Legislature(2025 - 2026)ADAMS 519

03/11/2025 01:30 PM House FINANCE

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04:03:34 PM Start
04:05:14 PM SSCR1
05:25:05 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
-- Delayed to 4:00 pm --
+ HB 10 ADD FACULTY MEMBER UNIV BOARD OF REGENTS TELECONFERENCED
Scheduled but Not Heard
+ HB 31 VESSELS: REGISTRATION/DERELICT FUND TELECONFERENCED
Scheduled but Not Heard
+ HB 36 FOSTER CHILDREN PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT TELECONFERENCED
Scheduled but Not Heard
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
+= SSCR 1 DISAPPROVE EO 136 TELECONFERENCED
Moved SSCR 1 Out of Committee
-- Public Testimony --
SENATE SPECIAL CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Disapproving Executive Order No. 136.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:05:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Foster  asked the  Department of  Natural Resources                                                                    
(DNR)  to   come  to  the   committee  table  to   resume  a                                                                    
presentation from the  previous day. He noted  that they had                                                                    
left off on slide 8 of the presentation.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
JOHN BOYLE,  COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF  NATURAL RESOURCES,                                                                    
resumed  a PowerPoint  presentation titled  "Executive Order                                                                    
136  Establishing  the  Department  of  Agriculture,"  dated                                                                    
March 10,  2025 (copy on file).  He began on slide  9 titled                                                                    
"Tomorrow's  Department  of  Agriculture" showing  what  the                                                                    
proposed department of agriculture would look like.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
BRENT  GOODRUM, DEPUTY  COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT  OF NATURAL                                                                    
RESOURCES, read from prepared remarks on slide 9:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     As envisioned in Executive Order 136, tomorrow's                                                                           
     Department of Agriculture is a measured approach? an                                                                       
     important next step.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     A Commissioner  and a lean  support services  team will                                                                    
     be paired with the  functional division of agriculture.                                                                    
     This   will  allow   for  the   new  Commissioner   and                                                                    
     leadership  of the  Department  to  quickly assess  and                                                                    
     prioritize    policies,    necessary   programs,    and                                                                    
     coordination   efforts   to  better   assist   Alaska's                                                                    
     agricultural  sector to  grow and  thrive in  the years                                                                    
     ahead.  As responsibilities  and programs are evaluated                                                                    
     and eventually  added over time with  the consideration                                                                    
     and consent of Legislature,  the structure can adapt to                                                                    
     accommodate.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
4:06:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Goodrum moved to slide 10 titled "Reclassifications":                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     This slide  depicts the identified positions  that will                                                                    
     be  reclassified   in  order   to  establish   the  new                                                                    
     department. This modified approach  was informed by the                                                                    
     many insightful and helpful  conversations that we have                                                                    
     had with  legislators particularly with respect  to the                                                                    
     state's  fiscal  situation.   Our  team  revisited  all                                                                    
     options based  upon the feedback  we received  in those                                                                    
     meetings to  ensure that the  establishment of  the new                                                                    
     Department  of Agriculture  is both  responsive to  the                                                                    
     fiscal challenges the State is  encountering as well as                                                                    
     the  significant and  important opportunities  for real                                                                    
     growth that await the agriculture industry.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     The most  recent Governor amendment transmitted  by OMB                                                                    
     mid last week reflects what  we've developed as a cost-                                                                    
     neutral, position-neutral department:                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Instead   of  creating   13  new   positions,  and   an                                                                    
     associated   $2.7   million   dollar   increment,   the                                                                    
     Administration will  reclassify three  positions within                                                                    
     the current  Division of  Agriculture and  transfer two                                                                    
     positions  and  funding  from within  DNR  to  also  be                                                                    
     reclassified.  DNR  will   continue  to  provide  admin                                                                    
     services  functions   in  order  to  support   the  new                                                                    
     Department of Agriculture.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     Additionally, the new department  will absorb any costs                                                                    
     related to the reclassifications.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
4:08:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Hannan looked  at slide  7 showing  that the                                                                    
existing Division of Agriculture  had 37 positions including                                                                    
32 permanent full-time and 5  part-time. She looked at slide                                                                    
9 showing  39 total positions [for  the proposed department]                                                                    
with 34  permanent full-time positions.  She was  thrown off                                                                    
because of  the five  transferred positions. She  asked what                                                                    
the  two  additional  positions   would  be  that  were  not                                                                    
reflected in the transferred positions.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Goodrum pointed  to slide 10 showing  three positions in                                                                    
the left  column identified under  the existing  Division of                                                                    
Agriculture  that  would   be  reclassified.  The  positions                                                                    
included a  director's position  that would  be reclassified                                                                    
to the  commissioner's position, a vacant  natural resources                                                                    
technician 3  position that would  be reclassified  into the                                                                    
HR  consultant  3  position,  and   a  vacant  agronomist  1                                                                    
position  would  be  reclassified  into  the  administrative                                                                    
services  director  position.  Additionally,  two  positions                                                                    
that had  been vacant  for greater  than three  years within                                                                    
DNR  would  be transferred  to  the  proposed department  of                                                                    
agriculture and reclassified.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Representative Hannan remarked that in  the past two years a                                                                    
number of  positions had been  added to the  Fire Management                                                                    
Section  to  try to  address  wildfire  management. She  was                                                                    
concerned  positions  had been  added  and  not filled.  She                                                                    
anticipated there would be wildfire  costs and expenses seen                                                                    
