HB 379-COMM FISHERMEN'S FUND:VESSEL OWNER CLAIMS                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:14:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR KITO  announced that the  final order of business  would be                                                               
HOUSE  BILL  NO.   379,  "An  Act  relating   to  claims  against                                                               
protection and indemnity insurance policies of vessel owners."                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
4:14:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ,  Alaska State Legislature, reintroduced                                                               
HB 379  as prime sponsor.   He explained the proposed  bill would                                                               
allow owners  of commercial vessels  to deduct up to  100 percent                                                               
of their deductible to incentivize  vessel owners to purchase P&I                                                               
insurance.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:15:34 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CLAY  BEZENEK,  Fisherman's  Fund  Appeals  and  Advisory  Board,                                                               
testified in support of HB 379.   He said the proposed bill would                                                               
incentivize vessel owners to carry insurance for their crew.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:17:43 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR KITO closed public testimony on HB 379.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:17:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL moved to report  HB 379 out of committee with                                                               
individual  recommendations and  the  accompanying fiscal  notes.                                                               
There being no objection, it was so ordered.