HCR 8-KODIAK SEAFOOD & MARINE SCIENCE CENTER  11:25:55 AM CHAIR STUTES announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8, Expressing the strong support of the Alaska State Legislature for the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center; and urging the University of Alaska to maintain the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center as an important resource in the state. 11:26:02 AM CHAIR STUTES said: Our first piece of legislation for the day is House Concurrent Resolution 8. This bill is being introduced as legislation on behalf of the House Fisheries Committee. We saw a draft version of this resolution on February 21st during a presentation by various speakers supporting the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center. A motion was made during that meeting to draft a resolution on behalf of the House Fisheries Committee that is the legislation we have before us today. 11:26:30 AM CLIFF ZAWACKI, Intern, Representative Louise Stutes, Alaska State Legislature, presented HCR 8, paraphrasing from a prepared statement, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: I'm here to introduce HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8 - KODIAK SEAFOOD & MARINE SCIENCE CENTER (or KSMSC for short) As previously mentioned by the chair, House Fisheries moved to adopt the draft of this resolution back on Feb 21st and this is the legislation we have before us today. The Alaska seafood industry employs over 60,000 workers annually, more than any other private sector industry in the state and this employment provides those workers with $1.6 B in annual earnings. The Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center (Formally known as the Fisheries Industrial Technology Center) was established in Alaska statute as part of the University of Alaska in 1981. Since that time the KSMSC has been instrumental in developing employment opportunities in the fishing industry and providing training on harvesting, processing, and conservation of our fishery resources. As the University of Alaska Fairbanks is currently facing deep budget cuts UAF is considering developing a public-private partnership to continue and grow the functioning of this valuable center. This resolution offers the State legislature's support for the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center by urging the University of Alaska to find a solution that keeps the center operating and stable. 11:28:34 AM REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN asked for a brief review of the organization and its duties. MR. ZAWACKI said the resolution offers the legislature's support for the University of Alaska Fairbanks to continue funding, or finding means to fund, the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center (KFMSC), and deferred further comment. 11:29:38 AM JAY STINSON, President, Alaska Research Consortium, said the consortium formed to generate ways and means for solving the KFMSC funding problem. He reported that meetings with the university administrators has been productive, and it appears that a pathway forward has been forged that will maintain the mission and keep the doors open. Despite the recent developments, he urged passage of HCR 8. 11:31:22 AM REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER moved to adopt HCR 8, labeled 30- LS0584\A. Without objection, HCR 8 was before the committee. 11:31:46 AM CHAIR STUTES opened public testimony. Seeing none, she closed public testimony. 11:32:25 AM REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER moved to report HCR 8 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. Without objection HCR 8 was reported from the House Special Committee on Fisheries. The committee took an at-ease from 11:32 a.m. to 11:34 a.m.