Senate Bill 158, presented during a second hearing in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, asks the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) to draw a new administrative boundary in the upper subdistrict of the central Cook Inlet to incorporate six statistical areas traditionally fished by East‑side set‑netters.

Conrad Jackson, committee staff, described the measure as recognizing the uniqueness of the fishery and existing management practices: "Senate Bill 158 proposes [CFEC] to draw a new boundary area in the upper subdistrict of the central district of Cook Inlet that would incorporate the six statistical areas that have been traditionally fished by the East Side set netters." Several East‑side set‑netters testified in support, describing multiple consecutive poor seasons and conservation concerns, especially for Chinook salmon.

Testimony emphasized the fishery's distinct character and local hardship. Greg Johnson, an East‑side set‑netter since 1981, said the fishery is "very unviable" and urged the committee to start the conversation through the bill. Multiple speakers — Gary Hollier, Gary Diamond, Alan Crookston, Dan Norman, Joanne Wichers, Lisa Gabriel, Andy Hall, Travis Every and others — described multi‑generation family participation, years of disasters, and a small fleet that has borne the conservation burden. "Our fishery is limited while sport and personal use fisheries are unlimited in effort and access," said Andy Hall (Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's Association president; testifying on his own behalf), arguing the change would give local fishers tools to plan for the future.

CFEC testimony referenced by staff at the earlier invited hearing suggested that, if enacted, the agency could implement the bill in a straightforward way. Supporters said creating a separate administrative area would allow management to reflect the fishery's unique geography, infrastructure and social conditions.

Committee action: Committee received public testimony and moved to report SB 158 from committee with individual recommendations and an attached fiscal note (motion adopted "without objection"). The bill will move forward in the legislative process with the committee's recommendations.