Legislature(2021 - 2022)SENATE FINANCE 532
05/03/2022 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB54 | |
| SB230 | |
| SB85 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 85 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 230 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 54 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 54(FIN)
"An Act establishing the Alaska Invasive Species
Council in the Department of Fish and Game; relating
to management of invasive species; relating to
invasive species management decals; and providing for
an effective date."
9:04:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR, SPONSOR, introduced herself.
THATCHER BROUWER, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR,
introduced himself.
9:04:59 AM
Representative Tarr explained the bill. She noted the
invasive species issues faced by the respective districts
of all members at the table. She thought that the bill
would have a positive impact on all areas of the state. She
discussed the brief history of the bill. She thought that
Alaska was uniquely positioned to establish the Alaska
Invasive Species Council as a mean of early intervention to
save expense and resource devastation. She spoke of efforts
to protect certain areas of the state by known invasive
species, both land and water, and the various stakeholder
groups working to manage invasive species in the state.
9:11:43 AM
Representative Tarr continued to discuss the legislation.
9:12:34 AM
Co-Chair Bishop understood that the surcharge for boats had
been conceptual.
9:12:43 AM
Representative Tarr replied in the affirmative.
9:13:14 AM
Senator Olson understood that the intent of the bill was to
establish a council that would put forth recommendations
for regulations to the department for consideration.
9:13:34 AM
Representative Tarr replied in the affirmative. She added
that the council would provide a strategic plan that
outlined specific steps the state could take to limit
vulnerability to invasive species.
9:14:33 AM
Senator Wielechowski appreciated the intent of the
legislation. He wondered whether the bill pertained to
invasive species introduced by humans or invasive species
that made their way to Alaska due to climate change.
9:15:00 AM
Representative Tarr replied that the bill pertained to
both. She expounded on potential vectors associated with
Arctic shipping.
9:17:36 AM
Senator Wilson noted the fiscal note attached to the bill.
He relayed that the projected spend was $100,000 in the
first year and $64,000 in outgoing years. He added that the
expected revenue was $4,000, which meant the remainder
would come from undesignated general funds (UGF).
9:17:55 AM
Representative Tarr cited intent language at the beginning
of the bill. She said that it was important that additional
UGF dollars not be added and that there was funding outside
of UGF dollars that could be sought to fund the council.
She thought that a representative from the department could
better speak to the matter.
9:19:16 AM
Senator Wilson asked how much the department currently
spent combating invasive species.
9:20:08 AM
DAYNA MACKEY, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT
OF FISH AND GAME, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, JUNEAU
(via teleconference), introduced herself. She asked Senator
Wilson to repeat his question.
9:20:28 AM
Senator Wilson asked how the bill would be funded in the
outgoing years.
9:20:33 AM
Ms. Mackey explained that there was not current federal
funding for the bill, which meant that it would be funded
with UGF dollars. She added that it was expected that other
funding would be identified.
9:21:03 AM
Senator Wilson asked how much the department spent
combating invasive species on an annual basis.
9:21:16 AM
TAMMY DAVIS, INVASIVE SPECIES COORDINATOR, DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND GAME, JUNEAU (via teleconference), agreed to
provide that information.
9:21:43 AM
Co-Chair Stedman asked whether Dingell-Johnson Act funds
qualified for use for the invasive species issue
9:22:01 AM
Representative Tarr replied understood that Dingell-Johnson
Act funds could be used. She thought that a follow up with
the department on the matter would be beneficial
9:22:33 AM
Co-Chair Stedman remarked that there was a significant
number of members on the board and the fiscal note did not
account for per diem or travel. He wondered how a diverse
board that represented broadly around the state could be
maintained without considering travel expenses for board
members, particularly those that did not live on the road
system.
9:23:13 AM
Representative Tarr mentioned remote participation. She
thought that there could be a combination of in-person and
remote participation.
9:25:17 AM
Co-Chair Stedman asked whether the sponsor would support an
amendment to locate the council at the Sitka Sound Science
Center on the Gulf of Alaska. He suggested those on the
Railbelt could attend remotely.
9:25:42 AM
Representative Tarr had not considered that placement but
thought that it was a possibility. She noted that the
fiscal note suggested the need for some administrative
support.