in the  coming year. She  wondered how many  other positions                                                                    
in  the wildfire  section  that had  been  added were  still                                                                    
vacant. She  was concerned the  legislature had  been trying                                                                    
to  add to  wildfire  management, but  individuals would  be                                                                    
reclassified into administrative duties.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Commissioner  Boyle responded  that his  first question  had                                                                    
been whether positions were  critical for wildfire response.                                                                    
He  relayed that  the  two positions  had  been vacant  over                                                                    
multiple  years. The  department's recruitment  attempts had                                                                    
been  unsuccessful for  the positions  both  based in  rural                                                                    
eastern Alaska,  which had been  historically hard  to fill.                                                                    
He stated that  the fire management team had  assured him it                                                                    
had   been  managing   over  multiple   years  without   the                                                                    
positions.  He  elaborated  that there  were  other  capable                                                                    
people  able  to fulfill  the  roles.  More importantly  for                                                                    
DNR's  firefighting   effort  was  its  ability   to  retain                                                                    
wildland  firefighting  crews.  He  highlighted  discussions                                                                    
from a  couple of  years back when  the department  had been                                                                    
hemorrhaging  firefighter crews  because its  pay scale  had                                                                    
been so  disparate from the federal  government. He reported                                                                    
that the  legislature provided funding  to increase  pay and                                                                    
the  department was  now doing  a phenomenal  job recruiting                                                                    
and  retaining firefighters.  He noted  that the  department                                                                    
was  very  well  positioned  for fire  preparedness  in  the                                                                    
current  year. The  department  did not  see  an issue  with                                                                    
transferring the two positions.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:12:38 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative   Allard    referenced   the   commissioner's                                                                    
statement  that there  had been  positions vacant  for three                                                                    
years.  She wondered  how many  other vacancies  there were.                                                                    
She wanted  to know what  the department had used  the funds                                                                    
for.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Commissioner  Boyle  replied  that  he would  follow  up  in                                                                    
writing.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Stapp  thanked  the commissioner  for  being                                                                    
mindful  of  the  cost  associated with  setting  up  a  new                                                                    
department  and for  being  upfront  about vacant  positions                                                                    
that had not been filled.  He noted that not all departments                                                                    
were as forthcoming about vacancies.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:14:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Goodrum moved to slide 11 titled "Costs Comparison":                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     Working from  left to right  is a Cost  Comparison that                                                                    
     displays the  Division of Agriculture's  current FY2025                                                                    
     Management Plan  followed immediately  to the  right by                                                                    
     the   FY2026  Governor's   Budget.  The   third  column                                                                    
     reflects  the net  outcome  of  the Governor's  Amended                                                                    
     budget which  transfers two PCNs and  funding for those                                                                    
     positions from  DNR as well  as a $2.2  million request                                                                    
     for  Federal Receipt  authority  for  Micro Grants  for                                                                    
     Food  Security.   The last  column contains  the FY2026                                                                    
     Total   Estimated   Budget   for  the   Department   of                                                                    
     Agriculture.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Commissioner Boyle  looked at the  timeline on slide  12. He                                                                    
detailed that the legislature had  60 days to disapprove the                                                                    
creation  of the  new department.  Assuming the  legislature                                                                    
did  not disapprove  the EO,  DNR would  begin to  implement                                                                    
transition plans to  have the department live on  July 1. He                                                                    
concluded the  presentation on  slide 13  titled "Transition                                                                    
Work  Includes."  He  reported  that DNR  had  already  done                                                                    
substantial  work  engaging  with the  broader  agricultural                                                                    
stakeholder   community  on   what  a   new  department   of                                                                    
agriculture  would entail.  He referenced  the administerial                                                                    
functions   involved   in   ensuring  the   department   was                                                                    
operational. He detailed that  because the existing Division                                                                    
of  Agriculture  was located  in  Palmer,  it would  not  be                                                                    
necessary to find  new office space or  deal with challenges                                                                    
setting up  a new  office. He stated  that the  physical and                                                                    
technical process  of getting the department  up and running                                                                    
would be relatively smooth and effective.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:16:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Galvin   thanked  the  presenters   for  the                                                                    
presentation.  She  supported  ensuring goals  were  met  in                                                                    
terms  of   food  security  and   opportunities  individuals                                                                    
choosing  a  career in  agriculture.  She  asked what  would                                                                    
happen  if  the  EO  did  not pass.  She  wondered  how  the                                                                    
department would  arrange things to  make sure the  work got                                                                    
done.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Commissioner  Boyle replied  that agriculture  was currently                                                                    
one  of  his  priorities  and responsibilities  at  DNR.  He                                                                    
relayed that  DNR would continue  to support  the division's                                                                    
initiatives in the support of  the agriculture community. He                                                                    
believed the  Senate Majority had indicated  it may consider                                                                    
introducing  a  bill  that  would  create  a  department  of                                                                    
agriculture.  Based on  conversations  with legislators,  he                                                                    
believed most  did not philosophically have  any issues with                                                                    
creating  a   department  and   raising  the   awareness  of                                                                    
agriculture and food  security to a higher  level. He shared                                                                    
