Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
05/17/2021 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR16|| SJR17 | |
| SJR17|| SJR16 | |
| HB22 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SJR 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 17 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 22 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 22-SHARED ANIMAL AND RAW MILK/PRODUCTS
3:54:35 PM
CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 22 am "An Act relating to shared
animal ownership; and relating to the sharing of raw milk and
raw milk products."
3:55:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HB 22, stated this bill is the result of five
years of working closely with farmers statewide to try to create
additional opportunities in the state's agriculture industry. HB
22 strengthens the existing herd share program by moving it from
regulation into statute. The notion is this will provide more
certainty that the program will continue to exist.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR said HB 22 also provides the opportunity for
farmers to provide herd share members with value added raw milk
products such as cheeses, yogurt, and ice cream. She described
this as a modest step to expand the herd share program after
decades of safe operation. She noted the packets contain a
sample contract that a person who participates in a herd share
program signs when they become a member. All members have an
opportunity to inspect the facility and get to know the farmer
and animals.
3:57:29 PM
She stated her office worked with the Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) to allow the department to
respond to any foodborne illness outbreak. The department
suggested the language for this new section, and it is
incorporated in the forthcoming committee substitute (CS). She
said the CS also reflects DEC's recommendation that farmers
provide two forms of contact to each herd share member.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR described HB 22 as an opportunity to improve
food security and the potential for economic development,
particularly for rural areas.
3:58:52 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced invited testimony.
3:59:12 PM
SUZY CROSBY, Owner, Cottonwood Creek Farm, Wasilla, Alaska,
presented the PowerPoint, "Managing A Goat Herd Share Operation
In Alaska." She offered her perspective that goats are a missing
link between pets and livestock. They have personalities, are
easy to handle, produce milk with minimal infrastructure, and
the cleanup is simple.
She discussed the reasons for participating in herd share listed
on slide 3. Herd share is a way for goats to help pay their way;
it connects consumers to producers; it accommodates the locavore
trend for locally grown or produced food; it provides freedom of
choice in food; and it contributes to food security in Alaska.
She pointed to the image of empty cooler case shelves at a local
store in March 2020 and compared it to the image at her farm
that same day of full refrigerator shelves in her downstairs
milking room kitchen. She said the members of her herd share
operation never experienced food insecurity related to their
weekly milk share.
4:01:07 PM
MS. CROSBY stated herd share is the only legal way to access raw
milk in Alaska. It currently is restricted to fluid milk, but HB
22 seeks to expand this. It is sustainable, community-supported
agriculture. The producer and herd share member enter into a
trust relationship where the member commits to pick up their
milk share on a regular schedule. The basis of herd share is to
know your farmer. Inspections can and do occur every time
someone goes to a farm to inquire about herd share and
thereafter every time they pick up their milk.
She described what herd share is not. It is not the grocery
store. There is no purchase associated with picking up one's
share of milk on a regularly scheduled basis. Value-added
products are not offered yet, although HB 22 seeks to allow
cheese and other value-added products within the definition of
the herd share relationship.
4:02:41 PM
MS. CROSBY directed attention to slides 7-9 that address safety
and sanitation. She emphasized the importance of keeping things
clean and the milk cold. Following these guiding principles will
ensure a good, high-quality product. She said Cottonwood Creek
Farm stresses hand washing and draws a sharp line between
excrement and food. She described the image on slide 8 and
explained the milk is accepted into the stainless canisters and
then is filtered into glass jars that are immediately put into
an ice bath in the refrigerator. Share members are educated
about the importance of keeping the product clean and cold.
She displayed images of the value-added products queso fresco,
feta with sundried tomatoes and calamata olives, and chevre, all
of which would be legal components of a herd share agreement if
HB 22 were to pass. She reviewed the benefits of HB 22 to
consumers listed on slide 13 that read as follows:
• Freedom to make food choices without restriction
• Having a variety of dairy options besides milk
• Access to digestible products for those
intolerant to commercial dairy
• Many consumers prefer ready-made vs. DIY
• Growing preference for unique locally
made/artisan food
MS. CROSBY highlighted the benefits to producers of allowing
value-added products. The slide read as follows:
• Allows for best usage of seasonal surplus milk
• Farmer can buy more hay per gallon of milk (goats
eat even during their dry period!)
• Specialty products would still be available in
winter even when fluid milk production drops
MS. CROSBY reviewed the overall benefits of HB 22 listed on
slide 15:
• Help strengthen Alaska's fragile food system
• Help prevent food waste
• Expand Alaskan agriculture by offering a new
business opportunity for farmers
4:05:27 PM
SENATOR BISHOP joined the committee meeting.
MS. CROSBY referenced Senator Kiehl's forthcoming amendment that
adds annual testing of these raw milk products the results of
which would be provided to the department. She questioned
whether it would add a fiscal note, expressed concern that the
data would not be confidential, and maintained the legislature
should be trying to make it easier rather than harder for herd
share to grow.
4:07:43 PM
CHAIR REVAK advised that the committee was not considering an
amendment at this time.
