SB 3-CFEC AS INFORMATION RESOURCE  3:37:20 PM CHAIR OLSON announced the consideration of SB 3. TIM BENINTENDI, Staff to Senator Olson, introduced SB 3 with the following statement: Senate Bill 3 would provide a benefit to the state's economic development organizations, or ARDORs, by providing them with the opportunity to obtain information from the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission without charge. The intent of the bill is to provide public information to the ARDORs at no cost. We emphasize that under AS 16.05.815, which does apply to SB 3, that no confidential information would be made available. So that's a pretty important point. The information would especially benefit the eight ARDORs with commercial fishing as a significant portion of their economies, and would help them anticipate regional economic trends and development opportunities. The chairman of The Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission supports the bill and feels that the loss of fees would be negligible. The bill carries a zero fiscal note. 3:38:39 PM CHAIR OLSON asked if a lot of information has been missed because this statute hasn't been in place. MR. BENINTENDI replied he hasn't heard that. Some, but not all, ARDORs claim they already get information at no cost. Placing it in statute simply gives everyone the same advantage. He suggested that Mr. Homan might address it in more detail. SENATOR FRENCH noted the many letters of support and asked if anyone has come out in opposition. MR. BENINTENDI said no. 3:40:09 PM FRANK HOLMAN, Chair, Commercial Entries Fisheries Commission (CEFC), stated support for SB 3. Typically, CEFC would not be in favor of doing work without getting revenue, but he is familiar with the financial conditions of ARDORS and in the past CEFC hasn't had many requests. Most of the time ARDORs use a third- party consultant to contact the commission for information. This may provide a direct avenue to get the information. "There's only a few ARDORS and we don't anticipate a big rush," he said. CHAIR OLSON said he understands that ARDORs will be able to get information from CFEC without charge and if they hire a consultant, he or she will also be able get the information. MR. HOLMAN replied he doesn't believe it says that, but ARDORs could get the information directly from CFEC. "We want to be a little bit careful about opening this up too wide," he added. SENATOR THOMAS noted that the new language refers to "relevant" fisheries and asked if that is limiting. MR. HOLMAN explained that the term makes a distinction. CFEC anticipates that the ARDORs will ask for fisheries data that is related to their particular district. 3:43:35 PM TYSON FICK, Legislative Liaison, Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED), stated that the department supports the bill and has issued a zero fiscal note. His understanding of whether or not an ARDOR is charged for a data request is that it's often a function of the size of the request. Placing this in statute clarifies that ARDORs won't be charged for larger requests. CHAIR OLSON closed public testimony and asked for the will of the committee. SENATOR MENARD moved to report SB 3 from committee. There being no objection Chair Olson announced that SB 3 moves from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note.