that  DNR  would  continue to  work  with  the  agricultural                                                                    
community  and   stakeholders  and  it  would   continue  to                                                                    
advocate for agriculture as a state priority.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Representative    Galvin    looked     at    the    position                                                                    
reclassifications on  slide 10 and  asked if it  would still                                                                    
be  possible  for  the  commissioner to  make  some  of  the                                                                    
changes  [if the  EO did  not pass].  She thought  it seemed                                                                    
like the work  could still happen under a  division. She did                                                                    
not  know how  much flexibility  the department  had without                                                                    
the EO.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Commissioner  Boyle answered  that  they would  see how  the                                                                    
session played out.  He relayed that it was  DNR's intent to                                                                    
continue  to  be  more  responsive   to  the  needs  of  the                                                                    
agricultural community, particularly  if there were specific                                                                    
roles  or functions  that needed  to be  filled. He  relayed                                                                    
there  was significant  administrative flexibility  in terms                                                                    
of  how the  department was  organized to  ensure the  needs                                                                    
were being met.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:20:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Allard  asked which other state  did not have                                                                    
an agriculture department.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Commissioner Boyle answered, "Rhode Island."                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Allard  thought  that   was  the  case.  She                                                                    
referenced a memorandum  prepared by DNR [on  March 7, 2025]                                                                    
(copy  on  file)  specifying  that  the  EO  did  not  alter                                                                    
statutory  responsibilities   and  authorities   related  to                                                                    
agriculture. Additionally,  she read  the first  sentence of                                                                    
the EO:  "Under the  authority of art.  III, Section  23, of                                                                    
the   Alaska  Constitution   and  in   accordance  with   AS                                                                    
24.08.210,  I order  the following"   She surmised  that the                                                                    
governor  had   the  constitutional  authority  to   make  a                                                                    
department.  She would  not want  to see  the governor  come                                                                    
into the  legislature's lane  to tell it  what it  could and                                                                    
could  not do.  She pointed  out that  the governor  was the                                                                    
executive  branch,  and  she  supported  the  department  of                                                                    
agriculture because  she thought  it was  a good  thing. The                                                                    
idea had taken  her time to wrap her head  around because it                                                                    
was   the  time   of   DOGE   [Department  of   Governmental                                                                    
Efficiency]  and   individuals  were  trying  to   cut  back                                                                    
government. However, she believed  the department would help                                                                    
access the  state's natural resources  and was good  for the                                                                    
state as  a whole. She  thought it could result  in bringing                                                                    
up manufacturing  companies to produce products  from Alaska                                                                    
farmers. She shared  a story about meat  packaged in another                                                                    
state with a Palmer stamp on  it. She stated [the ability to                                                                    
create  the department]  was  the governor's  constitutional                                                                    
right  and duty  to ensure  the state  survived in  case bad                                                                    
things happened.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
4:23:54 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Johnson  suggested it  would be nice  to hear                                                                    
from the division director. She  asked the director to share                                                                    
his vision for the department with the committee.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
BRYAN   SCORESBY,   DIRECTOR,   DIVISION   OF   AGRICULTURE,                                                                    
DEPARTMENT  OF NATURAL  RESOURCES, replied  that his  vision                                                                    
was for  the department of  agriculture to continue  to grow                                                                    
agriculture.  He had  heard from  farmers in  Alaska on  the                                                                    
following needs: more land to  grow food on, more capital to                                                                    
finance  projects, and  a market  to sell  the products.  He                                                                    
believed  that a  Department of  Agriculture would  create a                                                                    
strength of government  to make those things  happen. He did                                                                    
not  think  the  division  currently had  that  ability.  He                                                                    
stated that the division had a  history of doing what it had                                                                    
done in the past.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Johnson  asked how the  commissioner position                                                                    
would be different from the  division director position. She                                                                    
asked  what a  commissioner would  be  able to  do that  the                                                                    
director could not do currently.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Scoresby responded  that when  engaging  in the  retail                                                                    
sector, the title  of the person speaking  made a difference                                                                    
to  the  retail. He  highlighted  helping  the Alaska  Range                                                                    
Dairy get its  milk into Walmart as an  example. He detailed                                                                    
that  the  division helped  the  dairy  get its  inspections                                                                    
lined  up with  a third  party,  but he  believed the  third                                                                    
party called a  higher up government head  to help encourage                                                                    
Walmart to put  the product in its store. He  added that the                                                                    
dairy  had been  dumping quite  a  bit of  milk every  week,                                                                    
which  had changed  when the  product got  into Walmart.  He                                                                    
stated  that when  he called  the  director of  the USDA  it                                                                    
meant something, but  when a commissioner called  it meant a                                                                    
lot, and when  the governor called it meant a  whole lot. He                                                                    
noted that title  had its strength, which is  a benefit that                                                                    
would be brought at the department level.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Representative Johnson asked if  other states or the federal                                                                    
government  knew if  there was  a  difference pertaining  to                                                                    
Alaska's department.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Scoresby replied that when  he spoke to his counterparts                                                                    
in other  states, their titles  were more  like Commissioner                                                                    
Boyle  (with the  exception of  Rhode  Island). He  remarked                                                                    
