Legislature(1993 - 1994)
02/08/1993 03:35 PM Senate RES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE RESOURCES COMMITTEE
February 8, 1993
3:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mike Miller, Chairman
Senator Steve Frank
Senator Drue Pearce
Senator Fred Zharoff
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Loren Leman, Vice Chairman
Senator Al Adams
Senator Dave Donley
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Executive Order 86 - Transfer FRED to ADF&G.
Executive Order 83 - Merge State Geographic Board and
Historic Sites Advisory Committee into the Alaska Historical
Commission in the Department of Natural Resources.
PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION
EO 86 - No previous action to record.
EO 83 - No previous action to record.
WITNESS REGISTER
Geron Bruce, Special Assistant
Department of Fish and Game
P.O. Box 25526
Juneau, Alaska 99802-5526
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported EO 86.
Kristie Leaf
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 11001
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0001
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported EO 83.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 93 - 7, SIDE A
Number 001
SENATOR MILLER called the Resources Committee meeting to
order at 3:35 p.m. and announced EO 86 to be up for
consideration.
GERON BRUCE, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, supported
EO 86 which would put the FRED Division on the same level as
the other two fisheries divisions. It would make the
Department as a whole responsible for the performance of the
duties of fisheries rehabilitation, enhancement, and
development.
Number 50
SENATOR ZHAROFF mentioned that the fiscal note indicated $0
cost saving measures or expenses. MR. BRUCE said the
primary purpose of the reorganization is to improve program
efficiency. He said cost saving has occurred either by
transferring the operational cost to the private sector or
by putting them on other funding sources in ADF&G.
SENATOR ZHAROFF said under EO 86 it looked like most of the
decisions would be made in Juneau without consultation or
input from west and southwest Alaska.
MR. BRUCE said there would be levels of participation from
employees of all the different regions of the state as well
as from the different kinds of professions. A core group
has been appointed that doesn't have anyone from the western
region. This group coordinates and sets a general
direction. Subgroups will be appointed to work on the
details and advise the core group. It is the intention of
the Commissioner and the planning team that all regions will
be represented in the subgroups.
Number 149
SENATOR ZHAROFF said in his region fishing is a mainstay of
the economy and there is the threat they are not being
adequately represented by the core group. He thought all
areas of the state should be consulted on this issue. He
questioned the accuracy of the fiscal note.
MR. BRUCE said the core group consists of four
representatives from the Commercial Fisheries Division, four
representatives from Fisheries Rehabilitation, one
representative from the Sportfish Division, and one
representative from the Commissioner's office. As the
process develops, representatives from all areas will be
appointed to the subgroups.
MR. BRUCE said during the FY 93 deliberations the Department
identified $300,000 of initial savings that would result
from this recombination. One of the positions was a deputy
director in the Commercial Fisheries Division which was
taken out of the budget.
SENATOR ZHAROFF asked what would happen if they didn't pass
EO 86. MR. BRUCE said the Department would limp along with
the reduced personnel.
Number 233
SENATOR ZHAROFF asked him if this was an attempt by the
Department to consolidate the regional offices into
Anchorage and to close out the rural offices? MR. BRUCE
said that was not the intention at all. The Commissioner
wants to retain as much presence as possible in the areas
where harvesting is taking place.
Number 297
SENATOR MILLER thanked everyone for their participation and
announced EO 83 to be up for consideration.
KRISTIE LEAF, Office of the Governor, explained that EO 83
combines the State Geographic Board and the Historic Sites
Advisory Committee into the Alaska Historical Commission.
She said there is wide support for this move. She said the
duties and functions of the Board would maintain their
status. The membership would decrease from 21 to 10.
Number 309
SENATOR ZHAROFF asked if there would be any fiscal savings.
MS. LEAF said each of the three Boards are funded through
their agency budgets; they don't have a separate budget.
Neither agency reduced their budget request. If there was a
savings, it would be indirect. Currently about $35,000 is
spent to administer the Boards. The savings would come with
the cut in number of Board members.
Number 348
SENATOR FRANK commented that there is a law on the books
requiring a fiscal note to tell how much it costs. It
should reflect anticipated savings whether or not it is
budgeted.
Number 371
SENATOR ZHAROFF said he would like to see the complete
picture before voting on the bill.
Number 379
SENATOR MILLER thanked everyone for their participation and
adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m.
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