"JUNEAU UPDATE"
Kodiak Daily Mirror publication date of January 21, 1998
The second session of the 20th Alaska Legislature opened Monday, January 12, 1998 with members pledging their continued commitment to safe and healthy children, excellence in education and a budget that requires state government to live within its means.
Since this is the second session, I retain my position as Chair of the Fisheries Committee. I will again serve as Vice Chair of the House Special Committee on World Trade and State/Federal Relations. I also have a seat on the House Special Committee on Economic Development. In addition, I serve as a member of the House/Senate Joint Committee on Administrative Regulation Review.
I requested and was given a seat on the Pacific Fisheries Legislative Task Force. I still retain a seat on the Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation Board of Directors as an ex-officio member. I will continue to serve the Committee on Science, Energy & Environmental Resources to the National Conference of State Legislators. Additionally, I will sit on the Western Legislative Conference's Water Policy Committee.
Senator Jerry Mackie and I will again provide weekly updates to the Mirror. Next week Senator Mackie will provide his view on the upcoming session. On alternating weeks we will give you updates on pending legislation and budget items that affect Kodiak. This arrangement is more suitable to the pace of the House and Senate and hopefully avoid duplication. Above all, I want to keep you informed of the activities of this Legislature
The Deferred Maintenance Task Force has completed its assigned task with a report to the Governor. The Task Force worked diligently to identify state assets with long overdue needs. Six pieces of legislation have been introduced to begin the formal discussions on addressing those needs. The Task Force was in Kodiak this summer. They were particularly impressed on how the City of Kodiak has figuratively kept the small boat harbor afloat with the necessary repairs. Kodiak has faired really well in the Task Force’s proposal. I will share those areas in future updates.
Sergeant-at-Arms
Congratulations are in order for Kodiak resident, Ethan Falatko [Ethan_Falako@Legis.state.ak.us] who was selected as the new Senate Sergeant-at-Arms. Ethan has served the previous two years as a Senate page. His parents are Candy and Keith Falatko of Kodiak.
Staff
My Chief of Staff will again be Cliff Stone. Cliff has lived on Kodiak for over 20 years and knows the district very well. He is responsible for general constituent concerns, research and preparing briefs on legislation. Cliff will continue to track the overall budget and focus on Kodiak’s priorities. He will also be devoting quite some time this session delving into the permanent fund program.
Amy Daugherty will continue to be my fisheries staff person this session. As many of you know, she has worked the last three years specializing in fisheries for our district. Amy watches fish issues, responds to fish constituent concerns, follows resource issues in general and will partake in the fish related budgets. Her direct number is 907-465-4230 for information on the above issues.
My new secretary this year is Joanie Waller. She is responsible for my scheduling and coordinating several activities throughout my hectic day. She will be assigned duties as necessary to balance out the workload. Joanie is coming to our office from the Alaska State Library. She moved to the Juneau area after a 12-year history in the Kodiak commercial fisheries.
Juneau Office Numbers
If you would like to talk, schedule an appointment or get a message to me, please call toll free at 1-800-865-2487. The office fax number is: (907) 465-4956.
The Internet
My E-mail address remains the same. It is: "Representative_Alan_Austerman@Legis.state.ak.us". The legislature can be accessed on the web with the following address: "http://www.state.ak.us" My web page along with other legislator's can also be accessed with the following web address: "http://www.akrepublicans.org". When you click onto my web page, you will be able to pull up this "update" along with sponsor statements, press releases and other pertinent legislation.
Internship Offered
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation (APFC) is seeking applications for a computer information systems intern at its corporate headquarters in Juneau. Students interested in applying for the internship, which runs from Feb.2 through June 11, should apply to the dean of their business school by Jan. 29. The internship offers an opportunity to work with the latest technologies to configure and maintain a sophisticated, multi-protocol network, along with special projects as directed. Persons interest must be enrolled in an Alaska college or university, have earned at least 60 credits and have a GPA of 3.0 or better. Recent graduates are also eligible. Additional details are available on the APFC website at www.apfc.org or call 907-564-2047.
Fisheries
Only three new fishery-related bills were introduced this week in the House. In the Senate, there was only one resolution read across the floor regarding fisheries. The introduction of bills is slower this session due largely to the looming subsistence issue and the fact that all legislation not passed this session will die.
Rep. Ivan Ivan introduced HB 318, known as the roe stripping bill. This legislation puts into state law; and out of the commissioner’s discretion, a prohibition on salmon waste. The bill is a reaction to a recent legislative audit recommending hatcheries be allowed to roe strip in order to meet their outstanding financial obligations to the state. HB 318 has been referred to the Fisheries Committee where I expect to hear this bill in the next few weeks.
I introduced HB 310, which relates to waste in the groundfish processing. Currently the Board of Fish has authority to regulate waste on fishing vessels, but not waste of all species with on-shore processors. The Council has acted recently in applying IR/IU standards to the offshore fleet and has been working with Board of Fisheries to mirror this program onshore.
SJR 33 by Senator Mackie and HJR 48 by Representative Grussendorf were introduced on Jan. 16th. Both resolutions are identical and are in support of Senator Steven’s S.1221, the "American Fisheries Act". S.1221 will boost requirements for American ownership of the fishing boats to a minimum of 75 percent from 50 percent and ban new ships longer than 165 from coming into U.S. waters.
I will start holding fishery committee hearings on Monday, January 26 on HJR 38 which is a resolution putting a constitutional amendment on the ballot, which would allow limited entry for sport fish guides. HJR 38 will also be scheduled for Wednesday, January 28 along with HB 310.
The House Special Committee on Fisheries will be meeting Monday and Wednesday evenings again this year, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. I will be joined by Representatives Ivan, Hodgins, Ogan and Kubina as committee members again this session. We will regularly include Kodiak by teleconference for your involvement.
Constituent Teleconference
The first joint teleconference will be next Tuesday the 27th of January at 7:00 p.m. Senator Mackie and I will be on-line with Kodiak and all six village sites to listen to your concerns. After this month, we will be conducting these teleconferences on the third Tuesday of every month. In Kodiak you may participate by going to the Kodiak Legislative Information Office at 112 Mill Bay Road. Call Lorna Steelman at 486-8116 if you have questions regarding this or need information about any pending legislation. The villages will have to watch for a teleconference notice to see where they will participate that particular night.
Visitors
Former Kodiak resident, Nancy Brown was by the office for a brief visit. I also visited with Linda Sharratt, formerly of Kodiak, at the Juneau legislative reception. She transferred to Juneau to take a position with the state’s public assistance office. Another former resident, John Sevier also stopped in to confer on a myriad of issues.
If you are planning travel to Juneau, please call my office for any assistance you may need. Remember - my door is always open.