of Sport Fish, Department
of Fish and Game, testified via teleconference from
Anchorage in support of the bill.
STAN BLOOM, Vice President, Chitina Dip Netters'
Association, testified via teleconference from Fairbanks in
favor of the ten dollar fee proposed in the bill. He spoke
of the hassle-free dip netting that has been occurring on
the Chitina River for the past 20 years. He requested a
legislative letter of intent that stipulates the revenues
raised by the fees only be used for access to the fishery
and for no other purpose.
DICK BISHOP, Vice President, Alaska Outdoor Council,
testified via teleconference from Fairbanks in support of
the legislation and stated his appreciation for the
Committee's work on the bill. He stressed that the
Administration and the legislature must address the access
issues within the next year.
MIKE TINKER, Chair, Fairbanks Fish and Game Advisory
Committee testified via teleconference from Fairbanks about
his approval in changing the name of the fishery to
"Chitina Dip Net Fishery". He spoke to the problems in
settling the trespass issue.
MARY BISHOP testified via teleconference from Fairbanks
that she thought something else must be done to make the
public aware that the state is doing something about the
trespassing issue.
MAC MINARD, Interior Regional Supervisor, Division of Sport
Fish, Department of Fish and Game, testified via
teleconference from Fairbanks thanking the legislature for
its efforts on this bill. He reiterated the department's
support of the bill saying it was viewed as the best
solution to some complex problems. He stated the bill
attempts to maximize legal public access while minimizing
conflicts between the users.
GREG MACHACEK, part-time charter boat operator on the
Chitina River, testified via teleconference from Fairbanks
about his efforts with the Native association to establish
a positive relationship. He was also in support of the
legislation.
JOSEPH HART, representing the Chitina and Ahtna Native
Corporations, testified via teleconference from Glennallen
that he supported the original intent of the bill but was
concerned about giving access to some without compensation
for the impact on the corporations' property. He remarked
that the corporations would need to renegotiate with the
Department of Fish and Game, the amendment pertaining to
senior citizens' access without payment.
Co-Chair Torgerson stated that it was understood that this
was only a temporary solution and that the issue would need
to be revisited next year.
Senator Wilken offered a motion to report from Committee,
CS SB 301, 1-LS1516\K with accompanying $250,000 fiscal
note from the Department of Fish and Game. There was no
objection and the bill MOVED FROM COMMITTEE.
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