Alaska State Legislature
News from the House Majority

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

Alaska Fishermen in Line for Higher Catch Prices

House Passes Bill Allowing State Departments to Share Information

For Immediate Release: March 26, 1998 Contact: Rep. Alan Austerman (907) 465-4230.

Juneau -- The Alaska House Thursday passed House Bill 392, which is designed to help fishermen derive the best prices, or exvessel value, for their catch while modifying processor reporting to be more effective.

"This bill permits the Department of Revenue to share, in confidence, exvessel value information with the Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Environmental Conservation," said Representative Alan Austerman (R-Kodiak), the sponsor of HB 392. "It also updates wholesale price reporting by requiring better and more timely information from processors," Austerman said.

Under HB 392 the current semiannual reporting required of processors is increased from two to three times a year. The measure also stipulates that processors report to the Department of Revenue data in terms of all canned sizes sold and includes pouches or similar containers within the definition of "canned." In addition, the collective price bargainer will be required to hire and pay for an independent auditor who will have access to individual business information. However, the auditor will be required to maintain confidentiality and will not disclose specific business names.

"Fishery Business taxes, landing tax, ASMI tax, and aquaculture assessments are all based on the exvessel values of Alaska salmon products," Austerman said. "This bill should help both fishermen and the State in their pursuit of better information which should, in turn, mean higher prices for catches and more effective reporting," Austerman said.

# # #