Legislature(2013 - 2014)BARNES 124
03/01/2013 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
HCR1 | |
HB4 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ | HCR 1 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
+= | HB 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HCR 1-STATE FOOD RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT GROUP 1:03:18 PM CO-CHAIR FEIGE announced that the first order of business is HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1, Relating to the establishment and operation of a state food resource development working group. [Before the committee was CSHCR 1(EDT).] 1:03:37 PM REPRESENTATIVE BILL STOLTZE, Alaska State Legislature, as the prime sponsor, introduced HCR 1, noting that his district of Chugiak and southern rural Matanuska-Susitna are home to much of the state's produce and truck farming. He said HCR 1 is about Alaska's agricultural and fisheries resources. Many different components of the state's government have responsibilities for food policy, fisheries, and agriculture, so his idea is to integrate and provide some direction for the administration. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has policies that affect the ability to use pesticides and regulations on fertilizers. The University of Alaska has educational components and assistive components. The Department of Education and Early Development has a role in student nutrition and education about agriculture. The Department of Natural Resources houses the Division of Agriculture. The Department of Health & Social Services has nutrition programs. The point is that he could go on - HCR 1 has nine whereas clauses, but seventeen resolved clauses. He noted that Joe Balash, Deputy Director, Department of Natural Resources, has followed the progress on this resolution representing the governor's interest in having this direction to tie together this discussion on Alaska's food policy at the cabinet level. In addition to land- based agriculture, Alaska's ocean resources are a big part of the state's food supply chain. Even the Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs has a role in participating in a collective voice on a policy. Representative Stoltze reported that HCR 1 enjoys broad support and enthusiasm. No one has been asked to testify on it; rather, it has been a pied piper of interest. People he has never met before are calling in and wanting to be involved. He expressed his appreciation for the committee taking time to hear HCR 1. 1:08:12 PM CO-CHAIR FEIGE opened public testimony on HCR 1. 1:08:46 PM DARREN SNYDER, Agent, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Alaska Fairbanks, noted that in addition to his work as a cooperative extension agent, he has statewide responsibilities with the Alaska Food Policy Council as a governing board member. He stated he is before the committee to provide oral testimony in support of HCR 1 on behalf of the Alaska Food Policy Council. The council's goals include primarily strengthening Alaska's food system. The resolution does a lot to support this goal. The resolution is primarily focused on Alaska food and the economic development that can come from supporting food producers, which will support the success of Alaska communities. He said some of the on-the-ground work being done by the Cooperative Extension Service and the Alaska Food Policy Council includes work with the Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management to help them with the division's state plan around mass care and feeding. Those issues also include his two agencies' community work and templates to help communities map their local food systems and develop preparedness and response protocols for food storage, emergency harvest, and distribution. So, it is day-to-day economic development and how to feed people who are currently hungry, as well as emergency preparedness issues. 1:11:22 PM DANNY CONSENSTEIN, Alaska Director, Farm Service Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), offered his strong support of HCR 1 in his role with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He said the USDA works with farmers, ranchers, and growers across Alaska trying to provide Alaska capital and support in their business planning and risk management strategies. He said he is also on the governing board of the Alaska Food Policy Council. The council recognizes there are many different interests across the state in building a stronger food system. The council is comprised of health professionals, farmers, ranchers, fishermen, agency people, university people, and private sector people from across Alaska who believe it makes sense to coordinate and collaborate to build a strong food system. The council is in the process of developing recommendations for policy makers on ideas and ways that Alaska's infrastructure can be strengthened for building a stronger food system in Alaska. He said HCR 1 recognizes that increased coordination among state agencies is an important strategy. There are so many different state agencies with jurisdiction and responsibility for Alaska's food system, so it makes a lot of sense for good government to help improve that coordination among the agencies. This can benefit Alaska's communities by creating more jobs, healthier communities due to more access to healthy foods, and increasing security in times of emergencies. From the secretary on down, the USDA supports HCR 1 and the work of the Alaska Food Policy Council. 1:14:22 PM JOE BALASH, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), testified that the DNR is the lead agency with regard to matters of agriculture and the management of agricultural lands in the state. He said DNR would like to go on record in support of HCR 1. He thanked Representative Stoltze for bringing the issue forward and said he looked forward to implementing the will of the bodies. 1:15:00 PM CO-CHAIR FEIGE closed public testimony after ascertaining no one else wished to testify at this time. 1:15:09 PM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON offered his appreciation to Representative Stoltze for introducing HCR 1. He related he has been contacted by farmers in Homer who are appreciative of the resolution. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK offered his appreciation to Representative Stoltze for introducing the resolution. He said he does not want Alaska to have to rely on the rest of the world or the Lower 48 for its food supply because of the state's remoteness. He said Alaska needs to provide food for its people. He noted that at one time the U.S. used to have massive storage facilities for food for times of emergency. REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON commented that a natural disaster, such as an earthquake, or any other type of disaster could leave Alaska in grave disaster of running out of food. She said HCR 1 is a good idea for a multitude of reasons. 1:17:44 PM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to report CSHCR 1(EDT) out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHCR 1(EDT) was reported from the House Resources Standing Committee.
Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
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HCR1 Fiscal Note - LAA.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HCR 1 |
HCR1 Letters of Support.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HCR 1 |
HCR1 Mat-Su Borough Resolution.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HCR 1 |
HCR1 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HCR 1 |
HCR1 Summary of Changes.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HCR 1 |
HCR1 Version A.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HCR 1 |
HCR1 Version U (EDT).pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HCR 1 |
HB04 Mat-Su Resolution.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HB04 ASAP Tariff Diagram.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HB04 Legal Memo RE AGIA.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HB04 Tesoro Letter.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HB04 Nenana Resolution.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HB04 CVDA Letter.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HB04 State Chamber Letter.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HB04 Cook Inlet Energy Letter.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HB04 Seward Resolution.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HB04 North Pole Resolution.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HB04 Fairbanks Resolution.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HB04 Doyon Letter.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HB04 North Slope Borough Letter.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HB04 Amendment O.9.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HCR1 Additional Letters of Support.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HCR 1 |
HB04 Rep. Hawker Presentation - RCA Amendment.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HB04 Amendments O.1-6&10.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |
HB04 Amendment O.9 Incorporated.pdf |
HRES 3/1/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HB 4 |