HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE January 23, 1995 8:10 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Joe Green, Co-Chairman Representative Bill Williams, Co-Chairman Representative Scott Ogan, Vice Chairman Representative Alan Austerman Representative Ramona Barnes Representative John Davies Representative Pete Kott Representative Irene Nicholia MEMBERS ABSENT Representative Eileen MacLean COMMITTEE CALENDAR Organizational Meeting WITNESS REGISTER None ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 95-1, SIDE A Number 000 The House Resources Committee was called to order by Co-Chairman Joe Green at 8:10 a.m. Members present at the call to order were Representatives Green, Williams, Davies, Kott, and Ogan. Members absent were Representatives Austerman, Barnes, MacLean, and Nicholia. CO-CHAIRMAN JOE GREEN announced there is a quorum present. He told committee members that all legislators will receive a memo regarding bill packets for committee members. He said testimony will not be heard on a bill if the packet is not complete prior to the committee meeting. He noted that on several occasions in other committees last year, committee members received information as they were coming into the meetings and he did not want that to happen in the Resources Committee. CO-CHAIRMAN GREEN asked each committee member to introduce themselves, discuss why they wanted to be on the committee and state what expectations they have. Number 034 REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DAVIES stated he represents District 29 which is the University district in the Fairbanks area. He said he was reelected and served on the House Resources Committee last year. He advised that resources is an area he is interested in as he worked for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for four and one-half years. Prior to being elected to the legislature he was the state seismologist. REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES said one of his principle areas of interest, in terms of public policy, is natural resource development. He stated he would like to ensure that there is a reasonable opportunity for the public to be involved in the development of public policy. Number 055 REPRESENTATIVE PETE KOTT announced he represents District 24 and was also reelected. He felt the committee was going to be interesting and added that the effect of the development of the state's resources is vitally important to the state's well-being. He stated the economic condition of the state is primarily based on resource development and he wanted to be a part of that process. He felt good public policy is important. Number 068 REPRESENTATIVE ALAN AUSTERMAN told committee members he represents District 6 - Kodiak Island. He advised his agenda is basically fisheries issues. He felt fish, as a natural renewable resource, is a very important part of the state since the resource brings in a lot of jobs and money. He said his district is interested in the state's tax structure and noted that out of 17 taxes collected, five of them are fish-related taxes. REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN felt fish should be of more importance than in the past because it is a renewable resource and has a major impact on the state's economy. He added it was important there be a balance between the use of fish in the state. He stated he also wanted to be on the committee because the resources of the state are what will make the state continue to grow. Number 097 REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT OGAN stated this is his first term in the legislature. He said he is a cabinet maker by trade, so he is an end user of forest products. He felt it important that forestry begin in his district as there are forests which are overripe, under-utilized and dying from lack of proper management. He said he would like to see local, small-scale logging begin there. REPRESENTATIVE OGAN added there are also fish issues in the valley and he does not view those issues as "us versus them" issues but rather a resource issue. He stated if any of the state's resources disappear, everyone loses--not just one user group. He advised he served as a public member on the Big Game Commercial Services Board for two years. Number 133 CO-CHAIRMAN GREEN noted for the record that Representatives Austerman and Nicholia had joined the committee. REPRESENTATIVE IRENE NICHOLIA stated she represents District 36 which encompasses most of the Yukon River, part of the Kuskokwim River and all of the Tanana River. She said fisheries has been her district's most important resource and has been in the news for the past five years. She added she is also concerned about the other natural resources in her district, particularly big game, the timber industry and subsistence uses of all resources in the district. She advised she is a member of the committee to ensure the protection of the rights of the use of those resources. Number 149 CO-CHAIRMAN BILL WILLIAMS announced he represents Ketchikan and served as Chairman of the House Resources Committee last year. He said his goal is to do a good job like last year and ensure that all of the state's resources are utilized. He stated fish and timber are the primary resources in his district and discussed his background in those industries. CO-CHAIRMAN GREEN announced he represents District 10 - South Anchorage and by profession is a petroleum engineer. He said he served on this committee last year and a lot of good work was done. He stated even though he is from an industry which represents 80-85 percent of the state's income, he is committed to trying to develop other resources within the state. He noted that oil production is a finite issue, especially in a high cost area like Alaska, and while the state has the luxury of some time to produce oil and gas, he felt it was incumbent upon the state to develop the other resources such as timber, fisheries, tourism and mining. CO-CHAIRMAN GREEN stated he was excited about serving as Co- Chairman of the committee. He said there is a good balance in regard to the state's resources and felt it important to maintain that balance. He noted he envisions Alaska as a resource state well into the 21st century and feels the state can show through innovative processes, the ability to not only extract the resources but can be a model for rehabilitation. Number 209 CO-CHAIRMAN GREEN introduced the committee staff. Gail Ford will serve as committee secretary and the two senior staff members will be Jack Phelps (Representative Williams) and Jeff Logan (Representative Green). CO-CHAIRMAN GREEN explained there is a division of responsibilities for the Co-Chairmen. He announced Co-Chairman Williams will handle all timber and commercial fishing issues. He stated he will handle sport fishing and all other issues. He advised there is a desire to assign certain days to certain issues, although those assignments have not been determined. He told committee members that when he is chairing a particular meeting, he plans to express his desire on a bill when the committee hears it. CO-CHAIRMAN GREEN said he plans to have a full hearing on bills but wants to avoid repetitive input. He stated there will be a few issues coming before the committee which will require subcommittees. Number 268 CO-CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS felt it important that the public get an opportunity to give input on the various issues. REPRESENTATIVE NICHOLIA asked who would be chairing the subsistence use related bills. CO-CHAIRMAN GREEN stated that had not been determined. CO-CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS added if there are issues which relate specifically to his district, then he would chair those issues. CO-CHAIRMAN GREEN noted for the record that Representative Barnes had joined the committee. REPRESENTATIVE RAMONA BARNES stated subsistence issues will be given to the World Trade and State/Federal Relations special committee. Number 305 REPRESENTATIVE BARNES said she previously served six to eight years on the House Resources Committee and is familiar with the issues in the committee. She stated she chose to serve on the committee because she feels the committee has a great effect on the committee she is chairing. CO-CHAIRMAN GREEN announced the committee will meet Wednesday, January 25 at 8:00 a.m. for an overview from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). He added the committee will also meet on Friday, January 27 at 8:00 a.m. for an overview from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the House Resources Committee, Co-Chairman Green adjourned the meeting at 8:40 a.m.