Legislature(2003 - 2004)
02/02/2004 09:01 AM House FSH
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HJR 32-LABELING OF SALMON FOOD PRODUCTS CHAIR SEATON announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 32, Relating to the labeling of salmon and salmon food products. Number 0725 CHAIR SEATON requested a motion to adopt the original bill version [Version 23-LS1508\D]. REPRESENTATIVE WILSON [moved to adopt HJR 32]. CHAIR SEATON announced that HJR 32 was before the committee. Number 0773 REPRESENTATIVE BETH KERTTULA, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor, introduced Aurora Hauke, her staff, as the person who has done the majority of the work on the resolution. She told members that she'd introduced a similar resolution two years before, in an effort to get better labeling for fisheries products, especially. She explained: We all know how much better our fish is. And, indeed, around America, people are starting to ask for our fish. And I think that labeling will really help not only the industry, but people's health. In addition to just regular labeling of "wild" and "farmed", there's a country-of-origin labeling that we'd like to see placed on the fish when it's sold. So that's the effort. We've taken to heart some really good suggestions by members of the [Joint Legislative Salmon Industry Task Force] and those of you from fishing communities as well as the fishing industry. REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA informed members that there was a proposed amendment that a title amendment would go along with. Number 0850 CHAIR SEATON brought attention to Amendment 1, a handwritten amendment provided by the sponsor that read [original punctuation provided]: line 1: replace "salmon" with "fish", and replace "salmon" with "fishery". CHAIR SEATON explained that the latter replaces "salmon food products" with "fishery food products". Number 0880 AN UNIDENTIFIED MEMBER moved to adopt Amendment 1. There being no objection, it was so ordered. CHAIR SEATON clarified that Version H, a proposed committee substitute (CS) in packets, wasn't being addressed. Number 0954 REPRESENTATIVE OGG moved to adopt Amendment 2, also provided by the sponsor, which read [original punctuation provided]: Page 1, line 3 through Page 2, line 8 Delete all language Insert the following "WHEREAS Americans deserve wholesome foods and information about the contents and production of their food supply; and WHEREAS concerns have recently been raised about the safety of farmed fish; and WHEREAS farmed fish are often fed antibiotics, hormones, and coloring agents and their environments are treated with various chemicals; and WHEREAS Alaska's fish production is distinct from farmed because our stocks are wild, free-ranging, and therefore naturally wholesome and healthy; and WHEREAS there are numerous outstanding issues and questions regarding public policy, fair trade, and the social and economic consequences of farmed fish production; and WHEREAS more and more consumers are expressing a preference and requesting wild fish over farmed; and WHEREAS both the Alaska Legislature and Congress have passed labeling laws specifically to inform consumers about fishery and other food products, BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature supports the timely labeling of fishery food products for country of origin; coloring and other additives; genetic modification; and, to distinguish between wild and farmed fish in the marketplace." AN UNIDENTIFIED MEMBER objected in order to hear what it does. Number 0983 REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA explained that there has been controversy about some of the reports mentioned in "the original CS" and to some of the stronger language, perhaps; it was felt that it would be better to be more positive about stating the desire to support [Alaska's] fish and have the labeling, but avoid some of the other, more controversial issues. She said Representative Ogg had pointed this out to her early on, and when the resolution was circulated to "the fisheries group," this was clearly thought to be the better route. Number 1022 REPRESENTATIVE GARA commended Representatives Ogg and Kerttula for their efforts to not state as fact some things that are controversial. He said sometimes the legislature is a little loose with the language in resolutions. AN UNIDENTIFIED MEMBER removed his objection. CHAIR SEATON asked whether there was any further objection. Number 1063 REPRESENTATIVE OGG complimented Representative Kerttula for taking the comments and "putting together something that hits right at the point and is very positive for Alaskans." REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA credited Representative Ogg, her staff, and Dale Kelley [executive director of the Alaska Trollers Association], especially. She said it was a group effort. [The committee aide informed members that no one was signed up to testify.] Number 1130 REPRESENTATIVE OGG moved to report HJR 32, as amended, out of committee [with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes]. There being no objection, CSHJR 32(FSH) was reported from the House Special Committee on Fisheries.
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