ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  SENATE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE  April 2, 2009 3:34 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Donald Olson, Chair Senator Joe Thomas, Vice Chair Senator Hollis French Senator Linda Menard MEMBERS ABSENT  Senator Albert Kookesh COMMITTEE CALENDAR  SENATE BILL NO. 137 "An Act relating to meetings of the Board of Fisheries." HEARD AND HELD Presentation: Alaska Statehood Anniversary Celebration HEARD PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: SB 137 SHORT TITLE: REPORT ON MEETINGS OF BOARD OF FISHERIES SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) BUNDE 03/09/09 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/09/09 (S) CRA, RES 03/26/09 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 211 03/26/09 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 04/02/09 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 211 WITNESS REGISTER CHRISTOPHER CONSTANT, Vice President Alaska Statehood Commission POSITION STATEMENT: Delivered a presentation on behalf of the Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission. LEO RASMUSSEN, Member Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission Nome, AK POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of the 50th anniversary of statehood celebrations in Nome. KAYSA KORPELA, Member Capital City Celebrations Juneau, AK POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of the activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of statehood in Juneau. MICHELLE ROBERTS, Executive Director Festival Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of the 50th statehood celebrations held in Fairbanks. DARL SCHAAF, Planner/Coordinator Anchorage Statehood Celebrations Anchorage, AK POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of the 50th statehood celebrations held in Anchorage. SENATOR CON BUNDE Alaska State Legislature Juneau, AK POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 137. JIM MARCOTTE, Executive Director Board of Fisheries Alaska Department of Fish and Game Juneau, AK POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on SB 137. JERRY MCCUNE United Fishermen of Alaska Cordova, AK POSITION STATEMENT: Stated support for SB 137. BOB THORSTENSON, Executive Director Southeast Alaska Seiners Association Juneau, AK POSITION STATEMENT: Stated qualified support for SB 137. ACTION NARRATIVE 3:34:04 PM CHAIR DONALD OLSON called the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:34 p.m. Senators French and Olson were present at the call to order. Senators Menard and Thomas arrived shortly thereafter. ^Presentation: Alaska Statehood Anniversary Celebration CHAIR OLSON announced the committee would hear a presentation from the Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission. 3:34:39 PM CHRISTOPHER CONSTANT, Vice President, Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission, ("Commission") said the Commission was created in January 2005 and funded with $300,000 to plan and implement statehood activities. It consists of five public members and four legislative members and was formed to plan and administer all official statehood activities, set policy, and create a timeline for the activities. The vision of the Commission is to honor the state's history and celebrate its future. The mission is to inspire people to rejoice in Alaska's past, present, and future. The values are to honor and celebrate Alaska Native heritage, culture, and history; individuals who were instrumental in creating statehood; and Alaska's children. 3:37:31 PM MR. CONSTANT said the Commission objectives were to organize subcommittees to plan for a budget, public relations and to create a website of statewide activities; to engage in joint projects with municipalities, the university, civic organizations and nonprofits; to initiate a fair process to solicit ideas for celebrating the 50th anniversary of statehood and to provide resources when possible to help communities get organized; and to look at statehood and legacy projects that could last into the future. He noted that the public sector has really stepped up to help. To get things rolling the Commission engaged in a most notable initial project, which was the creation of a logo. It is a recast of the original statehood medallion with only the date being different. The Commission has provided these medallions to communities statewide to use as a fundraising tool. Dean Potter is the artist who created the logo and also the commemorative license plate that was unveiled January 2008. 3:40:10 PM MR. CONSTANT said another item that was released on January 3 was the U.S. postage stamp commemorating Alaska statehood. He noted that the Postal Service bent the rules by putting a living person on the stamp. Another project that is close to fruition is the Alaska Airlines paint-the-plane project. The winning design was submitted by a 16-year-old from Sitka. Her motto is, "WE'RE ALL PULLING TOGETHER." The plane will be unveiled in Sitka next Thursday and will be in service for seven or eight years. Mr. Constant listed some important dates in the statehood process: Congress passed the Alaska Statehood Act June 28, 1958; Alaska voters ratified the Act August 26, 1958; President Eisenhower signed the Act July 7 1958; and on January 3, 1959 President Eisenhower signed a proclamation making statehood official. Activities in Juneau, Fairbanks, and Anchorage will center on these dates. 