9:26:36 AM
Co-Chair Stedman thought the location was a serious point
to consider. He asserted that the Sitka Sound Science
Center experience with the issue of invasive species and
other marine issues. He added that marine research should
be conducted on the coast, where the fish were.
9:27:27 AM
Representative Tarr stated that she had served on a council
with a modest travel budget, which had afforded her the
ability to travel to remote places. She said she would
consider the location amendment amicably.
9:28:31 AM
Senator Wielechowski read from a Letter from the Cook Inlet
Aquaculture Association (copy on file):
Unfortunately, due to permitting delays, an elodea
infestation in Alexander Lake in the Mat-Su spread
from 10 acres in 2014 to over 500 acres by 2016. The
cost for treatment has grew from less than $15,000 to
over $1 million because of this delay, funding the
State of Alaska has had to seek through grants and
other sources. This two-year delay also allowed for
the spread of elodea into neighboring lakes, putting
more environments and resources at risk.
Recent research by UAA's Institute of Social and
Economic Research showed that elodea can significantly
threaten Alaska salmon. The odds for Alaska salmon in
elodea-infested habitats to not exist beyond 20 years
from now are 4 to 1. That is an 80% probability of
extirpation. It was estimated that elodea could
potentially cost the commercial sockeye salmon fishing
industry $159 million per year in damages should it go
unmanaged. Alaska needs a council to ensure
permitting, planning, coordination, and resources are
available to address existing and emerging threats
such as elodea.
Senator Wielechowski asked whether the sponsor had looked
into the research cited in the letter.
9:29:46 AM
Representative Tarr replied in the affirmative. She
explained that the Institute of Social and Economic
Research (ISER) study (copy on file) showed concerning
numbers. She said that several of the supporting documents
included vulnerability studies and research maps that
showed where watercraft form the Lower 48 were coming from
with known infestations of invasive species. She expressed
a significant concern for Zebra Mussels and Green Crab
infestations.
9:31:51 AM
Senator Wilson asked whether the bill would address
invasive species outside of the water. He asked about the
fund established by the bill and wondered whether the fund
should be outside of the general fund for better protection
from lapsing.
9:32:36 AM
Representative Tarr explained that the idea was that having
the fund available would allow for immediate action to be
taken on an infestation.
9:33:56 AM
Senator Wilson expressed concern that the fund could be
swept and thought an amendment should be crafted to assure
that the funds did not lapse.
9:34:26 AM
Senator Wielechowski cited a letter from the Alaska
Invasive Species Partnership (copy on file):
In the spring of 2021, invasive zebra mussels were
found in Alaska attached to aquatic plants sold as
"moss balls" by retailers statewide. The concern was
that live zebra mussels attached to moss balls could
be released into waterways when unwanted aquarium pets
and plants are dumped, causing significant damage to
our fisheries and infrastructure.
Senator Wielechowski wondered whether the council could
make recommendations to the legislature concerning moss
balls and the like.
9:35:19 AM
Representative Tarr replied in the affirmative. She cited
Page 5, line 9 of the legislation:
(g) By January 15 of each odd-numbered year, the
council shall prepare and present to the legislature
an updated five-year strategic plan that addresses the
economic effects of invasive species, states the
council's suggested priorities for addressing invasive
species, and recommends legislation and funding
required to implement the council's priorities. The
council shall transmit the plan to the senate
secretary and the chief clerk of the house of
representatives and notify the legislature that the
strategic plan is available.
9:36:14 AM
Co-Chair Bishop thought that the sponsor could focus on the
boarder crossing in Tok and whether there would be an
inspection station for incoming vehicles.
9:36:55 AM
Representative Tarr replied in the affirmative. She said
that the project was just beginning but that the hope was
that inspections for invasive species would improve at
border stations.
9:37:32 AM
Co-Chair Bishop asked whether the bill considered invasive
species on land.
9:37:54 AM
Representative Tarr replied that currently the Department
of Natural Resources was tracking terrestrials and the
Department of Fish and Game was handling aquatic invasives.
She noted that occasionally they overlapped as was the case
with Elodea, which was an aquatic plant. She said that
jurisdictions could often be questioned, and that the
council would work to provide clarity on the matter.
