Legislature(2025 - 2026)BUTROVICH 205
04/11/2025 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB114 | |
| SB130 | |
| SB135 | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): Big Game Commercial Services Board | |
| SB128 | |
| SB139 | |
| SJR19 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 128 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 139 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 114 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 130 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 135 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 128-CREATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
4:09:54 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 128
"An Act establishing the Department of Agriculture; relating to
the establishment of the Department of Agriculture; transferring
functions of the Department of Natural Resources related to
agriculture to the Department of Agriculture; and providing for
an effective date."
4:10:29 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL solicited a motion.
4:10:58 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to adopt Amendment 1, work order 34-
LS 0694\N.2
34-LS0694\N.2
Bullard
4/7/25
AMENDMENT 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR GIESSEL
TO: SB 128
Page 20, following line 28:
Insert new material to read:
"Article 1. Administration."
Page 21, line 14:
Delete "Department of Agriculture"
Insert "department"
Page 21, line 29:
Delete "of agriculture"
Page 21, line 31:
Delete "Department of Agriculture"
Insert "department"
Page 21, following line 28:
Insert a new section to read:
"Sec. 44.38.030. Division of mariculture. The
division of mariculture is established in the
department to support and promote mariculture farms
and hatcheries in the state. The commissioner shall
control and supervise the division of mariculture. In
this section, "mariculture" has the meaning given in
AS 16.10.945."
Page 21, line 29:
Delete "Sec. 44.38.030"
Insert "Sec. 44.38.040"
Page 21, following line 31:
Insert new material to read:
"Article 2. General Provisions.
Sec. 44.38.900. Definitions. In this chapter,
(1) "commissioner" means the commissioner
of agriculture;
(2) "department" means the Department of
Agriculture."
4:11:01 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL objected for purposes of discussion.
4:11:16 PM
INTIMAYO HARBISON, Staff, Senator Cathy Giessel, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, explained that [Amendment 1] to SB
128 would create a new Division of Mariculture within the
Department of Agriculture. This Division would focus on
mariculture issues within the state.
4:11:33 PM
SENATOR MYERS recalled that mariculture currently falls under
the purview of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G).
He asked if Amendment 1 would create a new division or move the
existing division from ADF&G to the Department of Agriculture.
4:11:54 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL replied that the intention is to move the existing
division from ADF&G to the Department of Agriculture.
4:11:59 PM
MR. HARBISION shared his understanding that Amendment 1 would
move the Division of Mariculture from ADF&G to the Department of
Agriculture.
4:12:23 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR expressed appreciation that Amendment 1 uses the
term "mariculture" rather than "aquatic farm."
4:12:31 PM
SENATOR HUGHES recalled a recent discussion that added
"mariculture" to the definition of "seafood" for the Alaska
Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI). She asked how Amendment 1
would fit with that change.
4:12:46 PM
MR. HARBISON replied that Amendment 1 does not propose to move
ASMI to the Department of Agriculture. He indicated that there
is general agreement that ASMI is better suited for the
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
(DCCED).
4:13:32 PM
SENATOR HUGHES asked if mariculture products would be eligible
for the Alaska Grown label.
4:13:45 PM
MR. HARBISON surmised that mariculture products would be
eligible; however, he pointed out that the Department of
Agriculture would decide whether to extend the Alaska Grown
label to proposed mariculture products.
4:14:11 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL removed her objection to [Amendment 1].
4:14:19 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL found no further objection and [Amendment 1] was
adopted.
4:14:22 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL solicited a motion.
4:14:27 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to adopt Amendment 2, work order 34-
LS 0694\N.3.
34-LS0694\N.3
Bullard
4/8/25
AMENDMENT 2
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR GIESSEL
TO: SB 128
Page 20, following line 28:
Insert new material to read:
"Article 1. Administration."
Page 21, line 14:
Delete "Department of Agriculture"
Insert "department"
Page 21, line 29:
Delete "of agriculture"
Page 21, line 31:
Delete "Department of Agriculture"
Insert "department"
Page 21, following line 28:
Insert a new section to read:
"Sec. 44.38.030. Division of food security. The
division of food security is established in the
department to coordinate and develop policies,
programs, and planning related to food security in the
state. The commissioner shall control and supervise
the division of food security."
