HB 177-KING SALMON TAGS AND DESIGNS  CHAIR STUTES announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 177, "An Act relating to king salmon tags and king salmon tag designs." 10:11:40 AM REPRESENTATIVE WES KELLER, Alaska State Legislature, introduced HB 177 stating that friendly negotiations are on-going with Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), regarding the fiscal note, and encouraged the committee's scrutiny. 10:13:02 AM JIM POUND, Staff, Representative Wes Keller, Alaska State Legislature, said HB 177 is a means to generate funds for ADF&G. King salmon stamps will be marketed in a variety of venues including boat captains. Additionally, income from the sale of the art and associated merchandize will provide revenue targeted for the department's fish enhancement programs. REPRESENTATIVE HERRON referred to page 1, lines 11 and 12, noting that the submitted designs are restricted to Alaskan residents. He asked whether this stipulation is true of other stamps. MR. POUND deferred. 10:15:46 AM KEVIN BROOKS, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), offered to provide further information. REPRESENTATIVE HERRON commented that Alaska hosts visitors, from around the world, including anglers seeking the opportunity to land a King salmon. Considering the scope for the reputation of Alaska's King salmon, he suggested promoting a global platform for artist solicitations. MR. POUND answered that commissioning the art is considered to be an opportunity to hire locally. CHAIR STUTES opened public testimony. 10:18:02 AM STEPHENIE WHEELER, Corporate Communications Officer, Alaska Railroad (ARRC), reported that the Alaska Railroad has an annual art print program conducted each November, restricted to Alaskan artists, with a contracting date sometime in March. Typically, the contract is for approximately $3,000. The corporation receives the artwork by the end of the summer, allowing time for the merchandize to be produced for the holiday season. The hard costs for the program run about $20,000, which includes: 3,000 posters, 800 signed and numbered artist prints, lapel pins, agency advertising, and sale events. Staff time of 175-200 hours is also a factor. The exercise isn't a significant revenue boost, but it offsets the costs, and is an extremely popular public relations program enjoyed by residents and visitors. [The committee treated public testimony as closed.] 10:21:26 AM REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT moved to report HB177, 29-LS0774\A, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. Without objection, so moved.