Legislature(2005 - 2006)BELTZ 211
04/07/2005 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB131 | |
| SB108 | |
| SB145 | |
| HB81 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 145 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 81 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 108 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 131 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | SB 139 | ||
SB 145-LOANS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING TENDERS
CHAIR CON BUNDE announced SB 145 to be up for consideration.
TIM BARRY, staff to Senator Stedman, sponsor, said that this
legislation was requested by a number of fishing tenders in the
state. It makes a small change in the Alaska Commercial Fishing
Loan Act to allow Alaskan owners of fish tenders to be eligible
for loans to improve the quality of seafood products. Under the
current law, the Division of Investments in the Department of
Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED) offers low-
interest loans to fishing permit holders to upgrade their
equipment in order to improve the quality of their seafood
product. Fishing tenders who buy fish on the fishing grounds
from fishermen and transport the product to processing plants
are an important part of the seafood handling process, however
they are not defined currently as fishermen and are, therefore,
not eligible for the improvement loans. SB 145 is supported by
the Alaska Independent Tendermen's Association, the Southeast
Alaska Fishermen's Alliance and Cordova District Fishermen
United.
CHAIR BUNDE asked what exactly upgrading equipment means.
MR. BARRY replied that purchase of vessels is not part of this
program, but it would cover a refrigerated seawater hold, for
instance.
2:35:28 PM
GREG WINEGAR, Director, Division of Investments, supported SB
145 saying it was consistent with state and industry efforts to
improve quality of seafood products. The division already gives
these loans to commercial fishing harvesters and the program has
been self-supporting for many years. SB 145 would not require
appropriations or additional staff.
2:36:49 PM
JERRY MCCUNE, President, Cordova Fishermen United, supported SB
145 saying it's important to have tenders with good equipment.
2:37:37 PM
CHAIR BUNDE asked if anyone is opposed to this bill.
MR. MCCUNE answered no.
2:38:38 PM
SENATOR BEN STEVENS moved to pass SB 145 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note. Senators
Davis, Ellis, Ben Stevens, Seekins and Chair Bunde voted yea;
and SB 145 moved from committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|