Legislature(1993 - 1994)
04/17/1993 08:00 AM House STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
April 17, 1993
8:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Al Vezey, Chairman
Representative Pete Kott, Vice Chairman
Representative Harley Olberg
Representative Gary Davis
Representative Fran Ulmer
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Bettye Davis
Representative Jerry Sanders
OTHER HOUSE MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative David Finkelstein
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Confirmation Hearings:
State Board of Public Accountancy:
Bradley Schaefer, CONFIRMATION RECOMMENDED 5-0
Jean Schmitt, CONFIRMATION RECOMMENDED 5-0
Charles Griffin, CONFIRMATION RECOMMENDED 5-0
HB 115 "An Act extending the termination of the Alaska
Tourism Marketing Council; and providing for an
effective date."
HELD IN COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION
HB 248 "An Act relating to predator control programs and
hunting of predators."
HELD IN COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION
WITNESS REGISTER
MCKIE CAMPBELL, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Fish and Game
P.O. Box 25526
Juneau, Alaska 99801-5526
465-4100
Position Statement: Opposed HB 248
BILL BURKE
P.O. Box 240742
Douglas, Alaska 99824
780-6019
Position Statement: Supported HB 248
IRENE MORRIS
Alaska Environmental Lobby
P.O. Box 22151
Juneau, Alaska 99801
364-2729
Position Statement: Supported HB 248
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID FINKELSTEIN
Alaska State Legislature
Court Room 612
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
465-2435
Position Statement: Prime Sponsor of HB 248
BERNADETTE ZIMMERMAN
P.O. Box 1476
Palmer, Alaska 99645
745-9510
Position Statement: Supported HB 248
CATHERINE RICHARDSON
P.O. Box 80766
Fairbanks, Alaska 99708
479-2362
Position Statement: Supported HB 248
CHARLES DERRICK
891 Seldom Seen Road
Fairbanks, Alaska 99712
488-3093
Position Statement: Opposed HB 248 & HB 115
RALPH SEEKINS, President
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Association
1625 Old Steese Highway
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
452-1991
Position Statement: Opposed HB 248
GREG MACHACEK
P.O. Box 56245
North Pole, Alaska 99705
488-4534
Position Statement: Opposed HB 248
KENNETH FORBES
2593 Yakutat Drive
North Pole, Alaska 99705
488-4263
Position Statement: Opposed HB 248
DAVE MACHACEK
P.O. Box 55905
North Pole, Alaska 99705
488-7164
Position Statement: Opposed HB 248
DAVID VANDENBURG
Alaska Environmental Center
218 Driveway
North Pole, Alaska 99705
452-5021
Position Statement: Supported HB 248
STEVEN WELLS
Alaska Wildlife Alliance
P.O. Box 202022
Anchorage, Alaska 99520
277-0897
Position Statement: Supported HB 248
WAYNE HALL
P.O. Box 190455
Anchorage, Alaska 99519
Position Statement: Supported HB 248
TERRY BURRELL
3716 Weslyan Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
563-4454
Position Statement: Supported HB 248
MARILYN HOUSER
2411 Ingra Street
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
276-6563
Position Statement: Supported HB 248
JOHN PETER CREIGHTON
P.O. Box 2013
Bethel, Alaska 99559
543-4174
Position Statement: Supported HB 248
AMELIE REDMAN
P.O. Box 991
Bethel, Alaska 99559
543-2154
Position Statement: Opposed HB 248
CAROL JANSEN
8451 Greenhill Way
Anchorage, Alaska 99502
344-7078
Position Statement: Supported HB 248
MIKE TINKER
P.O. Box 25197
Ester, Alaska 99725
479-3712
Position Statement: Opposed HB 248
DICK BISHOP
1555 Gus's Grind
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
455-6151
Position Statement: Opposed HB 248
BOB JACOBSEN
Alaska Visitors Association
1873 Shell Simmons Drive
Juneau, Alaska 99801
789-0970
Position Statement: Supported HB 115
TINA LINDGREN, Executive Director
Alaska Tourism Marketing Council
3601 C Street #200
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
563-2259
Position Statement: Supported HB 115
ANN CAMPBELL
Alaska Center for Economic Development
1577 C St., Suite 304
Anchorage, Alaska 99502
248-7680
