Legislature(2019 - 2020)BUTROVICH 205
02/08/2019 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
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| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
February 8, 2019
3:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Chris Birch, Chair
Senator John Coghill, Vice Chair
Senator Cathy Giessel
Senator Lora Reinbold
Senator Scott Kawasaki
Senator Jesse Kiehl
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Click Bishop
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Fishermen's Fund Advisory & Appeals Council
Marilyn Charles - Emmonak
Moses Toyukak, Sr. - Manokotak
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Big Game Commercial Services Board
Tom Harris - Anchorage
Jason Bunch - Kodiak
Cash Joyce - Wasilla
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
MARILYN CHARLES, Appointee
Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Emmonak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on her appointment to the council.
THOMAS HARRIS, Appointee
Big Game Commercial Services Board
Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on his appointment to the board.
JASON BUNCH, Appointee
Big Game Commercial Services Board
Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on his appointment to the board.
MOSES TOYUKAK, SR., Appointee
Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Manokotak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on his appointment to the council.
WAYNE KUBAT, Vice President
Alaska Professional Hunters Association
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Jason Bunch, Cash
Joyce, and Tom Harris for the Big Game Commercial Services
Board.
MARK RICHARDS, Executive Director
Resident Hunters of Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided appointment testimony if support of
Jason Bunch and Tom Harris, and in opposition of Cash Joyce for
the Big Game Commercial Services Board.
CASH JOYCE, Appointee
Big Game Commercial Services Board
Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on his appointment to the board.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:30:13 PM
CHAIR CHRIS BIRCH called the Senate Resources Standing Committee
meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Present at the call to order were
Senators Kiehl, Giessel, Reinbold, Coghill, and Chair Birch.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council
Big Game Commercial Services Board
3:30:56 PM
CHAIR BIRCH announced that the purpose of the Senate Resources
Standing Committee meeting is to review the governor's
appointments to two boards, the Fishermen's Fund Advisory and
Appeals Council, and the Big Game Commercial Services Board.
He said the committee will first address the Fishermen's Fund
Advisory and Appeals Council. The council consults with the
commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce
Development regarding appeals filed in relation to the care of
sick and disabled fishermen.
3:31:03 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI joined the committee meeting.
3:32:07 PM
At ease.
3:32:50 PM
CHAIR BIRCH called the committee back to order.
3:33:11 PM
MARILYN CHARLES, Appointee, Fishermen's Fund Advisory and
Appeals Council, Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce
Development, Emmonak, Alaska, provided her educational and work
background to committee members, noting her experience with
insurance claims and interaction with the fishing industry in
Emmonak.
3:36:27 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL asked if she has attended or watched a
Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council meeting online.
MS. CHARLES answered no. She noted that she interned for U.S.
Senator Frank Murkowski.
CHAIR BIRCH thanked Ms. Charles for her testimony and
willingness to serve.
3:38:57 PM
At ease.
3:39:34 PM
CHAIR BIRCH called the committee back to order.
3:40:43 PM
At ease.
3:42:08 PM
CHAIR BIRCH called the committee back to order.
3:42:21 PM
THOMAS HARRIS, appointee, Big Game Commercial Services Board,
Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing,
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development,
Anchorage, Alaska, explained that he was appointed to the
landowner seat. He provided information to committee members on
his educational and work experience, noting that he currently
serves as CEO for Kniknatnu, Inc. He said Alaska was once known
as "The wildlife treasure of America" during the Territorial
Days, but the state was documented in 2004 as the least
productive wildlife hunter-harvest state in the nation for
hoofed wildlife. He shared data on the state's declining hoofed
wildlife harvest.
3:45:30 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL noted that Mr. Harris was appointed to the board
in September and asked what his impression is of the board.
MR. HARRIS replied that he has enjoyed meeting the professionals
at the council. He said while he does not have a hunting
license, he greatly respects the hunters and the work they do.
He opined that Alaska is missing a lot of resources that have
been made available to other states. Alaska's guides are
operating in a depleted resource that needs to be restored; they
need to be given the tools as well as partnering with the state,
federal government, and private landowners to make that happen.
CHAIR BIRCH thanked Mr. Harris for his willingness to serve on
the board.
3:47:25 PM
At ease.
3:48:54 PM
CHAIR BIRCH called the committee back to order.
3:49:11 PM
JASON BUNCH, appointee, Big Game Commercial Services Board,
Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing,
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development,
Kodiak, Alaska, provided information to committee members on his
educational, personal background, and work experience.
He said he has been attending board meetings, has participated
in the board's subcommittee process since 2011, and was
appointed to the board's vacant registered guide seat in 2018.
He detailed "successful" board results from the past 10 months
as follows:
• Finished a complete update to the registered guide
outfitter exam and continue work on regulations.
• Worked with land managers, state law enforcement, and
licensees to draft and adopt multiple position statements
to clarify various statutes and regulations.
• Reviewed and commented on multiple bills regarding big game
guiding and transporting.
• Reviewed multiple statutes and regulations to further
clarify and improve efficiencies.
• Witnessed the efforts of licensees in the division to
eliminate the inherited $1 million deficit.
SENATOR GIESSEL commended Mr. Bunch for the board's work in the
remediation of its deficit. She asked what current challenges
the board is facing.
MR. BUNCH answered that small investments will be needed to
increase efficiency.
SENATOR REINBOLD commended Mr. Bunch for the time commitment he
has made to the board and subcommittee.
MR. BUNCH replied the guiding is important and provides revenue
to the state. The board's duty is to ensure that the guiding
profession is held to a high standard.
