State of Alaska
Fiscal Note
Bill Version: SB 159
2020 Legislative Session
Fiscal Note Number: 1
(S) Publish Date: 1/22/2020
Identifier: LL2019-200192-2-DFG-DSF-1-14-20 Department: Department of Fish and Game
Title: SALT WATER FISHING: OPERATORS/GUIDES Appropriation: Sport Fisheries
Sponsor: RLS BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR Allocation: Sport Fisheries
Requester: GOVERNOR OMB Component Number: 3177
Expenditures/Revenues
Note: Amounts do not include inflation unless otherwise noted below. (Thousands of Dollars)
Included in
FY2021 Governor's
Appropriation FY2021 Out-Year Cost Estimates
Requested Request
OPERATING EXPENDITURES FY 2021 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
Personal Services 356.5 356.5 356.5 356.5 356.5 356.5
Travel 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9
Services 38.1 38.1 38.1 38.1 38.1 38.1
Commodities 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5
Capital Outlay
Grants & Benefits
Miscellaneous
Total Operating 400.0 0.0 400.0 400.0 400.0 400.0 400.0
Fund Source (Operating Only)
1024 Fish/Game (Other) 400.0 400.0 400.0 400.0 400.0 400.0
Total 400.0 0.0 400.0 400.0 400.0 400.0 400.0
Positions
Full-time
Part-time
Temporary
Change in Revenues
1024 Fish/Game (Other) 400.0 400.0 400.0 400.0 400.0 400.0
Total 400.0 0.0 400.0 400.0 400.0 400.0 400.0
Estimated SUPPLEMENTAL (FY2020) cost: 0.0 (separate supplemental appropriation required)
Estimated CAPITAL (FY2021) cost: 0.0 (separate capital appropriation required)
Does the bill create or modify a new fund or account? 0
(Supplemental/Capital/New Fund - discuss reasons and fund source(s) in analysis section)
ASSOCIATED REGULATIONS
Does the bill direct, or will the bill result in, regulation changes adopted by your agency? Yes
If yes, by what date are the regulations to be adopted, amended or repealed? 01/01/21
Why this fiscal note differs from previous version/comments:
Not applicable, initial version.
Prepared By: Rachel Hanke, Legislative Liaison Phone: (907)465-6137
Division: Office of the Commissioner Date: 01/14/2020 11:00 AM
Approved By: Dayna Mackey, Director of Administrative Services Date: 01/14/20
Agency: Office of Management and Budget
Printed 1/22/2020 Page 1 of 2 Control Code: RNMuZ
 SB 159 - Fiscal Note 1
FISCAL NOTE ANALYSIS
STATE OF ALASKA BILL NO. 0
2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Analysis
This legislation reinstates the licensing and logbook program for salt water sport fishing guides and salt water sport fishing
services operators, which was in place until December 31, 2018 when the licensing provisions sunsetted. The primary
reason the previous bill sunsetted centered on concerns with the fresh water guide licensing and logbook aspects of the
program. This portion of the program was rescinded and is not part of this bill.
The Department of Fish and Game is federally required to issue logbooks for recording harvest and effort data to meet
Pacific Salmon Treaty and International Halibut Act obligations as well as several regulations adopted by the Alaska Board
of Fisheries. However, the mandate is unfunded. Guided salt water sport fisheries are critically important in terms of
providing fishing opportunity as well economic return. This bill will provide funding for the issuance and reporting of salt
water logbooks by restoring the licensing fees that sunsetted in 2018.
Once the division receives logbook information (in paper or electronic) it will assimilate all of the returned information
and use it to manage fisheries inseason to meet state and federal management obligations. The data will also be
incorporated into appropriate databases and reported on annually. Based on prior year information, the division
estimates that there will be over 800 salt water sport fishing guides and approximately 600 salt water sport fishing
businesses.
Under the program, the Division of Sport Fish will register all vessels used in guided sport fishing trips in salt waters at no
cost to the applicant. The division will also issue identifying decals for those vessels at no cost to the applicant. Further,
the division will license all salt water sport fishing operators and salt water sport fishing guides.
Operating Expenditures:
The total estimated cost of continuing to support the salt water vessel registration and logbook program is $400,000. This
does not include increasing costs in personnel or services, however, the division is attempting to mitigate these increases
by encouraging guides to use a new electronic logbook system.
Personal services costs are related to staff time processing registrations and conducting data entry for existing staff. A
small amount of travel is necessary for program staff to travel to guide meetings and explain annual modifications to
logbooks and any changes in regulations. Services costs are necessary for the printing of vessel decals and logbooks.
Commodities are for postage and mailing logbooks and decals as part of the program as necessary.
Revenue generated under the proposed fee structure:
The licensing fee structure portion of this legislation would begin January 1, 2021 at $200 for salt water fishing guides, and
$400 for salt water fishing operators or combined salt water sport fishing operator and guide. The division projects fees to
generate approximately $400,000 annual revenue depending on activity.
(Revised 10/22/19 OMB/LFD) Page 2 of 2
LL2019-200192-2-DFG-DSF-1-14-20 Page 2 of 2 Control Code: RNMuZ


Statutes affected:
SB0159A, AM SB 159, introduced 01/22/2020: 16.05.340, 16.40.272, 16.40.262, 16.40.282, 16.05.490, 16.05.815, 16.40.292, 16.40.301, 11.81.900, 25.27.244