3:42:48 PM MR. CONSTANT said the organizing events have been attended by thousands of Alaskans, tourists, and international dignitaries. The Commission has participated in local fundraising efforts and collateral materials are being distributed to thousands. Requests to use the Alaska statehood logo number in the hundreds. It's even used on coke cans. Continuing activities of the Commission include: helping communities organize anniversary activities; an outreach project to military deployed overseas; continuing to work with the tourism industry to encourage travel to Alaska for statehood celebrations; and working with the university, state museums and libraries to preserve and archive statehood work. "We had some amazing and brilliant inspirational activities across the state." Mr. Constant said he particularly wants to recognize partnering help from Alaska Airlines, the Alaska Railroad, and the travel industry. 3:46:06 PM LEO RASMUSSEN, Member, Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission, reminded the committee that Nome was a hotbed in the movement toward statehood. The first elected member to Congress came from Nome so it's been a part of the city's lifestyle since its beginning in 1899 with the discovery of gold. The Nome program was comprised of signature events scaled to be comparable to the larger communities. On December 31, 2008 they recreated eight stars of gold with eight bonfires on the ice. The Big Dipper bonfire was two miles long and one mile wide. This was followed by a torchlight parade. He noted that glow sticks do work at 20 below and are immensely beautiful. They also held a 49-50 celebration with sparklers and the picture is beautiful. In an effort to set a record, Nome decided to create a 1,100 pound flaming Baked Alaska. The birthday celebration continued indoors at old St. Joseph's Church. Senator Olson made a presentation on statehood and gifted a framed 49 star flag to the city. Three more events are planned. First is a re-creation of early Nome 4th of July celebrations, second is a contest to climb a greased pole to get a $50 bill, and finally a picnic will take place for anyone and everyone. He thanked the committee. 3:53:14 PM KAYSA KORPELA, Capital City Celebrations, explained that the eight-member group was formed at the request of the mayor to help plan and host events and projects for the 50th anniversary of statehood in Juneau. Capital City Celebrations meets monthly and also holds a monthly volunteer meeting to elicit help from community members. The first event was done in partnership with the Juneau Symphony, which presented a piece entitled "The Alaska Symphony." It was written in the 1940s and commemorated the passage of the Alaska Statehood Act by Congress in 1958. Capital City Celebrations also hosted, alone or in partnership, the following: a desert competition, a wine tasting, First Ladies of Alaska tea, and a cruise ship lunch. They also partnered with the 4th of July Parade Committee, Eaglecrest ski area, Perseverance Theatre, and a local women's event. On January 3, 2009 the 50th Anniversary Ball was held, and the next day they partnered with BP to present a fireworks display. The last event will be the 4th of July. Capital City Celebrations is working with the Juneau-Douglas City Museum to reenact the flag raising ceremony and the parade committee to recreate some floats. The original queen and her court of 50 years ago will be in the parade. A community picnic and dance will follow. Ms. Korpela said Capital City Celebrations has worked hard to fund the events and is now looking forward to planning a legacy project that will serve as a reminder that the state has achieved 50 years of statehood. She thanked the Legislature for the opportunity to work on the 50th anniversary of statehood celebrations. MS. KORPELA reminded the committee that Capital City Celebrations is partnering with Perseverance Theatre to reenact the play, "8 Stars of Gold" tomorrow night at 7:30. The original play was built on discussions by Alaska's political and cultural leaders whose vision led to statehood. 3:57:33 PM MICHELLE ROBERTS, Executive Director, Festival Fairbanks, told the committee that Festival Fairbanks was tasked by the Commission to hold the May 28 event celebrating the U.S. House of Representatives passing the initial Alaska Statehood bill. Festival Fairbanks then held a 1950s style barbecue and bonfire event with pyrotechnics. They had the first official Alaska kite day and held an event highlighting businesses past, present, and future. A large fireworks show was held on January 17 rather than the 3rd because of ice fog conditions. Festival Fairbanks is finishing the Chena River walk, which recognizes the centennial of the city. The Fairbanks legacy project is to complete the river walk by completing a loop on the north and south sides of the river. The Alaska Railroad is the only property owner that has not agreed to be a part of this project so there are a few details to work out. The 50th anniversary torch was brought to the Fairbanks ice park for the Ice Alaska world championships and got national coverage when Dorothy Hamill was interviewed standing in front. Ms. Roberts said Festival Fairbanks is working with social, civil, and service groups to ensure that the logo is adopted whenever appropriate. Other activities include flying banners along airport road and production of a 50th anniversary wine. City and borough beautification efforts for the year include a blue and gold color scheme. 