Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124

05/02/2025 01:00 PM House RESOURCES

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Audio Topic
01:05:07 PM Start
01:05:39 PM Confirmation Hearing(s):|| Board of Game|| Board of Fisheries|| Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
02:32:27 PM HB125
02:50:43 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= HB 125 BOARD OF FISHERIES MEMBERSHIP TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
+ Consideration of Governor's Appointees: TELECONFERENCED
-Board of Fisheries: Olivia Henaayee Irwin and
Thomas Michael Carpenter
-Board of Game: Allen Barette and Cari Ann
Mueller
-Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission: Rick
Green
-- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --
-- Rescheduled from 04/25/25 --
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
               HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                             
                          May 2, 2025                                                                                           
                           1:05 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                             DRAFT                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Robyn Niayuq Burke, Co-Chair                                                                                     
Representative Maxine Dibert, Co-Chair                                                                                          
Representative Carolyn Hall                                                                                                     
Representative Donna Mears                                                                                                      
Representative Zack Fields                                                                                                      
Representative Dan Saddler                                                                                                      
Representative George Rauscher                                                                                                  
Representative Julie Coulombe                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Bill Elam                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Board of Game                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     Al Barrette - Fairbanks                                                                                                    
     Carri Ann Mueller - Palmer                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     - CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Board of Fisheries                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Olivia Henaayee Irwin - Nenana                                                                                             
     Tom Carpenter - Cordova                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     Rick Green - Anchorage                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 125                                                                                                              
"An Act relating to membership of the Board of Fisheries."                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 125                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: BOARD OF FISHERIES MEMBERSHIP                                                                                      
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) JIMMIE                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
03/05/25       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/05/25       (H)       FSH, RES                                                                                               
03/18/25       (H)       FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120                                                                          
03/18/25       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/18/25       (H)       MINUTE(FSH)                                                                                            
03/25/25       (H)       FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120                                                                          
03/25/25       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/25/25       (H)       MINUTE(FSH)                                                                                            
04/08/25       (H)       FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120                                                                          
04/08/25       (H)       Moved CSHB 125(FSH) Out of Committee                                                                   
04/08/25       (H)       MINUTE(FSH)                                                                                            
04/09/25       (H)       FSH RPT CS(FSH) 4DP 2NR                                                                                
04/09/25       (H)       DP: KOPP, EDGMON, MCCABE, STUTES                                                                       
04/09/25       (H)       NR: VANCE, HIMSCHOOT                                                                                   
04/28/25       (H)       RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
04/28/25       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
04/28/25       (H)       MINUTE(RES)                                                                                            
05/02/25       (H)       RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
ALLEN (AL) BARRETTE, Appointee                                                                                                  
Board of Game                                                                                                                   
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified as the governor's re-appointment                                                               
to the Board of Game.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CARRI ANN MUELLER, Appointee                                                                                                    
Board of Game                                                                                                                   
Palmer, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified as the governor's appointee to                                                                 
the Board of Game.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
OLIVIA HENAAYEE IRWIN, Appointee                                                                                                
Board of Fisheries                                                                                                              
Nenana, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified as the governor's appointee to                                                                 
the Board of Fisheries.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
TOM CARPENTER, Appointee                                                                                                        
Board of Fisheries                                                                                                              
Cordova, Alaska                                                                                                                 
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified as the  governor's re-appointment                                                             
to the Board of Fisheries.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
RICK GREEN, Appointee                                                                                                           
