HB 177-KING SALMON TAGS AND DESIGNS
CHAIR STUTES announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 177, "An Act relating to king salmon tags and
king salmon tag designs."
10:11:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE WES KELLER, Alaska State Legislature, introduced
HB 177 stating that friendly negotiations are on-going with
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), regarding the fiscal
note, and encouraged the committee's scrutiny.
10:13:02 AM
JIM POUND, Staff, Representative Wes Keller, Alaska State
Legislature, said HB 177 is a means to generate funds for ADF&G.
King salmon stamps will be marketed in a variety of venues
including boat captains. Additionally, income from the sale of
the art and associated merchandize will provide revenue targeted
for the department's fish enhancement programs.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON referred to page 1, lines 11 and 12,
noting that the submitted designs are restricted to Alaskan
residents. He asked whether this stipulation is true of other
stamps.
MR. POUND deferred.
10:15:46 AM
KEVIN BROOKS, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish &
Game (ADF&G), offered to provide further information.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON commented that Alaska hosts visitors, from
around the world, including anglers seeking the opportunity to
land a King salmon. Considering the scope for the reputation of
Alaska's King salmon, he suggested promoting a global platform
for artist solicitations.
MR. POUND answered that commissioning the art is considered to
be an opportunity to hire locally.
CHAIR STUTES opened public testimony.
10:18:02 AM
STEPHENIE WHEELER, Corporate Communications Officer, Alaska
Railroad (ARRC), reported that the Alaska Railroad has an annual
art print program conducted each November, restricted to Alaskan
artists, with a contracting date sometime in March. Typically,
the contract is for approximately $3,000. The corporation
receives the artwork by the end of the summer, allowing time for
the merchandize to be produced for the holiday season. The hard
costs for the program run about $20,000, which includes: 3,000
posters, 800 signed and numbered artist prints, lapel pins,
agency advertising, and sale events. Staff time of 175-200
hours is also a factor. The exercise isn't a significant revenue
boost, but it offsets the costs, and is an extremely popular
public relations program enjoyed by residents and visitors.
[The committee treated public testimony as closed.]
10:21:26 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT moved to report HB177, 29-LS0774\A, out
of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. Without objection, so moved.