4:01:31 PM SENATOR FRENCH thanked the commission for coming to Juneau to talk about statehood celebrations. He was in Anchorage on January 3 when the fireworks went off and he will never forget the stunning display. CHAIR OLSON asked when their legacy project will be finished. MS. ROBERTS explained that the south side will be finished this year, but finishing the north side depends on cooperation from the Alaska Railroad. To date they only want to grant permission to build the trailhead, but Festival Fairbanks needs to know there is a right-of-way for the entire bike path. The state owns the railroad so the legislature could help. "We'd like see more opportunities in Fairbanks like…Ship Creek [in Anchorage]," she said. The railroad has put a lot of time and money into that type of development. We're not asking them for money, we're asking for a right-of-way that we will then maintain, she said. CHAIR OLSON said let us know how we can help. 4:03:46 PM DARL SCHAAF, Planner/Coordinator, Anchorage Statehood Celebrations said Anchorage was tasked with hosting the January 3rd party. Working through the Alaska Community Foundation, they decided this should serve as a kick off for the year. Some of the approximately 18 events were funded by the state. Specifically, the state underwrote the projects in the amount of $1 million and the city raised a matching $1.2 million. He proudly noted that $1 million of the match was earned rather than raised so it didn't compete with existing nonprofits. Anchorage Statehood Celebrations worked with the military to present the June 28 air show and 3-day weekend that was attended by thousands. At Elmendorf Air Force Base a 1940s hanger was converted to hold a reunion concert with Wynonna Judd. Ten thousand people came to the base to watch and AT&T broadcast it on an international network. As a gift from the state any deployed person who so desired could watch the concert on the 4th of July. 4:07:35 PM MR. SCHAAF said that when Anchorage Statehood Celebrations decided to participate in the statewide bonfire event the military collected 30 tons of debris and lit it by dropping a fake bomb filled with pyrotechnics from a B-25. The explosion was very impressive. He continued to say that twice during the year all of the living governors of Alaska were brought together. The first gathering was a fundraising opportunity that raised approximately $425,000 with the sale of a Sydney Lawrence print that was signed by all of the living governors. With that money they presented a governor's legacy dinner, which was completely sold out. The New Years Eve party, commemorating a moment in history, was billed worldwide. Alaska Airlines stepped up and offered half- price tickets to Anchorage for that week. Over 1,000 Alaskans were paid to work on the projects and over 700 artists performed. The gala was attended by 1,500 people including dignitaries from other countries. The gala was televised. Delegates each 27 different villages came to Anchorage and participated in a pledge of unity promising to work together for the next 50 years in order to make Alaska a better place. The next day the delegates and the Conference for Young Alaskans marched through town and symbolically lit the nine foot stainless steel "Light of the North" torch. It was designed so that the four panels can be removed for display in Juneau, Fairbanks, Anchorage, and hopefully in the Smithsonian Alaska exhibit. The legacy project, which is at the state parking garage, is a bronze plaque history walk that captures 16 important moments in the history of statehood. Commemorative books are available. 4:13:20 PM Anchorage Statehood Celebrations also organized a quilt project depicting rural Alaska. These nine large quilts and a book are currently touring the state. The work is brilliant and copies of the book are available. Finally, on January 3rd Anchorage Statehood Celebrations put on an enormous seven venue celebration with free entertainment by Alaska performers. The economic impact was substantial. Over 500 room nights were rented January 1-3 in downtown Anchorage. Mr. Schaaf noted that a book commemorating the celebration events is at the publishers. Furthermore, Anchorage Statehood Celebrations recently endowed the Anchorage museum to digitize 140,000 statehood photos and established a fund at the Alaska Community Foundation for the 75th anniversary of statehood celebration. 