that the things his counterparts  were doing in their states                                                                    
kept  them so  occupied that  very  few of  them cared  much                                                                    
about  Alaska  beyond  being interested  in  visiting  as  a                                                                    
tourism destination. He relayed  that the individuals rarely                                                                    
asked questions about the division's work.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Johnson appreciated  Mr. Scoresby's  work at                                                                    
the division over  the years. She asked if he  had any other                                                                    
comments.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:29:04 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Scoresby answered that he  supported the governor in his                                                                    
request to create a department  of agriculture. The division                                                                    
looked forward to the strength  the creation of a department                                                                    
would  bring  to  the  agriculture  sector  in  Alaska.  The                                                                    
department  would  aid in  policy  development  to push  and                                                                    
promote for  more production and  growing food in  Alaska to                                                                    
feed Alaskans. He highlighted that  if goods did not make it                                                                    
to  Alaska at  some point  in the  future, local  production                                                                    
would feed people.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Representative Johnson  shared that she  had a bill  to make                                                                    
the  giant  cabbage a  state  vegetable.  She asked  if  Mr.                                                                    
Scoresby would support the bill.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Scoresby responded  that he  deferred the  idea to  the                                                                    
legislature.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:30:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Jimmie  noted that she would  personally vote                                                                    
for  the salmon  berry. She  asked if  the department  would                                                                    
assist individuals who did not  know how to start farming in                                                                    
rural areas.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Commissioner  Boyle believed  it was  the responsibility  of                                                                    
the department or  division to help Alaskans  have the tools                                                                    
they  needed to  be successful.  He noted  that states  with                                                                    
strong  agricultural  sectors had  departments,  cooperative                                                                    
extension  services,   and  a   number  of   other  entities                                                                    
including farm bureaus, many of  which existed in Alaska and                                                                    
were  equipped  towards  helping people  be  successful.  He                                                                    
stated that  most agricultural endeavors were  often capital                                                                    
intensive.  He elaborated  that for  people to  try to  jump                                                                    
into  that line  of work  without a  great understanding  of                                                                    
what  kind of  soils they  were working  with or  amendments                                                                    
they many  need to improve  soils, and without  knowledge of                                                                    
what  varieties  of crops  would  have  more success,  state                                                                    
departments of agriculture  and cooperative extensions could                                                                    
help  provide answers  to  in  order to  set  people up  for                                                                    
success. He remarked that there had  been a lot of trial and                                                                    
error in  Alaska's agricultural  community, which  was okay,                                                                    
but not ideal in the long run.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
4:33:11 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Jimmie  asked  if   it  would  also  include                                                                    
subsistence grants.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Commissioner  Boyle  replied  that with  a  commissioner  of                                                                    
agriculture  and  some  focused  efforts  working  with  the                                                                    
delegation  to ensure  Alaska's unique  characteristics were                                                                    
contemplated  (e.g., Congress  was  working on  a Farm  Bill                                                                    
designed  to  increase  opportunities  for  food  security),                                                                    
there were  opportunities to look at  specific funding needs                                                                    
that may be  more appropriate for residents  in rural Alaska                                                                    
facing unique conditions. One of  the key programs currently                                                                    
administered by the Division  of Agriculture was microgrants                                                                    
for food security geared towards  families or individuals in                                                                    
need of  monetary assistance  to set  up hoop  houses, green                                                                    
houses,   raised   beds,   and  chicken   coops   with   the                                                                    
anticipation it would help them  become more food secure and                                                                    
provide more agricultural output for the state.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:34:49 PM                                                                                                                    
AT EASE                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:35:13 PM                                                                                                                    
RECONVENED                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Josephson  directed  a  remark  to  Representative                                                                    
Allard.  He  stated he  had  not  said anything  during  the                                                                    
hearing the prior day because  the commissioner could defend                                                                    
himself;  however,   he  believed   she  was  rude   to  the                                                                    
commissioner the  previous day. He  did not want to  see the                                                                    
behavior on  the record. He  remarked that DNR  was arguably                                                                    
the most  important of Alaska's  departments. He  stated the                                                                    
department officials  were worthy  of respect. He  asked for                                                                    
patience and noted the individuals were doing their best.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Representative Jimmie  asked if a department  of agriculture                                                                    
would be supportive of subsistence grants for rural areas.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Commissioner Boyle replied that it  was difficult for him to                                                                    
opine without  a full understanding  of what the  grants may                                                                    
be.                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:36:42 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Stapp observed that  the Board of Agriculture                                                                    
and Conservation had reporting  requirements to the Division                                                                    
of  Agriculture. He  assumed there  was no  technical change                                                                    
needed to change  the directive of the board to  report to a                                                                    
department of agriculture.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Goodrum  replied that  it was  all accounted  for within                                                                    
the EO.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Foster noted  there were  three things  to do.  He                                                                    
