
Louise Stutes
98:17 - 99:11
"A common theme that in the eyes of the public is growing more severe each year is the board's adherence to a transparent public process, ethical conduct, as well as its own policies, regulations, and statutes. These concerns were proven factual when our own Attorney General recently overturned 5 regulation proposals adopted by the Board of Fish, citing ethics acts violations. Board decisions and consequent— are consequential, often impacting thousands or tens of thousands of Alaskans within a single action."
“A common theme that in the eyes of the public is growing more severe each year is the board's adherence to a transparent public process, ethical conduct, as well as its own policies, regulations, and statutes. These concerns were proven factual when our own Attorney General recently overturned 5 regulation proposals adopted by the Board of Fish, citing ethics acts violations. Board decisions and consequent— are consequential, often impacting thousands or tens of thousands of Alaskans within a single action.”
I've had the honor of serving as the chair of House Fisheries Committee for 8 years. In that capacity, I hear from stakeholders across the state on a variety of fishery issues. A common theme that in the eyes of the public is growing more severe each year is the board's adherence to a transparent public process, ethical conduct, as well as its own policies, regulations, and statutes. These concerns were proven factual when our own Attorney General recently overturned 5 regulation proposals adopted by the Board of Fish, citing ethics acts violations. Board decisions and consequent— are consequential, often impacting thousands or tens of thousands of Alaskans within a single action.
The Alaska Legislative Budget and Audit Committee voted unanimously Thursday to commission a special audit of the Board of Fisheries, examining whether the board followed its own statutes, regulations, and public-notice requirements from October 2023 through July 2026.

Chris Curtis submitted her resignation as Alaska's legislative auditor effective August 30, ending more than 34 years with the division. A three-person subcommittee will review applicants and recommend a nominee to the full committee in August, followed by separate House and Senate confirmation votes.