4:08:13 PM
AMY PETTIT, Executive Director, Alaska Farmland Trust, Palmer,
Alaska, began her presentation with a survey of who had eaten
today, whether it was Alaska grown, and whether they would have
liked to have eaten more Alaska grown food today. She expressed
satisfaction with the results.
MS. PETTIT stated the Alaska Farmland Trust (AFT) is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit based in Palmer that focuses on three areas: 1)
protect agricultural land; 2) promote the agriculture industry;
and 3) educate consumers and Alaskans generally about the
benefits of the agriculture industry. She directed attention to
the next several statistics slides and related the following
information:
• According to the most recent agriculture census, the number
of Farms in Alaska grew 30 percent from 2012 to 2017. In
the Lower 48, the number of farms decreased 3 percent
during the same time.
• Alaska leads the nation in the number of new farmers; 46
percent of Alaskan farmers have less than 10 years of
farming experience.
• The number of small farms with fewer than 10 acres in up 73
percent in Alaska. Securing herd share in statute allows
for responsible growth over time.
• In Alaska, 47 percent of farmers are women. The national
average is 27 percent of farmers are female.
• The value of food sold directly to consumers increased from
$2.2 million in 2012 to $4.5 million in 2017.
MS. PETTIT challenged members to name an industry that had
experienced this type of growth in five years.
4:12:25 PM
MS. PETTIT advised that HB 22 has been five years in the making
and it enjoys industry-wide support. It is about access,
removing barriers, developing economies, and expanding
production. She described this as a bipartisan issue and Alaskan
agriculture as a renewable resource that all members should
support. She directed attention to the various "free the cheese"
lapel pins depicted on slide 11 and said she would like the
sponsor to distribute them to the members if the bill passes
from committee today.
MS. PETTIT concluded the presentation displaying an image of a
child wearing an Alaska Grown sweatshirt and a statement of
support for the bill and the next generation of farmers. She
asked for a showing of hands for those who want to allow greater
access to local food today and expressed hope the cheese would
be freed this year.
4:14:56 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE stated support for HB 22 and asked her to
confirm that he would not have to wear a free the cheese pin if
it were to pass.
MS. PETTIT replied they are in hot demand, and he could probably
auction it.
4:15:27 PM
CHAIR REVAK asked Mr. Brouwer to explain the changes in the
Senate committee substitute (CS) for HB 22.
4:15:47 PM
THATCHER BROUWER, Staff, Representative Geran Tarr, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the explanation of
changes between version A.A and Version I of HB 22:
Version I adds a new subsection starting on page 2
line 6 to wit: "(c) If the department suspects or
determines that there is an outbreak of a foodborne
illness that can be traced to a facility where raw
milk or raw milk products are produced under this
section, the department may exercise its authority
under AS 17.20.005(7) and (8) and AS 17.20.200 for
that facility."
Furthermore, on page 2 lines 17-28 a new Section 2 has
been added to provide clarifying language for AS
17.20.200(a) to wit:?"or to a facility, as provided
under AS 17.20.015(c)."
The above language was added at the request of the
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and has
been agreed upon by the bill sponsor. Adding this
language would allow DEC to respond if there is a
foodborne illness outbreak related to herd share raw
milk or raw milk products. DEC believes they would be
able to investigate and respond to any outbreaks
utilizing their current resources, and therefore would
not produce a fiscal note.
4:17:09 PM
CHAIR REVAK listed the individuals available online to answer
questions.
4:17:35 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked how often herd share facilities conduct
internal tests for things like salmonella, E coli, and listeria
or if they wait to test until an illness outbreak.
MR. BROUWER responded that the last foodborne illness outbreak
associated with the raw milk program was in 2013. He deferred
further response to Ms. Crosby.
4:18:24 PM
MS. CROSBY stated that it was not industry standard to test for
those bacteria. She reported just two outbreaks in the last 20
years. Both were in the same family, and both related to
Campylobacter in cattle. She proffered her belief that
unsanitary conditions played a role.
4:18:58 PM
CHAIR REVAK found no further questions and solicited a motion to
adopt the Senate Committee Substitute.
4:19:09 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to adopt the [Senate] CS for HB 22, work
order 32-LS0212\I, as the working document.
4:19:22 PM
CHAIR REVAK found no objection and version I was adopted.
4:19:39 PM
CHAIR REVAK opened public testimony on HB 22.
4:20:08 PM
MARLENE WENGER, representing self, Kenny Lake, Alaska, stated
that she and her husband have been farming in the Copper River
Valley since 1985 and they started the Copper River Valley Farm
Bureau 20 years ago. She stated support for the sale of raw milk
products and shared that she raises goats for a hobby. They run
a grocery/feed/hardware store and sell as many Alaska grown
products as are available. She noted that Alaskan products were
available during the COVID-19 pandemic whereas products from
outside Alaska were not available. She expressed support for
local agriculture and legalizing raw dairy products.
4:21:30 PM
LARAE SMITH, representing self, Willow, Alaska, related that she
is currently a consumer of raw dairy milk and will eventually be
a producer. She said she was living in Idaho when COVID-19 broke
out and she could not find milk in the stores. She was able to
access raw milk and other local food, so she did not go hungry.
