HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE & TOURISM March 11, 1993 5:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Jeannette James, Chair Representative Joe Green Representative Curt Menard Representative Jim Nordlund Representative Jerry Sanders MEMBERS ABSENT Representative Cynthia Toohey Representative Terry Martin COMMITTEE CALENDAR General discussion of priorities and goals ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 93-4, Side A Number 000 CHAIRWOMAN JEANNETTE JAMES called the meeting of the House Special Committee on International Trade and Tourism to order on March 11, 1993, at 5:10 p.m. She announced Mr. Jim Ayers' presentation on the proposed new ferry for the Alaska Marine Highway had been rescheduled for March 25, 1993, and the hearing on CSHJR 20, Modification of the North American Free Trade Agreement, had been rescheduled for March 18, 1993, leaving "General Discussion on Priorities" as the only agenda item. CHAIRWOMAN JAMES asked the committee to hold an informal discussion on priorities, goals and possible activities, and instructed the committee secretary, rather than writing formal minutes, to summarize the results in a list to be circulated to all committee members for discussion at a later meeting: SUGGESTIONS FOR ITT ACTIVITIES AND GOALS: Encourage marketing Alaska's wood, coal, and oil overseas. Ask such groups as Alaska State Department, and Dr. Kim at the University, how the committee can be of assistance. Consolidate efforts throughout the state. Make strongly-worded resolution to resolve the Mental Health Trust Lands issue. Look at overseas offices; they are not being adequately utilized. Support the use of beetle-kill wood in manufacturing chip-board before the four-year limit on usability runs out. Encourage development of small volume but high profit use for petroleum by-products, like styrofoam cups. Find out why Alaska doesn't ship more refined or manufactured products. Support expanding railroad corridors, recycling and land farming. Resolve Alaska Tourism Marketing Council extension controversy. Understand tourism/wolf control issue and its effect on trade and tourism. Advertise Alaska cooperatively, not just for tourism, but for economic development, real people doing real jobs. (Example: Department of Commerce's "Making the Case" brochure. Have a presentation on this in committee.) Work with environmentalists to develop Alaska cooperatively. Continue this committee during the interim. ADJOURNMENT CHAIR JAMES adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m.