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission                                                                                           
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Testified as  the governor's  appointee to                                                             
the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CHUCK DERRICK, president                                                                                                        
Chitina Dipnetters Association                                                                                                  
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified in support of  the appointment of                                                             
Al Barrette  to the Board of  Game, Olivia Irwin to  the Board of                                                               
Fisheries, and in opposition to  the appointment of Tom Carpenter                                                               
to the Board of Fisheries.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
DAVID POLUSHKIN, representing self                                                                                              
Wasilla, Alaska                                                                                                                 
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified  in support of  the reappointment                                                             
Tom Carpenter to the Board of Fisheries.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MARK RICHARDS, Executive Director                                                                                               
Resident Hunters of Alaska                                                                                                      
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified in support of  the appointment of                                                             
Carrie Ann Mueller to the Board  of Game, the reappointment of Al                                                               
Barrette to  the Board of  Game, the appointment of  Olivia Irwin                                                               
to the Board  of Fisheries, and in opposition  to the appointment                                                               
of Tom Carpenter to the Board of Fisheries.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
ROD ARNO, Policy Director                                                                                                       
Alaska Outdoor Council                                                                                                          
Palmer, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified in opposition  to the appointment                                                             
of Tom Carpenter to the Board of Fisheries.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CRAIG THYTHLOOK, Fisheries Policy Director                                                                                      
Native Peoples Action                                                                                                           
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified in support of  the appointment of                                                             
Olivia Irwin to the Board of Fisheries.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
VIRGIL UMPHENOUR, representing self                                                                                             
North Pole, Alaska                                                                                                              
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified in support of  the appointment of                                                             
Rick  Green to  the  Commercial Fisheries  Entry Commission,  the                                                               
reappointment  of  Al   Barrette  to  the  Board   of  Game,  the                                                               
appointment of  Olivia Irwin  to the Board  of Fisheries,  and in                                                               
opposition to the reappointment of  Tom Carpenter to the Board of                                                               
Fisheries.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
RHONDA PITKA, Chief                                                                                                             
Village of Beaver                                                                                                               
Beaver, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Testified  in support  of the  appointment                                                             
Olivia Irwin to the Board of Fisheries.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
JARED DANIELSON, representing self                                                                                              
Port Muller, Alaska                                                                                                             
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified  in support of  the reappointment                                                             
Tom Carpenter to the Board of Fisheries.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
JOEL JACKSON, President                                                                                                         
Organized Village of Kake                                                                                                       
Kake, Alaska                                                                                                                    
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Testified  in support  of the  appointment                                                             
Olivia Irwin to the Board of Fisheries.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CHUCK DERRICK, President                                                                                                        
Chitina Dipnetters Association                                                                                                  
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified in support of amendments  3 and 4                                                             
to HB 125.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
KAREN LINNELL, Executive Director                                                                                               
Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission                                                                                           
Glenallen, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support of HB 125.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MARK RICHARDS, Executive Director                                                                                               
Resident Hunters of Alaska                                                                                                      
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Testified  regarding  hunting and  fishing                                                             
opportunities for Alaskans.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
ROD ARNO, Policy Director                                                                                                       
Alaska Outdoor Council                                                                                                          
Palmer, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:   Testified in  support of HB  125, including                                                             
