Legislature(2015 - 2016)BARNES 124
03/19/2015 11:30 AM House ECON. DEV., TOURISM, & ARCTIC POLICY
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM, AND
ARCTIC POLICY
March 19, 2015
11:30 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bob Herron, Chair
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Louise Stutes
Representative Cathy Tilton
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Charisse Millett
Representative Dan Ortiz
Representative Adam Wool
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS(S):
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development,
Commissioner
Chris Hladick - Unalaska
CONFIRMATION - ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
CHRIS HLADICK, Commissioner Designee
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the confirmation hearing for the
commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic
Development, provided his background and answered questions.
ACTION NARRATIVE
11:30:22 AM
CHAIR BOB HERRON called the House Special Committee on Economic
Development, Tourism, and Arctic Policy meeting to order at
11:30 a.m. Representatives Stutes, Tilton, Johnson, and Herron
were present at the call to order.
^CONFIRMATION HEARINGS(S):
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS(S):
^Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development
11:30:42 AM
CHAIR HERRON announced that the only order of business would be
a confirmation hearing for the commissioner of the Department of
Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED).
11:31:23 AM
CHRIS HLADICK, Commissioner Designee, Department of Commerce,
Community & Economic Development (DCCED), informed the committee
his experience includes 25 years in city management in Alaska,
from Galena and Dillingham to Unalaska. During this time he
managed many projects and he said he looked forward to bringing
his skills to DCCED.
CHAIR HERRON inquired as to why Commissioner Designee Hladick
would leave his present position.
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HLADICK said although Unalaska is the
greatest place to live, work, and raise kids, his kids are grown
and off to college so he took this opportunity.
CHAIR HERRON appreciated Commissioner Designee Hladick's
willingness to bring his leadership skill sets to DCCED because
of the challenges ahead. He asked what could be done about the
Alaska Marine Highway System "westward."
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HLADICK observed this has been an issue
for Southwest Alaska for many years, and his understanding is
that the proposed reductions are "double cuts because not only
are you reducing the service, you're reducing the revenues." He
has planned to speak with the commissioner of the Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities about the importance of this
issue for the region. Governments in Southwest Alaska have been
working for more ferry visits because the difference in the cost
of goods transported by ferry or barge is a huge economic driver
for the region. Commissioner Designee Hladick seeks to educate
folks about this topic.
11:34:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES reminded the committee that fisheries are
the largest employer in the state. The Alaska Seafood Marketing
Institute (ASMI) has had its budget reduced, at the same time
that European countries and Russia are spending increasing
amounts of money to promote their fisheries. Along with the
issue of the certification of fish, she asked for any ideas on
how Alaska can keep its fish in the forefront of the seafood
market.
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HLADICK said this is an important issue
which he has discussed with the seafood industry in Unalaska.
Factors are: sanctions on Russia, the dollar, the yen, less
fish going to Japan, fish going to China for secondary
processing that is then sent to Japan, and cultural changes.
The question remains how the state will continue to promote its
fish with a reduced budget. Commissioner Designee Hladick
expressed the need to sit down with stakeholders to find a
solution because of the huge impact to Kodiak, Unalaska, Sand
Point, Dillingham, King Salmon, the Southeast communities, and
Kenai.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES agreed and relayed that 70 percent of the
population in the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Valley areas
are affiliated with the fishing industry, thus this has a huge
economic impact to the entire state.
CHAIR HERRON referred to Governor Bill Walker's transition team
report on economic development contained within the committee
packet, and asked which of the five priority issues in the
transition report would be Commissioner Designee Hladick's main
focus.
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE HLADICK observed that as in previous
administrations, he will look at economic development from the
standpoint of the need to replace oil and gas development. To
achieve this on a large scale, cheap energy provides the
building blocks; however, how to attain cheap energy is one of
the issues on which to work. He noted that DCCED is reaching
out to new industries, such as Lockheed Martin's facility in
Anchorage, and the drone industry. Needed are new businesses,
and keeping current businesses, as discussed recently by the
cabinet; in fact, there are plans underway on how to maintain
and grow the business climate in the state.
11:39:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES moved [to forward the name of Chris
Hladick to the position of commissioner, Department of Commerce,
Community & Economic Development, to the joint session for
consideration.] She said the House Special Committee on
Economic Development, Tourism, and Arctic Policy has reviewed
the qualifications of the following governor's appointee and
recommends that his name be forwarded to a joint session for
consideration. She reminded the committee that [signing the
report regarding appointments to boards and commissions in no
way reflects individual members' approval or disapproval of the
appointees, and that the nominations are merely forwarded to the
full legislature for confirmation or rejection]. There being no
objection, Chris Hladick's name was forwarded.
11:41:06 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Arctic
Policy meeting was adjourned at 11:41 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Hladick Resume.pdf |
HEDA 3/19/2015 11:30:00 AM |
|
| HEDA 3.19.15 - Governor's Transition Paper on Economic Development.pdf |
HEDA 3/19/2015 11:30:00 AM |
|
| HEDA 3.19.15 - DCCED Section of the LAA Handbook on Alaska State Government.pdf |
HEDA 3/19/2015 11:30:00 AM |