relayed that  his staff  would provide a  review of  SSCR 1.                                                                    
Additionally, the committee would  hear public testimony and                                                                    
entertain  a motion  to show  the  committee considered  the                                                                    
resolution.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:37:45 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Allard  responded  to  remarks  by  Co-Chair                                                                    
Josephson.  She stated  as an  elected legislator  if things                                                                    
were not  clear to her, they  were not clear to  the public.                                                                    
She  wanted   the  information  to  be   clear  to  everyone                                                                    
listening. She was  trying to be direct. She  was not trying                                                                    
to offend  or be  rude to  anyone. She  wanted to  be candid                                                                    
with   the  individuals   presenting  regardless   of  their                                                                    
experience.  She   added  that  she  also   had  significant                                                                    
experience.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Foster asked his staff to review the resolution.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
BRODIE   ANDERSON,   STAFF,  REPRESENTATIVE   NEAL   FOSTER,                                                                    
reviewed the resolution and attached fiscal note.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Foster directed  members to the back  of their bill                                                                    
packets. He did not see a fiscal note.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Anderson directed  members to  the correct  location in                                                                    
the packet  for SSCR 1, version  34-LS0452\A, which included                                                                    
two "whereas" clauses  and one "be it  resolved" clause. The                                                                    
first whereas  clause addressed  the issuance  of the  EO by                                                                    
the power  of the  governor, where it  was located,  and the                                                                    
purpose  of establishing  a department  of agriculture.  The                                                                    
second  whereas  clause  addressed the  requirement  by  the                                                                    
legislature to  act within  60 days or  the EO  would become                                                                    
law.  The  resolved  clause  took  the  required  action  by                                                                    
disapproving the EO.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Anderson  highlighted an attached zero  fiscal note, OMB                                                                    
component and control code sAajg  created by the Legislative                                                                    
Finance   Division  and   Senate  Resources   Committee.  He                                                                    
explained that a fiscal note  was required to be attached to                                                                    
a  resolution. He  reviewed the  procedural aspect.  Uniform                                                                    
Rule  49(a)(4)  laid  out  the   requirement  of  a  special                                                                    
concurrent  resolution, which  was deployed  specifically to                                                                    
disapprove  an  EO.  The  rule  reinforced  that  a  special                                                                    
concurrent  resolution   did  not  require  to   have  three                                                                    
readings in  the body. He explained  that special concurrent                                                                    
resolutions were  often treated like a  board and commission                                                                    
appointment where  committee members  did not  make specific                                                                    
recommendations  when moving  the  item  from committee.  He                                                                    
added that moving the item  forward did not reflect members'                                                                    
intent  to vote  in favor  of or  against the  resolution in                                                                    
joint session.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
4:43:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Bynum noticed  there were  two documents  in                                                                    
the packets that looked like public comment emails.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Foster observed  the subject  line labeled  public                                                                    
comment. He asked Mr. Anderson to elaborate.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Anderson  replied that  there  was  an opportunity  for                                                                    
public testimony.  He noted that  public comment for  the EO                                                                    
was also tracked in the resolution.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:44:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Bynum  remarked  that there  were  only  two                                                                    
emails in  packets labeled public  comment. He asked  if the                                                                    
committee  was  expecting   additional  public  comment.  He                                                                    
wondered where the two emails originated from.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Anderson replied  that the emails had  been submitted as                                                                    
public testimony. He explained  that people could send email                                                                    
comments to  a committee email address,  which were compiled                                                                    
in members' packets.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Foster added  that there  should be  an additional                                                                    
stack of public testimony comment.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Josephson noted that  both files should have public                                                                    
comment included;  one grouping  of comments was  in support                                                                    
of the  EO and one  grouping was opposed. The  comments were                                                                    
included in the SSCR 1 packet.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair   Foster  relayed   that   after  discussion,   the                                                                    
committee would hear verbal public testimony.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:45:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Hannan  elaborated that the  public testimony                                                                    
in the  SSCR 1 included  a subject line  specifying support.                                                                    
She stated  that if  someone had  written in  opposition, it                                                                    
would also  be included in  the file. The public  comment on                                                                    
the EO  was included in the  EO file. She added  that it was                                                                    
not uncommon for people to comment on both things.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Tomaszewski  looked   at  the  constitution,                                                                    
which  did  not  allow  the  state  to  have  more  than  20                                                                    
principal departments.  He asked  for verification  that the                                                                    
EO would not exceed that number.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Anderson responded that he  did not believe the EO would                                                                    
result in exceeding that number,  but he had not counted the                                                                    
number of  departments recently. He  believed Representative                                                                    
Tomaszewski was correct.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Representative Tomaszewski  asked a procedural  question. He                                                                    
wondered what would  happen if the committee  failed to move                                                                    
the resolution forward.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Anderson  answered that  the  committee  could vote  on                                                                    
moving  the resolution  forward and  if it  did not  pass it                                                                    
would remain in  committee until there were  enough votes to                                                                    
move it forward.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative   Stapp  asked   if   he   could  amend   the                                                                    