Position Statement: Supported HB 115
LINDA MCLAUGHLIN
Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau
3830 W. International Airport Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99502
344-4330
Position Statement: Supported HB 115
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HB 115
SHORT TITLE: EXTEND TOURISM MARKETING COUNCIL
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): LABOR & COMMERCE
TITLE: "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska
Tourism Marketing Council; and providing for an effective
date."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
02/03/93 213 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
02/03/93 213 (H) TRADE & TOURISM, LABOR & COMM,
FINANCE
02/18/93 (H) ITT AT 05:00 PM CAPITOL 102
02/18/93 (H) MINUTE(ITT)
02/18/93 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
02/24/93 442 (H) STA REFERRAL ADDED, FOLLOWING
L&C
02/25/93 453 (H) ITT RPT CS(ITT) NEW TITLE 6DP
02/25/93 454 (H) DP: GREEN, SANDERS, NORDLUND,
MENARD
02/25/93 454 (H) DP: TOOHEY, JAMES
02/25/93 454 (H) -ZERO FISCAL NOTE (DCED)
2/25/93
03/02/93 (H) L&C AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 17
03/02/93 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/02/93 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/03/93 517 (H) L&C RPT 6DP
03/03/93 517 (H) DP: PORTER, SITTON, MULDER,
WILLIAMS
03/03/93 517 (H) DP: GREEN, HUDSON
03/03/93 517 (H) -PREVIOUS ZERO FN (DCED)
2/25/93
03/03/93 517 (H) REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS
04/17/93 (H) STA AT 08:00 AM BUTROVICH ROOM
205
BILL: HB 248
SHORT TITLE: AERIAL HUNTING OF PREDATORS
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) FINKELSTEIN
TITLE: "An Act relating to predator control programs and
hunting of predators.
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
03/22/93 732 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
03/22/93 733 (H) STATE AFFAIRS, RESOURCES,
FINANCE
04/17/93 (H) STA AT 08:00 AM BUTROVICH ROOM
205
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 93-41, SIDE A
Number 000
CHAIRMAN AL VEZEY called the House State Affairs Committee
to order at 8:04 a.m. on April 13, 1993. Members present
were Representatives Kott, Olberg, G. Davis and Ulmer,
representing a quorum.
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS: STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY
Number 012
CHAIRMAN VEZEY announced the confirmation hearings for the
State Board of Public Accountancy, and opened discussions on
nominee BRADLEY SCHAEFER. Mr. Schaefer was neither present,
nor on teleconference for questions.
Number 034
REPRESENTATIVE GARY DAVIS MOVED the nomination of BRADLEY
SCHAEFER. There was no objection.
Number 046
CHAIRMAN VEZEY initiated discussion on the nomination of
JEAN SCHMITT to the board. Ms. Schmitt was neither present,
nor on teleconference for questions.
Number 059
REPRESENTATIVE G. DAVIS MOVED the nomination of JEAN SCHMITT
to the board. There were no objections.
Number 066
CHAIRMAN VEZEY initiated discussion on the nomination of
CHARLES GRIFFIN to the board. Mr. Griffin was neither
present, nor on teleconference for questions.
Number 075
REPRESENTATIVE HARLEY OLBERG MOVED the nomination of CHARLES
GRIFFIN to the board. There were no objections.
HB 248: AERIAL HUNTING OF PREDATORS
Number 091
CHAIRMAN VEZEY then read the title to HB 248, and not seeing
its sponsor present, invited public testimony.
Number 107
MCKIE CAMPBELL, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND GAME, testified in opposition to HB 248. He stated
the department could not support HB 248 because it, and SB
77, were both created in reaction to the aerial wolf hunt
controversy. The department believes both bills to be in
error because HB 248 would effectively preclude predator
control except under the most extreme circumstances, and
SB 77 would mandate it. He also stated the powers involved
in each bill are already built into the department's duties,
making them unnecessary.
REPRESENTATIVE G. DAVIS asked if HB 248 effectively tied the
hands of department officials.
