SENATE BILL NO. 21                                                           
                                                                               
       "An   Act  relating  to  penalties  for  violations  of                 
       commercial fishing laws."                                               
                                                                               
  KELLY GOODE, STAFF, SENATOR HALFORD  testified in support of                 
  SB 21.   She noted that SB  21 increases the  punishment for                 
  violations  of  commercial  fishing laws.    Senate  Bill 21                 
  increases  the   maximum  fine   allowable  for   third  and                 
  subsequent violations  of commercial  fishing  laws to  $9.0                 
  thousand dollars.   She noted  that similar legislation  was                 
  passed by the Senate, but did not make it to the House floor                 
  for concurrence before  adjournment.  She observed  that the                 
  previous legislation would have  placed greater sanctions on                 
  first and second violations.                                                 
                                                                               
  Co-Chair Hanley noted that the  prior legislation would have                 
  raised  the maximum penalty  for all  fines.   He reiterated                 
  that  SB 21  only raises  fines on  the third  offense.   He                 
  observed  that  the  legislation  sets  the maximum  penalty                 
  allowed and is not mandatory.                                                
                                                                               
  BUELL RUSSEL, MAJOR, ENFORCEMENT COMMANDER, DIVISION OF FISH                 
  AND  WILDLIFE   PROTECTION,  DEPARTMENT  OF   PUBLIC  SAFETY                 
  testified  in  support  of  SB  21, via  the  teleconference                 
  network.   He stated  that the  legislation would  provide a                 
  deterrent.                                                                   
                                                                               
  Representative Parnell  noted that he  represents commercial                 
  fishermen.                                                                   
                                                                               
  In response  to a  question by  Representative Navarre,  Ms.                 
  Goode stated  that Senator  Halford chose  to introduce  new                 
  legislation.                                                                 
                                                                               
  Representative Mulder MOVED to report  CSSB 21 (RES) out  of                 
  Committee  with  individual  recommendations  and  with  the                 
  accompanying fiscal notes.                                                   
                                                                               
  CSSB 21 (RES) was reported out of Committee with a "do pass"                 
  recommendation and with three zero fiscal notes, one  by the                 
  Department of Law dated 3/8/95, and  one by the Alaska Court                 
  System  dated  3/8/95, and one  by the Department of  Public                 
  Safety dated 3/8/95.