Legislature(2025 - 2026)BUTROVICH 205
04/28/2025 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): Board of Fisheries | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): State Assessment Review Board | |
| SJR18 | |
| HJR15 | |
| SB174 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 112 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SJR 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 174 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 174-INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT
4:42:07 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 174
"An Act establishing the Alaska Invasive Species Council in the
Department of Fish and Game; relating to management of invasive
species; and providing for an effective date."
4:43:01 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR, speaking as the sponsor of SB 174, provided a
brief overview. He said this legislation would help prevent,
eradicate, and control invasive species in Alaska and would
reduce their long-term impacts. He provided several examples of
invasive species and their impacts.
4:44:19 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL opened public testimony on SB 174.
4:44:33 PM
AL BARRETTE, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified
with concerns on SB 174. He said that AS 16.05.255 gives the
Board of Game some authority on this issue. The board has
created regulations under 5 AAC 92.029. He suggested adding a
Board of Game member to the council. He expressed concern that
SB 174 would result in two competing statutes.
4:46:45 PM
KIM TITUS, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified with
concerns on SB 174. He said he is a retired wildlife
professional and provided a brief overview of his work around
the state. He said he is an avid user of Alaska's fish and
wildlife resources and expressed a desire to keep [invasive
species] out of Alaska. He expressed support for the creation of
the Alaska Invasive Species Council and for broad representation
on the proposed council; however, he questioned why there is no
federal land management agency representation. He noted that SB
174 designs a complex, non-regulatory coordination system. He
said there is a fair amount of invasive species work occurring
in the state, including work done by the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game (ADF&G).
MR. TITUS noted that 5 AAC 92.029 restricts the introduction of
non-native wildlife and associated diseases into the state. DNR
has a strategic plan for invasive weed and agricultural pest
management and prevention. He expressed concern related to the
definitions of "invasive species," "invasive species
management," and "non-native species." He said these definitions
do not consider the natural progression of species into and/or
across the state. He offered examples to illustrate these
concerns. He opined that SB 174 is overly complex insofar as it
applies to activities that are already occurring in the state.
4:49:48 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL closed public testimony on SB 174.
4:50:02 PM
RACHEL LEVY, Staff, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the sectional analysis
for SB 174:
[Original punctuation provided.]
SECTIONAL ANALYSIS
SB 174: INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT
Version A (34-LS0901\A)
4.23.2025
"An Act establishing the Alaska Invasive Species
Council in the Department of Fish and Game; relating
to management of invasive species; and providing for
an effective date."
Section 1 Amends AS 16.20 to add three subsections.
AS 16.20.800 establishes the 11-person Alaska Invasive
Species Council; outlines the council's role in
managing invasive species; and establishes the form,
function, membership, responsibilities, and
expectations of the council. AS 16.20.810 establishes
the invasive species response fund as an account in
the general fund. AS 16.20.850 defines "council,"
"department," "invasive species," "manage invasive
species," and "non-native species."
Section 2 Sets a date of repeal for the new
subsections of July 1, 2035
Section 3 Amends the uncodified law of the State of
Alaska to add a new section detailing (a) the
appointment and terms of members by the governor and
(b) the timing of the first meeting within 90 days of
appointment of members and the number of meetings
required in the initial year at four.
Section 4 Sets an immediate effective date under AS
01.10.070(c).
4:51:15 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR explained that his interest in invasive species
management began with a slug species in Cordova. He shared that
he attended a meeting of the Alaska Invasive Species Partnership
(AKISP) in 2022. He said the partnership has identified a need
for greater coordination of the invasive species work being done
in the state. He stated that many professionals working on this
issue are in support of the proposed council. Eighteen states
have similar councils. He surmised that none of those states
rely on their state's natural resources to the degree that
Alaska does. He emphasized Alaska's pristine environment and
said invasive species have the potential to do great harm. He
said he is working with another legislator on invasive species
issues, specifically European green crab, which is threatening
red king crab populations. He reiterated that professionals who
work with invasive species requested the creation of the
council.
4:52:55 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN said European choke cherry is an invasive species
impacting the Anchorage area. He explained that, in addition to
removal, there are concerns related to the use of chemicals. He
commented that protecting the natural habitat comes with a
diverse set of challenges.
4:53:26 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR replied that as a member of the Anchorage
Assembly one he worked to ban the sale of European choke cherry
(Prunus padus). He explained that the Alaska Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) planted European
choke cherry for erosion control. He emphasized that this is an
example of a lack of communication and coordination between
departments. He briefly discussed the negative environmental
impacts of European choke cherry.
4:54:25 PM
SENATOR HUGHES asked why AKISP could not address this issue,
rather than creating a separate entity.
4:54:45 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR replied that AKISP has expressed frustration at
the limited number of invasive species addressed in Alaska
Statutes. He explained that AKISP has informed the department
that additional species should be added; however, those changes
have not been made. He shared his understanding that AKISP
believes creating an official council within ADF&G would be a
more effective way to address this issue. He noted that private
organizations are working to address invasive species
management; however, creating a council would provide an
official forum through which to address these issues.
4:55:45 PM
[CHAIR GIESSEL reopened public testimony on SB 174.]
4:56:17 PM
CASEY DINKEL, Manager, Alaska Plant Materials Center, Division
of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Palmer,
Alaska, provided information related to SB 174. He said the
Alaska Plant Materials Center hosts and works with Cody
Jacobson, the state's invasive plant coordinator to manage
invasive species throughout the state. He briefly discussed
Elodea (waterweed) an invasive aquatic weed that Mr. Jacobson
has been working on eliminating. He noted that Elodea has been a
focus for the past several years. The Division of Agriculture is
unable to address all invasive plant issues across the state
simultaneously. He stated that there are many invasive species
in Alaska's agricultural sector, including orange hawkweed and
bird vetch. He said Mr. Jacobson works closely with agencies
across the state to address the different invasive species. He
indicated that the invasive species council would provide an
additional layer of information to the industry and indicated
that this would help the Division of Agriculture tackle invasive
species issues. He emphasized that successfully addressing
invasive species requires statewide coordination and funding.
4:59:00 PM
[CHAIR GIESSEL closed public testimony on SB 174.]
4:59:06 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR thanked the committee.
4:59:14 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL held SB 174 in committee.