Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124

03/26/2025 01:00 PM House RESOURCES

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ HB 140 CREATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
+= HB 93 RESIDENCY REQ: HUNTING, TRAPPING, FISHING TELECONFERENCED
Moved HB 93 Out of Committee
-- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
               HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                             
                         March 26, 2025                                                                                         
                           1:02 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Robyn Niayuq Burke, Co-Chair                                                                                     
Representative Maxine Dibert, Co-Chair                                                                                          
Representative Carolyn Hall                                                                                                     
Representative Donna Mears                                                                                                      
Representative Zack Fields                                                                                                      
Representative Dan Saddler                                                                                                      
Representative George Rauscher                                                                                                  
Representative Julie Coulombe                                                                                                   
Representative Bill Elam                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
All members present                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 140                                                                                                              
"An Act  establishing the Department of  Agriculture; relating to                                                               
the establishment of the  Department of Agriculture; transferring                                                               
functions  of  the Department  of  Natural  Resources related  to                                                               
agriculture to  the Department of Agriculture;  and providing for                                                               
an effective date."                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 93                                                                                                               
"An Act changing the residency requirements for hunting,                                                                        
trapping, and sport fishing privileges; and providing for an                                                                    
effective date."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED HB 93 OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 140                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: CREATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                                                                                   
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
03/17/25       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/17/25       (H)       RES, FIN                                                                                               
03/26/25       (H)       RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB  93                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: RESIDENCY REQ: HUNTING, TRAPPING, FISHING                                                                          
SPONSOR(s): HIMSCHOOT                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
02/10/25       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/10/25       (H)       FSH, RES                                                                                               
02/18/25       (H)       FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120                                                                          
02/18/25       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
02/18/25       (H)       MINUTE(FSH)                                                                                            
02/22/25       (H)       FSH AT 11:00 AM GRUENBERG 120                                                                          
02/22/25       (H)       Moved HB 93 Out of Committee                                                                           
02/22/25       (H)       MINUTE(FSH)                                                                                            
02/24/25       (H)       FSH RPT 4DP 1NR                                                                                        
02/24/25       (H)       DP: KOPP, EDGMON, HIMSCHOOT, STUTES                                                                    
02/24/25       (H)       NR: VANCE                                                                                              
03/12/25       (H)       RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
03/12/25       (H)       Scheduled but Not Heard                                                                                
03/14/25       (H)       RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
03/14/25       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/14/25       (H)       MINUTE(RES)                                                                                            
03/21/25       (H)       RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
03/21/25       (H)       -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                 
03/26/25       (H)       RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE ZACK FIELDS                                                                                                      
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  As prime sponsor, introduced HB 140.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
AMY SEITZ, Policy Director                                                                                                      
Alaska Farm Bureau                                                                                                              
Soldotna, Alaska                                                                                                                
POSITION STATEMENT:  Presented a PowerPoint regarding the                                                                     
creation of the Alaska Department of Agriculture.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
JASON LESSARD, Executive Director                                                                                               
Alaska Mariculture Alliance                                                                                                     
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Discussed the mariculture industry and                                                                   
explained that Alaska Mariculture Alliance (AMA) does not have                                                                  
an official stance on HB 140.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
RENA MILLER, Special Assistant to the Commissioner                                                                              
Department of Natural Resources                                                                                                 
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Answered questions regarding HB 140.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
DAVID EGELSTON, representing self                                                                                               
Thorne Bay, Alaska                                                                                                              
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support of HB 93.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
NICHOLAS ORR, representing self                                                                                                 
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Provided background and answered questions                                                               
regarding HB 93.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
JEN LEAHY, representing self                                                                                                    
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support of HB 93.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT                                                                                                        
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  As prime sponsor of HB 93, gave                                                                          
introductory remarks and answered questions.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
THATCHER BROUWER, Staff                                                                                                         
Representative Himschoot                                                                                                        