Page 21, line 29:
Delete "Sec. 44.38.030"
Insert "Sec. 44.38.040"
Page 21, following line 31:
Insert new material to read:
"Article 2. General Provisions.
Sec. 44.38.900. Definitions. In this chapter,
(1) "commissioner" means the commissioner
of agriculture;
(2) "department" means the Department of
Agriculture."
4:14:29 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL objected for purposes of discussion.
4:14:35 PM
MR. HARBISON explained that [Amendment 2] would create a
Division of Food Security within the proposed Department of
Agriculture. He recalled that earlier discussions of the
executive order relating to a proposed Department of Agriculture
had indicated food security as a primary focus. He stated that
this issue falls within the purview of the Department of
Agriculture.
4:15:07 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR expressed his support for Amendment 2. However,
he shared his understanding that "food security" is not defined
in Alaska Statutes. He surmised that his definition of "food
security" is broader than most. He recommended reading the work
of Nobel Prize winning economist Amartya Sen, whose work is
related to the economics of poverty and the causes of famine. He
explained that famines are driven by a lack of income (rather
than a lack of food supply) and offered examples to illustrate
this. He stated that famine is largely the result of a
distribution issue within a society (not a complete lack of
food). He connected this to the discussion of food security in
Alaska. He emphasized the importance of programs that provide
income for food purchases (e.g. the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP)) in ensuring food security within
communities. He stated that these programs are often more
important than growing or importing food. He reiterated that
food insecurity is a distribution issue. He reiterated his
support of Amendment 2 and expressed hope that a Division of
Food Security would focus on food distribution and food
affordability.
4:17:01 PM
SENATOR HUGHES shared her understanding that there is no plan to
move SNAP or other similar programs to the proposed Department
of Agriculture. She indicated that the proposed Division of Food
Security would have an associated cost and expressed concern
that the progression of SB 128 could be slowed by the addition
of a fiscal note. She asked whether the division would initially
be set up as a part of the office of the Commissioner of the
proposed Department of Agriculture or whether a Division of Food
Security fiscal note is expected.
4:17:59 PM
MR. HARBISON answered that Amendment 3 is broadly written. The
amendment creates the Division of Food Security but is not
prescriptive with respect to how the proposed Department of
Agriculture must shape the division. He said it is within the
Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture's purview to take
on the duties of the proposed Division of Food Security. He
shared his understanding that Amendment 3 (as written) would not
require a fiscal note (unless it was the desire of the
Department of Agriculture).
4:18:43 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL noted that SNAP benefits and other similar
programs are within the Alaska Department of Health (DOH),
Division of Public Assistance. She pointed out that SB 128 has a
fiscal note.
4:19:04 PM
SENATOR MYERS stated that he supports Amendment 2. However, he
expressed concern that the definition of "food security" is very
broad. He commented that the broad definition of "food security"
could impact multiple departments. He offered EBT and SNAP as
one example, as these could potentially be moved from DOH,
Division of Public Assistance to the proposed Division of Food
Security. He briefly discussed transportation-related concerns.
He reiterated his support for Amendment 2; however, he said he
would continue to monitor SB 128 as it moves through the
legislative process to see how these potential impacts play out.
4:20:34 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL stated that the Department of Agriculture was
proposed, in part, due to a lack of focus on food security
issues. She agreed that SB 128 is creating new pathways. She
explained that the intent of the Division of Food Security is to
have a division that would focus on food security issues while
engaging in collaborative discussions with other state agencies.
This would improve the concept of "food security" as broadly as
intended.
4:21:20 PM
SENATOR MYERS briefly discussed how a potential merger between
Kroger, Co. and Albertsons Companies, Inc. would have had an
impact on food security in Alaska. He shared his understanding
that the federal government stopped the merger, but pointed out
that the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development (DCCED) would have addressed this at the state
level. He said that this is another example of an issue that
would potentially fall under the purview of the proposed
Division of Food Security and expressed concern.