9:39:01 AM
Mr. Brouwer discussed the Sectional Analysis (copy on
file):
Section One
Adds a new section to uncodified law that states it is
the intent of the legislature that the Department of
Fish and Game does not use money from the state's
general fund to support the Alaska Invasive Species
Council, and instead finds other sources of funding to
support the council.
Section Two
Section 16.20.800 establishes the invasive species
management decals. The decals will be produced by the
Department of Fish and Game annually and made
available for sale to the public. The fee for the
decal will be determined by the Alaska Invasive
Species Council and set in regulation. The department
will work in conjunction with the Alaska Invasive
Species Council described in Sec. 16.20.810 to design
and produce the decals. The legislature may then
appropriate the proceeds from the sale of the decals
to further produce the decals or to the invasive
species response fund described in Sec. 16.20.820, to
carry out the work of invasive species response.
Section 16.20.810 establishes the Alaska Invasive
Species Council in the Department of Fish and Game.
The council will be comprised of representatives from
the Departments of Fish and Game, Natural Resources,
Environmental Conservation and Transportation and
Public Facilities. Furthermore, the council will have
members from stakeholder organizations and industries
appointed by the governor to three-year terms, as well
as representatives from federal agencies that deal
with invasive species. The will also be two members
from the House of Representatives and two members from
the Senate.
Additionally, Section 16.20.810 outlines the
responsibilities of the council. This section requires
that the council be responsible for facilitating
cooperation between state, federal, tribal, local
agencies, and nongovernmental organizations in the
management invasive species. The council will be
tasked with recommending coordinated interagency
strategies and policies related to the management of
invasive species. The council will also provide
guidance on how to prioritize the response to invasive
species and how to best use funds from the invasive
species response fund. Lastly, the council will be
responsible for selecting designers of the invasive
species control decals and approving and promoting the
designs.
Furthermore, Section 16.20.810 provides guidance on
council meetings and deliverables. The council will
meet at least once a year, and by January 15th of each
odd-numbered year, the council shall produce a plan
that addresses the economic impact of invasive species
and recommends legislation and funding to implement
the council's priorities.
Section 16.20.820 establishes an invasive species
response fund in the general fund and allows the
department to use the funds to prevent, control, or
eradicate invasive species.
Section 16.20.850 defines commissioner, council,
department, invasive species, management of invasive
species and non-native species.
Section Three
Section 37.05.146 adds the invasive species decal fee
to the list of separately accounted program receipts.
Section Four
Adds a July 1, 2029, sunset date all the sections in
the bill.
Section Five
Gives direction to the governor regarding the
appointment of the members, chair, as well as timing
and number of meetings in the initial year.
Section Six
Establishes an immediate effective date.
9:42:35 AM
Representative Tarr explained that the sunset date was
added in the other body. She said that she agreed to the
sunset because it would allow for an evaluation of the work
of the council.
9:44:15 AM
DANIELLE VERNA, PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGIONAL CITIZENS
ADVISORY COUNCIL, VALDEZ (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the legislation. She believed that the council
would be beneficial to the state by creating coordinated
strategies between stakeholders. She similar council were
already working in Washington and Oregon. She thought that
monitoring invasive species in the state was important and
discussed the ways that invasive species were transported
to the states land and waters. She encouraged the
committee to consider the benefit of invasive species
prevention.
9:49:11 AM
Co-Chair Bishop OPENED public testimony.
9:49:32 AM
LISA KAAIHUE, COOK INLET AQUACULTURE ASSOCIATION, KENAI
(via teleconference), testified in support of the bill. She
spoke of the affects of invasive species on the salmon
population. She believed the establishment of a council and
response fund was critical to dealing with the issue of
invasive species in the state.
9:51:32 AM
DAVID MARTIN, SELF, CLAM GULCH (via teleconference), spoke
in support of the legislation. He said that the council
would not only help to develop plans to eradicate invasive
species in the stat but would also educate the public. He
spoke of the various ills of invasive species in the state
both on land and in water.
9:53:47 AM
PAUL SHADURA, SELF, KALIFORNSKY (via teleconference),
testified in support of the legislation. He stated that he
was a commercial fisherman, so he understood the issues
related to invasive species. He spoke of various action
taken on the issue at the federal level.
Co-Chair Bishop CLOSED public testimony.
HB 54 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.