Legislature(2017 - 2018)BARNES 124
02/07/2018 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Alyeska Pipeline Service Company | |
| HB217 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 217 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 217-RAW MILK SALES; FOOD EXEMPT FROM REGS
2:38:21 PM
CO-CHAIR TARR announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 217, "An Act relating to the Alaska Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act; relating to the sale of milk, milk
products, raw milk, and raw milk products; and providing for an
effective date."
2:39:06 PM
CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON moved to adopt the committee substitute (CS)
for HB 217, 30-LS0593\J, Wayne, 2/6/18, as the working document.
CO-CHAIR TARR objected for discussion purposes.
2:39:31 PM
DIANA RHOADES, Staff, Representative Geran Tarr, Alaska State
Legislature, informed the committee CSHB 217 [Version J] adds
provisions from HB 46 - which moved out of the House Resources
Standing Committee [3/22/17] - , would allow the commissioner of
the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to sell promotional
merchandise related to the Alaska Grown logo, and encourages the
state, schools, and municipalities to purchase Alaska Grown
agricultural and fisheries products at a required 7 percent
preference and up to a 15 percent preference. Another change in
HB 217 brought by the committee substitute is the removal of the
section related to raw milk sales; however, CSHB 217 maintains
the provisions to increase farmers' direct-to-consumer sales by
implementing the food freedom movement.
MS. RHOADES paraphrased from the following sponsor statement
[original punctuation provided]:
Section 1 Establishes Short Title as Alaska Food
Freedom Act
Concerns about states enforcing the federal Food
Safety Modernization Act prompted farmers across the
country, including Alaska, to pass laws to guarantee
the freedom of farmers to sell directly to end
consumers without overwhelming government regulations.
Section 2 Amends powers of Commissioner of Department
of Natural Resources to sell promotional merchandise
related to the Alaska Grown logo
Allows the Division of Agriculture within the
Department of Natural Resources to issue a license and
charge a license fee for the sale of promotional
merchandise related to the Alaska Grown logo. The
commissioner shall price the merchandise in a manner
that ensures a reasonable monetary return to the
state. It is encouraged that the merchandise be
manufactured in the US and is procured from either an
Alaska bidder or a person that employs Alaska prison
inmates.
Section 3 Amends Food, Drugs and Cosmetic Act's
Prohibited Acts Section, to allow exemptions from
licensing for some in-state food production
Allows direct sales from farmers to consumers for
certain Alaska Grown food and food products with
appropriate labeling; allows online sales of value-
added food products; defines farmers' markets.
Section 4 Rewrites municipal procurement code
preference for Alaska Grown agricultural products
If receiving state money, a municipality is currently
required to purchase Alaska Grown agriculture products
if they are priced not more than seven percent above a
similar product harvested outside the state; this
would give flexibility to purchase the product if
priced not more than 15 percent above a similar
product harvested outside the state.
Section 5 - Rewrites municipal procurement code
preference for Alaska-grown fisheries products
If receiving state money, a municipality is currently
required to purchase Alaska Grown seafood products if
they are priced not more than seven percent above a
similar product harvested outside the state; this
would give flexibility to purchase the product if
priced not more than 15 percent above a similar
product harvested outside the state.
CSHB217 (J) Alaska Food Freedom Act Sectional Analysis
2.7.18 Page 2
Section 6 Amends municipal solicitation procedure
for procurement code preference for Alaska-grown
agricultural and fisheries products
If receiving state money, a solicitation by a
municipality for the purchase of Alaska Grown
agriculture and seafood products must include written
notice that these products must follow the rules of
Section 4 and 5. Further, if they don't purchase
Alaska Grown products, the municipal officer shall
certify in writing the reasons why Alaska Grown
products were not purchased.
Section 7 - Amends state preferences for Alaska Grown
agricultural products
When agricultural products are purchased by the state
or by a school district that receives state money,
they are currently required to purchase Alaska Grown
products if they are priced not more than seven
percent above a similar product harvested outside the
state; this would give flexibility to purchase the
product if priced not more than 15 percent above a
similar product harvested outside the state.
Section 8 - Amends state preferences for Alaska Grown
fisheries products
If fisheries products are purchased by the state or by
a school district that receives state money, they are
currently required to purchase Alaska Grown products
if they are priced not more than seven percent above a
similar product harvested outside the state; this
gives flexibility to purchase the product if priced
not more than 15 percent above a similar product
harvested outside the state.
Section 9 - Amends state solicitation procedure for
procurement preferences for Alaska Grown fisheries and
agricultural products
If receiving state money, a solicitation by a state or
school district for the purchase of Alaska Grown
agriculture and seafood products must include written
notice that these products must follow the rules of
Sections 7 and 8. Further, if they don't purchase
Alaska Grown products, the officer responsible shall
certify in writing the reasons why Alaska Grown
products were not purchased.
Section 10 Amends Public Finance Fiscal Procedures
Act to collect fees
Allows the commissioner of the Department of Natural
Resources to collect fees for Alaska Grown promotional
merchandise.
Section 11 Effective date
2:43:25 PM
CO-CHAIR TARR removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Version J was before the committee.
CO-CHAIR TARR opened public testimony.
2:44:12 PM
BRYCE WRIGLEY, President, Alaska Farm Bureau, Inc., said the
Alaska Farm Bureau strongly supports all efforts to expand
agricultural opportunities in Alaska because as a young state,
Alaska has not had the opportunity to build an infrastructure
and establish policies to help farmers grow their businesses.
