SB 145-LOANS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING TENDERS  CHAIR CON BUNDE announced SB 145 to be up for consideration. TIM BARRY, staff to Senator Stedman, sponsor, said that this legislation was requested by a number of fishing tenders in the state. It makes a small change in the Alaska Commercial Fishing Loan Act to allow Alaskan owners of fish tenders to be eligible for loans to improve the quality of seafood products. Under the current law, the Division of Investments in the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED) offers low- interest loans to fishing permit holders to upgrade their equipment in order to improve the quality of their seafood product. Fishing tenders who buy fish on the fishing grounds from fishermen and transport the product to processing plants are an important part of the seafood handling process, however they are not defined currently as fishermen and are, therefore, not eligible for the improvement loans. SB 145 is supported by the Alaska Independent Tendermen's Association, the Southeast Alaska Fishermen's Alliance and Cordova District Fishermen United. CHAIR BUNDE asked what exactly upgrading equipment means. MR. BARRY replied that purchase of vessels is not part of this program, but it would cover a refrigerated seawater hold, for instance. 2:35:28 PM GREG WINEGAR, Director, Division of Investments, supported SB 145 saying it was consistent with state and industry efforts to improve quality of seafood products. The division already gives these loans to commercial fishing harvesters and the program has been self-supporting for many years. SB 145 would not require appropriations or additional staff. 2:36:49 PM JERRY MCCUNE, President, Cordova Fishermen United, supported SB 145 saying it's important to have tenders with good equipment. 2:37:37 PM CHAIR BUNDE asked if anyone is opposed to this bill. MR. MCCUNE answered no. 2:38:38 PM SENATOR BEN STEVENS moved to pass SB 145 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note. Senators Davis, Ellis, Ben Stevens, Seekins and Chair Bunde voted yea; and SB 145 moved from committee.