SB 145-REGISTRATION OF BOATS: EXEMPTION  3:31:20 PM CHAIR MICCICHE announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 145, "An Act relating to the registration of commercial fishing vessels; and providing for an effective date." 3:31:47 PM CHAIR MICCICHE, speaking as sponsor of SB 145, referred to Senate Bill 92, the derelict vessel bill that passed [in 2018]. He expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of the bill because it has created confusion. He suggested that SB 145 and the companion bill found solutions to better manage vessel registration. He said he is working on a committee substitute for SB 145. 3:32:57 PM KONRAD JACKSON, Staff, Senator Peter Micciche, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, said SB 145 relates to the exemption of vessel registration and unintended consequences of Senate Bill 92, as the sponsor mentioned. During implementation of the derelict vessel bill, the commercial fishing fleet expressed their frustration. MR. JACKSON paraphrased from the sponsor statement for SB 145: SB 145 removes a duplicative and confusing registration requirement for active commercial fishing vessels, which was inadvertently created by the passage of the derelict vessel bill, [Senate Bill 92], in 2018. Passage of [Senate Bill 92] was meant to improve Alaska's prevention and management of derelict vessels throughout coastal Alaska and on the State's major river systems. The intent was not to create duplicative registration requirements and duplicative vessel numbering. SB 145 removes these duplicative registration and numbering requirements by allowing vessels registered with the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) to bypass DMV registration. CFEC maintains a database of registered vessels that provides necessary ownership and contact information, which meets the intent of the derelict vessel bill. Vessel licensure with the CFEC requires annual renewal and already provides the necessary contact information in a sharable, state database. Alaska's commercial fishing vessels are key to Alaska's fishermen's ability earn a living while nourishing our state, the nation and the world with quality seafood. Policies should support thriving commerce by removing of unnecessary and duplicative bureaucratic regulatory burdens whenever possible. SB 145 does exactly that. I urge your support of this legislation which will relieve an unnecessary burden from our commercial fishing community and the Alaskan families the industry supports. MR. JACKSON reviewed the sectional analysis of SB 145. The bill would amend AS 05.25.055(i) by adding new language, which read, "a commercial fishing vessel that has a valid license issued under AS 16.05.490 or 16.05.530;". These refer to statutes for the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) registration, he said. Members' packets include examples of the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) boat title application and registration forms, the CFEC vessel license application, and license tags. The U.S. Coast Guard provided a document on documentation and tonnage of smaller commercial vessels. He assured members that these vessels are adequately identified. He referred to page 2, line 9 and recommended the committee consider amending the bill to delete the word "fishing." Not all boats registered by the CFEC are actively engaged in the fishing industry, such as tenders. These vessels are registered and complying with the intent of Senate Bill 92, related to derelict vessels. 3:36:38 PM SENATOR COGHILL asked if this would effectively require two registrations. MR. JACKSON answered that this bill would remove one of the duplicative registrations. Currently, vessel owners register with the CFEC and with the DMV. This bill will remove the DMV registration requirement. CHAIR MICCICHE reminded members that the language [instituted by Senate Bill 92] to help prevent derelict vessels was largely ignored. This bill would solve both issues. Vessels that are in the water for only 90 days are not a part of the derelict vessel problem. Typically, derelict vessels are larger ones that are left in the water and sink lower and lower until they are on the bottom of the harbor. The vessel owner information is captured through the CFEC, he said. If vessels are boarded and are not registered, the vessels are out of compliance. Another problem that arose was that the duplicate requirement resulted in owners adhering extra numbers on their vessels. However, these vessels were already adequately numbered. This meant that vessels must have their CFEC registration, and if documented, a vessel number on the hull. SB 145 will provide a better process while still meeting the intent of the derelict vessel bill passed in 2018. 3:38:42 PM SENATOR COGHILL said he understood there are boat licenses and fishing vessel licenses, but this bill only relates to the CFEC's vessel [registration]. MR. JACKSON answered yes. SB 145 relates only to vessel registration. SENATOR COGHILL noted that the Department of Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) fiscal note shows a reduction. He asked whether this reduction will be offset by another fiscal note. CHAIR MICCICHE replied SB 145 mirrors the approach taken in the House version of the bill. He explained that vessel owners could register or renew their vessels by clicking on the registration renewal form on the CFEC's website and be charged an $8 fee. He said it is not necessary to have an offsetting fiscal note since the revenues will not change. He said he favors this approach since commercial vessel owners must pay the registration of their vessels and permits in order to participate in any commercial fishery, but owners would not need to pay an additional, duplicate license. He envisioned that this process would be seamless. 3:40:34 PM SENATOR KIEHL said the sponsor described that a fishing vessel would have a CFEC registration number to verify the vessel registration. He related his understanding that this registration will lapse unless the vessel owner registers it under the provisions of Senate Bill 92. CHAIR MICCICHE responded that the triangle decal indicates the year and each year is uniquely colored and easy to recognize from a distance. He described another option for those who previously commercially fished. He related that a friend converted his fishing vessel to a pleasure boat. When his registration expired, he re-registered it with the DMV, so a person would still have that option, he said. 3:42:37 PM CHAIR MICCICHE opened public testimony on SB 145. 3:42:56 PM RICHARD DAVIS, Member, Seafood Producers Co-op (SPC), Juneau, Alaska, spoke in support of SB 145. He said the SPC represents over 500 fishermen who collectively harvest and market their fish together. The 200 members who have documented vessels would be required by provisions in Senate Bill 92 to pay duplicate registration fees. Currently, involvement in Alaska commercial fisheries requires the vessel owner to register with the U.S. Coast Guard and the CFEC to provide information on the boat and its owner to obtain an annual vessel license. He asked members to please pass the bill to remove the duplicate requirement since the information is readily available to harbormasters or port managers. 3:45:27 PM JERRY MCCUNE, Lobbyist, Cordova District Fishermen United, Cordova, Alaska, spoke in support of SB 145. He said the current vessel registration process is duplicative and complicated. In Cordova, the DMV is only open two days a week. When he went to register at the DMV, the office did not have any decals so he advised the Alaska State Troopers to make sure the troopers would not issue tickets to Cordova fishermen. The database is online so anyone can access the registered vessel information. SB 145 will fix this issue, he said. He remarked that no one wants to stand in line at the DMV to get another set of numbers. 3:46:50 PM CHAIR MICCICHE said he would keep public testimony open on SB 145. 3:47:16 PM SENATOR COGHILL acknowledged that the bill provides a remedy for a specific issue. He asked how many vessels had registered. The goal of Senate Bill 92 was to identify vessels that would potentially become derelict vessels and provide the ability to locate the vessel owners. 3:48:12 PM JOANNE OLSEN, Interim Director, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of Administration, Anchorage, Alaska, answered a question on derelict vessel owners. She said that the DMV does not track the vehicles that are derelict. The DMV tracks when people come in to register their vehicles. SENATOR COGHILL said he would talk to the sponsor about the derelict vessel issue. 3:48:32 PM CHAIR MICCICHE said he has data that could be shared at the next committee meeting. 3:48:44 PM CHAIR MICCICHE announced that SB 145 would be held over.