HB 31-VESSELS: REGISTRATION/DERELICT FUND  2:14:40 PM VICE CHAIR TOBIN reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 31 "An Act relating to the registration of commercial vessels; and relating to the derelict vessel prevention program fund." 2:15:00 PM REPRESENTATIVE LOUISE STUTES, District 5, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, said that HB 31 is identical to legislation that passed during the previous legislative session. That legislation was subsequently vetoed, due to constitutional concerns related to its passage after midnight on the final day of the legislative session. She paraphrased from the following sponsor statement for HB 31: [Original punctuation provided.] House Bill 31- Version A  Sponsor Statement  (Prepared 3.31.25) "An Act relating to the registration of commercial vessels; and relating to the derelict vessel prevention program fund" House Bill 31 exempts active commercial fishing vessels from duplicative registration requirements created by the passage of SB 92, "the derelict vessel bill," in 2018. Specifically, the bill removes the requirement for U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) documented vessels with a current Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) license to register every three years with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Prior to the passage of SB 92, USCG documented vessels were exempt from DMV registration; however, that exemption was repealed by the bill and as a result, documented vessels now must register with the DMV. The rationale for this requirement was to provide the State and local municipalities with a state-maintained database of who owns and operates vessels in Alaskan waters, as well as how to contact those individuals. However, the database the CFEC maintains for commercial fishing vessels was overlooked. Active commercial fishing vessel owners must renew their vessel license annually with the CFEC and the commission provides the necessary contact information in a publicly accessible, state database. Alaska's commercial fishing fleet is the backbone of one of our state's most vital industries. We should not require those vessels to register every three years with the DMV, at additional expense, only to provide information that the State already has through the vessel's annual license renewal process. Additionally, this legislation repeals the Derelict Vessel Prevention Program Fund, which was created in SB92, and transfers the balance to the general fund. REPRESENTATIVE STUTES added that HB 31 repeals the duties and powers of the department related to expenditures from the fund and establishing an associated program. She said that HB 31 would transfer $1.67 million into the state's general fund and is therefore fiscally responsible. 2:19:05 PM SENATOR STEDMAN opined that HB 31 is good legislation that cleans up the language passed in 2018 and the double registration requirement. He noted many derelict vessels in communities along the coast. He asked how many derelict vessels the Department of Natural Resources has dealt with over the years. 2:20:01 PM AARON TIMIAN, Natural Resource Specialist, Division of Mining, Land and Water, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Anchorage, asked if the question is related to how many derelict vessel situations DNR has resolved or how many derelict vessels DNR has paid to remove. 2:20:30 PM SENATOR STEDMAN said both. 2:20:37 PM MR. TIMIAM shared his understanding that DNR has paid for the removal of two derelict vessels over the last three years. He offered to provide the number of derelict vessels that DNR has been able to resolve. He explained that DNR engages with owners and insurance companies to have the owners remove those vessels. 2:21:09 PM SENATOR STEDMAN said that information would be beneficial. He also asked for information on the stranded barge in Katlian Bay. He opined that it would not be difficult to find the owner, as this information is well known. He described the barge and said there are three sunken vessels in the adjacent cove. He expressed concern that the money is piling up in the fund; however, no movement is happening. 2:22:28 PM REPRESENTATIVE STUTES said that, for three years, the fund held just over $200,000. A recent lawsuit resulted in a significant deposit. VICE CHAIR TOBIN asked Mr. Timian to provide the requested derelict vessel information. 2:23:19 PM SENATOR STEDMAN recalled that many derelict vessels are found in harbors. He suggested that DNR put pressure on municipalities to pursue the boat owners. He noted the high cost associated with derelict vessels, which fall to the state and/or municipalities. 2:24:53 PM SENATOR KIEHL commented on squatters on state land and the role of both state and local governments. He asked if there are any boats for which finding the legal owner may be impossible. 2:25:33 PM REPRESENTATIVE STUTES deferred the question. 2:25:42 PM MATT GRUENING, Staff, Representative Louis Stutes, Alaska State Legislature, Junea, Alaska, answered that if HB 31 passes, it will have detailed contact information for all registered vessels. He noted that this information is renewed annually, so the list would be updated regularly. 2:26:02 PM VICE CHAIR TOBIN announced invited testimony on HB 31. 2:26:28 PM NELS EVENS, Executive Director, Petersburg Vessel Owners Association (PVOA), Petersburg, Alaska, said he is also a member of United Fishermen of Alaska's (UFA) executive committee. He expressed support of HB 31, which eliminates duplicative registration requirements for Alaska's commercial fishing fleet. He stated that, while PVOA recognizes the rationale behind the derelict vessel act, it created an unnecessary registration requirement for the commercial fishing sector. He explained that all commercial fishing vessels that are operating in Alaska's waters must register with the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC). This registration is renewed annually. Therefore, the DMV vessel registration requirement is unnecessary. He opined that the registration information collected by CFEC would make it easy for DNR to contact derelict vessel owners. He thanked the Department of Public Safety for its work on this issue and for delaying implementation; however, PVOA would prefer to see the issue corrected rather than to continue to delay its implementation. This would provide additional clarification for vessel owners and the DMV. 2:29:02 PM JERRY MCKEOWN, representing self, Cordova, Alaska, expressed his support for HB 31. He stated that this legislation would save time for both fishermen and the DMV by removing the DMV commercial fishing vessel registration requirement. He said there is no DMV in Cordova; HB 31 would save thousands of vessels from having to register. He reiterated that the removal of the DMV registration requirement would save time. 2:30:01 PM VICE CHAIR TOBIN concluded invited testimony. 2:30:09 PM REPRESENTATIVE STUTES thanked the committee for hearing HB 31. 2:30:15 PM VICE CHAIR TOBIN held HB 31 in committee.