Amendment 4 and Amendment 6.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CRAIG THYTHLOOK, Fisheries Policy Director                                                                                      
Native Peoples Action                                                                                                           
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support of HB 125.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
NANCY HILLSTRAND, Owner                                                                                                         
Pioneer Alaskan Fisheries                                                                                                       
Homer, Alaska                                                                                                                   
POSITION  STATEMENT:    Testified  regarding  the  importance  of                                                             
having a science seat on the Board of Fisheries.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
JAMES SIMON, representing self                                                                                                  
Salcha, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support of HB 125.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:05:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR ROBYN  NIAYUK BURKE called the  House Resources Standing                                                             
Committee meeting to order at  1:05 p.m.  Representatives Dibert,                                                               
Hall, Mears, Fields, Saddler, Rauscher,  Coulombe, and Burke were                                                               
present at the call to order.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):                                                                                                       
^Board of Game                                                                                                                  
^Board of Fisheries                                                                                                             
^Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                    CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):                                                                                
                         Board of Game                                                                                      
                       Board of Fisheries                                                                                   
             Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:05:39 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE announced  that the first order  of business would                                                               
be consideration of  governor's appointees to the  Board of Game,                                                               
the  Board  of  Fisheries,  and the  Commercial  Fisheries  Entry                                                               
Commission.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:06:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ALLEN (AL) BARRETTE, Appointee, Board  of Game, explained that he                                                               
is  a re-appointment  to the  Board of  Game.   He described  his                                                               
resume, explaining that he had  a good understanding of urban and                                                               
rural matters  and could provide  historical background  for many                                                               
wildlife  issues  from  around  the  state.   He  said  that  his                                                               
knowledge of  conservation, biology, and subsistence  would be an                                                               
asset to  the board.   He made it  a practice to  attend advisory                                                               
boards, study matters  prior to board meetings,  listen to people                                                               
presenting to the  board, and look beyond the data  to what users                                                               
are  seeing on  the landscape.    He described  his decisions  as                                                               
consistent and based  on science or the best data  available.  He                                                               
said he would continue to  learn, support the best public process                                                               
for management  for both  consumptive and  non-consumptive users,                                                               
and make science-based decisions.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:09:19 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. BARRETTE responded to a  question from Representative Saddler                                                               
by  explaining  he  learned  that   information  needed  to  make                                                               
decisions   regarding   proposals   often   requires   additional                                                               
research.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:10:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. BARRETTE addressed several  questions posed by Representative                                                               
Hall, explaining  that he grew  up on  a dairy farm  in Wisconsin                                                               
and  learned  about select  breeding  processes.   Regarding  his                                                               
interest  in lead  poisoning, he  explained that  his wife  was a                                                               
falconer, and  falcons are very  responsive to lead.   One little                                                               
lead pellet  can kill a falcon.   He had been  studying the issue                                                               
of  lead that  is present  in bullets  in order  to protect  wild                                                               
raptors in Alaska.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:12:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  BURKE introduced  the next  appointee to  the Board  of                                                               
Game, Carri Ann Mueller                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:12:47 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CARRI  ANN  MUELLER, Appointee,  Board  of  Game, summarized  her                                                               
resume  and explained  her belief  that public  involvement is  a                                                               
critical voice.   She described  her experience hunting in  14 of                                                               
the  26 game  units in  Alaska and  highlighted her  work helping                                                               
women and  youth learn  basic hunting  skills.   She said  she is                                                               
committed to  following the science  and data from  Alaska's fish                                                               
and  game  biologists and  staff,  listening  to input  from  the                                                               
wildlife troopers, and reviewing  the recommendations from the 84                                                               
