HB 13 MARINE SAFETY TRAINING & EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN testified on behalf of the bill. SENATOR ADAMS MOVED the bill with individual recommendations. COCHAIR SHARP objected for the purpose of examining the fiscal notes. SENATOR ADAMS withdrew his motion. Teleconference testimony in support of the bill was heard from JOE MACINKO, JERRY DZUGAN and JIM HERBERT. Also testifying in support were DEAN PADDOCK, SUE JORGENSEN and MARK JOHNSON. BETTY MARTIN answered questions. SENATOR PHILLIPS MOVED the bill from committee contingent on receipt of a new fiscal note. Without objection, CSHB 13(FIN)am was REPORTED OUT with a previous zero fiscal note from the Department of Labor and a forthcoming fiscal note from the Department of Community and Regional Affairs (150.0). CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 13(FIN) am "An Act relating to marine safety training and education programs." REPRESENTATIVE ALAN AUSTERMAN stated the purpose of the bill was to continue the marine safety program in the state. He noted the state did not have a water safety program, although it was mandated by federal law, which resulted in a program called AMSEA (Alaska Marine Safety Education Association). Federal funding was drying up and the bill was an attempt to continue the program with a funding source through the Fishermen's Fund interest earnings. SENATOR ADAMS inquired how much money would be used. REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN replied that it would be between $150 thousand to $235 thousand, depending on the market. SENATOR ADAMS MOVED CSHB 13(FIN)am with individual recommendations. COCHAIR SHARP objected for the purpose of examining the fiscal notes. He inquired about the current cost of the program, noting there was no mention of the amount in the fiscal note. REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN responded that all interest earnings go into the general fund currently. He pointed out that the House Finance Committee zeroed the fiscal note and put the line item into the budget under the Department of Community and Regional Affairs. There was additional discussion and explanation about the fiscal note. SENATOR PHILLIPS expressed his preference to see $150 thousand in a fiscal note rather than the budget. COCHAIR SHARP directed a new fiscal note from the department be provided. SFC-97, # 127, Side 1 (275) - Technical error resulted in loss of the taped portion of the meeting at this point. The following portion of the meeting was taken from log notes. SENATOR ADAMS withdrew his motion to move CSHB 13(FIN)am. COCHAIR SHARP announced he would next take testimony from teleconference participants. JOE MACINKO, a commercial fisherman from Kodiak, testified via teleconference. He supported the bill and commented that safety training goes a long way. JERRY DZUGAN, of AMSEA, Sitka, testified via teleconference in support. He discussed the AMSEA program. JIM HERBERT, of Alaska Vocational Technical School, testified via teleconference from Seward. He spoke in support of the bill. The following testimony was heard from participants present in the committee room. DEAN PADDOCK, Bristol Bay Driftnetters Association, spoke in support. He referred to an article in the May 1997 issue of National Fisherman regarding the grassroots movement for marine safety awareness that has proven effective in saving lives. He spoke in support of AMSEA, stated the need for marine safety programs and urged passage of the bill. SUE JORGENSEN, 17th United States Coast Guard District, testified in support of the bill. Marine safety training was absolutely necessary not only for those in coastal areas statewide, but also for inland boaters on lakes and rivers. MARK JOHNSON, Chief, Community Health and Emergency Medical Services, Department of Health and Social Services, testified in support, noting that research has proven that lives have been saved through knowledge of marine safety. SENATOR PHILLIPS suggested moving the bill out of committee with a forthcoming fiscal note. In response to a question from COCHAIR SHARP, BETTY MARTIN, Comptroller, Treasury Division, Department of Revenue, responded that the dedicated fund was constitutional, the interest currently goes into the general fund, and she saw no problem with the bill as written. SENATOR PHILLIPS MOVED the bill from committee contingent on receipt of a new fiscal note. Without objection, CSHB 13(FIN)am was REPORTED OUT with a previous zero fiscal note from the Department of Labor and a forthcoming fiscal note from the Department of Community and Regional Affairs (150.0).