HJR 47-SMALL VESSEL CARGO EXEMPTION  SENATOR KOOKESH announced the consideration of HJR 47. 1:42:46 PM REPRESENTATIVE KYLE JOHANSEN, sponsor of HJR 47, said the resolution asks the U.S. Coast Guard to amend regulations to allow small vessels to transport concurrently fuel, cargo, and passengers. He related that constituents of his are trying to fill a niche market to deliver supplies to remote communities along the coast that are too large for a plane but too small to warrant delivery by barge. He explained that a father and son partnership designed and received certification to build and operate one vessel. They are not able to build a second vessel without a change in Coast Guard regulations, which has not been forthcoming. HJR 47 asks the Coast Guard to consider the unique transportation challenges in Alaska and other coastal communities nationwide and change the regulations. SENATOR MENARD stated support for the resolution and asked how much fuel oil the vessel carries. REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN said he has someone online who can provide details. SENATOR MEYER asked if the vessel was built in the Ketchikan shipyard. REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN said no; he isn't sure where it was built, but this class of vessel would certainly interest the shipyards in Ketchikan, Sitka and others in Alaska. 1:47:10 PM DAVE SPOKELY, Power Systems and Supplies of Alaska (PSSA), said that with the change in the timber industry there was a need for smaller vessels to deliver fuel and supplies to small remote communities. He and his partner designed the high-speed, 44-foot aluminum landing craft in conjunction with the Coast Guard and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). It carries 3000 gallons of fuel and is a spill-response vessel. It was built in the Seattle area, but he owns the design and is prepared to build the vessels in Alaska. SENATOR MENARD asked if Homeland Security has any issue with this type of vessel. MR. SPOKELY said yes. Homeland Security didn't initially take issue, but their attorneys said the current regulations wouldn't allow aluminum vessels to commercially carry bulk fuel regardless of the quantity. Coast Guard Station Juneau started the process to write the regulations, but Homeland Security wouldn't authorize funding for development of the regulations. Without new regulations he is unable to expand his fleet. REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN added that his office has been working with Alaska's congressional delegation and all three members are supportive. 1:51:46 PM SENATOR MENARD asked if it is safe to say that new regulations in this regard could promote up to 100 jobs. REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN replied he isn't sure how many jobs might result, but he understands that Mr. Spokely has been overwhelmed with requests for the vessel's services. He added that he and other Southeast legislators are trying to create a marine center in southern Southeast Alaska. SENATOR KOOKESH closed public testimony and asked the will of the committee. 1:53:15 PM SENATOR PASKVAN moved to report HJR 47 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There being no objection, HJR 47 moved from the Senate Transportation Standing Committee.