resolution.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Foster suspected the answer  was yes. He took an at                                                                    
ease to determine the answer.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:48:41 PM                                                                                                                    
AT EASE                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:54:25 PM                                                                                                                    
RECONVENED                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Foster  asked  to   hear  from  Legislative  Legal                                                                    
Services.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MEGAN  WALLACE, CHIEF  COUNSEL,  LEGISLATIVE LEGAL  SERVICES                                                                    
(via teleconference), introduced herself.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Stapp asked  if he  could amend  the special                                                                    
concurrent resolution.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Wallace  replied that the special  concurrent resolution                                                                    
could only be  used for the purpose of  disapproving the EO.                                                                    
If the  legislature wanted to modify  the text of an  EO, it                                                                    
would  be  accomplished  through separate  legislation.  She                                                                    
elaborated that if  an EO became law because  of the passage                                                                    
of time  or the disapproval  resolution was not  approved by                                                                    
the legislature,  the legislature  would retain  the ability                                                                    
to  amend those  statutes  and separately  pass  a piece  of                                                                    
legislation. The  EO could  not be  amended via  the special                                                                    
concurrent resolution or the EO itself.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:56:09 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Stapp  asked if  he could amend  the language                                                                    
in the SSCR 1.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Wallace  replied that he  could amend the  resolution if                                                                    
the  committee discovered  a typographical  error or  to add                                                                    
legislative intent.  The uniform rule restricted  the use of                                                                    
the language to the disapproval of  an EO. She stated it was                                                                    
her  opinion  that the  committee  would  be constrained  in                                                                    
terms of what the resolution could be used for.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Representative Stapp  asked for  verification that  based on                                                                    
Ms. Wallace's interpretation, he would  not be able to offer                                                                    
an amendment to  change the SSCR 1 from  disapproving the EO                                                                    
to approving the EO.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Wallace  advised that  it  was  not  the purpose  of  a                                                                    
disapproval  resolution under  Uniform Rule  [49](a)(4). She                                                                    
would not  go as far  to say  that a committee  member could                                                                    
not  offer  the  amendment;  however, she  advised  that  an                                                                    
amendment  approving  the  EO was  unnecessary  because  the                                                                    
legislature only had to take  action to disapprove if it did                                                                    
not want the EO to take effect.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:57:58 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Foster referenced Ms.  Wallace's statement that the                                                                    
committee  could  possibly  add   intent  language  [to  the                                                                    
resolution].  He noted  there were  currently two  "whereas"                                                                    
clauses and  one "be  it resolved" clause.  He asked  if Ms.                                                                    
Wallace was  saying the committee could  add another whereas                                                                    
clause but could not change the "be it resolved" section.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Wallace  responded affirmatively. She explained  that if                                                                    
there was  a statement of  intent the legislature  wanted to                                                                    
express, it  could add another  whereas clause.  She relayed                                                                    
that  the language  may be  able to  be amended  slightly if                                                                    
someone had  a different way  to express the  same principle                                                                    
to disapprove  the resolution. From a  technical perspective                                                                    
the  resolution  could be  amended,  but  under the  uniform                                                                    
rules, there were  specific guidelines as to  what a special                                                                    
concurrent resolution was designed for.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Foster  noted  that   Emily  Nauman,  director  of                                                                    
Legislative Legal Services was also online.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Josephson  asked  if  the  convening  of  a  joint                                                                    
session by  the legislature  was contingent on  the adoption                                                                    
of the  resolution. He rephrased  his question and  asked if                                                                    
the joint  session could take  place if the  current hearing                                                                    
did not occur.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
4:59:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Wallace replied that Uniform  Rule 51 outlined how joint                                                                    
sessions  could  be  convened by  the  legislature.  From  a                                                                    
constitutional perspective,  all that was required  was that                                                                    
a disapproval resolution be adopted  by the legislature. She                                                                    
elaborated that  if the legislature  suspended its  rules or                                                                    
disregarded  them from  a constitutional  perspective, if  a                                                                    
joint session was  held and a resolution  was considered and                                                                    
passed  by  the  legislature,  a court  was  not  likely  to                                                                    
intervene  on  the procedure  the  legislature  used to  get                                                                    
there.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Josephson asked if the  resolution was on the desks                                                                    
of the 60 legislative members and  a vote was held, the same                                                                    
effect could be had without the current hearing.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Ms.   Wallace  responded   that  it   was  correct   from  a                                                                    
constitutional  standpoint,  but   it  did  not  necessarily                                                                    
comply with the procedure set out in Uniform Rules.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Foster  stated his understanding that  Uniform Rule                                                                    
49(a)(4)   specified   that   a   resolution   had   to   be                                                                    
"considered." He  wondered about a scenario  where there was                                                                    
a motion  to send the resolution  to the floor that  did not                                                                    
pass.  He  thought that  under  the  scenario the  committee                                                                    
would  still have  considered  the  resolution. He  believed                                                                    
there were  numerous gray areas.  He asked for  comment from                                                                    
Ms. Wallace.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Wallace  confirmed that Uniform Rule  49(a)(4) specified                                                                    
