Legislature(2021 - 2022)BARNES 124
04/21/2021 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB54 | |
| HB130 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 54 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 130 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 54-INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT
1:05:20 PM
CHAIR PATKOTAK announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 54, "An Act establishing the Alaska Invasive
Species Council in the Department of Fish and Game; relating to
management of invasive species; relating to invasive species
management decals; and providing for an effective date."
[Before the committee was CSHB 54(FSH).]
1:06:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR, Alaska State Legislature, as chair of
the House Special Committee on Fisheries, sponsor of HB 54,
relayed a current events story about Zebra mussels shutting down
a water system. She expressed hope that agencies across the
state can work together to ensure that the invasive species
issues in Alaska won't reach the magnitude of those seen in the
Lower 48.
1:07:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK said that this proposed legislation would
create a "humongous" invasive species council, and that he
doesn't see the need for legislation of this magnitude.
1:08:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY said he has firsthand experience with
invasive species and understands the concern. He then asked how
the state would manage invasive species on federal land.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR replied that one of the advantages of this
model of invasive species management is having the participation
of federal, state, and tribal partners. She then explained that
the quorum requirements for the Invasive Species Council under
HB 54 would facilitate efficient work.
REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY noted the cost of approximately $62,000 per
year.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR said that the program would be funded
largely through federal funds, and deferred to Legislative
Liaison Rachel Hanke.
1:12:29 PM
RACHEL HANKE, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner,
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), explained that funding
should come partially from federal grants, with additional funds
raised through the sale of invasive species management decals.
1:12:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS thanked Representative Tarr as chair of
the House Special Committee on Fisheries and noted that it's
difficult to know how to deal with the threat of invasive
species. He expressed concern about the effect of ticks on
moose populations.
1:14:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN spoke in favor of CSHB 54(FSH) and said
that the Invasive Species Council would provide the framework
for federal, state, tribal and private organizations to work
together. She discussed governmental bureaucracy and said that
the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Department
of Natural Resources (DNR), and Alaska Department of Fish & Game
(ADF&G), each have specific powers that overlap in some areas,
leaving gaps in others. She said, "I really think it is time
for us to put into statute something to address invasive
species, versus depending on individual agencies to advocate and
say, 'I see a problem, who else needs to know about this, how do
we work to prevent it from spreading?'."
1:17:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GILLHAM opined that DNR appeared to be doing "a
pretty good job" eradicating invasive species and questioned the
need for a 27-member committee. He then noted that Ms. Hanke
said there "should" be federal funding, instead of saying there
"will" be federal funding, and asked what could happen if the
federal funds are not received.
1:18:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE detailed a personal experience with an
invasive flora species and its negative impact. He noted that
HB 54 would create a council that "comes up with a plan" and
that council members would serve without compensation, per diem,
or travel expenses. He expressed his support of HB 54.
1:20:36 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:20 p.m. to 1:22 p.m.
1:22:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR said that a sunset date for the Invasive
Species Council under HB 54 could be added. She then quoted an
excerpt from a report [included in committee packet] provided by
Tammy Davis, Invasive Species Program Coordinator at ADF&G,
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Minnesota DNR states, "Adult mussels can survive out
of water less than five days in dry conditions, but
up to 21 days in very wet conditions". They go on to
state, "Microscopic larvae (veligers) can survive in
water contained in bait buckets, live wells, bilge
areas, ballast tanks, motors and other water
containing devices."
1:24:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER moved to report CSHB 54(FSH) out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 54(FSH) was
reported out of the House Resources Standing Committee.