advisory committees and user groups who enjoy the outdoors.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:18:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  BURKE  announced  that  the committee  would  hear  the                                                               
appointees for the Board of Fisheries.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:19:05 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
OLIVIA HENAAYEE IRWIN, Appointee,  Board of Fisheries, summarized                                                               
her resume,  highlighting her  personal experience  with fishing,                                                               
her education  in state  and federal  management and  policy, and                                                               
her  work with  the  Tanana  Chiefs Conference  and  Doyon.   She                                                               
described  the value  of the  public process,  the importance  of                                                               
promoting healthy Alaska fish stock,  and how decisions should be                                                               
made based  on science and input  by stakeholders.  She  said she                                                               
would  like to  work to  preserve  and protect  the resources  of                                                               
Alaska's fisheries.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:22:57 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. IRWIN,  in response to several  questions from Representative                                                               
Saddler,  reviewed her  coursework  and degrees  as  well as  her                                                               
Alaska residency.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:24:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. IRWIN  responded to a  question from Representative  Mears by                                                               
explaining that she was an appointee  to a board seat which would                                                               
represent all users  in Alaska.  If HB 125  passed and there were                                                               
designated  seats, she  would probably  fill a  subsistence seat.                                                               
She  emphasized  that  as  a  Board of  Fish  member,  she  would                                                               
represent all user groups across Alaska.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:26:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. IRWIN  addressed Representative  Saddler's concern  about her                                                               
age  and   her  ability   to  deal   with  the   intricacies  and                                                               
complexities  of fish  management on  the board.   She  explained                                                               
that she was young but had  built no loyalty to any specific user                                                               
group.   She  didn't believe  she had  all answers  but that  the                                                               
public has  a lot of  those answers, and  she is ready  to listen                                                               
and learn from users that are  on the ground, from the network of                                                               
people  she has  developed, and  her fellow  board members.   She                                                               
reiterated that her decisions would represent all user groups.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:30:02 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE  announced that the  committee would  consider the                                                               
re-appointment of Tom Carpenter to the Board of Fish.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:30:29 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
TOM  CARPENTER, Appointee,  Board  of  Fisheries, summarized  his                                                               
experience  and   described  recent   additions  to   his  resume                                                               
including being Vice Chair of  the Board of Fisheries and serving                                                               
on  the herring  revitalization committee  and the  Alaska salmon                                                               
research task force.  He  discussed why he sought re-appointment,                                                               
explaining that he has been  involved with the board of fisheries                                                               
for about  25 years.   He pointed  out the contentious  issues in                                                               
the  state and  the  importance of  working  with different  user                                                               
groups.    He described  several  situations  and how  he  helped                                                               
worked  to  solve  problems  and   reach  compromise.    He  also                                                               
discussed herring  fisheries and how  to utilize the  resource in                                                               
new ways.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:38:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. CARPENTER  responded to Representative Hall's  question about                                                               
resource  conservation  in trawling  by  pointing  out that  most                                                               
Alaska trawling fisheries  take place in federal  waters, and the                                                               
board had  little jurisdiction  over trawling.   For  trawlers in                                                               
Alaska  waters,  he  advocated electric  monitoring  or  on-board                                                               
monitors though these  programs are not sufficiently  funded.  He                                                               
pointed  out the  importance of  avoiding bycatch  of salmon  and                                                               
rock fish.  He referred to  a specific situation that occurred in                                                               
Prince William Sound.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:41:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  CARPENTER  addressed  a  question  posed  by  Representative                                                               
Saddler  regarding   the  challenges  faced  on   the  Yukon  and                                                               
Kuskokwim  rivers.    He explained  that  reasons  for  declining                                                               
salmon stocks include a disease  some king salmon carry; the dual                                                               
management  problem  between the  U.S.  and  Canada; the  bycatch                                                               
issue;  escapement numbers  for chum  salmon; climate  change and                                                               
water temperatures; and the smolt  survival in intertidal waters.                                                               
He said  that he has been  working with the Alaska  Department of                                                               
