UFA Legislative Update: February 3, 2017

  1. Governor Walker re-appoints Jensen, Morisky, and Fritz Johnson to Board of Fisheries.

Fritz Johnson, a Bristol Bay drift boat skipper from Dillingham, was tapped for a seat on the state Board of Fisheries again, after being bumped off last year.

The Governor’s office made the announcement this week, also putting John Jensen from Petersburg and Reed Morisky from Fairbanks up for reappointment…

http://kdlg.org/post/johnson-tapped-fish-board-seat-again


  1. Press release: UFA posts Community Fishing Facts

We have provided each legislator with a complete set of the fish facts sheets, and lists of commercial fishery permits held in their district. It is amazing to see how many fishermen fishing different Alaska fisheries throughout the state bring their fishing income home, to even the most urban legislative districts. We met and reviewed the information with the seven new legislators serving on Fisheries and Resources committees. We are impressed with their enthusiasm and receptiveness to our input on the importance of commercial fisheries to their district and the state.

Press release

UFA Community Fishing and Seafood Processing fact sheets page


  1. New Fisheries legislation introduced this week:

HB 87 …relating to participation in matters before the Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game by the members of the respective boards; and providing for an effective date –Rep. Stutes

HB 88 …relating to the composition of the Board of Fisheries – Rep. Stutes

SJR 3  Urging the President of the United States and the United States Congress to mitigate the harm done to the state’s seafood industry because of the withdrawal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement; and urging the President of the United States and the United States Congress to work to benefit and protect the state’s seafood industry – by Senator Wielechowski.


  1. Fisheries related bills heard in committee hearings this week:

House Fisheries, Tuesday 1/31:

HB 14 – Legislative approval of Bristol Bay sulfide mine- Josephson

See Meeting page for audio & video and documents including sponsor statement, changes from versions A to D, and Fiscal Notes from the divisions within ADFG.

&

House Finance ADFG Budget Subcommittee meeting 1/31 –

Division of Commercial Fisheries Budget Summary

FY18 CF Budget Presentation-Final.pdf

House Fisheries, Thursday 2/2:

HB 56 Commercial fishing revolving loan program limits – Ortiz

See meeting link for audio, video, sponsor statement, letter, and other documents.

House Transportation , Tuesday 1/31:

HB 60 – Motor Fuel Tax

HB 60 was heard and held, and is scheduled for another hearing

House Community, Commerce and Economic Development Committee, Tuesday 1/31

Budget overview on Commerce; ASMI was part of the presentation.

Audio & Video is online at the committee link.

Document:
01.31.2017 HFSC DCCED Department Overview.pdf


  1. Meetings of interest for the week of February 6:

Tuesday

House Fisheries special committee – Tuesday, February 7, 2017. – Room 120

10:00 A.M – HB88 Board of Fisheries Membership – Rep. Stutes

&&

11:00 A.M. – Finance Subcommittee on DFG Division of Wildlife Conservation

House Transportation committee – Tuesday, February 7 – Room 124

HB 60 – Motor Fuel Tax – Public Testimony will be taken

Thursday

House Fisheries special committee – Thursday, February 9, 2017 – Room 120

10:00 AM – HB 87 Board if Fisheries and Board of Game Conflict of Interest

&

11:00 A.M. – Finance Subcommittee on DFG Division of Admin. Services

House Transportation committee – Thursday, February 9 – Room 124

HB 60 – Motor Fuel Tax – Invited Testimony only

Alaska State Legislature home page: http://akleg.gov/ .

To watch committee meetings live, click on “Live Now” tab near the upper right of the legislature home page.


  1. Bills related to fisheries, and others that may be of interest to fishermen:

HB 14 – Leg. approval of Bristol Bay sulfide mine- Josephson

HB 17 – Establishing a fish and game conservation program/account in ADFG – Josephson

HB 19 – Ban neonicotinoid pesticides – Drummond…

HB 29 -Prohibiting sale of genetically modified fish/fish products – Tarr

HB 32 Relating to the labeling of food; relating to the misbranding of food; requiring labeling of food produced with genetic engineering – Tarr

HB 42 – relating to seizure of property; relating to forfeiture to the state – includes language on seizure of fishing permits…

HB 46 Procure AK Fish, Ag Prod.; Raw Milk Sales – Tarr

HB 60 – Motor Fuel Tax – House Rules by Request of the Governor

Senate companion bill – SB25 – Motor Fuel Tax – Senate Rules by Request of the Governor

HB 56 Relating to limitations on certain commercial fishing loans made by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development – Ortiz

HB 63 Transferring duties from DCCED to Department of Revenue – Rep. Pruitt

HB 87 Board if Fisheries and Board of Game – Conflict of Interest

HB88 Board of Fisheries Membership – Rep. Stutes

Alaska State Legislature home page: http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/