In fact, Alaska imports approximately 95 percent of its food,
and residents only have a 3- to 5-day supply of most food items
in grocery stores. Bills like HB 217 would improve agricultural
policies and increase access and options for consumers and
farmers. Mr. Wrigley reported the Alaska $5 Alaska Grown
Challenge is a tool to increase the visibility of Alaska Grown
products, and the bill would strengthen the product preference
program which would allow farmers to increase production and
serve additional markets. [CSHB 217] provides receipt authority
for a revenue stream in support of Alaska Grown marketing
materials. Further, good agricultural policies are important
because they will increase opportunities to get local products
to market, will build the agricultural industry, will increase
food security, and will create jobs in the rural farming
industry.
2:47:16 PM
PATRICIA GRISWOLD, Grandma's Gardens, informed the committee
Grandma's Gardens is a greenhouse and garden business. She
related she is familiar with state regulations on the labeling
of products such as jams and fresh produce, and commented on
items not on the agenda.
2:49:55 PM
ART GRISWOLD provided comments on topics not pertinent to CSHB
217.
2:51:28 PM
There followed a brief discussion of topics not pertinent to
CSHB 217.
2:54:43 PM
MATTHEW BATES provided comments on topics not pertinent to CSHB
217, and spoke in support of the provision in CSHB 217 related
to Alaska Grown.
2:56:32 PM
DANNY CONSENSTEIN, Representative, Alaska Food Policy Council
(AFPC), said AFPC is a coalition of Alaskans striving to create
a healthier, more secure, and more self-reliant Alaska by
improving its food system. [AFPC] represents farmers,
fishermen, food businesses, schools, government agencies,
nonprofits, subsistence users, and consumers in Alaska. He said
AFPC is pleased that the legislature is now recognizing food
issues are a priority. HB 217 recognizes the critical role
played by farmers markets - and other direct sales to consumers
- to create a market for agricultural and fishing businesses.
In fact, AFPC sees opportunities to create jobs and to diversify
the economy by supporting food-related small businesses and
retain some of the $1.9 billion that is spent on imported food.
In 2014, AFPC published a report that revealed $1 out of $5
earned by Alaska farmers is earned through direct sales, and the
direct sales market is growing; at this time annual direct sales
are $2.2 million annually. Mr. Constantine explained large
industrial-scale agribusiness is not necessary to achieve the
goal of more Alaskans eating Alaska Grown food, and he provided
an example. He also expressed support for state procurement of
local products.
3:03:02 PM
JOHANNA HERRON, Coordinator, Marketing, Alaska Grown & Farm to
School, Division of Agriculture, DNR, regarding the receipt
authority [provision in CSHB 217], informed the committee the
division has historically had to find federal funding to provide
marketing supplies to farmers; however, farmers have expressed
interest in buying supplies wholesale from the division.
3:03:56 PM
CO-CHAIR TARR announced public testimony for HB 217 remained
open.
HB 217 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB217 Version A 4.16.17.PDF |
HRES 4/17/2017 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/7/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/14/2018 1:00:00 PM |
HB 217 |
| HB217 Supporting Document - Sponsor Presentation - Alaska Food Freedom 1-31-18.pdf |
HRES 1/31/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/7/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/14/2018 1:00:00 PM |
HB 217 |
| HB217 Supporting Document - Benefits of Farmers Markets 2017 1.30.18.pdf |
HRES 1/31/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/7/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/14/2018 1:00:00 PM |
HB 217 |
| HB217 Supporting Document - Article Natural News 4.16.17.pdf |
HRES 1/31/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/7/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/14/2018 1:00:00 PM |
HB 217 |
| HB217 Supporting Document - Alaska Chamber Endorses Food Freedom 10.12.17.pdf |
HRES 1/31/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/7/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/14/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/16/2018 1:00:00 PM |
HB 217 |
| HB217 Fiscal Note - DEC-EH 1.26.18.pdf |
HRES 1/31/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/7/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/14/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/16/2018 1:00:00 PM |
HB 217 |
| HB217 Fiscal Note - DEC-EHL 1.26.18.pdf |
HRES 1/31/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/7/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/14/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/16/2018 1:00:00 PM |
HB 217 |
| HB217 New Sponsor Statement - Alaska Food Freedom 1.30.18.pdf |
HRES 1/31/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/7/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/14/2018 1:00:00 PM |
HB 217 |
| HB217 Supporting Document - Building Food Security in Alaska 7.28.14.pdf |
HRES 2/7/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/14/2018 1:00:00 PM |
HB 217 |
| HB217 Supporting Document - 2017+AFPC-infographic 2.7.18.pdf |
HRES 2/7/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/14/2018 1:00:00 PM |
HB 217 |
| HRES Alyeska Barrett Remarks 2.7.18.pdf |
HRES 2/7/2018 1:00:00 PM |
Alyeska |
| HB217 (CS) Version J 2.6.18.pdf |
HRES 2/7/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/14/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/16/2018 1:00:00 PM |
HB 217 |
| HB217 CS Version J - Sectional Analysis 2.7.18.pdf |
HRES 2/7/2018 1:00:00 PM HRES 2/16/2018 1:00:00 PM |
HB 217 |
| HRES Alyeska - Barrett Slide Presentation 2.7.18.pdf |
HRES 2/7/2018 1:00:00 PM |
Alyeska |