HB 185-EXEMPT DISCHARGES FROM USE OF MUNITIONS  1:08:55 PM CO-CHAIR SEATON announced that the first order of business is HOUSE BILL NO. 185, "An Act relating to an exemption from authorizations that may be required by the Department of Environmental Conservation for the firing or other use of munitions on active ranges." [Before the committee was Version 27-LS0506\E, Bullard, 3/14/11, adopted as the work draft on 3/18/11.] 1:09:18 PM REPRESENTATIVE TAMMIE WILSON, Alaska State Legislature, referenced the letter from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) [Included in members' packets] which supported an exemption for the military from State of Alaska permitting for [active firing] range requirements under Alaska's Clean Water Act. She pointed out that a [federal] permit was still necessary, but that proposed HB 185 would eliminate the need for permit duplication by the state. 1:10:12 PM CO-CHAIR SEATON asked if the required permit would be a general permit, as opposed to a specific permit for a particular range. 1:10:27 PM REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked that the response be from "the attorney ... let's make sure we get it right." 1:11:33 PM LYNN TOMICH KENT, Director, Division of Water, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), agreed that proposed HB 185 would prevent duplication of permitting, as a permit from the State of Alaska would be issued in conjunction with the federal program. She stated that none of the conditions for protection would be changed with the proposed bill. In response to the earlier question from Representative Seaton, she said there is not a general permit for munitions use, as currently an individual permit is required by each facility. 1:12:44 PM CO-CHAIR SEATON, noting that although public testimony had been previously closed, asked if there were any further statements. There being none, public testimony remained closed. 1:13:24 PM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER, reading from the DEC letter, asked if proposed HB 185 would now require just one permit instead of two. REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON stated that was correct. 1:14:06 PM REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ moved to report CSHB 185, Version 27- LS0506\E, Bullard, 3/14/11, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 185(RES) was reported from the House Resources Standing Committee.