Fish & Game (ADF&G) on ways to approach these problems.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:45:57 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  CARPENTER, in  response to  a  question from  Representative                                                               
Mears  regarding  HB  125,  posited  that  board  membership  had                                                               
staunch support for subsistence users.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:48:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  CARPENTER  responded  to  a  question  from  Co-Chair  Burke                                                               
regarding HB  33 and board  members who  are conflicted out.   He                                                               
explained  that  when board  members  were  required to  sit  out                                                               
discussions   because  of   conflicts,  the   board  missed   the                                                               
opportunity to  get knowledge  from someone  who is  often better                                                               
informed than  other board members.   He agreed that  they should                                                               
not vote  on issues, but  they should  be able to  deliberate and                                                               
engage with the public.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:51:08 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE  announced that the  committee would  consider the                                                               
appointment  of  Rick Green  to  the  Commercial Fisheries  Entry                                                               
Commission.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:51:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
RICK  GREEN, Appointee,  Commercial  Fisheries Entry  Commission,                                                               
explained that  he had always  loved to fish and  that influenced                                                               
his   not  only   his  recreational   activities  but   also  his                                                               
professional  life.    He  described   his  fishing  and  guiding                                                               
experience  as well  as  his  work in  radio,  his employment  by                                                               
environmental  and  engineering  firms, and  his  appointment  to                                                               
ADF&G by  Governor Dunleavy.  He  said he was planning  to retire                                                               
but  instead  decided  to  seek  appointment  to  the  Commercial                                                               
Fisheries  Entry  Commission (CFEC).    He  pointed out  how  his                                                               
personal and professional experience  would make him an excellent                                                               
member of the CFEC.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:58:21 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. GREEN, in  response to a question  by Representative Saddler,                                                               
described  the  work  of  the  CFEC,  explaining  that  it  is  a                                                               
regulatory and  quasi-judicial body that oversees  the commercial                                                               
fishing industry  for the state  of Alaska  which is nearly  a 6-                                                               
billion-dollar part of the state  economy.  He described the work                                                               
as including  tracking the economics, issuing  commercial fishing                                                               
permits,   conducting   research,  adjudicating   hearings,   and                                                               
determining  whether a  fishery would  stay open  or be  limited.                                                               
The focus has been on economics and a sustained yield principal.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:02:24 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  GREEN  addressed a  question  posed  by Representative  Hall                                                               
regarding his  transition from conservative radio  talk show host                                                               
to  public  servant.    He  explained  that  he  worked  hard  at                                                               
everything he  did, and  he had  planned to  continue as  a radio                                                               
show host.   Then  he had a  heart attack, and  at that  point he                                                               
took  inventory of  his life.   He  decided he  wanted to  make a                                                               
difference, so he  began to pursue a life of  public service.  He                                                               
mentioned  the  perception  that   bureaucrats  just  sit  around                                                               
marking time  and getting  fat, but that  was not  his experience                                                               
with ADF&G.   He spoke about ADF&G and other  agencies who worked                                                               
hard and had passion for their work.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:06:38 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. GREEN  responded to  Representative Raucher's  question about                                                               
HB 33, explaining that he hadn't looked at the details.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:08:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  BURKE   opened  public  testimony  on   the  governor's                                                               
appointees to the Board of Game,  the Board of Fisheries, and the                                                               
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:09:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHUCK DERRICK,  president, Chitina Dipnetters  Association, spoke                                                               
in support  of the confirmation of  Olivia Irwin to the  Board of                                                               
Fisheries  and   in  opposition  to  the   reappointment  of  Tom                                                               
Carpenter  to the  Board of  Fisheries.   He  explained that  Ms.                                                               
Irwin  met  with  the Chitina  Dipnetters  Association,  and  she                                                               
answered questions about  the personal use fishery.   He said the                                                               
association opposed  the confirmation of  to Tom Carpenter  as he                                                               
does not have an open  mind to other fisheries besides commercial                                                               
fishing.   He also  spoke in  support of  the confirmation  of Al                                                               
Barrette noting  Mr. Barrette's  extensive knowledge  of statutes                                                               
