HB 116-AQUATIC FARM/HATCHERY SITE LEASES  10:02:52 AM CHAIR STUTES announced that the first order of business would be SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 116, "An Act relating to the renewal or extension of site leases for aquatic farming and aquatic plant and shellfish hatchery operations." CHAIR STUTES noted that on 4/23/19 the committee heard public testimony and discussed the bill. She said no amendments were received and there was one letter of opposition. She invited the bill sponsor to provide remarks. 10:03:20 AM REPRESENTATIVE ANDI STORY, Alaska State Legislature, as the sponsor, provided remarks regarding SSHB 116. She explained the bill would simplify the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) lease renewal process for aquatic farms. If enacted, the bill would help Alaska based aquaculture businesses succeed by reducing administrative burden, expediting the lease renewal process, and reducing risk for businesses that make significant capital investments. Further, the bill would reduce workload on an overstretched state agency while still adequately protecting the public interest. 10:04:25 AM REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS stated his support for SSHB 116. REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said she supports SSHB 116 because reducing the regulatory and statutory burden on Alaska's small businesses will help them be successful in the long run. Regarding the concern expressed by one of her constituents about allowing for public process in the [proposed] renewal process, she related that DNR responded that, while it may be a condensed version of the process, there is a time that [members of the public] can appeal if they have concerns. So, she continued, the public's voice will be heard, but it won't be the lengthy public process as if [the farm owner] was applying for the first time. The committee has considered that there is still public process available in this [proposed] renewal process. Regarding the concern about the size of aquatic farms, she said that aquatic farms cannot be any larger than one-third of a bay. Any concerns about larger corporations can be addressed in the future. She supports SSHB 116 as it stands because it will allow Alaska's small farms to continue and become profitable. REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN noted he talked to the sponsor about the 10-year look back and said he thinks that adds a bit of surety into the system. Ten years provides a chance for the farm to get going and determine whether it will work. 10:07:34 AM REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS moved to report SSHB 116 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, SSHB 116 was reported from the House Special Committee on Fisheries.