HB 303: ESTABLISH A COMMERCIAL FISHERIES ENDOWMENT CHAIRMAN MOSES noted that on April 14, 1993, the Fisheries Committee held an overview hearing from the Fisheries Development Foundation. He said HB 303 is derived from the information presented at that time and provides a good mechanism for the commercial fishing industry to move forward. Number 050 LARAINE BERR, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, advised the committee that the expense to set up such an endowment within the department was approximately $10,000 for bank accounts, plus $5,000 for personal services. In addition, depending on the amount at any given time in the fund, there would also be a percentage fee for investing, but that fee would be a factor of the total. Number 076 MARK PRUSSING, COMPTROLLER FOR THE DIVISION OF TREASURY, ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, said that if grants are administered from the department, Treasury will invest the monies in the fund. The Department of Administration will work on accounting for the grants. If the fund was established, yet no monies were appropriated, then there will be no costs incurred. Number 108 JERRY McCUNE, PRESIDENT, UNITED FISHERMEN OF ALASKA (UFA), advised the committee that the UFA supports HB 303. Although the budget situation is tight this year, it would be great to get the vehicle for funding in place. Number 115 REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS asked if the UFA had any specific questions on this legislation. MR. McCUNE advised Rep. Phillips that the bill would be a topic at the February 1994 UFA board meeting. REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS MOVED to PASS out HB 303 from the committee with individual recommendations. There were no objections, and HB 303 MOVED out of committee with individual recommendations.