HFSH - 03/08/95 HJR 23 - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FISHING QUOTAS  Number 571 REPRESENTATIVE GARY DAVIS moved to accept committee substitute for HJR 23 as a working document. CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN hearing no objection, placed CSHJR 23(FSH) before the committee. JOHN WALSH, Aide to Representative Richard Foster, affirmed they do support the committee substitute and encouraged passage of this resolution. He commented that the Community Development Quota (CDQ) program has brought tremendous economic development potential and opportunity for development in rural Alaska. This experimental program comes to an end at the end of this calendar year. He stated the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (NPFMC) is not prepared to establish a permanent regime of comprehensive rationalization. In order to prolong the current CDQ program, a proposal is before the council to extend it for three years. He further stated that the resolution of endorsement would be appropriate and significant for the NPFMC to have before them at their June meeting. Number 612 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON commented that there is probably no single issue that is more important to Alaskan jobs than the CDQ program. CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN acknowledged and agreed with Representative Elton's comments. The inshore/offshore issue of getting more fish ashore means jobs to the coastal communities. The CDQ program is part of that issue and is really a boom to the Bering Sea area. Number 634 REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS also agreed with the importance of this program. The CDQ's improve the job and economic base in that area of the state. He made a motion to move CSHJR 23(FSH) out of committee, with individual recommendations. CHAIRMAN AUSTERMAN upon hearing no objections, moved CSHJR 23(FSH) out of the House Special Committee on Fisheries, with individual recommendations.