HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

February 04, 2003 Hearing Room D

1:00 PM Tapes 15 - 18

MEMBERS PRESENT: Rep. Jeff Kropf, Chair

Rep. George Gilman, Vice-Chair

Rep. Kelly Wirth, Vice-Chair

Rep. Donna Nelson

Rep. Patti Smith

MEMBER EXCUSED: Rep. Dave Hunt

Rep. Terry Beyer

STAFF PRESENT: Ray Kelly, Committee Administrator

David Peffley, Committee Assistant

MEASURES HEARD: HB 2254 - Public Hearing and Work Session

HB 2260 – Public Hearing

These minutes are in compliance with Senate and House Rules. Only text enclosed in quotation marks reports a speaker’s exact words. For complete contents, please refer to the tapes.

TAPE/#	Speaker	Comments
TAPE 15, A
003	Chair Kropf	Calls the meeting to order and opens a public hearing on HB 2254.
HB 2254 – PUBLIC HEARING
010	Chuck Craig	Deputy Director, Department of Agriculture. Presents HB 2254, to update fees for brand inspection to compensate for twelve years of inflation. Submits (EXHIBIT A), written testimony and (EXHIBIT B), written material in support of HB 2254.
074	Chair Kropf	Asks if the staffing levels have remained constant at the Department of Agriculture.
078	Craig	Responds that they have in fact decreased as the Department has become more efficient.
092	Katie Fast	Submits (EXHIBIT C) and testifies in support of HB 2254, which is integral to the agricultural industry.
103	Greg Addington	Associate Director of Government Affairs, Oregon Farm Bureau. Reaffirms Fast’s testimony.
118	Chair Kropf	Affirms Fast’s testimony. Closes the public hearing on HB 2254 and opens a work session on HB 2254.
HB 2254 – WORK SESSION
120	Ray Kelly	Notes the subsequent referral to Ways and Means by prior reference.
125	Rep. Smith	MOTION: Moves HB 2254 to the floor with a DO PASS Recommendation and BE RERERRED to the Committee on Ways and Means by prior reference.
133	Rep. Nelson	Voices concern about a fee increase and affirms that she will vote yes on this bill only as a courtesy.
146		VOTE: 5-0 EXCUSED: 2 - Beyer, Hunt
158	Chair Kropf	Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.
162	Chair Kropf	Opens a public hearing HB 2260.
HB 2260 – PUBLIC HEARING
186	Chuck Smith	Medford, Oregon. Member of the External Budget Committee for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Testifies in favor of HB 2260 as necessary to keep vital programs viable.
201	Paul Hanneman	Tillamook County Commissioner. Submits (EXHIBIT D) and testifies with limited support for HB 2260 to provide sufficient funding for salmon hatcheries.
222	Chair Kropf	Questions whether the funding for this program is in a dedicated account.
222	Jerry Dove	Testifies in support of HB 2260. States that if the bill fails that we will have no hatchery fish within four years. Informs the committee that Tillamook County can not take another hit to its economy, and that this will happen if this bill fails.
TAPE 16, A
003	Ray Kelly	Responds to the Chair’s previous question about dedicated accounts deposited in the wildlife.
008	Rep. Nelson	States concern about those who cannot afford the increase. Asks if there is any alternative.
014	Dove	Responds that it is necessary to keep hatcheries open.
026	Rep. Nelson	Asks if we can go back to zero-based budgeting and root out unnecessary expenditures..
032	Dove	States that he isn’t the one to answer that question, but reiterates his support for HB 2260.
043	Senator Dukes	Speaks in favor HB 2260. Speaks to the need to bring in revenue. Reiterates that Ways and Means have cut all that they can and can’t afford any more cuts.
067	Rep. Hopson	Reaffirms Senator Dukes’ testimony and supports HB 2260.
085	Ben Hathaway	Tillamook. Speaks in favor of HB 2260. Owns a sportsfishing store in Tillamook. States that in an interview of 1,127 people regarding the fee, there was only one dissenting voice.
109	Stanley Steele	Speaks in favor of HB 2260. States that a reduction in hatchery fish will negatively impact the economy in many ways, including harm to local business. These fees are needed to support ODFW, which serves the needs of common anglers.
216	Phil Adams	Roseburg Resources Co. Submits (EXHIBIT E) in support of HB 2260. States the need to generate revenue as necessary to keep programs running.
250	Ralph Perkins	Salem Trout Advisory Committee member. States that he doesn’t like to raise fees, but that the alternative is unacceptable.
270	David Peters	Coos Bay resident and past president of many diverse organizations dedicated to fish and wildlife propagation. Speaks in favor of HB 2260. Testifies that hatchery fish do repopulate and that the program works great.
333	Norm Ritchie	President of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders. Points out that there is broad base of support for this legislation. Asserts that the costs are not exorbitant.
381	Terry Thompson	Lincoln County Commissioner. States support for HB 2260 and attests to the widespread support for this bill.
TAPE 15, B
025	Bob Jacobson	Resident of Newport, lifelong fisherman. Spent over 100 days fishing in the past year. Affirms that even with the fee increase, that fishing is a very affordable form of entertainment. Supports HB 2260 so that future generations are able to fish as well.
055	Jim Woods	Secretary-Treasurer of the Tillamook Anglers. Affirms support for HB 2260.
074	Steve Mathers	Oregon Guides and Packers. States objection to the double increase for outfitters, buts otherwise supports HB 2260.
097	Rep. Nelson	Asks why the outfitters pay more.
099	Mathers	Responds that it’s the outgrowth of past legislation.
101	Rep. Nelson	Asks outfitters if they realize that this bill adds a salary increase to ODFW.
107	Mathers	Testifies that he believes that the money is used very wisely.
113	Rep. Wirth	Asks if this extra payment is typical.
118	Mathers	Testifies that it is typical.
121	Mike Crawford	States dependence on the outfitter’s tags to survive. States a desire for an amendment to this bill. Testifies to the prices for tags in different states.
153	Mike Carey	Regional Director, National Wild Turkey Federation. Affirms full support for HB 2260. States that wildlife people are also concerned about the effects of the failure of this measure.
