Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
02/14/2024 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB296 | |
| Presentation(s): Alaska Food Strategy Task Force | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 296 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 296-AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS/LOANS/SALES
1:30:03 PM
CHAIR MCKAY announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 296, "An Act relating to the powers of the board
of agriculture and conservation; relating to loans and
limitations under the Alaska Agricultural Loan Act; relating to
federal crop insurance contributions; relating to municipal and
state procurement preferences for agricultural products
harvested in the state and fisheries products harvested or
processed in the state; and providing for an effective date."
1:30:19 PM
CHAIR MCKAY opened public testimony on HB 296.
1:30:34 PM
SCOTT MUGRAGE, President, Alaska Farm Bureau, Owner, Mugrage Hay
& Cattle, offered his support for HB 296 but expressed concern
about the crop insurance portion of the bill, which focused
primarily on the grain production in Alaska. He alluded to an
expansion of federal crop insurance for specialty crops that fit
the state more broadly and said he wished to see a segway of
this being included in the bill. He noted his other concern was
with the product preference portion of the bill and opined it
still needed more work. He further noted that the price of
Alaska-grown products is problematic. There needed to be a
connection between wholesalers and farmers, he advised, and
negotiations need to transpire. He pointed out that the pilot
project was for five years and expressed that he thought the
timeframe was too short.
1:36:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER referenced the five-year time frame and
asked Mr. Mugrage if he had a suggestion.
MR. MUGRAGE recommended a seven- to ten-year range.
1:36:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked Mr. Mugrage for his opinion on the
percentage of the product preference having a 7 percent cap.
MR. MUGRAGE opined that there was actually 15 percent for
individual crops. He stated he was in agreement with having a
cap.
1:37:59 PM
CHAIR MCKAY acknowledged the hard work of those farming Alaska
land.
1:39:07 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 1:39 p.m.
1:39:15 PM
ROBBI MIXON, Executive Director, Alaska Food Policy Council,
testified in support of HB 296 but offered recommendations to
make it stronger so it could work better for the state's
farmers. Areas of concern were loan eligibility, crop
insurance, and the Division of Agriculture to explore ways to
engage the Board of Agriculture and Conservation as necessary to
increase participation in decision-making. She recommended
delaying procurement until July 2025 and expressed her support
for the committee's efforts.
1:44:11 PM
SHANNON CARROLL, Director, Alaska Public Affairs and Fisheries
Development, Trident Seafoods, testified in support of HB 296
and expressed that the company was aligned with the bill's
intent. He noted 2023 was a challenging year for the fishing
industry and he appreciated the governor introducing the bill.
He pointed out how the proposed legislation could improve many
areas in the fishing industry and communities.
1:45:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS referred to testimony about delayed
implementation of the procurement section, and asked Mr. Carroll
whether it would affect him.
MR. CARROLL replied that he did not have any recommendations for
changes in the bill.
1:47:00 PM
BEN ADAMS, representing self, related that he was a farmer and a
rancher, and for the last 25 years, a licensed attorney. He
noted his disbelief at obstacles placed on him as a farmer. He
said he was supportive of the bill but pointed out Sections 17
and 18 expressed concern regarding a confusing conflict related
to procurement. He said it may be clear to those who drafted
it, but he was unsure what it meant. He stressed that Section
18 mentioned a "preference" and he wished for clarification on
the meaning. He emphasized the expense of caring for his
cattle, especially during the winter. He said he was thankful
that the legislature was taking food security more seriously.
1:50:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER ventured to add clarity to Mr. Adams
concerns. He said Section 17 takes effect in 2024, and Section
18 would take effect in 2029, and no cap would be there for five
years; however, he could not speak for the [bill] sponsor.
1:51:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS clarified that the language reverted back
to the original HB 296.
1:52:07 PM
NICK MANGINI, Kelp Farmer, Kodiak Island Sustainable Seaweed,
offered his support for HB 296 because mariculture in general
slows ocean acidification, filtration, and warming of the
waters. He noted the ways the bill could help in several areas,
including university studies, bio-stimulants, and the dependence
on kelp. He encouraged the passing of HB 296.
1:53:55 PM
CHAIR MCKAY, after ascertaining no one else wished to testify,
closed public testimony on HB 296.
CHAIR MCKAY announced that HB 296 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| AFSTF_Report_8-1-2023 FINAL.pdf |
HRES 2/14/2024 1:00:00 PM |
|
| DoAg White Paper - AFSTF v2024-02 DRAFT.pdf |
HRES 2/14/2024 1:00:00 PM |
|
| Return on Investment_02-09b.pdf |
HRES 2/14/2024 1:00:00 PM |
|
| AFSTF-Feb.14.2024-ResourcesCommittee Presentation.pdf |
HRES 2/14/2024 1:00:00 PM |