HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES January 31, 1994 8:30 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Carl E. Moses, Chair Representative Harley Olberg, Vice Chair Representative Gail Phillips MEMBERS ABSENT Representative Cliff Davidson Representative Irene Nicholia COMMITTEE CALENDAR *HB 303: "An Act relating to the Alaska commercial fisheries development endowment; and providing for an effective date." MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE WITH INDIVIDUAL RECOMMENDATIONS HB 134: "An Act relating to temporary transfers of commercial fisheries entry permits." MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE AS A CS, WITH FISCAL NOTE (* first public hearing) WITNESS REGISTER LARAINE BERR, Deputy Commissioner Alaska Department of Revenue P.O. Box 110405 Juneau, Alaska 99811-0405 Phone: 465-4880 Position Statement: Gave general information on fees associated with establishing an endowment, as in HB 303 MARK PRUSSING, Comptroller Division of Treasury Alaska Department of Revenue P.O. Box 110405 Juneau, Alaska 99811-0405 Phone: 465-2350 Position Statement: Gave general information on fees associated with establishing an endowment, as in HB 303 JERRY MCCUNE, President United Fishermen of Alaska 211 Fourth Street, Suite 112 Juneau, Alaska 99801 Phone: 586-2820 Position Statement: Supported HB 303 OLE HARDER, Kodiak Resident P.O. Box 1706 Kodiak, Alaska 99615 Phone: 486-3448 Position Statement: Support HB 134 PREVIOUS ACTION BILL: HB 303 SHORT TITLE: COMMERCIAL FISH DEVELOPMENT ENDOWMENT SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) MOSES JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION 05/07/93 1682 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S) 05/07/93 1682 (H) FISHERIES, RES, STATE AFFAIRS, JUD, FIN 01/31/94 (H) FSH AT 08:30 AM CAPITOL 17 BILL: HB 134 SHORT TITLE: TEMP TRANSFER OF ENTRY PERMITS SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) MOSES JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION 02/05/93 236 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S) 02/05/93 236 (H) FISHERIES,RESOURCES,JUDICIARY, FINANCE 02/15/93 (H) MINUTE(JUD) 02/17/93 (H) FSH AT 09:00 AM CAPITOL 17 03/22/93 (H) FSH AT 08:30 AM CAPITOL 17 03/22/93 (H) MINUTE(FSH) 03/22/93 (H) MINUTE(FSH) 01/19/94 (H) FSH AT 08:30 AM CAPITOL 17 01/28/94 (H) FSH AT 08:30 AM CAPITOL 17 01/28/94 (H) MINUTE(FSH) 01/31/94 (H) FSH AT 08:30 AM CAPITOL 17 ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 94-4 Number 000 CHAIRMAN CARL MOSES called the meeting to order at 8:47 a.m. He noted the members in attendance and asked that discussion would start with HB 303. HB 303: ESTABLISH A COMMERCIAL FISHERIES ENDOWMENT CHAIRMAN MOSES noted that on April 14, 1993, the Fisheries Committee held an overview hearing from the Fisheries Development Foundation. He said HB 303 is derived from the information presented at that time and provides a good mechanism for the commercial fishing industry to move forward. Number 050 LARAINE BERR, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, advised the committee that the expense to set up such an endowment within the department was approximately $10,000 for bank accounts, plus $5,000 for personal services. In addition, depending on the amount at any given time in the fund, there would also be a percentage fee for investing, but that fee would be a factor of the total. Number 076 MARK PRUSSING, COMPTROLLER FOR THE DIVISION OF TREASURY, ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, said that if grants are administered from the department, Treasury will invest the monies in the fund. The Department of Administration will work on accounting for the grants. If the fund was established, yet no monies were appropriated, then there will be no costs incurred. Number 108 JERRY McCUNE, PRESIDENT, UNITED FISHERMEN OF ALASKA (UFA), advised the committee that the UFA supports HB 303. Although the budget situation is tight this year, it would be great to get the vehicle for funding in place. Number 115 REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS asked if the UFA had any specific questions on this legislation. MR. McCUNE advised Rep. Phillips that the bill would be a topic at the February 1994 UFA board meeting. REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS MOVED to PASS out HB 303 from the committee with individual recommendations. There were no objections, and HB 303 MOVED out of committee with individual recommendations. HB 134: TEMPORARY TRANSFER OF ENTRY PERMIT Number 163 OLE HARDER, KODIAK RESIDENT, testified that as a 74 year old commercial fisherman who has been fishing since 1948, he would like the option of transferring his permit to younger men in the state. He has transferred his permit twice for health reasons and cannot do it again. He advised members that he favors older fishermen being able to lease a permit out. Number 206 REPRESENTATIVE GAIL PHILLIPS advised Mr. Harder that "the division has taken opposition against this bill" and asked if Mr. Harder would comment on that position. MR. HARDER advised members that he didn't understand their opposition as younger fishermen should be given the opportunity to fish. He said he spoke with the commissioner the other day and plans to be available to testify further for the bill. Number 238 CHAIRMAN MOSES asked if there were further questions. REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS MOVED to PASS out the CS for HB 134 with its fiscal note from the committee with individual recommendations. There were no objections, and the CSHB 134 MOVED out of committee with individual recommendations. ADJOURNMENT CHAIRMAN MOSES asked members and the public if there were further comments. Hearing none, he adjourned the meeting at 9:00 a.m.