04/02/2008 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE

CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 330(RES)                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to noxious weed, invasive plant and                                                                       
     agricultural pest management and education; and                                                                            
     providing for an effective date."                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Senator Elton MOVED  to ADOPT a Committee Substitute  for SCS                                                                   
HB  330,  work  draft 25-LS1062\N  as  the  working  document                                                                   
before this committee.  There being NO OBJECTION,  work draft                                                                   
25-LS1062\N was adopted.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman  noted that version  N added  the Department                                                                   
of Fish and Game to help with marine issues.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
9:55:21 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
DEBORAH   HIGGINS,  STAFF,   REPRESENTATIVE  CRAIG   JOHNSON,                                                                   
acknowledged she was prepared to answer questions.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG  JOHNSON, the bill's  sponsor, indicated                                                                   
he was available for questions.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman mentioned  the zero  fiscal notes  from the                                                                   
Department of  Environmental Conservation, the  Department of                                                                   
Fish  and Game,  the  Department  of Transportation  and  the                                                                   
fiscal  note from  the Department  of  Natural Resources  for                                                                   
$80,000 to hire a new research analyst.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
9:56:30 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRYCE WRIGLEY,  ALASKA FARM BUREAU, DELTA  JUNCTION testified                                                                   
via teleconference, and supported  the bill. He expressed the                                                                   
concern of  noxious weeds  to the  farm industry. He  related                                                                   
the problems  in the  Lower 48 have  cost the western  states                                                                   
millions  of  dollars.  Mr. Wrigley  remarked  that  Alaska's                                                                   
isolation  has provided time  to research  the spread  of the                                                                   
weeds  but  now  is time  for  aggressive  action  before  it                                                                   
becomes a problem.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
9:59:03 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Johnson appreciated the hearing of the bill.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman  MOVED to REPORT  SCS CSHB 330 (FIN)  out of                                                                   
Committee  with individual  recommendations and  accompanying                                                                   
fiscal notes.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SCS CSHB 330 (FIN)  was REPORTED out of Committee  with a "do                                                                   
pass" recommendation,  and accompanying previously  published                                                                   
fiscal   notes   from   the   Department   of   Environmental                                                                   
Conservation,   the  Department   of  Fish   and  Game,   the                                                                   
Department of  Transportation and Public Facilities,  and the                                                                   
Department of Natural Resources.