Legislature(2025 - 2026)BUTROVICH 205
05/01/2025 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing: Board of Marine Pilots | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
May 1, 2025
1:39 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Chair
Senator Löki Tobin, Vice Chair
Senator Jesse Kiehl
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Bert Stedman
Senator Mike Shower
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING: BOARD OF MARINE PILOTS
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
DON HABEGER, Appointee
Board of Marine Pilots
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
Board of Marine Pilots.
JAMES CUNNINGHAM, Appointee
Board of Marine Pilots
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
Board of Marine Pilots.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:39:49 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN called the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:39 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senator Tobin and Chair Bjorkman. Senator Kiehl
arrived thereafter.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING: BOARD OF MARINE PILOTS
CONFIRMATION HEARING: BOARD OF MARINE PILOTS
1:40:43 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN announced the consideration of the governor's
appointees to the Board of Marine Pilots.
1:41:13 PM
DON HABEGER, Appointee, Board of Marine Pilots, Juneau, Alaska,
testified as a governor's appointee to the Board of Marine
Pilots. He said he has been involved in the marine industry for
decades. He briefly discussed his current work, which includes a
contract with the Juneau Reentry Coalition and a fishing lure
for which he holds the patent. He acknowledged that his resume
is industry-centric. He said he was previously the director of
the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional
Licensing (CBPL). He was also deputy commissioner of the
Department of Administration for a short time. He noted his past
work in the cruise industry and stated that, while he previously
worked for a company that utilized pilotage services, he no
longer has a connection to the industry or those companies. He
referred to AS 08.62.010, which specifies the makeup of the
Board of Marine Pilots and AS 08.01.025, which details the
qualifications for the public members. He reiterated that he is
not working in pilotage or any marine industry. He stated that
he has no contracts with the industry. He stated that he has no
direct financial or contractual interest in pilot businesses or
associations.
1:45:41 PM
SENATOR TOBIN asked to which seat on the Board of Marine Pilots
Mr. Habeger was appointed.
MR. HABEGER answered that he was appointed to one of the two
public member seats.
1:46:05 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN invited Mr. Cunnigham to introduce himself.
1:46:25 PM
JAMES CUNNINGHAM, Appointee, Board of Marine Pilots, Homer,
Alaska, testified as a governor's appointee to the Board of
Marine Pilots. He said he was initially appointed in June of
2022, and is seeking reappointment. He noted his relevant
experience as shown on his resume and said he found Alaska to be
a great place to live with his family. He said serving on the
board gave him the chance to see the interface between the
marine industry and government. He expressed hope that his
perspective would be useful as he serves on the board.
1:48:53 PM
SENATOR TOBIN thanked Mr. Cunningham for his service and
willingness to renew his appointment. She noted that in 2023 he
explained that it was a challenge to attract and retain marine
pilots. She asked whether the board has made any progress in its
efforts to address those challenges or if he had new insight to
share concerning the challenges faced by marine pilots around
the state.
1:49:35 PM
MR. CUNNINGHAM said the state is actively bringing in more
pilots. He explained that nationwide, the marine pilot industry
is shifting as older pilots retire and there is an increasing
demand for new pilots to fill those positions. He said Alaska
has been "the edge of the map" - especially when compared with
larger ports like San Francisco and New York. As Alaska becomes
more well-known, more energetic, enthusiastic pilots are coming
to the state. He noted the various opportunities that draw new
pilots to the state. He indicated that the board has increased
outreach, which has resulted in greater visibility.
1:52:27 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on the governor's
appointees to the Board of Marine Pilots; finding none, he
closed public testimony.
1:53:00 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN thanked the appointees for their willingness and
commitment to serve the state.
1:53:13 PM
At ease.
2:00:27 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the arrival
of Senator Kiehl.
2:00:37 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited the will of the committee.
2:00:39 PM
SENATOR TOBIN stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Transportation Standing Committee reviewed the following
and recommends the appointments be advanced to a joint session
for consideration:
Board of Marine Pilots
Don Habeger - Juneau
James Cunningham - Homer
2:00:56 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection. He reminded members that
signing the report(s) regarding appointments to boards and
commissions in no way reflects individual members' approval or
disapproval of the appointees; the nominations are merely
advanced to the full legislature for confirmation or rejection.
2:01:23 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Bjorkman adjourned the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting at 2:01 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Donald Habeger Marine Pilots Resume.pdf |
STRA 5/1/2025 1:30:00 PM |
|
| James Cunningham Marine Pilots Resume.pdf |
STRA 5/1/2025 1:30:00 PM |