Legislature(2003 - 2004)
2003-03-06 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2003-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0405 SB 118 SENATE BILL NO. 118 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: 2003-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0406 "An Act relating to the power of boroughs to conduct inspections and enforce standards for food and aquatic farm products; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Environmental Conservation Governor's transmittal letter dated March 5: Dear President Therriault: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to empower first-class and second-class boroughs to assume responsibility for inspection and enforcement of standards for food and aquatic farm products. This legislation will ensure that all municipalities of every class have the statutory power to perform the enforcement and inspection functions for food safety. Home rule municipalities already have this power, subject to their charters; first-class and second-class cities likewise have this power. However, first-class and second-class boroughs are the only municipalities that currently lack it. While these boroughs have existing statutory powers to enforce other health and environmental controls, performing inspection functions for food safety would require an area-wide election on a borough by borough basis. This bill ensures that the power is automatically available. The bill does not address the category of third-class boroughs, because AS 29.05.031(b) prohibits the incorporation of any such boroughs. The Municipality of Anchorage already performs food safety and enforcement functions under a delegation from the Department of Environmental Conservation. The legislature stated in budgetary intent language in 2002 that DEC will receive "no funding for food inspections in FY04." Under this bill, all municipalities can, if they desire, conduct inspections and enforce the Alaska Food Code. 2003-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0407 I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Frank H. Murkowski Governor