HB 363-SALMON PRICE REPORTS/SALE OF FISH  MS. JOANIE WALLER, staff to Representative Alan Austerman, explained that CSHB 363(FIN) expands the existing wholesale canned salmon price report compiled by the Department of Revenue (DOR) to include data on all salmon products including fresh, frozen, and roe. CSHB 363(FIN) will rename the report "The Alaska Salmon Price Report" (ASPR). The report will capture the bulk of Alaska's commercial salmon trade in a timely and accurate manner. MS. WALLER pointed out that the current statute requires processors who sell 240,000 pounds or more of canned salmon in a calendar year to report three times each year. The bill changes the recording threshold to 1 million pounds, which will account for 97 percent of all salmon products in Alaska. The ASPR will reflect the changing times in this industry. At this time, there is no reliable source of fresh and frozen fisheries data. CSHB 363(FIN) will give Alaskans a clear picture of the salmon industry - one of Alaska's largest industries and revenue sources. This legislation pertains to the accuracy of the information available to the State. MS. WALLER noted CSHB 363(FIN) is the direct outcome of recommendations made at in-depth forums that State agencies, processors, and fishermen attended. All agreed that processors and fishermen would share information on short and long term marketing strategies. MR. BRETT FRIED, Economist for the Income & Excise Audit Division, Department of Revenue (DOR), stated DOR does not have a position on the collection of data for the Alaska Salmon Price Reports, but it does not see is as a function of the DOR because there is no direct link with taxation. DOR taxes fish at the ex-vessel level, which is what the fishermen are paid. This report is at the wholesale level and records what the buyers pay to the processors. DOR believes it can do a good job meeting the requirements of the bill. DOR's fiscal note contains funding for a three-quarter time position at a cost of $38,100. DOR will also have a one-year capital expenditure of $20,000 to set up a database that it currently does not need. The number of processors who report will probably increase from 12 to about 32. SENATOR LEMAN asked if DOR could establish an electronic format for processor reporting instead of spending $20,000 to set up a database. He surmised that electronic reporting would negate the need for an employee to enter data in the database. MR. FRIED said that would be great and would reduce the cost; however, if DOR uses an electronic format, everyone will have to report that way otherwise DOR will need two systems. SENATOR LEMAN thought any business that moves one million pounds of product probably has the capacity to enter data electronically or hire someone to do it by contract. He noted he will hear this bill again in the Senate Finance Committee and he is interested in looking at ways to decrease the fiscal note. CHAIRMAN MACKIE said the Committee would take up the amendment regarding the three-year sunset date. He explained the original bill has a sunset date of July 1, 2003; Section 13 repeals that date on page 5, line 20. SENATOR LEMAN said that is correct. He moved to delete Section 13 to restore the sunset date. MS. WALLER said the sponsor supports the amendment. CHAIRMAN MACKIE stated this bill is the start of an ongoing process to bring fishermen and processors together and, although it does not do everything, certain issues can be addressed in the future. CHAIRMAN MACKIE announced the amendment was adopted with no objections. SENATOR LEMAN moved to pass SCS CSHB 363(L&C) from committee with individual recommendations. With no objections, it was so ordered.