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Provided clarification regarding hunting,                                                                
fishing, and trapping license certification.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRYAN BARLOW, COLONEL, Director                                                                                                 
Alaska Wildlife Troopers                                                                                                        
Department of Public Safety                                                                                                     
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Answered questions regarding hunting,                                                                    
fishing, and trapping license certification.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:02:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE called the House Resources Standing Committee                                                                    
meeting to order at 1:02 p.m.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Representatives Elam, Coulombe, Fields, Rauscher, Saddler, Hall,                                                                
Mears, Dibert, and Burke were present at the call to order.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
            HB 140-CREATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:03:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE announced  that the first order  of business would                                                               
be  HOUSE BILL  NO. 140  "An Act  establishing the  Department of                                                               
Agriculture; relating  to the establishment of  the Department of                                                               
Agriculture; transferring functions of  the Department of Natural                                                               
Resources   related  to   agriculture   to   the  Department   of                                                               
Agriculture; and providing for an effective date."                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:04:02 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE ZACK FIELDS,  Alaska State Legislature, introduced                                                               
HB  140  and summarized  why  he  supported  the formation  of  a                                                               
Department of  Agriculture using  the legislative  process rather                                                               
than an  executive order.  He  explained that there was  a lot of                                                               
support   among  legislators   for  creating   a  Department   of                                                               
Agriculture through legislation.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:04:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
AMY SEITZ,  Policy Director, Alaska  Farm Bureau,  explained that                                                               
she was  speaking from  the position of  the Alaska  Farm Bureau,                                                               
and  represented  their  support  of  HB  140.    She  began  her                                                               
presentation,   titled   "Alaska   Department   of   Agriculture,                                                               
Prioritizing  a  strong  industry"  [hard copy  included  in  the                                                               
committee packet].   She  moved to slide  2, titled  "Mission and                                                               
Vision," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
        Support, promote and encourage development of an                                                                        
     agriculture and mariculture industry in Alaska that is                                                                     
     viable, profitable and sustainable.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     Promote   an   economically  stable   agriculture   and                                                                    
     mariculture industry  for Alaska  that can  enhance the                                                                    
     quality of  life for its people,  create sustainability                                                                    
     of its communities and  environment, and encourages new                                                                    
     business development opportunities for all Alaskans.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
She  emphasized  the  importance  of  building  the  agricultural                                                               
industries for the betterment of Alaska.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:06:19 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  SEITZ  moved to  slide  3,  titled  "Goals," which  read  as                                                               
follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     Increase production                                                                                                        
        Market development - promote buying local at all                                                                        
     market levels                                                                                                              
     Increase economic viability in all types and sizes of                                                                      
     farm & food businesses                                                                                                     
     Improve transportation system                                                                                              
     Improve food security                                                                                                      
     Assist with expanding infrastructure                                                                                       
     Increase access to capital                                                                                                 
     Expand support programs statewide                                                                                          
         Improve access to and protect lands and waters                                                                         
     suitable for farming                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
She explained  that these goals  were in place with  the existing                                                               
division  as  well   as  for  the  mariculture   industry.    She                                                               
referenced  the  work  of  the  food  security  task  force,  the                                                               
legislative  food  strategy  task  force,  the  mariculture  task                                                               
force, and the 2009 Division  of Agriculture strategic plan.  She                                                               
pointed out  that a basic framework  was in place for  building a                                                               
strong agriculture industry.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:07:44 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. SEITZ  moved to  slide 4, titled  "Strategic Plan  for Moving                                                               
Forward," which showed a photo  of some incredibly adorable goats                                                               
looking through a  barn window.  She advanced to  slide 5, titled                                                               
"Department Focus,  Focus on in-state production,"  which read as                                                               
follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     Department of Agriculture ?                                                                                                
     Department of Agriculture and Fish ?                                                                                       
     Department of Food Security ?                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
She pointed  out that the  name of the  new department is  not as                                                               
important  as what  it  accomplishes, but  a  name would  provide                                                               
focus.    She  discussed  the merits  of  three  possible  names,                                                               
emphasizing the  need to focus  on the cultivation aspect  of the                                                               
food industry.   If  the department was  named the  Department of                                                               
Agriculture  and Fish,  the  greater emphasis  might  be on  fish                                                               