and regulations.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:11:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DAVID  POLUSHKIN,  representing self,  spoke  in  support of  the                                                               
reappointment  of  Tom  Carpenter  to  the  Board  of  Fisheries,                                                               
explaining that  Mr. Carpenter was  approachable by all  types of                                                               
fishermen and is knowledgeable about fisheries around the state.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:12:19 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MARK RICHARDS,  Executive Director,  Resident Hunters  of Alaska,                                                               
as executive  director of the  Resident Hunters of  Alaska, spoke                                                               
in  support  of  Carrie  Ann   Mueller  to  the  Board  of  Game,                                                               
explaining that she  was an avid hunter, a pilot,  and well aware                                                               
of the  issues on the  ground.  She  has been involved  in hunter                                                               
education  and in  introducing more  women to  hunting.   He also                                                               
spoke in support of Al  Barrette, citing his extensive experience                                                               
and his  understanding of  the issues, but  he stressed  that the                                                               
board  should not  have so  many guides  on the  board.   He also                                                               
offered testimony, from a personal  standpoint, in support of the                                                               
appointment  of   Olivia  Irwin   to  the  Board   of  Fisheries,                                                               
explaining that he  was impressed with her knowledge  of fish and                                                               
game issues and her tenacity  in learning more about the problems                                                               
facing  the  fisheries.     He  said  she   is  passionate  about                                                               
addressing the  decline of  the salmon  stocks and  finding long-                                                               
term  solutions  that  will  ensure  that  both  subsistence  and                                                               
commercial  fishing can  continue.   He addressed  Representative                                                               
Saddler's concern  about Ms. Irwin's  age, saying that  too often                                                               
young Alaskans  do not  get involved  in advisory  committees and                                                               
boards,  but she  is  an exception,  and there  need  to be  more                                                               
people  like  her.     In  closing,  he   testified  against  Mr.                                                               
Carpenter's appointment  to the  Board of  Fish, citing  his bias                                                               
toward  commercial  fishing  and lack  of  recognition  regarding                                                               
their role in salmon decline.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:16:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ROD  ARNO,  Policy Director,  Alaska  Outdoor  Council, spoke  in                                                               
opposition to  the appointment of  Tom Carpenter to the  Board of                                                               
Fisheries.    He  explained  that   the  Alaska  Outdoor  Council                                                               
submitted  a proposal  to the  Board of  Fisheries to  reduce the                                                               
negative impact  of the  trawler fleet  in Prince  William Sound.                                                               
Instead  of a  reduction,  the  board opened  up  more of  Prince                                                               
William Sound to  the trawler fleet.  In  addition, Mr. Carpenter                                                               
had failed  to say that he  has been on the  Prince William Sound                                                               
aquaculture corporation  board since  2002 and  that he  had also                                                               
not acknowledged  the correlation  of fish  hatchery chum  to the                                                               
decline of wild salmon.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:19:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CRAIG  THYTHLOOK,  Fisheries   Policy  Director,  Native  Peoples                                                               
Action, spoke in  support of the appointment Olivia  Irwin to the                                                               
Board  of   Fisheries.    He  explained   that  she  demonstrated                                                               
dedication to her community and  showed leadership commitment and                                                               
ability  to  work  with  commercial  fisherman,  subsistence  and                                                               
personal use groups, and other stakeholder groups.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:21:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
VIRGIL  UMPHENOUR, representing  self,  spoke in  support of  the                                                               
appointment  of  Rick Green  to  the  Commercial Fisheries  Entry                                                               
Commission,  the reappointment  of Al  Barrette to  the Board  of                                                               
Game,  and  the appointment  of  Olivia  Irwin  to the  Board  of                                                               
Fisheries.   He spoke in  opposition to the reappointment  of Tom                                                               
Carpenter to the  Board of Fisheries, stating  that Mr. Carpenter                                                               
ignored  peer-reviewed   science,  specifically  the   impact  of                                                               
hatchery fish on the condition of fish stocks.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:24:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
RHONDA PITKA, Chief,  Village of Beaver, spoke in  support of the                                                               
appointment Olivia  Irwin to  the Board  of Fisheries  citing her                                                               
diligence,  preparation,  and  understanding of  the  nuances  of                                                               
regulation.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:25:29 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JARED  DANIELSON,  representing self,  spoke  in  support of  the                                                               
reappointment   Tom  Carpenter   to  the   Board  of   Fisheries,                                                               
explaining that he had brought a  calm, steady voice to the table                                                               
