Panel advances bill exempting active commercial fishing vessels from DMV registration, repeals derelict vessel prevention fund

The House Special Committee on Fisheries on Feb. 11 voted to report House Bill 31 out of committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes.

House Bill 31 would exempt active commercial fishing vessels that are documented by the U.S. Coast Guard and hold a current Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) license from the three-year registration requirement with the Division of Motor Vehicles. The bill also repeals the derelict vessel prevention program fund and lapses its balance to the state general fund.

"House Bill 31 would exempt active commercial fishing vessels from the duplicative registration requirements created by the passage of Senate Bill 92, the derelict vessel bill in 2018," said Matt Greening, staff to Representative Louis Stutes, giving the committee a recap. He told members the CFEC database already provides state-maintained ownership information and that the intent is to avoid making commercial fishermen register at the DMV when they already register with CFEC.

Rachel Lord of Homer testified in support of the CFEC exemption but expressed concern about repealing the prevention fund. "I fully agree and support the CFEC exemption," she said. "I am... bummed, to be honest, about the repeal of the derelict vessel prevention fund. Every state around this nation that deals with their derelict vessels knows that the most cost effective way to deal with derelict vessels is prevention." Lord said municipalities and state agencies need funds to prevent vessels from becoming navigational hazards and environmental nuisances.

Colonel Brian Barlow of the Alaska Wildlife Troopers was online to monitor and had no testimony. CFEC Commissioner Lehi Haight and bill drafter Alpheus Bullard were available to answer committee questions but the committee recorded no substantive objections during the second hearing.

Representative Bryce Edgmon moved to report HB 31 out of committee; the committee advanced the measure by unanimous voice consent with accompanying fiscal notes. The motion record shows the bill would "repeal the derelict vessel prevention program fund and lapse that money to the general fund." No roll-call vote was recorded.

Committee leadership said they will sign paperwork and forward the bill with the committee report. The committee chair also announced upcoming scheduling changes to accommodate Department of Fish and Game budget subcommittee work and noted additional fisheries-related bills are expected in the coming weeks.