SB 245-SALMON PRODUCT DEVELOP. TAX CREDIT                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:34:38 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR   WIELECHOWSKI   announced  SB   245   to   be  up   for                                                               
consideration.  He explained  that it  would extend  the deadline                                                               
for  salmon  processors in  Alaska  to  claim  a tax  credit  for                                                               
purchasing  equipment   needed  to  develop   value-added  salmon                                                               
products.  The  credit was  initially  enacted  in 2003  and  has                                                               
helped to  stimulate the creation  of a variety of  new products.                                                               
It has benefited fishermen,  processors, coastal communities, and                                                               
the  state  of  Alaska,  which   has  seen  an  increase  in  its                                                               
collection  of fisheries  business  taxes.  Public testimony  was                                                               
unanimous in support of this program and its continuation.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:36:06 PM                                                                                                                    
CO-CHAIR  MCGUIRE moved  to  report SB  245  from committee  with                                                               
individual  recommendations and  attached  fiscal note(s).  There                                                               
were no objections and it was so ordered.