4:22:04 PM
SENATOR HUGHES opined that the concerns expressed by Senator
Myers could be considered reasons for supporting the
establishment of the Department of Agriculture and the Division
of Food Security. She shared about her experience on the Alaska
Food Strategy Task Force and highlighted discussions related to
distribution and transportation. She opined that it would be
helpful to have a division that could house those discussions
and engage in collaborative discussions across state agencies.
She shared her belief that the State of Alaska needs the
proposed Division of Food Security.
4:23:06 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL removed her objection to Amendment 2.
CHAIR GIESSEL found no further objection and [Amendment 2] to SB
128 was adopted.
4:23:13 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL solicited a motion.
4:23:17 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to adopt Amendment 3, work order 34-
LS0694\N.7.
34-LS0694\N.7
Bullard
4/11/25
A M E N D M E N T 3
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR GIESSEL
TO: SB 128
Page 21, line 10:
Delete "and"
Page 21, following line 10:
Insert new paragraphs to read:
"(5) support the improvement of food
security for residents of the state;
(6) support agricultural businesses and the
marketing of state agriculture products;
(7) support state mariculture businesses
and the marketing of state mariculture products; and"
Page 21, line 11:
Delete "(5)"
Insert "(8) engage in agricultural research and"
Page 21, following line 28:
Insert a new subsection to read:
"(c) By February 1 of each year, the commissioner of
agriculture shall prepare an annual report containing
a summary of the Department of Agriculture's efforts
and progress under (a)(5) - (8) of this section in
addressing food security, supporting state
agricultural businesses and the marketing of state
agricultural products, supporting mariculture
businesses and the marketing of state mariculture
products, and engaging in agricultural research. The
department shall deliver the report to the senate
secretary and the chief clerk of the house of
representatives and notify the legislature that the
report is available."
4:23:20 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL objected for purposes of discussion.
4:23:23 PM
MR. HARBISON explained that [Amendment 3] defines the duties of
the commissioner of the proposed Department of Agriculture. He
acknowledged that some committee members are concerned about the
increased fiscal note costs related to creating additional
divisions within the department. He said Amendment 3 clarifies
the duties of the commissioner. This includes supporting and
improving food security for Alaskans, supporting agriculture and
mariculture businesses, as well as support for and engagement in
mariculture and agriculture research. In addition, the
commissioner must provide a report detailing improvements in
those areas to the legislature by February 1 of each year.
4:24:35 PM
SENATOR HUGHES recalled a recent discussion with the Director of
the Division of Agriculture at the Food and Farm Caucus. She
shared her understanding that the University of Alaska is
responsible for agricultural research. She noted that the
Division of Agriculture, Alaska Plant Materials Center engages
in some research; however, she sought to clarify that research
is the work of the university. She opined that the commissioner
of the proposed Department of Agriculture would be responsible
for disseminating that research to the agricultural community
across the state. She asked whether Amendment 3 states that the
commissioner must conduct research - or whether the
commissioner's role would be disseminating the information
gained through the University of Alaska's research.
4:25:31 PM
MR. HARBISON replied that Amendment 3 states that the
commissioner would support research. He added that the
department would determine the scope of that support. This could
include grants, disseminating information, etc. He clarified
that Amendment 3 does not explicitly state that the commissioner
must be involved in research.
4:26:06 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL removed her objection.
CHAIR GIESSEL found no further objection and Amendment 3, work
order 34-LS0694\N.7 was adopted.
4:26:21 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL noted that public testimony was previously left
open.
4:26:49 PM
LEONARDO WASSILIE, representing self, Nenana, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 128. He said he is on the National Family Farm
Coalition executive committee and works for the Nenana Native
Association. He also works for Calypso Farm and Ecology Center.
He said he supports movement toward strengthening food security
in Alaska. He indicated support for legislative involvement in
that process. He stated that he supports local agriculture and
expressed support for standards for producers. He emphasized the
importance of healthy soils and regenerative farming practices.
4:29:14 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL held SB 128 in committee.