3:54:47 PM
MOSES TOYUKAK, SR., appointee, Fishermen's Fund Advisory and
Appeals Council, Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce
Development, Manokotak, Alaska, said he is a fisherman and
Manokotak is fishing community that practices a subsistence way
of life. He noted that he has been involved with Manokotak's
city council for more than 40 years, 20 years as mayor. He added
that he has testified at a few council meetings.
SENATOR GIESSEL addressed Mr. Toyukak's background and noted his
involvement in the community and fishing industry. She asked
what drew him to apply to the Fishermen's Fund Advisory and
Appeals Council.
MR. TOYUKAK replied that the governor selected him.
SENATOR GIESSEL opined that the governor must have seen a lot of
good qualities in Mr. Toyukak as well as his impressive history
in the fishing industry and in Alaska.
4:00:08 PM
At ease.
4:04:45 PM
CHAIR BIRCH called the committee back to order.
4:05:20 PM
CHAIR BIRCH opened public testimony.
4:05:26 PM
WAYNE KUBAT, Vice President, Alaska Professional Hunters
Association (APHA), Wasilla, Alaska, testified in support of
Jason Bunch, Cash Joyce, and Tom Harris for the Big Game
Commercial Services Board.
4:07:14 PM
MARK RICHARDS, Executive Director, Resident Hunters of Alaska
(RHAK), Fairbanks, Alaska, provided appointment testimony in
support of Jason Bunch and Tom Harris, and in opposition of Cash
Joyce for the Big Game Commercial Services Board. RHAK opposes
Mr. Joyce's reappointment due to his conflict of interest for
holding both a guide and transporter license while serving on
the board. RHAK believes that there needs to be a clear
delineation between the guide and transporter board seats.
4:10:31 PM
At ease.
4:10:58 PM
CHAIR BIRCH called the committee back to order and closed public
testimony.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked if Chair Birch will offer appointees and
opportunity for closing comments.
CHAIR BIRCH answered yes. He asked appointees who chose to
address the committee to proceed with their closing comments.
MR. TOKYKAK summarized that if elected he will be willing to
serve on the Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council.
MS. CHARLES summarized that if accepted she will be ready and
willing to serve on the Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals
Council.
MR. HARRIS summarized that he is committed to rebuilding
wildlife habitat and bringing wildlife populations back up again
by serving on the Big Game Commercial Services Board.
4:14:50 PM
At ease.
4:24:32 PM
CHAIR BIRCH called the committee back to order.
4:25:11 PM
CASH JOYCE, appointee, Big Game Commercial Services Board,
Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing,
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development,
Wasilla, Alaska, explained that he served on the board in 2018
as a designee for the board's transporter position. He confirmed
that he owns both a guiding business and an "on demand" air taxi
service company. He said he wished to quell any confusion about
his conflict of interest on the Big Game Commercial Services
Board. He noted his recent service on the board has gained him a
working knowledge of policy making amongst varying opinions.
SENATOR KIEHL asked him to address what his income percentage is
from his guide operations and his transporter business.
MR. JOYCE replied that his income from his two businesses is
50:50. He disclosed that he flies for other aircraft operators
as well.
4:28:25 PM
SENATOR COGHILL remarked that he has only heard good things
about Mr. Joyce. He noted that the question brought up in public
testimony addressed the board's transporter seat versus the
other seat. He asked how the tension between the seats could
occur.
MR. JOYCE answered that some will see a conflict of interest
because he might vote on behalf of the guiding industry versus
the transport industry. He said he makes money from his guiding
business, but his equity and capital are tied to his
transporting business.
SENATOR COGHILL noted that legislators are continually
questioned about designated areas for big game guides and
transporters. He asked Mr. Joyce to comment.
MR. JOYCE answered that he questioned "designated areas" when
the federal government issues air certificates that does not
regulate air commerce location.
SENATOR COGHILL noted that guide concessions for designated
areas always comes up. He explained that increased wildlife
abundance versus guide concessions and transportation is an
issue. He opined that Mr. Joyce has answered his questions well
enough to demonstrate the he can disseminate between guiding and
transporting to serve on the board.
CHAIR BIRCH thanked Mr. Joyce for his testimony.
4:34:36 PM
CHAIR BIRCH stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Resources Standing Committee reviewed the following and
recommends the appointments be forwarded to a joint session for
consideration:
Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council
Moses Toyukak, Sr. - Manokotak
Marilyn Charles - Emmonak
Big Game Commercial Services Board
Jason Bunch - Kodiak
Cash Joyce - Wasilla
Thomas Harris - Anchorage.
He reminded members that signing the reports regarding
appointments to boards and commissions in no way reflects
individual members' approval or disapproval of the appointees;
the nominations are merely forwarded to the full legislature for
confirmation or rejection.
4:35:26 PM
At ease.
4:36:34 PM
CHAIR BIRCH called the committee back to order.
4:37:22 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Birch adjourned the Senate Resources Standing Committee
meeting at 4:37 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Gov's Appointees-BGCSB Harris Resume.pdf |
SRES 2/8/2019 3:30:00 PM |
|
| Gov's Appointees-BGCSB Bunch Resume.pdf |
SRES 2/8/2019 3:30:00 PM |
|
| Gov's Appointees-BGCSB Joyce Resume.pdf |
SRES 2/8/2019 3:30:00 PM |
|
| Gov's Appointees-FFAA Charles Resume.pdf |
SRES 2/8/2019 3:30:00 PM |
|
| Gov's Appointees-FFAA Toyukak Resume.pdf |
SRES 2/8/2019 3:30:00 PM |
|
| Gov's Appointees-BGCSB Harris Remarks.pdf |
SRES 2/8/2019 3:30:00 PM |
|
| Gov's Appointees-BGCSB Resident Hunters of Alaska Letter.pdf |
SRES 2/8/2019 3:30:00 PM |