rather than  agriculture.  If  the name became the  Department of                                                               
Food Security,  it would leave  out non-food farms such  as peony                                                               
farms which have a world market.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:11:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  SEITZ proceeded  to slide  6, titled  "Alaska Department  of                                                               
Agriculture  Organization  Chart,"   which  showed  one  possible                                                               
framework for the  new department based on a  white paper created                                                               
ty the Alaska  Food Strategy Task Force.  She  explained that the                                                               
organizational  chart  was  theoretical   at  the  time,  but  it                                                               
provided a basis  for discussion.  She  reiterated the importance                                                               
of having  a commissioner who  would be  focused on the  needs of                                                               
Alaska agriculture.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:13:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. SEITZ  moved to  slide 7,  titled "Program  Expansion," which                                                               
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Market Development                                                                                                         
     Grants and Loans                                                                                                           
     Lands and Waters                                                                                                           
     Inspection Services                                                                                                        
     Alaska FFA                                                                                                                 
     Mariculture                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Increased staff capacity & program funding = increased                                                                     
     reach, resources and ability to build industry                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Details in Department of Agriculture White Paper                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
She discussed  the proposed program  expansion and  described the                                                               
potential positive  results.  For example,  outside funding would                                                               
become  available;  education  and outreach  could  be  expanded;                                                               
there would be  a broader reach around the  state specifically in                                                               
rural communities;  and the focus  on land would be  increased to                                                               
include water for mariculture.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:17:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  SEITZ  showed  slide  8,   titled,  "Do  we  really  need  a                                                               
Department?" which  showed a  photo of  peonies and  proceeded to                                                               
slide 9,  titled "Momentum  + Support  = Greater  Success," which                                                               
showed census  data comparing  information on  Alaska agriculture                                                               
from  1982,  2002,  and  2022  regarding  the  number  of  farms,                                                               
cropland harvested, the value of  crops sold, and cut flowers and                                                               
floral greens.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:18:45 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  SEITZ responded  to questions  from Representative  Coulombe                                                               
and  Representative   Rauscher  regarding  whether   the  numbers                                                               
included  farms which  cultivated marijuana  or hemp,  explaining                                                               
that it  was not listed as  one of the crops  in the agricultural                                                               
census report.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:20:16 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. SEITZ,  in response to  a question from  Representative Elam,                                                               
said she  would provide a line  item of what crops  were included                                                               
in the agriculture division's census.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:21:09 PM6                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MS.  SEITZ  proceeded to  slide  10  which continued  the  topic,                                                               
titled  "Momentum +  Support =  Greater  Success."   It showed  a                                                               
chart comparing the  operating budgets for the  years 2005, 2010,                                                               
2015,  2020,  2024, and  the  funding  proposed  for 2025.    She                                                               
suggested   that   Alaska   agriculture   receives   insufficient                                                               
resources, and it has had a  negative effect.  She commented that                                                               
attempts to  build a  stronger division have  not seemed  to work                                                               
and that a department will work better.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:24:39 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  SEITZ responded  to a  question from  Representative Raucher                                                               
who referred  to the types of  funding outlined on slide  9.  She                                                               
moved to  slide 11  which read  as follows  [original punctuation                                                               
provided]:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Division of Agriculture                                                                                                    
          Underfunded = low capacity                                                                                            
          Low priority in department                                                                                            
          Efforts to start agriculture not build                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Department of Agriculture                                                                                                  
          Brings focus and priority                                                                                             
          Cabinet-level voice                                                                                                   
          Greater opportunity to build industry                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Pointed  out the  comparisons  on slide  11,  highlighting how  a                                                               
department  of  agriculture would  be  in  a better  position  to                                                               
assist  with  emergencies  or  disasters.     A  commissioner  of                                                               
agriculture would  help prioritize Alaska agriculture  on a state                                                               
and national level.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:31:45 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  SEITZ responded  to a  question from  Representative Saddler                                                               
regarding whether the farming  community supported the Department                                                               
of  Agriculture  being  created through  an  executive  order  or                                                               
through  the legislative  process.   She explained  that creating                                                               
the department is more important than how it is created.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:32:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. SEITZ,  in response  to a  question from  Representative Elam                                                               
regarding  fish farming,  stated  that the  farm  bureau was  not                                                               