Number 150
MR. CAMPBELL stated there are already some regulations in
effect that are covered by HB 248. He stated there were
several problems with HB 248, including the phrase stating
predator control could only be undertaken if predators are
the primary cause of ungulate population depletions. He
stated that predators are not always the primary cause of a
depletion, but they can put prey into the "predator pit"
model of populations after weather or other Outside factors
kill off significant numbers. He also said getting written
assurances from the federal government to undertake
population control would be near impossible to do under HB
248, and not likely to be done in a timely manner in any
case.
Number 186
CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked if it seemed HB 248 made wolf control
almost impossible until ungulate populations were extinct.
Number 194
MR. CAMPBELL felt HB 248 was "ungulate unfriendly," and that
the phrases built into the bill made it unlikely any
predator control could occur. He stated any controls might
be delayed unreasonably by HB 248.
Number 207
BILL BURKE testified in support of HB 248. He stated HB 248
is a comprehensive game management effort that stops the
needless killing of wildlife for hunters.
Number 225
IRENE MORRIS OF THE ALASKA ENVIRONMENTAL LOBBY testified in
support HB 248. She supported the use of scientific data
for game management and believed single species management
supported by hunters was wrong. She noted the need for
wildlife to be protected as the eco-tourism movement grows,
and stated aerial hunting of wolves is unethical.
Number 255
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID FINKELSTEIN, PRIME SPONSOR OF HB 248,
presented his sponsor statement. He stated the intent of
HB 248 was to develop a system similar to the one now in use
in the Yukon Territory in Canada. He stated the intent of
HB 248 was to take into account several factors in game
management, including subsistence use, tourism, hunting and
consumptive use. Accordingly, control would not be done by
private citizens under the direction of the state, but by
Fish and Game officers. In addition, he stated the intent
of HB 248 was not to eliminate wildlife control, but rather
to set up guidelines for its use.
CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked if HB 248, as written, seemed to be
"anti-ungulate" and written more in favor of predators.
REPRESENTATIVE FINKELSTEIN stated it was his intent to
achieve a balance between predators and prey, and the bill
was not written in favor of one species. He admitted HB 248
is written in favor of predators.
Number 335
BERNADETTE ZIMMERMAN testified by teleconference from Mat-Su
in favor of HB 248. She stated there is a mentality in
certain sectors of the population that yearned for the "Gold
Rush Days," in which if it competed with man for food, it
(predators) should be shot. She stated this mentality was
antiquated, and the Board of Game was more concerned about
moose and caribou populations than total system management.
She stated aerial hunting of wolves is morally and ethically
wrong.
Number 388
CATHERINE RICHARDSON testified by teleconference from
Fairbanks in support of HB 248. She liked HB 248 because it
opposed wolf control in general, restricted subsistence
hunting, was consistent with federal law, set up an annual
review, and any control program would be carried out by the
government and not the public.
Number 408
CHARLES DERRICK testified by teleconference from Fairbanks
in opposition to HB 248. He stated the need for effective
control programs, especially in light of the drop in
Fairbanks area caribou populations by more than 50% in the
last few months. He expressed concern that the populations
might be falling into the "predator pit," and he was worried
many calves would fall prey, which could restrict the
population further. He stated this was an example of an
"emergency condition" and called for HB 248's defeat.
Number 431
REPRESENTATIVE G. DAVIS asked how long Mr. Derrick had been
working on the wolf management plan that had been agreed
upon.
Number 436
MR. DERRICK stated he had been working on such a plan with
others since 1974, but specifically on the latest plan for
at least two years. He stated the Strategic Wolf Management
Plan was the product of testimony from several groups and
that it had been wrongly struck down because of pressure
from those who simply didn't have the facts.
Number 451
RALPH SEEKINS, PRESIDENT, ALASKA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
ASSOCIATION, testified by teleconference from Fairbanks in
opposition to HB 248. He said any bill that states the
ungulate population must be in serious jeopardy is
sophomoric and obviously anti-human consumption. House Bill
248, he stated, is anti-consumption and not tourism
friendly, because hunters are statistically responsible for
less than two and a half percent of any population loss, and
predators take the majority, and if nothing is done to
control those predators, there will be fewer animals for
tourists to see.
Number 484
GREG MACHACEK testified by teleconference from Fairbanks in
opposition to HB 248. He said he was an active outdoorsman
who has seen firsthand the dramatic drop in populations, and
predators appear to be taking over in the absence of wolf
control. He said more aggressive control programs are
needed, and there is no logical reason to wait for
populations to crash to institute management controls.
