Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/31/2008 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB260 | |
| HB330 | |
| SB221 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 260 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 330 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | SB 221 | ||
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 330(RES)
"An Act relating to noxious weed, invasive plant and
agricultural pest management and education; and
providing for an effective date."
REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG JOHNSON, presented an overview for HB
330. He reported that the bill would create a Weed
Coordinator for the state, develop a weed plan, and create a
Weed Board. He maintained that these three requirements are
necessary to tap into federal funds which would allow Alaska
to coordinate with other states for weed eradication of
invasive species. Representative Johnson mentioned that
there have been invasive species entering into the state
with no plan to deal with this problem.
9:19:26 AM
Representative Johnson reiterated that there is no plan in
place to deal with invasive plant problems. He recounted
that as the warming trend continues in the state, invasive
species are becoming more prevalent. Representative Johnson
declared that invasive species are often deadly to the local
habitat and can cause severe economic havoc to state farms
and the economy. He revealed that Alaska is in the
preventative stage, not eradication phase. This bill would
set up the mechanism process to keep these species out of
Alaska.
9:21:47 AM
Senator Elton mentioned that under some federal programs,
fisheries are considered agriculture. He wondered if dealing
with invasive plants and animals brought in by ships would
be part of the responsibility of the new position.
9:22:32 AM
Representative Johnson reported that it is not clearly
outlined in this bill as HB 330 would act as a first step in
the process. The bill does not specifically address animal
or insect invasion species. He maintained that the new Weed
Coordinator could expand into these other areas. Senator
Elton remarked that his reading of the bill does not
prohibit it. He encouraged the Committee to look at and
focus on the maritime issues in the future.
9:24:16 AM
Co-Chair Stedman recounted that several communities in
Alaska are actively seeking both water exports.
Representative Johnson supported the movement to include the
water borne and non-indigenous plants and animals invading
Alaska but he reminded the Committee that this bill was
designed to narrow in on what is possible at this time.
9:25:11 AM
Senator Olson requested the number of states that have a
Weed Coordinator and Weed Board. He also questioned Canada's
process for dealing with this issue.
Representative Johnson reported he was not familiar with
Canada's program but that most of the western states have
this program. He explained that the agriculture in western
states has been hard hit by invasive plants and the land
where invasive species have been found has been devalued.
9:26:32 AM
Senator Dyson advised that the maritime invasive conditions
are killing off many of the natural species. He mentioned an
agreement among western states is starting to allow the
inspection in one jurisdiction to be recognized in another
jurisdiction. Senator Dyson specified his concern over the
farm fish invasion into Alaska waters, as farmed fish have
been discovered in eighty six Alaskan rivers.
9:27:46 AM
Senator Dyson reported hearing that some gardening stores in
Alaska are selling ornamental plants that are listed as
invasive species. He hoped that this commission would
produce a list of what can not be sold in Alaska. He also
questioned if federal funding would preclude being used on
noxious animals and seaborne creatures. Representative
Johnson replied he is not certain on the federal
requirements as there has not been a mechanism in place up
to this time. He recounted that some ornamental invasive
plants sold in stores were added to the list and one of the
charges of this board would be to update the list.
9:29:48 AM
Co-Chair Stedman requested Representative Johnson expand on
the potential for federal grants and the state matching
requirements. Representative Johnson responded that securing
federal grants would be part of the new weed coordinator's
position. He believed this could lead to hundreds of
thousands of dollars in federal money without state matching
funds.
Co-Chair Stedman referred to the four fiscal notes.
9:31:17 AM
Senator Elton questioned on Page 2, Section 1, line 24,
where it states that the new coordinator shall coordinate
with the University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Service
and the Alaska Association of Conservation Board of
Directors. Senator Elton suggested the addition of
coordinating with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game who
already have an invasive species person on staff. Senator
Olson questioned if the federal grants were ongoing or only
there for a few years, ultimately requiring state funds.
9:33:00 AM
Representative Johnson revealed he was not aware how long
the federal programs would last. The weed problem is a
widely recognized problem which causes huge economic losses
in western states. He did not envision this as a problem
going away but the state legislature needs to determine if
it is worth pursuing.
9:33:47 AM
BRYCE WRIGLEY, ALASKA FARM BUREAU, DELTA JUNCTION testified
via teleconference in support of this bill. He revealed that
Alaska is in a unique position to eliminate many of the
invasive species before they become a major problem. He
stressed that Alaska has the knowledge and tools to deal
with this before it becomes a greater problem. This
legislation could bring all the agencies together to develop
a management strategy. He believed this bill would start
putting an eradication plan into place.
9:35:34 AM
JANICE CHUMLEY, KENAI SOIL AND CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND THE
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
testified via teleconference, supported this bill. She
indicated noticing more invasive plants appearing throughout
the Kenai Peninsula in recent years. She reminded the
Committee that Alaska is the only state without an
overwhelming amount of invasive species and now is the time
to remain in this position.
9:37:05 AM
Representative Johnson signified that this bill is the first
step to deal with the invasive species problems and, as more
is learned, to continue to tackle more invasive plant and
animals species problems.
9:37:50 AM
CSHB 330 (RES) was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
AT EASE: 9:38:00 AM
RECONVENED: 9:59:52 AM
9:59:58 AM
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