HB 41-SHELLFISH PROJECTS; HATCHERIES; FEES  4:11:04 PM CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 41(FIN) "An Act relating to management of enhanced stocks of shellfish; authorizing certain nonprofit organizations to engage in shellfish enhancement projects; relating to application fees for salmon hatchery permits and shellfish enhancement project permits; relating to the marketing of aquatic farm products by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute; and providing for an effective date." He noted the committee heard, took public testimony on and moved the companion bill, SB 64, from committee. He invited the sponsor and staff to walk through the differences between the two bills. 4:12:00 PM REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of HB 41, confirmed the committee heard and passed the companion bill that Senator Stevens introduced, and he hopes that will help in the speedy passage of HB 41. It provides the regulatory framework for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) to permit and regulate shellfish enhancement projects for the benefit of the public. The bill allows the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) to market aquatic farm products such as kelp and oysters. He advised that the difference between HB 41 and the companion, SB 64, is the House bill will sunset the ASMI provisions on July 25, 2025. He said this well-vetted bill has wide support as evidenced by the supporting documents in the bill packets. 4:13:15 PM SENATOR STEVENS stated support for the "brilliant" bill and noted his bill, SB 64, was sitting in the Rules Committee awaiting the arrival of HB 41, which will be the vehicle moving forward. He voiced support for the amendment to HB 41 that places a sunset on the ASMI provisions. 4:13:56 PM CHAIR REVAK asked Ms. Harpold if she had any information to impart. 4:14:14 PM LIZ HARPOLD, Staff, Representative Dan Ortiz, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, reviewed the differences between HB 41 and SB 64. As previously mentioned, HB 41 sunsets all ASMI related language on July 1, 2025. Doing this added three sections to the bill. Sections 8 and 10 are new and Section 21 is the effective date for the two new sections. The intent was to limit the time that ASMI can market aquatic farm products and incentivizes the Department of Revenue and ASMI to establish a feasible way for the industry to buy into marketing like Alaska commercial fisheries currently do. In the intervening time, grants and other non-state funds are available to cover marketing costs. 4:15:14 PM, CHAIR REVAK found no questions or comments and asked the will of the committee. 4:15:28 PM SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report the CS for HB 41, work order 32-LS0291\I, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 4:15:49 PM CHAIR REVAK found no objection and CSHB 41(FIN) moved from the Senate Resources Standing Committee.