Legislature(1995 - 1996)
02/25/1995 01:00 PM Senate RES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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SENATE RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE
Anchorage LIO
February 25, 1995
1:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Loren Leman, Chairman
Senator Lyman Hoffman
SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Drue Pearce, Vice Chairman
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 49
"An Act relating to the Board of Fisheries; and providing for an
effective date."
PREVIOUS ACTION
SB 49 - See Resources minutes dated 2/20/95 and Resources
Subcommittee minutes dated 2/24/95.
WITNESS REGISTER (via teleconference)
Geron Bruce, Legislative Liaison
Department of Fish and Game
P.O. Box 25526
Juneau, Alaska 99802-5526
POSITION STATEMENT: Stated support of the citizen lay board from
the Administration.
Jerry McCune
United Fishermen of Alaska
211 Fourth Street
Suite 211
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed SB 49, but recognized the system
needed improvements.
Mike Wells, Commercial Fisherman
Valdez Advisory Board Member
P.O. Box 989
Valdez, Alaska 99686
POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed SB 49.
Don Daniels, Commercial Fisherman
P.O. Box 930
Valdez, Alaska 99686
POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed SB 49.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 95-15, SIDE A
SRES - 2/25/95
SB 49 RESTRUCTURE BOARD OF FISHERIES
Number 001
CHAIRMAN LEMAN , in the Anchorage Legislative Information Office,
called the Senate Resources Subcommittee meeting to order at 1:00
p.m. and introduced SB 49 as the only order of business before the
subcommittee.
GERON BRUCE, Legislative Liaison for the Department of Fish and
Game, stated that the Board of Fisheries provides a cost effective
manner in which to utilize local knowledge and industry expertise
in the regulatory process. Duplicating such knowledge and
expertise with a staff effort would prove difficult. Another
difficulty would be the social and economic issues the Board of
Fisheries currently faces; a professional board would face such
issues as well. He felt that most would agree that the system of
resource management in Alaska has done a good job with
conservation. The problem seems to be the social and economic
issues regarding resources. In conclusion, Mr. Bruce said that the
Administration supports the citizen lay board while recognizing the
need for possible improvements.
SENATOR LEMAN suggested that Mr. Bruce forward any recommendations
regarding possible venues for improvement in the process. He
commented that the approach in HB 141 would probably achieve
consensus. GERON BRUCE said that he would forward any suggestions.
Mr. Bruce noted that the Administration supports HB 141 and would
be working on some changes to that legislation.
SENATOR HOFFMAN inquired as to Mr. Bruce's comments regarding the
suggestion of adding two members to the Board in order to improve
its composition. GERON BRUCE recognized that adding two members
could offer a broader representation of Alaska. The idea is worthy
of review and consideration.
SENATOR HOFFMAN mentioned the concept of creating three regional
fish boards in order to alleviate the current board's inability to
address issues every year. The Board can only speak to issues
every three years while the board's members serve from two to three
years. GERON BRUCE noted that this idea has been before the
legislature in the past. The main disadvantages to such a proposal
would be the cost and the inability of the three boards to address
issues that span the jurisdiction of all three. Mr. Bruce
presented another possibility; a Board historian could compile a
record of the issues before the Board of Fisheries and the manner
in which they have been handled up to date.
SENATOR LEMAN reiterated that Mr. Bruce should offer any
suggestions regarding improvements to the Board of Fisheries. He
indicated that he intended to use SB 49 as a vehicle, modifying to
include those portions that will achieve consensus. GERON BRUCE
appreciated the introduction of SB 49 because it provides a forum
to discuss these issues.
JERRY McCUNE, United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA), stated that all 22
member groups of UFA oppose SB 49. He explained that the UFA would
like to continue the current Board of Fisheries comprised of lay
citizens. Currently, the Board of Fisheries is comprised of seven
governor-appointed members who are subject to confirmation by the
Alaska legislature. He noted that many states envy this structure.
Mr. McCune recognized that the system could use some improvements.
He suggested following the change in dates and terms of board
members as specified in HB 141. He also suggested returning the
local advisory groups to the process in which the board addresses
issues. There is controversy regarding the board's conflict of
interest. He proposed discussing the conflict of interest issue
and reviewing the possibility of amending the ethics act. He
emphasized that if the committee would be willing to finance a
professional board, then there should be money available for more
staff and research. In conclusion, Mr. McCune pointed out that the
increased usage along with the increased population has increased
allocation conflicts. The best system would benefit all users of
this resource.
SENATOR LEMAN inquired as to Mr. McCune's knowledge regarding other
states' with professional board of fisheries. JERRY McCUNE said
that he would forward that information to him. Mr. McCune thanked
Senator Pearce for offering this legislation. UFA offered its
assistance in working on the system.
SENATOR LEMAN informed everyone that he understood that Senator
Pearce realized this legislation would probably not pass as is, but
that it could be used as a vehicle to address necessary Board
issues.
MIKE WELLS, commercial fisherman and member of the Valdez Advisory
Board, opposed SB 49. He emphasized that SB 49 discriminates
against commercial fishermen, processors and marketers of Alaska's
fishery resources by not allowing their input on the Board. Their
input would be denied by SB 49, but their access and usage of this
resource would be affected by the board's decisions. He explained
that a professional board is a contradiction in terms; how can a
board member be a professional if the legislation mandates that the
member have no knowledge of the issues before the board. The Board
should not be changed.
SENATOR LEMAN noted that SB 50 proposes a similar structure to the
Board of Game.
DON DANIELS, commercial fisherman, opposed SB 49. He stated that
the reasons for opposition had been identified well.
SENATOR LEMAN thanked all those who testified and those who had
listened. He said that when Senator Pearce returned the
subcommittee would discuss SB 49 further. He reminded everyone
that written testimony was welcomed.
There being no further business before the subcommittee, the
meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m.
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