Number 510
KENNETH FORBES testified by teleconference from Fairbanks in
opposition to HB 248. He stated HB 248 appeared to be more
of a people control bill instead of predator control, and
the sponsor's concerns were in the wrong place. He stated
that 20 year veterans of wildlife management had come up
with a viable plan, only to see the plan quashed because of
Outside interests like Westours, and that was not in the
best interest of Alaska wildlife management.
Number 524
DAVID MACHACEK testified by teleconference from Fairbanks in
opposition to HB 248. He stated HB 248 is unnecessary
because its provisions are already covered in Chapter 92 of
the hunting regulations. He stated it was absurd to
consider waiting until populations crash to institute
population controls, and it was also unrealistic to expect
changes in populations in one year, the time required for
recertification of the program. He called on the state to
do predator control in the most efficient manner for both
wildlife's and the budget's sake.
Number 556
DAVID VANDENBURG OF THE ALASKA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
testified by teleconference from Anchorage in support of HB
248. He stated he was not opposed to control, but to
reckless management of wildlife. He stated HB 248 was based
in biology and was a balanced and fair approach. He also
stated HB 248 mirrored the Strategic Wolf Management Plan
the most, would not tie any hands, and should be adopted.
Number 575
STEVEN WELLS OF THE ALASKA WILDLIFE ALLIANCE testified by
teleconference from Anchorage in favor of HB 248. He stated
HB 248 reasonably addresses wolf management, including the
increasing demands of hunters for more moose and caribou.
He said he objected to the practice of aerial hunting, and
it ought to be obvious now that most Alaskans do as well.
TAPE 94-41, SIDE B
Number 000
WAYNE HALL testified by teleconference from Anchorage in
support of HB 248. He stated aerial control measures are
unpopular and unnecessary, and that any extreme measure must
be monitored. He said HB 248 simply sets up and defines
when those measures must be taken. He stated it was wrong
to allow the greed of hunters to justify predator and wolf
controls.
Number 041
TERRY BURRELL testified by teleconference from Anchorage in
favor of HB 248, stating it is friendly to all Alaskans.
She claimed hunters are the biggest reason for the decline
in ungulate populations, and HB 248 takes the politics out
of wildlife management.
Number 066
MARILYN HOUSER testified by teleconference from Anchorage in
favor of HB 248. She stated the Game Board is nothing more
than a bunch of "yes men" for Fish and Game, which is
controlled by hunters. She stated it is clear guidelines
are needed to be set up for predator control, and that HB
248 does that. She stated the only reason predator control
was entertained in the first place was because of poor
management, overhunting and poaching.
Number 090
JOHN PETER CREIGHTON testified by teleconference from Bethel
in support of HB 248. He stated a majority of Alaskans were
against predator control, and it was not in the best
interest of the environment. He commented that those who
claim Outsiders have unfairly influenced the outcome of the
aerial hunt should look at themselves, since it seemed to
him that third generation Euro-Americans were trying to
dictate policy to Natives.
Number 135
AMELIE REDMAN testified by teleconference from Bethel in
opposition to HB 248, and stated any wolf management is
against God's will, and the use of radio wolf collars is a
violation of a wolf's privacy. She stated slaughtering any
wolves was a violation of the commandment, "Thou Shall Not
Kill."
Number 159
CAROL JANSEN testified by teleconference from Anchorage in
support of HB 248. She stated HB 248 is a much better
option than SB 77, which mandates the use of wolf control.
She stated HB 248 is a compromise in line with the original
Strategic Wolf Management Plan and it is based in biology.
She stated our credibility in Alaska is on the line, and not
passing HB 248 would test that credibility.
Number 207
MIKE TINKER testified by teleconference from Fairbanks in
opposition to HB 248. He stated he was involved in the wolf
management plan from the beginning, and opposed HB 248
because it supplanted the process of public input. He also
stated that if the state was going to abandon the process of
wildlife management in regards to wolf control, it should
logically also close all its fish hatcheries. He was also
opposed to any one year renewal clause in any management
plan, stating that any control program would need more time
to take effect.
