HOUSE BILL NO. 97                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     "An  Act  extending  a provision  relating  to  noxious                                                                    
     weeds,   invasive   plants,   and   agricultural   pest                                                                    
     management  and education;  providing for  an effective                                                                    
     date by  repealing the  effective date  of sec.  2, ch.                                                                    
     102, SLA 2008; and providing for an effective date."                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
JEANNE OSTNES,  STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON,  explained HB                                                                    
97 would eliminate  the sunset date for a  vital position in                                                                    
Alaska's  natural  resources.  The  position  coordinated  a                                                                    
network  of  dedicated  individuals  both  volunteering  and                                                                    
paid. The  position had  been created  with an  $80 thousand                                                                    
dollar fiscal note which had  not reflected travel, supplies                                                                    
or  commodities.  Details like  a  desk  and phone  for  the                                                                    
position had been  largely funded by grants  acquired by the                                                                    
position  holder. She  said  that the  state  had a  growing                                                                    
invasive weed problem that directly affected fish streams.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman referred to the fiscal notes.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
9:50:55 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Olson wondered if the  position holder would be able                                                                    
to eventually distribute violation citations.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Ostnes  was doubtful.  She  said  that controlling  the                                                                    
evasive   weeds  would   happen   through  cooperation   and                                                                    
coordination and not police action.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
9:52:35 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Ostnes pointed out a  chart in the packet "Perception of                                                                    
an Invasive Species" (copy on file).                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HB  97  was   HEARD  and  HELD  in   committee  for  further                                                                    
consideration.