that  a  resolution  needed  to  be  considered,  which  was                                                                    
different than  approved or  recommended like  the committee                                                                    
typically did with other legislation.  All that was required                                                                    
to move the  SSCR was a signed report  articulating that the                                                                    
committee was moving the resolution  on for consideration by                                                                    
the legislature in a potential joint session.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
5:03:03 PM                                                                                                                    
AT EASE                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
5:06:38 PM                                                                                                                    
RECONVENED                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Representative Stapp  stated his  understanding that  it was                                                                    
necessary  to  take an  action  in  order  to have  a  joint                                                                    
session.   He  asked if  he would  be obligated  to go  into                                                                    
joint session with the other  body to take the resolution up                                                                    
if it left the committee.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Wallace  replied  that Uniform  Rule  51  dictated  the                                                                    
procedure for calling the joint  session of the legislature.                                                                    
In her  opinion, with respect  to EOs, the  constitution did                                                                    
not require  the legislature to  go into joint  session. She                                                                    
relayed  that  a joint  session  would  be required  if  the                                                                    
legislature wanted  to disapprove an executive  order before                                                                    
it took effect within 60 days.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Stapp asked  if  there would  be nothing  to                                                                    
talk about if SSCR 1 did not leave the committee.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Wallace remarked that the  legislature looked to Mason's                                                                    
Manual in  places where Uniform  Rules did  not specifically                                                                    
prescribe  procedure.  One  of  the  principles  in  Mason's                                                                    
Manual  was  the concept  that  the  body  needed to  be  in                                                                    
possession  of  legislation  before   the  body  acted.  She                                                                    
believed  the cleanest  way to  ensure  the legislation  was                                                                    
available for the legislature to  act on it in joint session                                                                    
was to  move it from  committee. If the legislation  did not                                                                    
move from  committee, it  did not mean  there were  no other                                                                    
remedies for the  body to take to get the  resolution out of                                                                    
committee. For  example, the resolution could  be discharged                                                                    
from the floor.  She stated that while  the resolution could                                                                    
stay in  committee, it ultimately  would likely be  the will                                                                    
of the  body as to  whether or not it  wanted to act  on the                                                                    
resolution in joint session.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
5:09:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Foster OPENED  public testimony on EO  136 and SSCR
1.                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
JOHN DART,  PRESIDENT/OWNER, DART-AM  FARMS LLC,  NORTH POLE                                                                    
(via  teleconference),  called  in  support of  EO  136.  He                                                                    
relayed that his farm was  located in Manley Hot Springs. He                                                                    
would  like  to see  a  department  of agriculture.  He  had                                                                    
listened to the presentation  by Commissioner Boyle the past                                                                    
two  days   and  highlighted  that   the  creation   of  the                                                                    
department could be done seamlessly  without a great expense                                                                    
to the  state. He  stated it  was something  Alaskan farmers                                                                    
had  wanted for  decades.  He  highlighted that  agriculture                                                                    
made money  in Alaska. He  relayed that there  were numerous                                                                    
young individuals entering agriculture  on a small scale. He                                                                    
stressed that  agriculture needed a voice  at the governor's                                                                    
table.   He  underscored   that   agriculture  developed   a                                                                    
community,  which  could  not be  measured  in  dollars  and                                                                    
cents. He  pointed out the  number of steps in  growing food                                                                    
and  getting it  to  market that  people  did not  typically                                                                    
think about. He thanked the committee.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
5:14:19 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  AMY   SEITZ,  POLICY  DIRECTOR,  ALASKA   FARM  BUREAU,                                                                    
SOLDOTNA  (via teleconference),  was concerned  that keeping                                                                    
the  division  within DNR  would  maintain  status quo.  She                                                                    
stated  it meant  inconsistent  support  and an  underfunded                                                                    
division  that   did  not  have  the   capacity  to  realize                                                                    
programs,  resources,  and  support necessary  to  build  an                                                                    
industry. From  the farm bureau's  standpoint, the  goal was                                                                    
to have an agency focused  on agriculture, building a strong                                                                    
industry,  speaking  up  for   the  industry  needs  at  the                                                                    
administrative and legislative  levels, helping the industry                                                                    
navigate  the  difficult  larger  markets,  and  having  the                                                                    
resources  farmers and  ranchers  needed.  She stated  there                                                                    
were 65  years of  evidence that a  division within  DNR did                                                                    
not  accomplish the  goal. The  sector  was currently  lucky                                                                    
because the  DNR commissioner saw  the value  of agriculture                                                                    
and  the governor  and legislators  were  talking about  the                                                                    
importance  of the  industry  and  improving food  security.                                                                    
There  was   still  an  underfunded  division   that  lacked                                                                    
capacity.  Additionally,  there was  a  chance  that in  the                                                                    
future there  would be  a commissioner who  did not  want to                                                                    
think about agriculture,  which had happened in  the past. A                                                                    
department of  agriculture would  mean the state  would have                                                                    
an agency focused on building the industry.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Seitz pointed  out that  having a  higher level  office                                                                    
would  make  a  difference,  especially  when  working  with                                                                    
larger markets. She noted that  a commissioner could provide                                                                    
a quicker  response time  in an emergency  such as  a severe                                                                    