taking a position on that issue.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:34:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS addressed the  topic of fish farming raised                                                               
by  Representative Elam.   He  described the  primary differences                                                               
between  hatchery  fish  and  fish   farming,  pointing  out  the                                                               
statutory  prohibition on  fin fish  farming.   He  said that  he                                                               
supported having  mariculture in the  new department, but  he did                                                               
not see  a reason  to move  some of the  functions of  the Alaska                                                               
Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) to the agriculture department.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:38:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE opened invited testimony on HB 140.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:38:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JASON LESSARD,  Executive Director, Alaska  Mariculture Alliance,                                                               
explained that  the mission of  the Alaska  Maricultural Alliance                                                               
(AMA)  was   to  develop   and  support   a  stable   and  robust                                                               
maricultural  industry  for  the long-term  benefit  of  Alaska's                                                               
economy,  environment, and  communities.   He  described how  the                                                               
marine  shellfish and  aquatic plant  industry can  diversify the                                                               
economy,  create  opportunities,  address food  security  issues,                                                               
help  filter seawater,  and create  habitat  for aquatic  species                                                               
such as  shrimp.   He also  discussed how  aquatic plants  can be                                                               
used as fertilizer, replacing reliance  on harsher chemicals.  He                                                               
explored the history of support  for mariculture and commented on                                                               
the  diverse groups  encompassed by  AMA.   He acknowledged  that                                                               
mariculture is a nascent industry,  and developing guidelines and                                                               
regulations would  be an ongoing process.   He said that  the AMA                                                               
is interested  in a department  of agriculture but does  not have                                                               
an  official stance.    There was  a  preference for  legislation                                                               
rather than an  executive order because AMA could  be involved in                                                               
the process.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:45:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.   LESSARD,   in   response    to   several   questions   from                                                               
Representative  Mears, explained  that  AMA has  worked with  the                                                               
Department of  Natural Resources (DNR)  and ADF&G.   He described                                                               
how mariculture overlaps with those departments.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:47:57 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  LESSARD   responded  to   a  question   from  Representative                                                               
Rauscher,  explaining  that  it  was his  understanding  that  an                                                               
executive order was  simply an up and down vote  which would make                                                               
it  more  difficult  for  AMA   to  provide  input,  whereas  the                                                               
legislative process  allows groups and individuals  to be engaged                                                               
in the process.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:49:24 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  LESSARD  addressed  several  questions  from  Representative                                                               
Coulombe, acknowledging that mariculture  was not mentioned in HB
140  at that  time,  and that  AMA also  worked  with the  Alaska                                                               
Department of Environmental Conservation.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:50:50 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE referenced an  apparent shift in the bill                                                               
to take  powers from the  Board of  Agriculture and give  them to                                                               
the commissioner.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  FIELDS explained  that eliminating  the board  is                                                               
not  the intent.    He  commented that  one  of  the reasons  for                                                               
putting  forth the  bill was  to provide  a means  for addressing                                                               
different issues.   He  gave the  example of  determining whether                                                               
mariculture should be included with agriculture.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:52:16 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
RENA MILLER,  Special Assistant  to the  Commissioner, Department                                                               
of Natural Resources,  explained that HB 140 was  not DNR's bill,                                                               
so  she could  not address  questions  of intent.   However,  she                                                               
explained that  the bill would redirect  the communications flow.                                                               
The  bill would  direct communications  through the  commissioner                                                               
because the  commissioner would become the  executive director of                                                               
the Board Of Agriculture & Conservation.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:53:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  MILLER  responded to  a  question  from Representative  Elam                                                               
regarding the  structure of  the proposed  department, explaining                                                               
that  neither the  executive  order  (EO) nor  HB  140 created  a                                                               
specific structure beyond creating  the position of commissioner.                                                               
The structure would be determined through the fiscal note.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:55:04 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  FIELDS  addressed   several  questions  posed  by                                                               
Representative  Saddler regarding  why  he supported  legislation                                                               
rather than  supporting EO 136.   He explained that  he supported                                                               
the creation of a department  of agriculture, but he posited that                                                               
a  more  robust  structure  would  result  from  the  legislative                                                               
process  because  of the  opportunity  to  propose changes.    He                                                               
pointed out  the suggested department structure  starting on page                                                               
13 of the Food Strategy Task Force report.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:57:54 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  FIELDS   responded  to  several   questions  from                                                               
Representative  Coulombe regarding  how the  department would  be                                                               
paid for.   He suggested  that the permanent fund  dividend (PFD)                                                               
would be zero dollars within  several years, and he would support                                                               
the  permanent fund  as  a  funding source  for  a department  of                                                               