185	Ron Gerber	Florence Salmon and Trout Advisory Committee. Testifies in support of HB 2260, but supports revisiting Rep. Nelson’s ideas of lowering tag prices for seniors and disabled people after we’re out of financial trouble.
297	Ron Byrd	Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods and President of Nestucca Anglers. As a retailer in Tillamook County, he observes that everyone in his area is supporting this legislation. Affirms a desire to see $3,000.000 to go to the hatcheries, rather than to salaries.
350	Karen Smith	Nurse from Bend. Testifies in support of HB 2260. States that her fees are minimal compared to the benefits received.
387	Kelly Smith	Testifies that cuts would be too drastic if HB 2260 does not pass. States her concern that ODFW is underfunded.
TAPE 16, B
045	Dick Hellberg	Offers support for HB 2260. States his desire to have out of state people pay more than Oregonians.
102	Ron Yoakum	Douglas County board of Commissioners. Offers testimony in support of HB 2260 as important to keeping the Rock Creek Hatchery open.
120	Rep. Nelson	Points out that senior discounts only apply to residents of the state for fifty years. Adds that we don’t offer discounts for veterans.
153	Tom Davis	Alsea Watershed Council Chairman. States that few agencies get as much for their money as ODFW does. Strongly supports raising fees in order to keep ODFW properly funded.
207	Jerry Ray	Board member of many wildlife organizations. Offers support for HB 2260 in order to maintain services at same level. Requests that EE Wilson wildlife area be spared cuts. Submits (EXHIBIT F) in support of HB 2260.
300	Bob Rees	President, Tillamook Guide Association. States strong support for HB 2260 in order to maintain hatchery programs.
343	Jane Hunts	Speaking on behalf of the Foundation for North American W0ild Sheep. States support of HB 2260 as to keep staff at its current level. Emphasizes that the biologists must be retained and not be laid off.
TAPE 17, A
027	Jack Mattice	Avid fisherman from out of state. Testifies that increasing the cost of tags will not keep him from returning to fish in Oregon.
040	Tray Carskadon	Northwest Sportfishing Industry. Offers that businesses such as those dealing with sport fishing are dependent upon the passage of HB 2260.
099	Liz Hamilton	Reaffirms Mr. Carskadon’s testimony.
113	Joe Colver	State Organizers for the Oregon Trappers Association. Points out that trappers don’t want to pay more in fees, but they realize the importance of this legislation and thus support HB 2260.
141	Russ Paterson	Board of Directors, Tillamook Anglers. Testifies that the hatcheries are very important to step operations, and that their closure would be devastating.
201	Brenda Coker	ODFW. Submits (EXHIBIT G) offers testimony in support of HB 2260, as failure to pass this legislation will force them to lay off their volunteer coordinator and volunteer staff.
255	Dennis Richey	Executive Director, Oregon Anglers. (EXHIBIT H) Testifies that Oregon Anglers would rather have fish to catch, and thus support the tax as the lesser of two evils.
295	Jim Crotts	Sweet Home fisherman who paid over $650 in guide fees last year. States his concern that if HB 2260 does not pass, many people involved in the fishing industry will lose their job.
361	Raymond Miller	Member of Mid-Willamette Valley Anglers. States that this group strongly supports HB 2260.
390	Tom Burgess	Canby fishing guide. Testifies in favor of HB 2260. States that no one he knows has any problems paying the fee increase.
TAPE 18, A
038	Rachel Burgess	Native Oregonian employed in recreational travel. Expresses how popular fishing is with out of state tourists and to lose it would be to lose much tourism.
062	James Cathcart	Submits (EXHIBIT I) in support of HB 2260. Expresses concern for the sustainability of Oregon’s fishing.
123	Bruce Taylor	Director, Defenders of Wildlife. Submits (EXHIBIT J) in support of HB 2260. States concern for the continuance of wildlife damage control.
151	Rod Brobeck	Executive Director, Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation. Expresses support for HB 2260.
170	Frank Warrens	Testifies that the loss of production from hatcheries would have a negative impact on the U.S-Canada Pacific Salmon Treaty. Recommends passage of HB 2260 for this reason and all the others stated.
233	Dale Blanchard	Submits (EXHIBIT K) and testifies that the cost of the fishing license is insignificant in relation to the money spent in small town while fishing.
276	Lance Fisher	Life-long fishing guide. Testifies that his future working in hatcheries is in jeopardy. Believes that not only should this measure pass, but that we should look at other funding sources.
300	Robert Botta	Executive Director, National Foundation of Wildlife. Testifies in support of HB 2260 and encourages that EE Wilson wildlife area will be funded.
395	Bob Salinger	Director of the Audubon Society of Portland. Submits (EXHIBIT L) and testifies that the proposed fee increases are necessary to allow a number of key programs to continue.
TAPE 17, B
050	Brad Daum	Testifies that fishing is a great family activity and that he would be happy to pay the increase to continue to have quality fishing.
058	Al Elkins	Submits (EXHIBIT M) and testifies in favor of HB 2260, in order to support the field biologists and OSP officers.
079	Jerod Broadfoot	Safari Club International. Testifies in support of HB 2260, as the fees are low, comparable to other states.
102	Darlene Kline-Dolby	Submits (EXHIBIT N) and testifies that fee increases are necessary to maintain the status quo at ODFW.
139	Chair Kropf	Closes the public hearing on HB 2260 and adjourns the meeting at 3:53.
The following prepared testimony is submitted for the record without public testimony for HB 2260.
	Tom Vanderplatt	Submits written testimony (EXHIBIT O)
	Bill Moshofsky	Submits written testimony (EXHIBIT P).
	Wayne Giesy	Submits written testimony (EXHIBIT Q).
	Dennis Oliphant	Submits written testimony (EXHIBIT R).
	Jim Martin	Submits written testimony (EXHIBIT S).
	Roger Gertenrich	Submits written testimony (EXHIBIT T).
	Tim Bailey	Submits written testimony (EXHIBIT U).
	Dick Posey	Submits written testimony (EXHIBIT V).
	Robert Funk	Submits written testimony (EXHIBIT W).
	Dave Strahan	Sumbits written testimony (EXHIBIT X).