and focused on what matters most,  the health of the resource and                                                               
the  future of  people who  depend  on it.   He  stated that  Mr.                                                               
Carpenter was  thoughtful, approachable, and open  to hearing all                                                               
different  views  and  that  he   also  made  fair  and  informed                                                               
decisions based on the best available information.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:27:03 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JOEL  JACKSON, President,  Organized  Village of  Kake, spoke  in                                                               
support  of the  appointment  of  Olivia Irwin  to  the Board  of                                                               
Fisheries.   He  explained  that  even though  she  is a  younger                                                               
person, she  has been  very vested in  issues relating  to Alaska                                                               
fisheries.  He  pointed out that the king,  chum, pinks, sockeye,                                                               
and  coho which  migrate  from  the Bering  Sea  are all  getting                                                               
smaller.   It underlines the  importance of having  board members                                                               
who are open-minded to all stakeholders.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:29:03 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  BURKE, after  ascertaining there  was no  one else  who                                                               
wished  to testify,  closed public  testimony  on the  governor's                                                               
appointees to the Board of Game,  the Board of Fisheries, and the                                                               
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:29:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  DIBERT  announced  that the  House  Resources  Standing                                                               
committee  held  hearings  on the  following  appointees:  Olivia                                                               
Henaayee Irwin  and Thomas Carpenter  to the Board  of Fisheries;                                                               
Rick  Green to  the  Commercial Fisheries  Entry Commission;  and                                                               
Alan Barrette  and Carri  Ann Mueller  to the Board  of Game.   A                                                               
signature on  this report does  not reflect  an intent by  any of                                                               
the  members to  vote  for  or against  the  confirmation of  the                                                               
individuals during any further session.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE  stated that there  being no objection,  the names                                                               
of the  nominees would  be forwarded  to a  joint session  of the                                                               
House and Senate.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:29:55 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 2:29 p.m. to 2:32 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
              HB 125-BOARD OF FISHERIES MEMBERSHIP                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:32:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE  announced that the  next order of  business would                                                               
be HOUSE  BILL NO.  125, "An  Act relating  to membership  of the                                                               
Board of Fisheries."                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:32:32 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE opened public testimony on HB 125.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:32:58 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHUCK   DERRICK,  President,   Chitina  Dipnetters   Association,                                                               
testified regarding HB  125, explaining that he  opposed the bill                                                               
unless it was amended to include  personal use fishery as part of                                                               
the Board  of Fisheries.  He  supported amendments 3 and  4 which                                                               
would  change the  make-up of  the board  by giving  personal use                                                               
fishery a voice on the board.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:34:37 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KAREN  LINNELL, Executive  Director,  Ahtna Intertribal  Resource                                                               
Commission,  spoke  in  support  of  HB  125  as  written.    She                                                               
explained that in-river fisheries  and subsistence fisheries have                                                               
been  under-represented on  the  Board of  Fish  for many  years.                                                               
This bill would create balance.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:37:05 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MARK RICHARDS,  Executive Director,  Resident Hunters  of Alaska,                                                               
explained that the Board of Game  has similar issues to the Board                                                               
of  Fisheries  and  legislators should  consider  addressing  the                                                               
Board  of  Game  as  well.   His  organization  did  not  believe                                                               
designated  seats would  solve the  problems because  those seats                                                               
would become  just as politicized.   He posited  that individuals                                                               
in those  seats could still  vote in ways  that do not  adhere to                                                               
the  state  constitution and  what  is  best  for fish  and  game                                                               
resources  and the  residents who  depend on  those resources  to                                                               
feed their  families.   The reforms needed  on both  boards would                                                               
ensure strict adherence  to article 8 of  the Alaska constitution                                                               
which holds the  state's fish and wildlife as a  public trust for                                                               
the common use of Alaskans.   The priority should always be doing                                                               
what is best for the  resources.  He encouraged first restricting                                                               
the commercial  sector, explaining that  fish and game  have been                                                               
managed  according  to  who  brings   in  the  most  money.    He                                                               
