HOUSE BILL NO. 151 "An Act repealing the termination date of the statewide boating safety and education program; providing for an effective date by repealing the effective dates of secs. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, 23, 26, and 27, ch. 28, SLA 2000, and sec. 3, ch. 119, SLA 2003; and providing for an effective date." JAMES ELLIS, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE MARK NEUMAN, explained that the bill would extend the sunset date of the Statewide Boating Safety and Education Program. The program has reduced boating related deaths in the state by 20 percent since 2000. Timely expedition of the legislation would allow the state to receive federal funding. 6:17:46 PM Co-Chair Hawker noted that the original bill had asked for the sunset date to be extended through 2018. The potential CS for HB 151 provides a one-year extension, with the intention of revisiting the issue during the 2010 session. He wondered if the sponsor was comfortable with the compromise. Mr. Ellis replied in the affirmative. 6:18:38 PM JAMES KING, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, highlighted the importance of the Kids Don't Float program. He shared that the Boating Safety and Education program has been a major contributor to the 514 life-jacket loaner boards, in 153 communities, throughout the state. The Kids Don't Float program has provided education to over 63,000 people in communities all across the state. Mr. King detailed other educational programs that benefit under the Boating Safety and Education Program. He stated that since the program began, recreational boating fatalities have declined by 20 percent. He emphasized his support for the one year extension. 6:21:02 PM Co-Chair Stoltze moved to adopt the CS for HB 151 26- LSO422\P as a working document. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 6:21:35 PM MICHAEL FOKERTS, RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY SPECIALIST, U.S. COAST GUARD, read from the White Paper (copy on file). He testified that the Coast Guard, through the Secretary of Homeland Security, is directed to carry out a national recreational boating safety program under chapter 131 of title 46 of the United States Code. The goal of the program is to encourage states to assume the role in assisting and enforcing the carrying out of boating safety education and activities. Under this program the Coast Guard allocates and distributes funds to eligible states to assist in developing and implementing boating safety programs. Federal financial assistance is provided through the Boating Safety account of the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, also known as the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. Alaska met the eligibility requirements to receive the funds in 2000 with the passing of HB 108, the Alaska Boating Safety Act. The Alaska Boating and Safety Program is funded almost entirely by the federal grant. The program has now been in place for nearly ten years. Under the program recreational boaters are safer and more educated and boating fatalities have declined. He relayed that the Coast Guard will continue to maintain a working relationship with the state. Co-Chair Hawker solicited further testimony. JEFF JOHNSON, BOATING LAW ADMINISTRATOR, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (DNR), was available, via teleconference, for questions. Representative Foster commended DNR for their good work. Co-Chair Hawker closed public testimony. 6:25:19 PM Representative Joule spoke in support of the bill. He hoped the program would help provide closure for mourning families by aiding in the quick recovery of drowning victims. Vice-Chair Thomas remarked that he had seen the Kid's Don't Float program working in action. He asserted there should be a similar program for adults. Co-Chair Hawker noted the one year sunset from June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2011. He pointed out to the committee the fiscal note showing an additional expenditure needed in 2010. He asked if the fiscal note was in the 2010 budget or if it was an incremental. Mr. King replied that the fiscal note reflected boat registration fees. He said that those fees would be for 2010. Co-Chair Hawker asked if the appropriations and capital expenditures were already in the 2010 budget. He added that the note reflected inter-agency receipts being spent for personal services. He wondered if the expenditures were already in the 2010 budget. Mr. King replied in the affirmative. Co-Chair Hawker clarified that it was not an incremental fiscal note. He asked if the capital expenditure was already in the 2010 budget. Mr. King replied that the division receives a federal grant and that the receipt authority for that grant is in the 2010 budget. Co-Chair Hawker summarized that the division has the amounts already in the budget and that the fiscal note was presented for information purposes only. He asked the committee to forward the bill with the zero fiscal note to prevent the duplication of authority. Mr. King requested confirmation from Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson stated that it was a continuation of the budget that has always existed. He said that it varies from year to year, but that the department was in the capital budget for the specified amount. 6:29:30 PM Co-Chair Hawker MOVED to change the fiscal note to show a zero appropriation in FY 2010, leaving in what the department already has budgeted. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Co-Chair Stoltze commented on the dissimilarities between the federal and state fiscal year, and recognized this could pose a problem when applying for federal grants. He said that he had drafted the CS for the one year sunset extension with the intention of examining the complexities of the program. He mentioned his concerns with the regulation of responsible adults and DNR bureaucrats and hoped that the bill would reflect the ways in which Alaskans could benefit from their own natural resources. Co-Chair Stoltze MOVED to report CSHB 151 (FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSHB 151 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal note by the Department of Natural Resources. 6:35:01 PM Representative Foster wondered about school involvement in the Kid's Don't Float program. Mr. King replied that the program was taught in schools throughout the state. He stressed that the effort to educate children is an absolute priority.