04/23/2024 01:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS

                                                                                                                                
                  HB 337-ESTABLISHING 4-H DAY                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:39:51 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR   DUNBAR   reconvened   the  meeting   and   announced   the                                                              
consideration  of HOUSE  BILL  NO. 337  "An  Act establishing  4-H                                                              
Day."                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
This is the first  hearing of HB 337 in the  Senate. The intention                                                              
is to  hear an introduction  of the  bill, invited testimony,  and                                                              
public testimony.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:40:11 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR invited the sponsor to introduce the bill.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:40:19 PM                                                                                                                    
REPRESENTATIVE   DONNA   MEARS,    District   21,   Alaska   State                                                              
Legislature, Juneau,  Alaska, sponsor of  HB 337, stated  that she                                                              
is honored to  present this bill to establish  the first Wednesday                                                              
in October as 4-H  Day in Alaska. She said 4-H has  been a part of                                                              
her life from  a young age and  helped prepare her for  service in                                                              
the legislature.  Many who  work in  the Capitol have  connections                                                              
to  4-H. In  addition to  its youth  and  governance programs  and                                                              
projects, produce,  and livestock shown at the  Alaska State Fair,                                                              
students can  join local 4-H  clubs. 4-H  plays a pivotal  role in                                                              
cultivating a deep  appreciation for Alaska's  unique agricultural                                                              
heritage  and  natural  resources.  By  engaging  in  various  4-H                                                              
programs,   participants  develop   critical  thinking,   problem-                                                              
solving,  and communication  skills essential  for success  in any                                                              
endeavor  they   pursue.  In  recognizing  4-H   Day,  volunteers,                                                              
educators,  and  supporters  are   honored  for  making  the  club                                                              
possible. Recognizing  the impact  of 4-H  sends a strong  message                                                              
of support  and encouragement to  the young individuals  of Alaska                                                              
and  underscores the  state's commitment  to  youth and  community                                                              
investment.  She urged the  committee to  join her in  championing                                                              
the passage of HCR 13.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:43:31 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR announced invited testimony on HB 337.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:43:46 PM                                                                                                                    
MICHAELLA ANDERSON,  4-H Alumni,  Club Leader, Fairbanks,  Alaska,                                                              
gave invited  testimony in  support of HB  337. She  described her                                                              
involvement   in   4-H  from   kindergarten   through   leadership                                                              
positions.  She further explained  how it  helps youth  thrive and                                                              
the  reasonable  cost of  membership.  National  4-H Week  is  the                                                              
first  week of October  and showcases  the benefits  of the  club.                                                              
She  highlighted that  4-H Day,  would  occur within  the week  of                                                              
national recognition if HB 337 passes.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:46:08 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR asked  about the size and scale of  4-H membership in                                                              
Fairbanks.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:46:20 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. ANDERSON  replied that 4-H has  upwards of 1,000 youth  in the                                                              
Fairbanks and Tanana area.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:46:58 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR opened public testimony on HB 337.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:47:58 PM                                                                                                                    
SELAH DENSMORE,  representing self,  Palmer, Alaska,  testified in                                                              
support of  HB 337. She  stated that as a  member of 4-H  for four                                                              
years, it has helped  her grow as a teenager. She  shared that 4-H                                                              
stands for  Head, Heart, Hands, and  Health. It is a  program that                                                              
helps children grow  into maturity. Youth learn  responsibility by                                                              
caring  for animals  and  public speaking  through  presentations.                                                              
She mentioned that  a group of youth recently  visited the Capitol                                                              
to learn about government.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:49:36 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR closed public testimony on HB 337.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:49:47 PM                                                                                                                    
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS expressed gratitude for the 4-H program.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:50:19 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR held HB 337 in committee.