HB 456 - BOARD OF STORAGE TANK ASSISTANCE CHAIRMAN KOTT announced the last order of business would be the continuation hearing HB 456, "An Act relating to the Board of Storage Tank Assistance; and providing for an effective date." He said there was a concern regarding the number of members to be on the board. Number 173 JOHN BARNETT, Executive Director, Board of Storage Tank Assistance, Division of Spill Prevention and Response, Department of Environmental Conservation, informed the committee he has spoke to the board members and also contacted the Alaska Underground Tank Owners and Operators Association and presented the committee's concerns for having an eighth member on the board or whether or not a members should be replaced or a ninth member added. Mr. Barnett said although the preference was to add a ninth member, in the interest of fiscal conservancy, they felt it would be much more appropriate to replace one of the existing members. Their consensus was they would concede to go with seven members, which is the current number of board members. The consensus was the to replace the representative representing the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT/PF). The matter was discussed with the DOT/PF designee and the department concurred that although they had a major goal in the early days of the program relating to regulation development, they felt it was very important that DOT/PF's concern and voice was heard during the regulation development stage. Since the program has matured and the regulations are currently in place, they feel they would concede to taking a back seat roll at this point. The department does support their seat being replaced by the public member. Mr. Barnett noted the chairman of the board wants to continue to have the DOT/PF designee as an advisor so the board will continue to post their meetings with the DOT/PF. Number 255 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON proposed the following amendment: Page 1, line 10 Delete "s" from the word "commissioners" Page 1, lines 10 and 11 Delete "and transportation and public facilities" Insert "or the commissioner's designee" REPRESENTATIVE ELTON asked unanimous consent the proposed amendment be adopted. Number 289 CHAIRMAN KOTT said the change would read, "The board consists of the commissioner of environmental conservation, or their designees,". CHAIRMAN KOTT asked if there was an objection. Hearing none, Chairman Kott announced conceptional Amendment 1 was adopted. Number 315 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON made a motion to move HB 456 out of committee with the attached zero fiscal note, as amended. CHAIRMAN KOTT asked if there was an objection. Hearing none, CSHB 456(L&C) was moved out of the House Labor and Commerce Committee.