EXHIBIT SUMMARY

A – HB 2254, written testimony, Chuck Craig, 2 pp.

B – HB 2254, written testimony, Chuck Craig, 12 pp.

C – HB 2254, written testimony, Katie Fast, 1 p.

D – HB 2260, written testimony, Paul Hanneman, 1 p.

E – HB 2260, written testimony, Phil Adams, 1 p.

F – HB 2260, written testimony, Jerry Ray, 11 pp.

G – HB 2260, written testimony, Brenda Coker, 8 pp.

H – HB 2260, written testimony, Dennis Richey, 1 p.

I – HB 2260, written testimony, Jim Cathcart, 1 p.

J – HB 2260, written testimony, Bruce Taylor, 1 p.

K – HB 2260, written testimony, Dale Blanchard, 1 p.

L – HB 2260, written testimony, Bob Sallinger, 1 p.

M – HB 2260, written testimony, Al Elkins, 2 pp.

N – HB 2260, written testimony, Darlene Kline-Dolby, 1 p.

O – HB 2260, written testimony, Tom Vanderplatt, 1 p.

P – HB 2260, written testimony, Bill Moshofsky, 1 p.

Q – HB 2260, written testimony, Wayne Giesy, 1 p.

R – HB 2260, written testimony, Dennis Oliphant, 1 p.

S – HB 2260, written testimony, Jim Martin, 1 p.

T – HB 2260, written testimony, Roger Gertenrich, 1 p.

U – HB 2260, written testimony, Tim Bailey, 1 p.

V – HB 2260, written testimony, Dick Posey, 1 p.

W – HB 2260, written testimony, Robert Funk, 2 pp.

X – HB 2260, written testimony, Dave Strahan, 1 p.