4:16:24 PM SENATOR MENARD asked if the prints are selling for $1,500. MR. SCHAAF said yes, and he looks upon it as an investment. When commemorative prints were sold 25 years ago the cost was $500 and now they sell for $5,000. "You'll get a copy of all three of the books, the quilt book, the bronze plaque, and this photographic book," he added. SENATOR MENARD commented that it feels like there is Karma here because her parking space is number 49. MR. CONSTANT said in 2003 when he worked at the Alaska Humanities Forum he began thinking about this project. They started with the work on the Constitutional Convention and since then they have inspired many people to become involved. His hope has been to communicate the historical importance of this occasion to young people. At the 100th anniversary of statehood the young people of today will be able to look back and say they met Katie Hurley on the 50th anniversary. I believe we've achieved our goal in many ways, he said. MR. CONSTANT recognized the Rasmuson Foundation for contributing $1 million for important humanities projects - the study of the history, the creation of documentaries, and the creation of interpretive artwork. This was done in partnership with the Humanities Forum. He added that the Commission will come back with a final report recommending how the celebration can be even better next time. SENATOR MENARD highlighted that there was $300,000 for the National Endowment of the Arts in the stimulus package and she supports accepting the money. Art develops the left side of the brain and there are fantastic artists in Alaska. Do what you can to accept that money, she said. 4:20:56 PM MR. CONSTANT said there is money available in the competitive funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and only two organizations in the state are eligible to apply for that money. There is $250,000 to re-grant funds to arts organizations. He fully supports the Legislature accepting that money and he would hope that Juneau, as the local granting agency of city government, would also take that approach. Get on board because that could double the money available to Alaska arts and culture organizations, he said. CHAIR OLSON asked the names of the organizations. MR. CONSTANT answered they are Alaska State Council on the Arts and Juneau Arts and Humanities. CHAIR OLSON asked about the number and subject of the legacy projects that are outstanding. MR. CONSTANT replied it's difficult to say because most communities are still working on theirs. He offered to submit a report on which projects are moving forward. SENATOR MENARD said she would like to borrow parade ideas from Capital City Celebrations to use in the parade at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer. 4:23:18 PM CHAIR OLSON said Nome can probably accept the Light of the North panel if the Smithsonian doesn't have room for it. The committee took a brief at-ease at 4:24 p.m. SB 137-REPORT ON MEETINGS OF BOARD OF FISHERIES  4:25:55 PM CHAIR OLSON announced the consideration of SB 137. SENATOR CON BUNDE, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SB 137, said he fishes but he doesn't have a dog in this fight. The legislation addresses the concern that the Board of Fisheries (BOF) meetings may not be on an optimal schedule. He explained that there are people in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) who take almost a year to prepare data and recommendations for a BOF meeting. Once the policies are in place there might not be enough time between meetings for the department to collect and review data to prove or disprove the efficacy of the policy before they need to prepare for new proposals. This bill simply asks the Board of Fisheries to tell the Legislature the time interval that should pass between meetings. SB 137 further asks the BOF to recommend a plan that does not disenfranchise the public process, but that helps ADF&G to be more efficient in addressing repetitive proposals. 4:28:37 PM SENATOR BUNDE noted that the Southeast Seiners recently provided a letter of support. SENATOR MENARD commented that there isn't a fiscal note and asked if BOF members get a stipend when they meet. CHAIR OLSON clarified that there is a fiscal note and it is zero. SENATOR BUNDE explained that they get per diem, but this bill would not add costs. CHAIR OLSON asked if there isn't a cost attached to a biologist looking at the proposal. 4:30:17 PM SENATOR BUNDE said yes, but those costs are built into the ADF&G budget. SENATOR MENARD said she just wanted to understand the fiscal impact. CHAIR OLSON asked who would come out on the short side if this bill were to pass. SENATOR BUNDE replied he really doesn't know, but someone who wants their good idea to be heard immediately may be inconvenienced. 4:32:00 PM CHAIR OLSON asked if he heard anything from fishers. SENATOR BUNDE replied he has not heard anything negative. If there is concern he suspects it will be sport related. SENATOR THOMAS summarized that the bill does two things. It asks for a recommendation as to whether the time between meeting dates should be expanded from the current three years, and it asks for a policy to deal with repetitive proposals. SENATOR BUNDE reiterated that the bill asks for those recommendations and makes no suggestion as to what the right answers might be. SENATOR THOMAS reviewed the zero fiscal note and the approximately $300,000 for the Division of Commercial Fisheries to attend each meeting. He asked how BOF members are compensated. 