Alaska State Legislature

News From The House Majority

Ken Freeman, Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540 (907) 465-3804

House Passes Measure To Sustain Marine Safety Program

For Immediate Release: March 17, 1997 Contact: Rep. Alan Austerman (907) 465-2487

JUNEAU - Legislation to provide funding for marine safety training and education programs passed the Alaska State House of Representatives Monday by a vote of 31-2.

HB 13 provides up to 50% of the interest of the Fishermen's Fund for marine safety training annually. One hundred percent of the fishermen's fund is derived from commercial fishing license fees. Sixty percent of license fees are dedicated to this fund.

"Since commercial fishermen are some of the beneficiaries of the required marine safety training, it's a great idea to allow part of the interest on the fund to be used to fund marine safety programs," said Representative Austerman.

Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) is a nonprofit, community-based information and training network, supported by many volunteers. It has been receiving 100 percent of its funding from federal grants, most of which have been eliminated recently.

Although the AMSEA organization is not specified in this legislation, it is anticipated that they will receive most of the funds provided by this bill as they are the only statewide marine safety organization and have an exemplary reputation. AMSEA has been operating in the State of Alaska for ten years.

The primary purpose of the organization is to reduce the loss of life and injury in the Alaskan marine environment by providing education through a statewide network of qualified marine safety instructors.

"These marine instructors also train the Alaska boating and fishing public, including many children and adults, in marine safety," said Austerman. "Of the 7300 people AMSEA trained in 1995, 2000 were from the commercial fishing industry, 3700 were children, and the remaining 1600 were from all walks of life."

"These programs deserve our help to ensure long-term funding source stability," said Austerman.

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