agriculture.    However, he  wanted  to  honor  the will  of  the                                                               
committee in this matter.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:59:45 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  MILLER reviewed  the fiscal  notes, noting  that there  were                                                               
three because the current division  of agriculture would be moved                                                               
completely to the  new department.  One fiscal note  was from the                                                               
agriculture development allocation which  would take their budget                                                               
and their staff and move them  to the new department.  The second                                                               
note is  from the  plant materials  center allocation  that would                                                               
also move budget  and staff to the new department.   The new note                                                               
would move  those budgets into  the new department.   That fiscal                                                               
note  was  indeterminate  because  it would  depend  on  how  the                                                               
committee and  the legislature would  staff and resource  the new                                                               
department.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:01:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. MILLER  responded to a  question from  Representative Saddler                                                               
regarding whether  a department created  by HB 140  would operate                                                               
differently than  a department created  by executive order.   She                                                               
stated her understanding that regardless  of how a department was                                                               
created, once it  is in statute, the legislature  could amend the                                                               
statute as it sees fit.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:01:57 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MEARS   agreed  with   Representative  Coulombe's                                                               
concern regarding funding for a  new department.  She pointed out                                                               
that the  fiscal issues might  mean providing  additional support                                                               
within  the  current  division  rather than  support  for  a  new                                                               
department.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:03:09 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE  explained that her previous  support for                                                               
the EO was because the fiscal  note was zero.  She reiterated her                                                               
concern regarding  using the permanent  fund for  the agriculture                                                               
department because  using the  dividend as  a funding  source has                                                               
been presented as  a solution for a number of  other cases, also.                                                               
She posited  that the  size of  the fiscal  note might  cause the                                                               
bill to fail.   She would like  to see a smaller  fiscal note and                                                               
potentially a smaller department.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:04:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS stated his belief  that there would be more                                                               
oil  revenue  within  a  few   years  and  said  he  agreed  with                                                               
Representative Coulombe's suggestion for a phased approach.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:04:45 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE announced HB 140 would be held over.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:04:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 2:04 p.m. to 2:05 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:05:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
        HB  93-RESIDENCY REQ: HUNTING, TRAPPING, FISHING                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:06:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE  announced that the  next order of  business would                                                               
be  HOUSE   BILL  NO.   93,  "An   Act  changing   the  residency                                                               
requirements   for   hunting,   trapping,   and   sport   fishing                                                               
privileges; and providing for an effective date."                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:06:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE opened public testimony on HB 93                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:06:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DAVID  EGELSTON,  representing  self,  stated  that  he  strongly                                                               
supported  HB  93,  explaining  that  it  would  tighten  up  the                                                               
loopholes that  allow possibly thousands of  people to improperly                                                               
claim residency in  Alaska.  Communities in  Southeast Alaska see                                                               
people  come from  out  of state  and buy  property,  get a  post                                                               
office box,  and call it  a permanent  residence so they  can run                                                               
subsistence long lines for halibut,  net fish, and hunt big game,                                                               
taking  advantage  of the  more  liberal  bag limits  for  Alaska                                                               
residents.   In  one  community  on Prince  of  Wales Island,  he                                                               
estimated these  "fake residents"  to be almost  50 percent.   If                                                               
these  people  were  to  buy  non-resident  licenses,  the  ADF&G                                                               
revenue   would  be   greatly  increased,   and  fish   and  game                                                               
populations  would be  more available  to Alaska  residents.   He                                                               
pointed out  that rural subsistence  users struggle to  deal with                                                               
the effects  of climate  change, and limiting  the take  of these                                                               
non-residents would  leave more animals and  fish for subsistence                                                               
use.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:09:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
NICHOLAS  ORR, representing  self, provided  background regarding                                                               
permits of  federally qualified hunters,  characterizing it  as a                                                               
rural versus urban  issue.  He summarized the  federal system and                                                               
the state  system as  it pertained  to hunting  and fishing.   He                                                               
also  expressed  his  opinion  that there  was  some  small  town                                                               
settling of scores  involved with this legislation.   He answered                                                               
questions from  Representative Saddler and  Representative Fields                                                               
regarding  the  definition  of  federally  qualified  status  and                                                               
whether  the  organizations he  is  associated  with support  the                                                               
bill.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:15:36 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JEN LEAHY, representing  self, expressed support for HB  93.  She                                                               
explained that her  family relies on fish  and wildlife resources                                                               
for subsistence and personal use.   She described the changes she                                                               
