Legislature(2025 - 2026)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/03/2025 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| EO136 | |
| SSCR1 | |
| Presentation: Fy 45 Medicaid Enrollment and Spending in Alaska Report (mesa) – Department of Health | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | SSCR 1 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE SPECIAL CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1
Disapproving Executive Order No. 136.
9:58:06 AM
LIZ HARPOLD, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, addressed SSCR 1.
She explained that SSCR 1 was a resolution to disapprove EO
136, the governor's proposal to create a Department of
Agriculture. The resolution noted the authority of the
governor to create a department through executive order and
also outlined how the legislature had 60 days to disapprove
an executive order in resolution taken up in joint session.
She made a procedural note that hearing and moving the
resolution in committee as not a reflection of any member's
intent to vote for or against the resolution in joint
session at a later time.
9:59:13 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony.
9:59:48 AM
AT EASE
10:00:16 AM
RECONVENED
DYLAN BLANKENSHIP, SELF, POINT MACKENZIE (via
teleconference), testified in opposition to SSCR 1. He grew
hay to feed livestock in his region. He mentioned the 2022
United States Census, which indicated that Alaska was only
one of five states that gained farms as it was losing them.
He mentioned many farms for sale in his area. He cited that
the average age of an Alaskan farmer was 58 years old. He
mentioned the Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund, through
which he had purchased his farm. He was concerned about the
viability of funds and his future financing opportunities.
He discussed food security and the support he had been
given by the Division of Agriculture. He was concerned
about the future of farming in the state and the lack of
support for farmers.
10:03:10 AM
BERNIE KARL, FARMER, CHENA HOT SPRINGS (via
teleconference), spoke in opposition to SSCR 1. He believed
that the only two ways to create wealth was through growing
or mining. He thought Alaska had the ability to grow and
even export food. He discussed food production in the
Netherlands. He referenced Co-Chair Hoffman's comments
about rural Alaska. He discussed the need for greenhouses
in every community to take advantage of power. He discussed
the use of power and greenhouses in Chena Hot Springs. He
referenced greenhouses in Bethel and mentioned Alaska's
long growing season. He emphasized that agriculture was the
future. He thought the state's founding fathers knew the
importance of agriculture. He had been in the state for 50
years.
10:06:48 AM
SCOTT MUGRAGE, PRESIDENT, ALASKA FARM BUREAU, DELTA
JUNCTION (via teleconference), spoke in opposition to the
resolution. He was a farmer and rancher and was President
of the Alaska Farm Bureau. He relayed that the Alaska Farm
Bureau strongly supported EO 136. He acknowledged the
concerns related to growth in government. He thought the
industry had huge potential. He referenced recommendations
from the task forces and emphasized the need for consistent
support for agriculture through different administrations.
10:08:52 AM
RACHEL LORD, ALASKA FOOD POLICY COUNCIL, HOMER (via
teleconference), testified in opposition to SSCR 1. She
shared that the Alaska Food Policy Council strongly
supported the establishment of the Department of
Agriculture. She expressed support for the Division of
Agriculture and Commissioner Boyle. She continued that her
organization worked closely with many stakeholders across
the state and thought for the development of stronger more
sustained agricultural sector there needed to be high-level
focus and collaboration. She reiterated Mr. Mugrage's
remarks regarding the task force recommendations.
10:10:48 AM
AT EASE
10:10:57 AM
RECONVNEED
AMY SEITZ, ALASKA FARM BUREAU, SOLDOTNA (via
teleconference), spoke in opposition to SSCR 1. She relayed
she was a third-generation farmer that lived on the
property her grandparents started in 1948. She conveyed
that the Alaska Farm Bureau was in strong support of EO
136. She wanted agriculture to have stronger voice in the
state. She contended that agriculture was not a priority of
DNR, and that having a cabinet level seat would bring more
focus to what was needed and for building relationships for
markets. She considered timing and pondered that the state
currently had momentum and potential in agriculture. She
cited increased numbers of farms and local products. She
mentioned the peony industry and the rise of agri-tourism.
She thought the new department would increase food security
and build a strong agriculture industry.
10:14:56 AM
MARSHALL TRENT, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference),
testified against SSCR 1. He advocated for the new
department and the strategic development of agriculture in
the state. He considered that a deliberate state-led
approach was needed, with coordinated policies and
resources. He discussed the slim margins in agriculture and
discussed agricultural loans. He discussed loan
limitations. He referenced Mr. Blankenship's remarks. He
emphasized the need for a long-term strategic approach. He
mentioned federal loan guarantees. He requested urgent
action and permanent investment capital.
10:18:43 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony.
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to report SSCR 1 out of Committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note. He noted that the action did not reflect an intent by
any member to vote for or against the special concurrent
resolution disapproving Executive Order 136 in joint
session. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Co-Chair Hoffman reiterated that there was work to be done
with the current administration. He thought questions had
arisen regarding the implementation of EO 136. He relayed
that the committee would go forward and continue dialog
with the administration.
SSCR 1 was REPORTED out of committee with one previously
published zero fiscal note: FN 1(SRES).
10:20:20 AM
AT EASE
10:21:32 AM
RECONVENED
^PRESENTATION: FY 45 MEDICAID ENROLLMENT and SPENDING IN
ALASKA REPORT (MESA) DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
10:22:09 AM
TED HELVOIGHT, PRESIDENT, EVERGREEN ECONOMICS, discussed a
presentation entitled "MESA FY2025 FY2045 Long-Term
Forecast of Medicaid Enrollment and Spending in Alaska
March 3, 2025" (copy on file).
Mr. Helvoight looked at slide 2, "Long-Term Medicaid
Forecast ('MESA')
• Requested by the Alaska Legislature in 2005
• First forecast completed in 2006
• 20-year projection updated annually
• Assumes current Medicaid structure remains in place
Provides a baseline for analysis of proposed
initiatives
• Provides insights into trends in AK population,
Medicaid enrollment, utilization, reimbursement rates,
and spending
Co-Chair Hoffman handed the gavel to Co-Chair Stedman.
10:24:14 AM
AT EASE
10:27:50 AM
RECONENVED
Co-Chair Stedman relayed that there had been an issue with
the presentation, and the committee would consider the
topic at Wednesday's meeting.
Co-Chair Stedman discussed the agenda for the upcoming
meeting.