Legislature(2011 - 2012)CAPITOL 106
03/08/2011 08:00 AM House STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB92 | |
| HB18 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 92 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 18-ALASKA PUBLIC GARDENS DAY
8:11:50 AM
CHAIR LYNN announced that the final order of business was HOUSE
BILL NO. 18, "An Act establishing Alaska Public Garden Day on
the Saturday immediately preceding Memorial Day each year."
8:12:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to adopt the committee substitute
(CS) for HB 18, Version 27-LS0139\B, Luckhaupt, 2/17/11, as a
work draft.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON objected for discussion purposes.
8:12:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA, Alaska State Legislature, as sponsor of
HB 18, explained that the sole change in Version B is a change
from "garden" to "gardens".
8:13:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON withdrew his objection. There being no
further objection, Version B before the committee.
8:13:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA explained that growing season is shorter
in Alaska, which makes National Gardens Day, on May 6th, too
early for Alaska's season. She said a constituent requested
legislation to set up a day later in the season to recognize
gardens in Alaska. Under HB 18, Alaska Public Gardens Day would
be recognized on the Saturday preceding Memorial Day each year.
8:14:51 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
8:15:10 AM
PETER FROEHLICH, Charter Member, Jensen Olsen Arboretum Advisory
Board, Jensen Olsen Arboretum, testified in support of HB 18.
He noted that the Jensen Olsen Arboretum is a public garden in
Juneau, Alaska. He offered his understanding that there are
representatives of other public garden who also support the
proposed legislation.
8:16:58 AM
PAT HARRIS, Chair, Jensen Olsen Arboretum Advisory Board, Jensen
Olsen Arboretum, echoed Mr. Froehlich's statement of support for
HB 18. She said it is a wonderful endorsement of public
gardens. In response to Chair Lynn, she said the Jensen Olsen
Arboretum doesn't use much if any pesticide, and offered her
understanding that the Alaska Botanical Garden uses no
pesticides. She said there is a move toward diminishing
pesticide use.
8:18:05 AM
ED BUYARSKI, Owner/Operator, Ed's Edible Landscaping; Past
President, Master Gardeners; Past President, American Primrose
Society; Board Member, Jensen Olsen Arboretum, invited everyone
to the Jensen Olsen Arboretum. He said local nurseries around
the state benefit from public gardens, because people who visit
those gardens inquire as to where they can buy the plants they
see there. He emphasized the importance of the educational
component of public gardens.
8:21:22 AM
MR. FROEHLICH noted that the public gardens are free of charge.
8:21:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG stated his support of HB 18 and his
intent to co-sponsor the bill. He related that he had donated
the stakes from his leftover campaign signs to the Alaska
Botanical Garden, and he said they are being used as tomato
stakes. He mentioned legislation a few years ago regarding
noxious weeds, and he encouraged those present to let the
committee know if other legislation is needed. He talked about
the community gardens in his community and expressed his hope
for more of such.
8:24:19 AM
MR. BUYARSKI acknowledged that there are other gardens that
exist aside from the three aforementioned public gardens;
however, he said they are not specifically recognized.
MR. FROEHLICH explained that the distinction is that the Jensen
Olsen Arboretum, the Georgeson Botanical Gardens, and the Alaska
Botanical Garden are members of the American Public Garden
Association. He said there are also private gardens, which
people pay a fee to view, such as [Jewel Gardens] in Skagway.
MR. HARRIS relayed that she is a member of the Juneau Community
Garden Board. She said the Juneau Community Garden welcomes
visitors, and she said she anticipates it would celebrate Alaska
Public Gardens Day. She said she would like to interpret the
proposed day as "a wonderful celebration for all gardeners and
all gardening spots."
8:27:53 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted that the bill does not recognize any
particular organization, and said he wants to ensure the
committee's understanding [is correct] that all communities will
be equally able to celebrate "the role gardens play in promoting
environmental stewardship, education, plant conservation,
recreation, and research."
REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA confirmed that HB 18 is not exclusive
legislation.
8:28:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN expressed his support of HB 18, and said
he plans to be co-sponsor. He said visitors to Alaska are often
surprised to find gardens in the state.
8:29:51 AM
JULIANNE MCGUINNESS, Executive Director, Alaska Botanical
Garden, stated that garden tourism is one of the fastest growing
sectors of tourism, with some visitors coming to Alaska
specifically to see its agricultural industry. Another aspect
of gardening includes education and public awareness. She said
public gardens in the state have programs for youth, as well as
workforce development programs, which impart skills related to
horticulture and agriculture development in the state. She
talked about public outreach to schools, churches, agencies, and
individuals. She imparted that over 6,500 school children
participate in the Junior Master Gardener program in the summer.
8:32:20 AM
CHAIR LYNN recalled Victory Gardens during World War II.
