Legislature(2005 - 2006)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/13/2006 04:00 PM House FINANCE
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| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
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HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 13, 2006
4:14 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Meyer called the House Finance Committee meeting to
order at 4:14:00 PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mike Chenault, Co-Chair
Representative Kevin Meyer, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Stoltze, Vice-Chair
Representative Richard Foster
Representative Mike Hawker
Representative Mike Kelly
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Jim Holm
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Beth Kerttula
Representative Carl Moses
Representative Bruce Weyhrauch
ALSO PRESENT
McKie Campbell, Commissioner, Department of Fish and Game
(ADF&G)
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
None
GENERAL SUBJECT(S):
^
Funding Fish and Game Management:
A Wise Investment in Alaska's Future
The following overview was taken in log note format. Tapes
and handouts will be on file with the House Finance
Committee through the 24th Legislative Session, contact 465-
6814. After the 24th Legislative Session they will be
available through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.
TIME SPEAKER DISCUSSION
4:14:43 PM McKie Referred to slides throughout his
Campbell, presentation (copy on file.) He spoke
Commissioner, of ADF&G's mission. He referred to
Department of fish and wildlife as the soul of
Fish and Game Alaska. He listed the many ways
(ADF&G) Alaskans enjoy opportunities and access
to their living resources.
4:16:20 PM Commissioner Noted the principal reason many
Campbell employees live in Alaska. He pointed
out that fish and wildlife resources
contribute greatly to the economy, and
provide more jobs than any other sector
in Alaska.
4:18:43 PM Commissioner Discussed how the fish and game
Campbell investment has performed. He mentioned
that the investment has rebuilt
decimated commercial salmon fisheries.
4:20:02 PM Commissioner Highlighted the economic benefits to
Campbell the state by commercial fisheries.
Local governments benefit from
fisheries-related monies.
4:21:20 PM Commissioner Shared economic statistics from
commercial fisheries. He related that
the investment supports sport fishing,
which generates dollars for the state.
4:23:03 PM Commissioner Responded to a question from
Campbell Representative Stoltze. He replied
that he believes that sport fishing
makes up less than 10 percent of
fisheries-related income for the state.
He said he would check further on the
matter.
4:25:03 PM Commissioner Discussed the economic benefits to the
Campbell state from hunting. He related
subsistence harvesting economic
benefits to the state.
4:26:56 PM Commissioner Shared that wildlife watching and
Campbell fishing are central to the Alaska
tourism marketing. Wildlife watching
provides a large economic benefit in
the form of jobs and fees.
4:28:05 PM Commissioner Highlighted a case study in Frazer
Campbell Lake, where small investments yielded
high returns regarding a salmon weir
operation. For a $50,000 annual
investment, a $2.1 million return was
achieved from subsistence, hunting,
bear viewing, sport fishing, and
commercial fishing.
4:33:22 PM Commissioner Shared FY 06 funding sources:
Campbell approximately 40 percent were federal
funds and about 22 percent general
funds. He pointed out the risks of
relying on federal funding.
4:36:09 PM Commissioner Stated a belief that fish and wildlife
Campbell resources are a wise investment. For
every dollar invested in the budget,
about $35 returns to Alaska's economy.
4:38:40 PM Representative Suggested putting more trapping photos
Kelly in the slide presentation. He asked
about the general fund portion.
Commissioner Campbell replied that
$33.8 million is from general funds and
federal funding is 40 percent.
4:39:45 PM Representative Asked for more information regarding
Kelly designated funds. Commissioner
Campbell referred Representative Kelly
to the web page. He said the $156
million contains the $4.2 million EVO
funds.
4:40:38 PM Representative Asked about the current status of
Stoltze halibut IFQ's. Commissioner Campbell
replied that the North Pacific
Management Council voted down the IFQ
plan for charter boat halibut. The
National Marine Fisheries had been
sitting on it for about six years. The
Magnuson Act requires any such fishery
to reflect present participation in the
fishery. The feeling was that the plan
was illegal and would be overturned. A
stakeholders' group made up of charter
operators, commercial operators, and
subsistence groups was formed. They
are looking at two alternatives: IFQ-
based plan and a percentage plan. In
both cases the charter industry needs
to grow.
4:43:21 PM Representative Asked about a recent article about the
Kelly lack of sufficient funds in the
predator control programs.
Commissioner Campbell replied that the
department believes in these programs
and supports those plans that have the
science to back them up. The
department hopes to ask the legislature
for a hunting license increase next
session to cover some of the needed
funds.
4:45:48 PM Representative Asked if public sector use is being
Kelly maximized. Commissioner Campbell
responded that cost is a problem and
farming it out attracts national
attention.
4:48:00 PM Representative Asked if regulation would be better
Kelly than law. Commissioner Campbell
replied that Department of Law
recommends no changes right now. The
main threat to the program is from a
Federal Airborne Hunting Act rather
than state law. He concluded that
there would be no break in programs.
Representative Kelly asked if the
legislature should become involved.
Commissioner Campbell said he would let
them know when appropriate.
4:50:09 PM Co-Chair Meyer Inquired how out-of-state hunting
licenses compare with other states.
Commissioner Campbell replied that
Alaska is a little higher than average.
He noted the proportionality between
resident and non-resident fees as a
consideration. A non-resident only fee
was considered. A hunting license in
Alaska is a great bargain.
4:52:22 PM Representative Asked how many of the licenses sold are
Stoltze full-fare. Commissioner Campbell
replied he would get that information.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting
was
adjourned
at 4:53 PM
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