CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 93(FIN) "An Act relating to commercial fishing permit and vessel license fees; and providing for an effective date." CHERYL SUTTON, STAFF, SENATOR BEN STEVENS, explained that the bill addresses the commercial fisheries entry commission, which is fee-based funded. She related contributing factors which led up to the bill. SB 93 would bring the state into compliance with recent rulings in Carlson v. State of Alaska, raise the $300 artificial cap on the base fee for annual permit renewal to $3,000, and charges a non-resident fee differential of $115 only once. She explained vessel license fees as they are related to the various categories. 2:55:42 PM FRANK HOMAN, COMMISSIONER, COMMERCIAL FISHERIES ENTRY COMMISSION, concurred with Ms. Sutton's testimony regarding the need for the bill. He noted that the alternatives are not very good; to seek general funds or to reduce staff. 2:56:59 PM Vice-Chair Stoltze asked Commissioner Homan if he has thought about not filling a commissioner position. Commissioner Homan responded that the commissioner's salary at the limited entry commission are set in statute. 2:58:24 PM JERRY MCCUNE, UNITED FISHERMEN OF ALASKA, stated support for the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) and for the committee substitute for SB 93. 3:00:19 PM Representative Weyhrauch MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1: Page 2, lines 21 - 23: Delete all material and insert: "(4) over 75 feet - 100 feet ............ 225 (5) over 100 feet - 125 feet ............ 300 (6) over 125 feet - 150 feet ............ 375 (7) over 150 feet - 175 feet ............ 450 (8) over 175 feet - 200 feet ............ 525 (9) over 200 feet - 225 feet ............ 600 (10) over 225 feet - 250 feet ........... 675 (11) over 250 feet - 275 feet ........... 750 (12) over 275 feet - 300 feet ........... 825 (13) over 300 feet .................... 900." Vice-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion. REPRESENTATIVE PAUL SEATON, spoke in support of Amendment 1, which would break the fees into 25-foot categories for smaller vessel levels. It would generate the same amount of money, but be more appropriate. 3:02:31 PM In response to a question by Vice-Chair Stoltze, Representative Seaton explained that in the amendment CFEC addressed his concern that appropriate charges accompany the appropriate size of vessel. 3:04:13 PM Ms. Sutton spoke in opposition to Amendment 1. She observed that the bill is a compromise between different areas of the state. Representative Weyhrauch asked if there were not some basis for size delineations. Ms. Sutton noted that she did not see the amendment prior to the meeting and the sponsor would not approve of it. 3:05:50 PM Co-Chair Meyer felt that the amendment has some merit. Representative Croft summarized that the same amount of money would be raised, but that the fee would be tilted toward the larger vessels. Representative Seaton noted that the fee would increase according to the size of the vessel. The top fee would be $900. 3:08:18 PM Commissioner Homan, provided information about the intention of the amendment. He noted that CSSB 93 (FIN) provides a straight 20 percent increase as a compromise between larger and smaller vessels. The amendment changes the amount by adding more categories, which spreads out the costs. Mr. Homan explained that there are more boats in the smaller fee categories. He expressed concern that the amendment not jeopardize the legislation. 3:11:04 PM Co-Chair Meyer questioned if the smaller boats are generally owned by Alaskans and the larger boats are owned by out-of- state interests. Mr. Homan confirmed that idea. SB 93 was HELD in Committee for further consideration. 3:13:18 PM At ease. 3:17:55 PM