10:40:41 AM CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 484(FSH) "An Act allowing for revenue received from issuance of additional entry permits to be appropriated for reimbursement to salmon fishery associations." This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance Committee. Co-Chair Green announced that Representative Peggy Wilson, sponsor of the bill, was called to the chambers of the House of Representatives. 10:40:58 AM LINDA MILLER, Staff to Representative Wilson, read the sponsor statement into the record as follows. In 2002, the Alaska legislature created salmon fishery associations (AS 16.40.250) to encourage fleet reduction in the Alaska salmon fisheries. Salmon fishery associations may be formed in salmon fisheries throughout the state to facilitate a permit buyback program. CS HB 484 is a housekeeping measure to clarify what may happen to the revenue if the Commercial Fisher[ies] Entry Commission should decide to sell (re-issue) permits that have been relinquished under the buyback program authorized under AS 16.40.250. The state (CFEC) has the responsibility to monitor each limited entry fishery. CS HB 484 clarifies that in the event the CFEC determines more permits are needed in the same fishery in which the fleet reduction program was implemented, either through an optimum number determination or court action, the Association that paid or borrowed money to remove the permit from the market in the first place may have money returned to them if [a] permit is sold (re-issued). Under CS HB 484 a future Legislature may appropriate revenue from the permit sale (re-issue) to the Association that paid money or incurred debt to remove the permit from the market in the first place. 10:44:01 AM Co-Chair Green asked if this option would expire at a certain date. 10:44:07 AM Ms. Miller replied that the language of this legislation does not stipulate an expiration date. 10:44:12 AM Co-Chair Green was unsure if the State would be "inclined" to appropriate funds for this purpose in the future. 10:44:31 AM Senator Stedman reported the Senate Resources Committee discussed this issue. 10:44:45 AM FRANK HOMAN, Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, testifying in Juneau, characterized this bill as an insurance provision of the Commission. It would only apply in the event that the Commission in the future was to sell permits back into the fishing industry. Revenue from those sales could be appropriated by the legislature to the commercial fishing association that had initially expended funds or incurred debt in the original buyback of the permits. Mr. Homan explained the proposed option does not include an expiration date and that exercise of the option would be a one- time occurrence. The possibility of such reissuing of permits is unlikely. This legislation is necessary in the event a court ruling found that a fishery was too exclusive and directed that more permits be sold. 10:47:43 AM Co-Chair Green ordered the bill HELD in Committee.