and her  partner have  seen over  the past 20  years in  terms of                                                               
decreased  abundance  and  increased competition  for  resources.                                                               
She stated her  belief that the best way to  avoid user conflicts                                                               
is to  ensure that  the harvest limits  allowed for  Alaskans are                                                               
being utilized  only by  Alaska residents.   She saw  HB 93  as a                                                               
tool for corrective  action, pointing out that  the definition of                                                               
residency  was  too  broad  and difficult  to  enforce,  but  the                                                               
legislation would  create additional barriers  for non-residents.                                                               
She  said she  valued  the role  that  non-residents hunters  and                                                               
anglers  play in  the outdoor  recreation  economy but  supported                                                               
using the PFD requirement as a means of defining residency.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:19:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  BURKE, after  ascertaining there  was no  one else  who                                                               
wished to testify, closed public testimony.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:19:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  RAUSCHER moved  to adopt  Amendment 1  to HB  93,                                                               
labeled 34-LS0058\N.2, Bullard, 3/17/25, which read as follows:                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, line 2:                                                                                                            
          Delete "was absent only"                                                                                          
          Insert "(A)  was absent"                                                                                        
                                                                                                                              
     Page 2, line 3, following "AS 43.23.008;":                                                                             
          Insert "or                                                                                                        
               (B)  holds a permanent identification card                                                                   
     issued under AS 16.05.400(b) and was absent providing                                                                  
     care for a family member who is ill;"                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, line 15:                                                                                                           
          Delete "was absent only"                                                                                          
          Insert "(A)  was absent"                                                                                          
                                                                                                                              
     Page 2, line 16, following "AS 43.23.008;":                                                                            
          Insert "or                                                                                                        
               (B)  holds a permanent identification card                                                                   
     issued under AS 16.05.400(b) and was absent providing                                                                  
     care for a family member who is ill;"                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:19:26 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE objected for the purposes of discussion.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:19:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER  explained that Amendment 1  would add an                                                               
allowance  to  the  PFD  exemption  list  that  would  permit  an                                                               
individual to exceed  the 90- or 45-day extension  if the absence                                                               
was for the purpose of providing  care to a family member who was                                                               
ill.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:23:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  RAUSCHER  responded   to  concerns  expressed  by                                                               
Representative  Saddler and  Representative Mears  regarding what                                                               
they perceived  as the meaning  of "ill" and "providing  care" to                                                               
be too  vague.  On  the issue of how  to calculate the  number of                                                               
allowable days, he  explained the primary purpose was  to close a                                                               
loophole.   Regarding a related  concern, he explained it  is not                                                               
about setting a  clock but rather says an individual  has met the                                                               
reason for being exempt.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:26:28 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HIMSCHOOT,  Alaska State  Legislature,  addressed                                                               
the  concerns  raised  by committee  members  and  described  the                                                               
excused absences defined by the  PFD statute.  She suggested that                                                               
for the  handful of  people not  covered by  the PFD  language, a                                                               
change in  the dividend statute  would ensure that HB  93 aligned                                                               
with the PFD  statute.  She reminded the committee  that the bill                                                               
had a  full year  before its  effective date  to allow  people to                                                               
maintain their residency.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:28:44 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE maintained her objection.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:28:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
A roll call vote was  taken.  Representatives Coulombe, Rauscher,                                                               
Saddler,  and Elam  voted  in  favor of  Amendment  1  to HB  93.                                                               
Representatives  Fields, Hall,  Mears,  Dibert,  and Burke  voted                                                               
against it.   Therefore, Amendment  1 failed  to be adopted  by a                                                               
vote of 5-4.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:29:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  DIBERT moved  to  report HB  93,  work order  34-                                                               
LS0058\N  out of  committee with  individual recommendations  and                                                               
the attached zero fiscal note.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:29:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 2:29 p.m. to 2:31 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:31:08 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE  objected for the purpose  of discussion.                                                               
She  pointed  out  that  an application  for  a  permit  requires                                                               
extensive answers  to questions, and  she did not  understand why                                                               
the wildlife  troopers would  question the  permit in  the field.                                                               
She followed  that question  by asking  whether the  questions on                                                               
the application  would change  if this bill  was adopted,  and if                                                               
so, would the wildlife troopers  stop questioning the validity of                                                               
permits.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:32:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HIMSCHOOT explained  that spot  checking includes                                                               
determining whether a  person has a license  and also determining                                                               