Number 245
DICK BISHOP testified by teleconference from Fairbanks in
opposition to HB 248. He stated HB 248 puts the state back
to square one when it comes to predator control, and it
creates an atmosphere of gridlock when it comes to any hope
of predator control in 1993. He also stated HB 248 does not
incorporate good biology in its system; all terms used in
the bill mean no management of predators; and HB 248 is not
worthy of legislative consideration.
Number 274
CHAIRMAN VEZEY noted the time and called a five minute at-
ease at 9:09 a.m.
HB 115: EXTEND TOURISM MARKETING COUNCIL
Number 278
CHAIRMAN VEZEY called the committee back to order at 9:15
a.m. and read the title to HB 115, then called for
testimony.
Number 282
BOB JACOBSEN, PRESIDENT, ALASKA VISITORS ASSOCIATION (AVA),
joined the committee to testify in favor of HB 115. He
stated it is critical for HB 115 to receive a prompt
approval in order for 1994 marketing and advertising plans
to be made in time. He stated the Alaska Tourism Marketing
Council's (ATMC) Vacation Planning Guide is the primary
marketing tool for many small Alaska tourism businesses, and
any delay could jeopardize their 1994 plans. He also stated
if HB 115 is not passed, larger tourist businesses will go
on with their marketing plans because they have the
necessary money, but small businesses will be irreparably
hurt.
Number 323
CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated he had serious concerns with ATMC's
evolution since its incorporation as a state funded agency
in 1988. He stated he had great concerns about ATMC's
apparent position on Fish and Game issues.
Number 340
MR. JACOBSEN stated he felt ATMC did not voluntarily jump
into the controversy over the aerial wolf hunt, but did
react to comments attributed to state Fish and Game
officials in the New York Times, stating they had designed
the hunt as an aid to building a tourist attraction. He
said the ATMC had no position on Fish and Game issues; they
were interested in building tourism.
Number 369
CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated he had concerns about the fact that
ATMC officials had apparently not filed Alaska Public
Offices Commission (APOC) Conflict of Interest statements
until 1991, and asked why that was.
Number 385
MR. JACOBSEN stated he could not speak for others, but he
personally had filled out a statement previous to that.
Number 391
CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated he was told by APOC that only two or
three ATMC members had filed statements in the last three
years.
MR. JACOBSEN said he was surprised, and he would personally
remind AVA members to file APOC statements in the future.
Number 408
TINA LINDGREN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA TOURISM MARKETING
COUNCIL, joined the committee to testify in favor of HB 115.
She reiterated the need for HB 115 to be passed in order for
small Alaska tourist businesses to be successfully promoted
in the next year, and stated the prompt passage of HB 115
was needed because of the long lead time necessary for a
successful marketing program. On the topic of public
disclosure, she stated she knew ATMC board members'
statements were being monitored, because she knew of at
least one member who had been fined for not filing in time.
Number 450
CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked about the financial relationship
between the three agencies participating in the ATMC
marketing program.
Number 457
MS. LINDGREN stated the ATMC was joined by the State
Department of Commerce and Economic Development and the
Alaska Visitors Association to handle the in-kind cash
contributions made by ATMC members. She noted since a 1991
auditor's report, that relationship has been modified in
accordance with the auditor's report.
Number 468
CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked why the profits generated under ATMC's
marketing plan became an issue for auditors.
Number 472
MS. LINDGREN explained that the profits themselves were not
a problem, but rather the timeliness of their reporting.
She stated that the auditors wanted funds transferred and
accounted for at the end of each fiscal year, while Commerce
and Economic Development wanted it done at the end of the
calendar year. She stated this point is still in dispute.
Number 479
CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked what happened to the interest gained
from funds placed in the bank for use in ATMC's matching
grant program. He asked if that interest was turned over to
the state or used for the matching grant program.
Number 488
MS. LINDGREN stated the interest would go to the matching
grant fund, which legislators knew when they created the
program. She said the auditors felt the interest should be
turned over to the state, and that it wasn't a question of
misappropriation of funds, but the timeliness of the deposit
and then subsequent use.
Number 503
CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated after reading the auditor's report it
seemed to him the dispute centered around the handling of
profits and the handling of the interest from them.