acknowledged the  importance of  commercial hunting  and fishing,                                                               
but  that should  not override  what is  best for  fish and  game                                                               
populations and resident Alaskans who depend on those resources.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:39:16 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ROD  ARNO, Policy  Director, Alaska  Outdoor  Council, as  Policy                                                               
Director for the  Alaska Outdoor Council, spoke in  support of HB
125,  explaining  that the  council  had  been advocating  for  a                                                               
restructure  of the  Board of  Fisheries since  1983.   He stated                                                               
that  dedicated seats  might  be  a good  direction  to  go.   He                                                               
supported adopting Amendment 4 which  provided for a personal use                                                               
fishery,  explaining  that personal  use  is  not sport  and  not                                                               
subsistence.  He discussed the  Madison Decision and the McDowell                                                               
Decision,  and the  definitions of  subsistence use  and personal                                                               
use in statute.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:41:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CRAIG  THYTHLOOK,  Fisheries   Policy  Director,  Native  Peoples                                                               
Action, explained that he represented  Native Peoples Action, and                                                               
they  supported HB  125, emphasizing  that tribal  representation                                                               
and subsistence  seats should  be a priority.   He  described the                                                               
importance of traditional ways of  life and indigenous knowledge.                                                               
He also expressed concern regarding  language referring to tribal                                                               
appointments   and  opportunities.      Regarding  the   proposed                                                               
scientific seat,  he pointed out  that the definition  of science                                                               
could be subjective.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:44:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
NANCY HILLSTRAND,  Owner, Pioneer Alaskan Fisheries,  spoke about                                                               
sustaining  fisheries and  her  concerns  regarding losing  fish.                                                               
She  emphasized  the  importance  of  having  a  person  who  was                                                               
knowledgeable  about how  to sustain  fish populations  and avoid                                                               
the  decline of  stocks.   She  proposed that  the term  "fishery                                                               
manager" on  p. 2, line  6, should  be strengthened to  become an                                                               
ecosystem manager and that there needed to be "more science."                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:46:47 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JAMES SIMON, representing  self, spoke in support of HB  125.  He                                                               
explained  that the  bill emphasized  fair representation  of all                                                               
Alaskans and would provide  necessary representation of customary                                                               
and traditional fisheries in Board  of Fisheries decision making.                                                               
As a  former ADF&G Regional  subsistence supervisor  who attended                                                               
many  board  meetings, he  observed  many  commercial and  sports                                                               
fishery members  claim subsistence  user status,  diminishing the                                                               
impact  of in-river  subsistence users  whose only  interests are                                                               
conservation and  the continuation of  age-old ways of life.   He                                                               
pointed out  that many subsistence fishers  lost their commercial                                                               
fishing  decades  ago  due  to poor  salmon  returns  and  market                                                               
shifts.  He posited that HB  125 should not be amended to replace                                                               
subsistence-designated  seats  with  personal use  seats  because                                                               
personal use  fisheries are already  adequately represented.   He                                                               
pointed out that the Chitina  Dipnetters Association personal use                                                               
fishery has consistently exceeded  allocation targets in seven of                                                               
the past  ten years.   He discussed  past salmon  harvest numbers                                                               
compared to recent years.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:49:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  BURKE, after  ascertaining there  was no  one else  who                                                               
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 125.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:50:05 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE announced HB 125 would be held over.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:50:43 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being no  further business before the  committee, the House                                                               
Resources Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 2:50 p.m.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HB 125 written testimony recevied 5.1 HRES.pdf HRES 5/2/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 125
AFPC - Support for HB 125 -2025.04.10.pdf HRES 5/2/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 125
HB 125 Amendment N.2.pdf HRES 5/2/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 125
HB 125 Amendment N.3.pdf HRES 5/2/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 125
HB 125 Amendment N.4.pdf HRES 5/2/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 125
HB 125 Amendment N.5.pdf HRES 5/2/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 125
HB 125 Amendment N.6.pdf HRES 5/2/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 125
HB 125 presentation 5.2.pdf HRES 5/2/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 125
Leg Legal Memo - HB 125 Amendment N.6.pdf HRES 5/2/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 125
H RES written testimony HB 125 received 5.2_Redacted part 1.pdf HRES 5/2/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 125
H RES written testimony HB 125 received 5.2_Redacted part 2.pdf HRES 5/2/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 125
ARC_HB125.pdf HRES 5/2/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 125