4:34:38 PM SENATOR BUNDE said they receive per diem. He surmised that there could be a negative fiscal impact if the time between meetings were extended. CHAIR OLSON asked why this wasn't addressed years ago. SENATOR BUNDE replied he would have acted sooner had it been brought to his attention. 4:36:26 PM JIM MARCOTTE, Executive Director, Board of Fisheries, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Juneau, said he hopes his comments will provide a context for the bill. He explained that the Board of Fisheries is on a three-year cycle. It meets about 35-40 days per year, generally October through March, in different geographic areas. Meetings can run for 10 or 11 days. Prior to 1990 the board dealt with every issue each year, which was a huge workload. Switching to a three-year cycle was a way to balance the needs of the public and the department in getting through the workload. Now they get around to the different sections every three years, which generally serves the process quite well. There are procedures for the Board of Fisheries to respond more quickly if needed. There is an agenda change request policy and the ability to respond to emergency petitions. The downside to out-of-cycle actions is that they tend to have less public input. If the three-year cycle were to be lengthened, more out-of-cycle requests would be anticipated. 4:39:42 PM MR. MARCOTTE said the packet contains a list of where the BOF meetings have been held and the pattern for the past six years. The meeting schedule for next year and a pie chart showing the source of the various proposals are also included. About half of the proposals come from the public. Sometimes local fish and game advisory committees, stakeholder groups, village councils, and other entities submit proposals; and the department submits proposals through the same mechanism. Neither the department nor the Board of Fisheries has developed a formal position on the bill, but both would like to review the assumptions built into that three-year cycle and make recommendations. ADF&G submitted a zero fiscal note because there is just a small workload to have a discussion and develop recommendations. If the meetings cycle were to change, he would submit another fiscal note. He appreciates that the bill is asking for background information before taking an action; that's always a healthy approach. Finally, he said this is just one aspect of the BOF process. There are many other elements in having an effective board process. This is one of several kinds of things that might be on an overall list looking for improvements. SENATOR THOMAS asked if $296,000 is an annual number because the BOF is meeting every year. 4:43:09 PM MR. MARCOTTE replied the information he provided is intended to give the committee an idea of costs to the department. This is the cost for one division for one 12-day meeting. It's not an annual cost, but it does show that there is considerable cost to the state coffer to prepare for these meetings. It's not a comprehensive cost of a BOF meeting because other divisions and support costs are involved. SENATOR THOMAS said but this is just part of the expense incurred on an annual basis because the BOF meets every year. MR. MARCOTTE replied there is more than one meeting a year. Typically there is just one large meeting every year, but there may also be smaller meetings that add costs. SENATOR THOMAS said now he understands that the board meets every year and the meeting cycle repeats itself every three years. MR. MARCOTTE said that's correct. The handout of all the meetings held in the last six years shows that the overall cycle repeats every three years. The individual meetings vary in length, but they total about 35-40 days per year. SENATOR THOMAS noted that there are between 200 and 500 proposals each year and one meeting had 258 proposals on finfish. SENATOR MENARD asked if it's fair to say that he is neutral on the bill, but can be supportive in conversation. MR. MARCOTTE said yes. CHAIR OLSON asked why the Board of Fisheries is hesitant to endorse the legislation if it saves money for the state. 4:46:37 PM MR. MARCOTTE replied there isn't any hesitancy to endorse the legislation, it's the workload. They just got through dealing with 390 proposals and that kept their plate full. They do track the legislation. CHAIR OLSON asked if they are finished for 2009. MR. MARCOTTE explained that they are finished with the October 2008 through March 2009 meeting cycle. He added that the Board of Fisheries does not oppose having a discussion. An ongoing theme is to look at ways to do things better. SENATOR THOMAS observed that the language in the bill talks about a recommendation to expand the interval between meeting dates, but it doesn't talk about a recommendation to compress the time frame. MR. MARCOTTE said that is the wording of the bill, but a review wouldn't necessarily be limited by looking at only an expansion. It is looking at whether the current three-year cycle is the best model. 