weather  event  impacting  farmers. She  stressed  that  the                                                                    
proposal  of creating  a department  of agriculture  was not                                                                    
growing  government,  it was  about  starting  to build  the                                                                    
necessary resources  for an  industry with  strong potential                                                                    
for   growth.  She   spoke  about   the   benefits  of   the                                                                    
agricultural industry  including healthy  food, contributing                                                                    
to  the  economy, providing  jobs,  and  making Alaska  more                                                                    
self-reliant. She  encouraged the  committee to  support the                                                                    
EO and vote against SSCR 1.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Hannan  noted  that   the  EO  proposed  the                                                                    
creation  of  a  department  with zero  cost  to  the  state                                                                    
budget. She  asked about  a scenario where  it was  three to                                                                    
five years before there was  an additional dollar. She asked                                                                    
if under the  scenario, a department would  fulfill its role                                                                    
of increasing  support. Alternatively,  she wondered  if Ms.                                                                    
Seitz would anticipate there would  be a request in the next                                                                    
fiscal year for additional money to fund the department.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Ms.   Seitz  anticipated   there  would   be  requests   for                                                                    
additional  funding  in  the   upcoming  years  to  build  a                                                                    
stronger department. She noted it  had occurred in all other                                                                    
industries. She stated that if  the budget did not increase,                                                                    
there  would still  be  a commissioner  level  seat to  give                                                                    
agriculture a voice at the table.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
5:19:22 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Foster CLOSED public testimony.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
5:19:55 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Foster  emphasized  that  Uniform  Rules  did  not                                                                    
require  the  standing committee  recommend  a  do pass;  it                                                                    
merely required that the resolution be considered.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Schrage  MOVED to  REPORT SSCR  1 out  of committee                                                                    
the accompanying fiscal  note. He noted that  a signature on                                                                    
the report  did not reflect  members' intent to vote  for or                                                                    
against the resolution in the future.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Representative Tomaszewski OBJECTED.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Foster  clarified  that   if  there  had  been  no                                                                    
objection it would allow the  resolution to move forward, or                                                                    
in  the event  of  a  motion, a  yes  vote  would allow  the                                                                    
resolution to go to the House floor.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Tomaszewski  thought   they  could  end  the                                                                    
debate  on  the  resolution  by   not  allowing  it  out  of                                                                    
committee. He hoped members would vote with him.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Foster  explained that  a no vote  would be  to not                                                                    
send the  resolution forward. The  effect would be  that the                                                                    
department  of  agriculture  would be  created  because  the                                                                    
legislature had to disapprove it within 60 days.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Allard asked  for verification  that if  the                                                                    
legislature did nothing, the EO  would automatically go into                                                                    
effect within 60 days.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Foster responded affirmatively.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Josephson  stated  that   he  would  vote  in  the                                                                    
affirmative  on   the  resolution,  but  noted   it  was  no                                                                    
indication of how he would vote on the floor.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Foster  remarked that  he would  also vote  to move                                                                    
the  resolution forward.  He emphasized  that the  committee                                                                    
was considering the resolution and  advancing it for further                                                                    
debate.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Representative Tomaszewski MAINTAINED the OBJECTION.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
IN FAVOR: Galvin,    Hannan,   Jimmie,    Foster,   Schrage,                                                                    
Josephson                                                                                                                       
OPPOSED: Johnson, Stapp, Tomaszewski, Allard, Bynum                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The MOTION  PASSED (6/5). There being  NO further OBJECTION,                                                                    
SSCR 1  was REPORTED  out of  committee with  one previously                                                                    
published zero fiscal note: FN1 (S.RES).                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Foster  reiterated that  a signature on  the report                                                                    
did not reflect an intent by  any of the members to vote for                                                                    
or against the resolution during a future floor session.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Foster reviewed the schedule for the following                                                                         
day.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HB010 Additional Documents-UNAC Letter of Support.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 10
HB010 Sponsor Statement, 02.25.25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 10
HB010 Sectional Analysis, 02.25.25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 10
HB036 Additional Document Links to relevant court cases 2.28.25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 36
HB036 Additional Documents-Court Case Excerpts 2.28.25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 36
HB036 Additional Documents-Hoooper Bay v. Lawton 2.28.25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 36
HB036 Additional Documents-Kwinhagak v. State 2.28.25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 36
HB036 Sectional Analysis ver N 2.28.25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 36
HB036 Sponsor Statement Ver N, 2.28.25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 36
HB 31 NEW FN DCCED-DCRA-03-07-25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 31
HB 31 Letter of Support Sotheast Alaska Fishermen's Alliance.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 31
HB 31 letter of support UFA 2025.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 31
HB 31 Research 2025 Commercial_Fishing_Permit_Application.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 31
HB 31 Research 2025 Commercial_Vessel_License_Application.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 31
HB 31 Research AAHPA Resolutions 1.20.25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 31
HB 31 Research CFEC Public Database 1.20.25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 31
HB 31 Research CFEC Vessel License Number Plate and Decal 1.26.25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 31
HB 31 Research DMV Registration FAQ - CFEC June 2019 1.20.25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 31
HB 31 Research USCG Documentation and Tonnage Brochure 1.19.25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 31
HB 31 Setional Analysis version A.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 31
HB 31 Sponsor Statement version A 1.25.25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 31
HB31 Letter of Support CDFU 2.7.25.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 31
HB31 Public Testimony Regarding House Bill 31.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 31
SSCR1 Public Testimony Rec'd by 031125 (2).pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
SSCR 1
EO 136 Public Testimony Rec'd by 031125.pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB10 Support Coalition of Student Leaders 2025.03.06..pdf HFIN 3/11/2025 1:30:00 PM
HB 10