Legislature(2017 - 2018)BARNES 124
02/16/2018 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB267 | |
| Presentation(s): Pebble Mine Status Update | |
| HB217 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 267 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 217 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 217-RAW MILK SALES; FOOD EXEMPT FROM REGS
2:43:35 PM
CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON 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."
CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON handed the gavel to Co-Chair Tarr.
CO-CHAIR TARR informed the committee an amendment provided in
the committee packet [related to labeling Alaska food products
(raw milk), and discussed at the hearing of 2/14/18] would not
be moved for adoption.
2:45:22 PM
CO-CHAIR TARR moved to adopt Amendment 2, labeled 30-LS0593\J.3,
Wayne, 2/15/18.
CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON objected for discussion purposes.
CO-CHAIR TARR said due to the growing interest in farm tours and
visits, there is a need to protect farmers who seek to host
tours on their farms. Currently, AS 09.65.290(e)(3), limits
liability related to sports or recreational activities, and the
bill seeks to add farm touring to the list of activities in this
statute. Further, Amendment 2 adds the definition of farm
touring on page 2, lines 1-3, which read:
(4) "farm touring" means briefly visiting a farm
to observe or experience aspects of raising, growing,
producing, cultivating, harvesting, or processing an
agricultural product as a tourist, without receiving
pay.
CO-CHAIR TARR explained the amendment would also allow a tourist
to pick fruit or flowers on a farm.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND asked whether dinners served on a farm
would be considered farm touring as defined by the amendment.
CO-CHAIR TARR said yes.
2:47:50 PM
WAYNE FLOYD, Co-owner, Cool Cache Farms, said his farm in
Nikiski specializes in peonies and food products. He expressed
his support for the amendment because the agricultural industry
is now expanding into [farm touring] which is a new industry;
agriculture in Alaska is becoming known and is attracting
visitors. Farms carry liability insurance, but insurers raise
rates on policies for tourism activities such as selling U-pick
products. Thus, the amendment would help farmers keep their
expenses down, so they can compete with products from the Lower
48. Mr. Floyd pointed out because the tourism industry already
has protection, adding farm tourism is logical and would help
small farms grow.
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH asked how often injuries are associated
with U-pick activities.
MR. FLOYD explained farms with beehives may have bees on flowers
that can lead to stung noses, but farmers want to have insurance
against reasonable and valid claims.
2:52:08 PM
CHRIS FLICKINGER, Spokesperson, Kodiak Chapter, Alaska Farm
Bureau, Inc., said people stop by at his ranch and want to help
brand the animals, which could lead to injuries.
2:52:51 PM
CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON withdrew his objection. There being no other
objection, Amendment 2 was adopted.
CO-CHAIR TARR reviewed HB 217, as amended, which includes
provisions to allow the Department of Natural Resources to
market the Alaska Grown trademark; provides product procurement
preference permissive from 7 percent to 15 percent; creates
consistent statewide policy for the cottage food industry with
informed consumer consent; included a provision for farm
touring.
2:54:16 PM
CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON moved to report the committee substitute for
HB 217, labeled 30-LS0593\J, Wayne, 2/6/18, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO objected for discussion purposes. He
stated his interest in an amendment previously discussed [but
not moved for adoption related to labeling food products (raw
milk)] which addresses an issue critical to local producers. He
urged for continued work on this issue.
CO-CHAIR TARR suggested a subcommittee representing all areas of
the state could continue hearing testimony from farmers on the
[labeling of food products and] raw milk issue.
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH directed attention to the bill on page 2,
lines 26-28, which read [in part]:
"THIS PRODUCT WAS MADE IN A PRIVATE FACILITY THAT IS
NOT SUBJECT TO STATE OR MUNICIPAL REGULATION";
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH stated his preference for the language in
the original version of the bill, which read:
This product was made in a private kitchen that is not
inspected by a state or local agency.
CO-CHAIR TARR said the change in language was suggested by
Legislative Legal Services, Legislative Affairs Agency.
2:57:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO removed his objection. There being no
further objection, CSHB 217(RES) was reported out of the House
Resources Standing Committee.