8:32:49 AM
KATHERINE "KATIE" DiCRISTINA, Horticulturist, Georgeson
Botanical Garden, University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), stated
that public gardens are places of beauty and of learning. She
said creating a day to celebrate public gardens would increase
awareness of the existence of public gardens and the many roles
they play. She related her experience watching children learn
about plants. Ms. DiCristina opined that having a day to
celebrate Alaska gardens on a date later than the National
Public Garden Day is important because of Alaska's climate
difference.
8:34:39 AM
PATRICIA HOLLOWAY, Director, Georgeson Botanical Garden,
University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), expressed appreciation for
the efforts made to celebrate Alaska public gardens. She said
there are "little pockets of beauty and education" around the
state. She said there are many reasons that people come to
public gardens. She opined that one reason to support HB 18 is
for the state to affirm that public gardens play a significant
role in education and research in northern plant cultivation and
conservation. She echoed Ms. McGuiness' statement that Alaska
gardens contribute to the tourist industry. She said UAF began
a peony growing enterprise, and she related a story about peony
growers from New Zealand who were surprised to find peonies
growing in Alaska and have since shared their expertise to help
the fledgling industry. She ventured that Alaska Public Gardens
Day would be a tool that public gardens could use to promote
their missions, increase public awareness of gardens, and
showcase the importance of native and introduced plants. She
said the Day would provide the opportunity for people to make
more connections and would provide greater educational benefits
to Alaskans.
8:38:29 AM
DONNA DINSMORE, President, Georgeson Botanical Garden Society,
explained that the society supports the Georgeson Botanical
Garden. She said growing in Alaska is challenging, but the
industry is growing. She said Alaska public gardens provide the
opportunity for education, plant conservation, recreation, and
research. She emphasized the importance of a colorful garden
after a long winter. She related tourists' comments on gardens,
and urged support of HB 18.
8:40:25 AM
CHAIR LYNN relayed that he is an amateur photographer, and some
of his best photographs are of flowers grown in Alaska.
8:40:45 AM
GRANT MATHEKE, Employee, Georgeson Botanical Garden, University
of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), stated that he has the best job in
town. He said it is frustrating for him to hear people say they
did not know Georgeson Botanical Garden exists, and he ventured
that establishing "Alaska Public Gardens Day" would bring an
awareness of existing gardens to people.
8:42:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG noted that included in the committee
packet is a letter from Victoria Naegele, the executive director
of Alaska Agriculture in the Classroom, who indicated that the
state had previously established Alaska Agriculture Day.
Representative Gruenberg said that day was established under AS
44.12.105, which read as follows:
Sec. 44.12.105. Alaska Agriculture Day.
Alaska Agriculture Day is established on the first
Tuesday in May each year in order to recognize the
many contributions of the agricultural industry in
Alaska. Alaska Agriculture Day may be observed by
celebratory events, projects, and activities directed
at or involving people of all ages to increase their
awareness and appreciation of Alaska agriculture and
agriculture in general.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG posited, "This goes nicely with that."
8:43:48 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA thanked the committee.
8:43:55 AM
CHAIR LYNN closed public testimony.
8:44:01 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON noted that there is a community garden
in a park in Wrangell. She further noted that there are
beautiful flower gardens surrounding the Sitka Pioneer Home.
She said visitors to Alaska comment about the flowers around
town, and HB 18 will bring an added awareness of Alaska's
gardens.
8:45:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON mentioned that Homer has garden tours, and
he related the improvements he made to his own garden last year
to participate as one of the tour destinations. He said there
were approximately 380 people who took the tour, and quite a few
people from Outside plan their trips to Alaska with
consideration to seeing its gardens.
8:46:41 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN said there is an active group of
gardeners in Ketchikan. He noted that testifiers had mentioned
the positive effects of the bill on the economy and food
sources, and said he would work to get that information
highlighted in the bill language.
8:47:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report CSHB 18, Version 27-
LS0139\B, Luckhaupt, 2/17/11, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being
no objection, CSHB 18(STA) was reported from the committee.
8:48:17 AM
MR. FROEHLICH issued an invitation to the arboretum.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 01 HB18 CS Version B Alaska Public Gardens Day.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 18 |
| 02 HB 18 Version A.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 18 |
| 03 HB 18 Changes to CS Alaska Public Gardens Day.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 18 |
| 05 HB 18 Letters of Support.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 18 |
| 06 HB 18 Alaska Public Gardens Day National Public Garden Day Info.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 18 |
| 07 HB 18 Governor Parnell Executive Proclamation.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 18 |
| 08 HB18 CBJ Proclamation Alaska Public Gardens Day Jensen.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 18 |
| -10 CS for HB 92 Version B.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 92 |
| -11 Changes in CS for HB92.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 92 |
| 09 HB 18 Fiscal Note.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 18 |
| 10 HB018-DOA-FAC-3-2-11.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 18 |
| 04 HB 18 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 18 |