She voiced support for supporting local Alaska farmers including
dairy. It is a huge resource for the state that provides food
stability. She spoke of the health benefits of raw goat's milk
and stated support for HB 22.
4:23:24 PM
AMY SEITZ, Executive Director, Alaska Farm Bureau, Soldotna,
Alaska, stated the Alaska Farm Bureau is a grassroots
organization whose mission is to improve the economic wellbeing
and expansion of agriculture to enrich the quality of life for
all Alaskans. She emphasized that a robust local food system
will enrich the lives of Alaskans through improved access to
food and less dependence on a long and complicated supply chain.
It will also help diversify the economy.
MS. SEITZ reported that Alaskans spend close to $2 billion to
purchase food each year, just 5 percent of which is produced in
the state. She referenced the Agriculture Census that shows
Alaska farmers are able to expand. She encouraged support for
this growth through good policies. HB 22 is designed to help
farmers succeed and provide increased access to local food
products by giving herd share owners the option to produce
value-added products such as cheese, butter, and kefir. She
pointed out that HB 22 not only supports farmers and increases
food security, it also is a freedom of choice bill. It gives
people the option to choose raw milk products. She noted the
safety features of knowing the farmer, the farm, the animals,
the process, and the cleanliness of the system. The herd share
program also has built in traceability. She encouraged the
members to support HB 22 and moving it forward today.
4:25:51 PM
MILENA SEVIGNY, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, stated
support for HB 22 and shared that she is a herd share member in
Wasilla. When she moved to Wasilla with her family it was
important to find a source of goat's milk for her son who is
allergic to cow's milk. She was relieved to find local, fresh
raw milk that was dependable. She is able to visit the farm any
time to observe the care and cleanliness while milking and to
get to know the goats. Her kids know their names and ask whose
milk they are drinking.
MS. SEVIGNY related she works at the Port of Alaska and sees
first hand how quickly the food supply can get cut off. She said
the port infrastructure is deteriorating and it was a miracle it
survived the recent earthquake. Another concern is the
increasing number of late ship arrivals due to stronger winter
storms. The depleted grocery store shelves readily reflect these
late arrivals, she said. Produce and dairy are particularly hard
hit. She emphasized the importance of increasing food security
in Alaska and making local food supplies more accessible.
4:28:28 PM
CHAIR REVAK closed public testimony on HB 22.
4:28:40 PM
SENATOR KIEHL moved Amendment 1, work order 32-LS0212\I.1.
32-LS0212\I.1
Lemons
5/17/21
AMENDMENT 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR KIEHL
TO: SCS HB 22(RES), Draft Version "I"
Page 2, following line 5:
Insert a new subsection to read:
"(c) Under regulations adopted by the
department, the department may require the
collective owners of a milk-producing animal to
test, not more than once a year, a shared raw
milk product of the milk-producing animal and
provide the test results to the department."
Reletter the following subsections accordingly.
Page 2, line 23:
Delete "AS 17.20.015(c)"
Insert "AS 17.20.015(d)"
4:28:50 PM
CHAIR REVAK objected for discussion purposes.
SENATOR KIEHL stated the amendment is about basic food safety in
the commercial arena. It would require herd share owners to test
a shared raw milk product from one of their milk-producing
animals once a year and provide the test results to DEC. He
noted the department is able to specify what product is tested.
Depending on the product, the herd share owner could expect to
pay from $17 to $70 for the test. Since DEC only receives the
results, the amendment is not expected to generate a fiscal
note.
4:33:38 PM
CHAIR REVAK noted that these are small dairy operations, and
asked the sponsor her position on Amendment 1.
4:34:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR confirmed that these are small businesses
with animals that number in the dozens. She stressed that her
office sought input from DEC and annual testing was not
mentioned. She said she appreciates the intent, but she does not
believe the amendment is necessary at this time.
CHAIR REVAK commented on his experience growing up and consuming
his neighbor's raw milk cheese and said he would like to think
that these small operations would have the tests done without
the government telling them to do so.
4:36:31 PM
CHAIR REVAK maintained his objection to Amendment 1.
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked if herd share owners in remote areas
would have ready access to the tests.
4:36:55 PM
SENATOR KIEHL replied, depending on the location, the samples
may need to be mailed, which is not unlike other food businesses
subject to inspection and testing.
SENATOR KAWASAKI expressed confidence that the CS would provide
adequate protections and said the amendment was not necessary.
4:38:05 PM
SENATOR KIEHL said he still views the issue as live, but he
would withdraw Amendment 1.
SENATOR REVAK stated Amendment 1 has been withdrawn.
SENATOR MICCICHE quipped about a future goat milk bill from
Senator Kiehl.
SENATOR STEVENS observed that none of the free the cheese lapel
pins mentioned Kodiak even though that community has a very
productive goat herd.
SENATOR REVAK solicited a motion.
4:39:30 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report [SCS HB 22], work order 32-
LS0212\I, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached zero fiscal note(s).
4:39:45 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced that without objection, SCS HB 22(RES)
moved from the Senate Resources Standing Committee.