MS. LINDGREN said ATMC is going on a ruling from the
Department of Law stating that ATMC's handling of both was
in accordance of the law.
CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated it seemed one party was taking
advantage of another. He noted the auditors' concern with
money spent by the state on a post Exxon Valdez spill
project, and wondered if the state got the benefit of its
prorated share.
Number 524
MS. LINDGREN stated the auditors' concerns grew out of the
$14 million marketing campaign Exxon mounted in the wake of
the spill, which the state went along with for $400,000.
She stated the auditors' concerns about how the money had
been spent and accounted for and were legitimate, and that
new ATMC rules will not allow such a transaction again; and
in the future, a similar program would have to be mounted
with a donation from a company.
TAPE 93-42, SIDE ONE
Number 000
CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked about the $400,000 cited by auditors as
not spent on tourism related marketing or administrative
costs.
Number 012
MS. LINDGREN responded that the entry in the audit book
refers back to the Exxon campaign she previously explained.
Number 040
CHAIRMAN VEZEY noted the auditors' concerns that the ATMC
sometimes did not follow the Alaska Bidders' Preference when
it contracted for work.
Number 046
MS. LINDGREN explained that the problem was a function of
using subcontractors for subcontractors. She stated some
subcontractors opted to use Outside help instead of Alaskans
in previous years. She said ATMC has now directed its
advertising agency and its subcontractors to use Alaskan
talent and to follow the Alaska Bidders Preference when
possible.
Number 070
CHAIRMAN VEZEY referred to the audit report about money that
had been determined to be spent improperly, and asked if
that issue had been resolved.
Number 080
MS. LINDGREN stated the money in question had gone to a
research contract that had been in contention. She stated
the issue had been discussed and resolved with the auditors.
Number 090
CHAIRMAN VEZEY referred to the auditor's complaint that
ATMC's accounting system was not compatible with state
procedures, and asked if that had been resolved.
Number 103
MS. LINDGREN replied that the auditors' disagreement was not
with ATMC, but rather with Commerce and Economic
Development. She said the auditors found no problem with
the accounting itself, but rather how far into smaller
components it had been broken into.
Number 119
CHAIRMAN VEZEY expressed concern about the makeup of the
ATMC board, saying he hoped small business' concerns were
being addressed, and he wasn't sure small business was being
appropriately represented.
Number 133
MS. LINDGREN stated she felt small business was being well
represented on the board, the result of having 21 board
members for a 900 member group. She said of the 21 members,
17 are Alaskans, and the ATMC had formed a Small Business
Task Force specifically to address the concerns of smaller
business.
Number 153
ANN CAMPBELL, COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,
joined the committee to testify in favor of HB 115. She
stated the corporation was actively involved in developing
rural tourism and currently represents more than 200
businesses in the rural sector. She said HB 115 was vital
for them to actively market the rural businesses, especially
to take advantage of the eco-tourism boom.
Number 182
LINDA MCLAUGHLIN, PRESIDENT, ANCHORAGE CONVENTION AND
VISITORS BUREAU (ACVB), testified in favor of HB 115, saying
the ACVB depends heavily on the ATMC's Vacation Planner to
market their product. She stated the planner is also the
only way for smaller businesses to get their foot in the
door to compete with the larger companies, and to take away
the ability to market in the planner would hurt them the
most. She noted that 783 of 900 ACVB members were small
businesses with five employees or less, and she urged the
committee to pass HB 115 for their sake.
Number 251
CHARLES DERRICK testified by teleconference from Fairbanks
in opposition to HB 115. He stated the tourist industry was
one of the major opponents of the wolf hunt, especially
Westours. He asked rhetorically if the tourism industry
could impact the control of one Alaskan resource, and which
one would be next.
Number 281
RALPH SEEKINS, PRESIDENT, ALASKA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
ASSOCIATION, testified by teleconference from Fairbanks and
stated the association did not oppose funding of the ATMC,
but he was concerned about the impact the industry had on
the wolf hunt.
ADJOURNMENT
Number 293
CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated he intended to take HB 115 up in
committee in the next session, at which time he expected it
to pass easily. He stated that before it left House State
Affairs, he did have several questions that needed to be
answered. With that, he adjourned the meeting at 9:55 a.m.
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