4:48:40 PM SENATOR MENARD said many citizens want to have a conversation on how the Board of Fisheries operates. The timing is excellent and she looks forward to a healthy debate. CHAIR OLSON said the priority to save money is admirable, but his priority is the fisher. He asked if this legislation would in any way affect the person in a small skiff who is trying to make a living. MR. MARCOTTE said the bill wouldn't have an adverse affect; it only requests a discussion. The Board of Fisheries is very aware of being responsive to the resource and the stakeholders, and that it is a potential barrier if people have to wait five years to get their issue heard. As previously mentioned, there ways to deal with issues on a shorter timeframe. He agreed with Senator Menard that the process is the out-of-cycle requests and added that there are pros and cons to that. 4:50:41 PM JERRY MCCUNE, United Fishermen of Alaska, stated support for SB 137. Crab fishers are concerned about moving away from a three- year cycle, but they are willing to have the conversation. There was a meeting in Cordova in early December and the next meeting, which won't be in Cordova, is in 2011. His and other small organizations are trying to figure out the costs associated with attending the meeting. They are a lot higher than in the old days when there were fewer proposals and conflicts. This is an appropriate conversation, he said. CHAIR OLSON asked how many shellfish fishers belong to UFA. MR. MCCUNE said there are two groups that have crab fishers plus some individuals that are in different groups that do crab fishing. He got lots of input from around the state. Some people weren't enthusiastic about changing the cycle but realize that it's just a conversation. 4:53:48 PM BOB THORSTENSON, Executive Director, Southeast Alaska Seiners Association, said he also represents the Alaska Scallop Association and the Alaska Crab Coalition. Those groups are not excited about changing the cycle, but support the bill. The change from a one to a three-year cycle was a vast improvement and provided greater consistency for the sport, commercial and personal use groups. The fact that the legislation makes this a conversation is a very good idea. MR. THORSTENSON opined that everyone will talk about cost savings in terms of hotel rooms and air fares, but that's just part of the cost. The main cost in these meetings is that between 15 percent and 25 percent of every researcher, biologist, biometrician, and major manager of the state is wrapped up in a three-year Board of Fisheries cycle. He believes that it will save the state millions of dollars if the Board of Fisheries decides to lengthen the cycles. It's not just travel costs; it's salaries, overhead, healthcare, insurance, and pension costs of the employees that travel over the state and spend time. 4:58:15 PM MR. THORSTENSON said the current process is winnowing some of the best and brightest people. They want to devote their time to science and the resource, not to giving reports. He cited an example of a manager who took a lower rank job so as not to go through the cycle again. It has become a real problem. Public input is good but repetitive proposals are almost ridiculous, he said. Osama Bin Laden could make a proposal to the Board of Fisheries and it would have to be taken seriously. It's a wonderful public process, but it almost becomes anarchy when someone sends in numerous proposals. He has had members of organizations send in 67 proposals and there is nothing that can be done to limit those. It is part of the bill and something that needs review. We support the BOF and what it is doing and want to enable them to do a better job. SENATOR MENARD said these scientists know they're going to be involved in these cyclical meetings when they're hired. She has a son who fished in Bristol Bay, a brother in law who is a fish and game biologist in Nome, and friends on the Board of Fisheries and she doesn't buy into people being disgruntled about their jobs because of the very good public process that the state has chosen. 5:01:38 PM MR. THORSTENSON responded that some people may have the foresight, as in your family, to understand that they'll have to go through this process every three years and upset the apple cart. Speaking for himself, he said that up until he took the job as executive director of the association he stayed away from Board of Fisheries meetings because they are so contentious. It's the worst part of the job. As far as scientists knowing the job description, that's a fair statement, he said. However, he doesn't think a student at UAS who decides not to be a communication major in favor of doing fisheries research and science is thinking about that until much later when he or she gets the job with fish and game. SENATOR BUNDE said fisheries in Alaska have changed from when the Board of Fisheries first started, so it is healthy to review current practice. That's all the bill asks. CHAIR OLSON held SB 137 in committee. 5:04:14 PM There being nothing further to come before the committee, Chair Olson adjourned the meeting at 5:04 p.m.