whether a person is under resident or non-resident rules.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:33:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
THATCHER BROUWER,  Staff, Representative Himschoot,  Alaska State                                                               
Legislature, clarified that with a  regular fish and game license                                                               
or  a  trapping  license,  the  applicant  self-certifies.    The                                                               
application has  a series  of questions,  and the  troopers would                                                               
ensure  that  a  person  was  honest when  they  filled  out  the                                                               
application.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:34:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT  responded to  Representative Coulombe's                                                               
question regarding how to determine  whether a license-holder was                                                               
honest.   She  explained  that  the troopers  asked  a number  of                                                               
questions  including the  license-holder's domicile,  and if  the                                                               
troopers suspected a problem, they would follow up on-line.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:34:50 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRYAN  BARLOW,  COLONEL,   Director,  Alaska  Wildlife  Troopers,                                                               
Department  of   Public  Safety,  answered   questions  regarding                                                               
hunting,  fishing,  and  trapping   license  certification.    In                                                               
response  to  questions  posed  by  Representative  Coulombe,  he                                                               
explained that  the licenses were  applied for and  received from                                                               
ADF&G.    It  was  assumed   that  the  information  received  is                                                               
accurate, and  the license is  issued based on  that information.                                                               
It has  been common for  the troopers to  contact license-holders                                                               
in  the field  and ask  questions as  part of  normal enforcement                                                               
efforts.   Verifying  residency is  part of  the process,  and if                                                               
issues come  up during the conversations,  the department follows                                                               
up   later  and   might  initiate   a  residency   investigation.                                                               
Otherwise, the wildlife  troopers have been dependent  on tips or                                                               
information coming from other entities.   Such investigations are                                                               
very time intensive.   Because the licenses are  issued by ADF&G,                                                               
the Department of  Public Safety is not part  of the verification                                                               
process.   In addition,  troopers in  the field  may see  cues or                                                               
factors that  indicate a  person who  claims a  residence license                                                               
might not be a resident, and the department will follow up.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:38:45 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HIMSCHOOT pointed  out that  licenses are  mostly                                                               
online now, but  they are also sold in convenience  stores and on                                                               
board charter boats so that they are convenient for to purchase.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:40:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COLONEL  BARLOW  responded  to  a  question  from  Representative                                                               
Coulombe regarding  the number  of residency  investigations they                                                               
conducted,  explaining  that  they  conducted  approximately  118                                                               
residency investigations  a year.   He explained that he  did not                                                               
have the  information at  that time regarding  how many  of those                                                               
were "forever licenses."                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:40:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COLONEL  BARLOW  addressed  a question  posed  by  Representative                                                               
Rauscher by explaining  that the troopers would  assume a license                                                               
is  legitimate  and has  been  obtained  legitimately until  they                                                               
received  or encountered  cues, information,  or statements  that                                                               
led  them to  believe that  might not  be the  case.   Then there                                                               
would  be a  residency  investigation which  weighs factors  from                                                               
multiple  sources   and  databases.    Unless   a  trooper  finds                                                               
information  on-scene that  shows  the license-holder  is not  an                                                               
Alaska resident,  that individual  could continue to  hunt, fish,                                                               
or trap until the residency investigation is complete.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:44:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COLONEL  BARLOW, in  response to  a question  from Representative                                                               
Mears,  explained that  although  the department  was neutral  on                                                               
this legislation, the proposed law would make determining                                                                       
residency more succinct.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:47:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE explained that she did not support the                                                                  
bill but removed her objection.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:48:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR BURKE announced that there being no objection, HB 93                                                                   
was reported out of committee.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 2:48 p.m. to 2:52 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:52:21 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
[CO-CHAIR BURKE clarified that there being no objection, HB 93                                                                  
was reported out of the House Resources Standing Committee with                                                                 
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.]                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:52:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being no further business before the committee, the House                                                                 
Resources Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 2:52 p.m.                                                                 

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
Letter of Support for HB 140 AK Department of Ag 3.25.pdf HRES 3/26/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 140
HB 93 H RES amendment 1.pdf HRES 3/26/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 93
HB 140 Alaska Food Policy Council, Policy Brief, Department of Agriculture 2025.pdf HRES 3/26/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 140
HB 140 Sectional Analysis.pdf HRES 3/26/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 140
HB 140 Department of Agriculture Presentation.pdf HRES 3/26/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 140
HB 140 Department of Agriculture White Paper 2024.pdf HRES 3/26/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 140
HB 140 Sponsor Statement.pdf HRES 3/26/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 140
HB 140 fiscal note 3.pdf HRES 3/26/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 140
HB 140 fiscal note 1.pdf HRES 3/26/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 140
HB 140 fiscal note 2.pdf HRES 3/26/2025 1:00:00 PM
HB 140