CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 294(FIN) "An Act amending the termination date of the licensing of sport fishing operators and sport fishing guides; and providing for an effective date." SENATOR LESIL MCGUIRE, SPONSOR, explained that SB 294 would extend the Sport Fish Guide License Program. The program required sport fish guides to maintain a minimal level of insurance and first aid training. The bill would also allow for the collection and reporting of catch data, which would benefits both commercial and sport fishermen alike. The catch data collected as a result of the program was important for the effective state management of the resource. She noted the importance of the catch data when figuring escapement levels. The Department of Fish and Game urged support of the bill. She added that, were the program to sunset, a federal existed, however it was in the states best interest to maintain state management. REPRESENTATIVE MARK NEUMAN commented that in 2009 the program's efficiency had been improved under the sunset review. 8:55:11 PM Co-Chair Stoltze clarified that the CS SB 294 (FIN) LS1546\R was the CS currently being discussed in committee. Ms. McGuire stated that in the interest of compromise, the one year extension suggested by Representative Newman would be acceptable. She hoped that over the interim, continued program efficiencies would be discussed. Co-Chair Stoltze MOVED to ADOPT Conceptual Amendment 1: Page 1, line 9 following "January 1," Delete "2017" Insert "2012" Renumber accordingly. Co-Chair Hawker OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion. Representative Doogan wondered if Legislative Budget and Audit (LB&A) had offered information on the legislation. Co-Chair Stoltze stated that sunset clauses did not require input from LB&A. Representative Fairclough requested more information on the reason for the one year sunset. She voiced concern that the recent sunset had been extended in order to end the "fish wars" within the state. She wondered if time and money was being wasted on the issue. Co-Chair Stoltze responded that there were still unresolved issues pertaining to the industry and the sunset extension would allow for further resolution. Representative Austerman understood that the issue was complicated. He noted two different approaches suggested by both bodies. He proposed that it would be wise to extend the sunset another year, rather than allowing the bill to die in committee. Co-Chair Hawker withdrew his OBJECTION to the amendment. There being no further OBJECTION, the Conceptual Amendment 1 was ADOPTED. Co-Chair Stoltze opened public testimony. 9:00:25 PM Co-Chair Stoltze closed public testimony. Co-Chair Hawker informed the committee that the fiscal note anticipated the board being extended through 2012, and would need to be adjusted to reflect a board extension through 2011. Representative Fairclough maintained confusion and discomfort with the one year extension of the sunset. CHARLES SWANTON, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF SPORT FISH, DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, stated that the department supported the bill with the one year extension. Representative Austerman commented that the legislation was a reflection of the amount of confidence the legislature had in the department and thought that the one year extension was appropriate. He suggested that the program should be re-evaluated every year. Senator McGuire stated that the declining fish stocks had made for contentious discussions. She insisted the department that had worked with her to craft decent legislation to manage the state's fish resource. She pointed out that the department still used fish wheels to ascertain stocks, and that the legislature should assist the department with funding for technological upgrades. Representative Gara interpreted that the department would prefer a longer extension of the sunset, but would accept the one year rather than nothing. 9:06:37 PM Representative Kelly opined that the limited amount of time left in the legislative session limited extended committee debate on the issue. Vice-Chair Thomas MOVED to report HCS CSSB 294(FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. HCS CSSB 294(FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with "no recommendation" and attached new fiscal note by the Department of Fish and Game. AT EASE 9:14:15 PM RECONVENED