Legislature(2017 - 2018)BUTROVICH 205
05/09/2017 03:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB186 | |
| SB79 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 186 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 79 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 186-FOOD DONATIONS
3:31:57 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced the consideration of HB 186.
3:32:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID TALERICO, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HB 186, explained that HB 186 seeks to reduce
the amount of wasted food in the state by increasing the amount
of food donated to foodbanks and other charitable organizations.
He detailed that nearly 15 percent of Alaskans fall into the
category of food-insecure individuals. He said many businesses
are currently donating excess food; however, many desire to do
so but are not because of liability or perceived liability. He
disclosed that many charitable organization do not receive
sufficient food donations to feed the homeless and hungry.
3:32:41 PM
SENATOR BEGICH joined the committee meeting.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO specified that HB 186 allows hotels,
restaurants, stores, and other food donors to donate all their
excess food, unsold food, or outdated food; they can donate to
foodbanks or charitable organizations. He noted that HB 186
would clarify "charitable organizations" in Alaska's statutes.
He disclosed that he was once responsible for a solid-waste
facility and detailed the challenges in dealing with excess food
that led to inefficient use of space, animal attraction, and
creating a bacteria issue.
3:36:39 PM
JULIE MORRIS, Staff, Representative David Talerico, Juneau,
Alaska, provided a sectional analysis for HB 186 as follows:
Sec. 1 - AS 17.20.345
Amends AS 17.20.345 (a) by adding charitable
organizations in statute next to foodbanks to be able
to receive donated food from donors who may donate
their food free from liability.
Amends AS 17.20.345 (b)(l) by adding a sentence
clarifying that the labels referenced in this statute
do not include the new label referenced in section two
of this bill; which requires heated-donated food to be
labeled.
Amends AS 17.20.345 (b) by adding a third bullet point
allowing donors of food to donate food with an expired
date on it.
Amends AS .17.20.345 (c) by adding charitable
organizations in statute along with foodbanks to be
able to receive donated salmon from hatcheries.
Sec. 2 - AS 17.20.345
Amends AS 17.20.345 is amended by adding a new section
which allows donors of food to donate excess hot food
to foodbanks and charities as long as they label it as
previously heated food.
Sec. 3 - AS 17.20.346
Amends AS 17.20.346 (a) by adding charitable
organizations in statute next to foodbanks to be free
from liability to donate received food to hungry
individuals as long as they first inspect it and deem
it fit for human consumption.
Amends AS 17.20.346(b) by adding charitable
organizations in statute next to foodbanks to be free
to receive donated food with an expired date on it.
Sec. 4 - AS 17.20.347
Amends AS? 17.20.347 (1) by adding delicatessen,
restaurant, hotel and store under the definition of
donor.
Amends AS 17.20.347 (2) by deleting part of the
definition of a foodbank so as to separately define a
nonprofit organization in a new section.
Sec. 5 - AS 17 .20.347
Amends AS 17.20.347 by adding three new definitions:
1. "Charitable Organization" means a nonprofit
organization that provides food without charge to
individuals who do not have money to pay for the food
or who do not have homes;
2. "Food" includes unsold hot food;
3. "Nonprofit Organization" means an organization
recognized by the state or federal government as a
nonprofit organization.
3:40:14 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE asked if there has been any opposition to HB
186 from the foodbanks or nonprofits.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO replied that he is not aware of any
opposition. He noted that only one negative comment has been
received and it was not connected with any foodbank or
nonprofit.
SENATOR MICCICHE asked what the negative comment related to.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO said the individual claimed that the
intent was to make this incredibly dangerous for people to
consume bad food. He explained that the bill makes no changes
to the proper handling of food in Title 18 of the Alaska
Administrative Code, which is known as the "Alaska Food Code."
The bill does not change any of the monitoring currently done by
the Department of Environmental Conservation.
SENATOR VON IMHOF read the following verbiage from the bill:
HB 186 will allow hotels, restaurants, stores, and
other food donors.
SENATOR VON IMHOF surmised that "other food donors" could
potentially include private individuals. She asked if private
individuals are currently donating food specifically related to
events with significant excess food. She asked if private
individuals are currently donating food.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO replied that private donation does
occur. He related a story about a food retailer that throws out
hot food due to a liability concern and noted the application of
the Good Samaritan Act. He said his hope is that HB 186 will
ultimately remove the liability thought for not donating.
3:44:19 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF replied that she appreciated Representative
Talerico's comments that proper food handling is observed for
food donations. She noted that foodbanks will have to consider
adding additional personnel due to added donations in addition
to expanded storage and refuse capacity. She opined that a
foodbank having to hire additional personnel is a good problem
to handle the added food donations.
3:45:07 PM
SENATOR WILSON opened public testimony on HB 186.
3:45:39 PM
SAMANTHA KIRSTEIN, representing self, Fairbanks Foodbank,
Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in support of HB 186. She concurred
with Representative Talerico that the legislation will provide a
little more comfort for the people who donate food such as the
commercial grocers. She asserted that donations are important to
foodbanks.
3:46:35 PM
CHAIR WILSON closed public testimony on HB 186.
3:46:54 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF moved to report HB 186, [version 30-LS0654\J],
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
3:47:04 PM
CHAIR WILSON found no objection, and HB 186 moved from the
Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.