Legislature(2003 - 2004)
05/19/2003 09:05 AM House STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SCR 13-CANNED SALMON FOR PRISONERS Number 0650 CHAIR WEYHRAUCH announced that the next order of business was SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 13, Encouraging the Department of Corrections to provide canned Alaska pink salmon to inmates of the Alaska prison system. Number 0670 MARK STOPHA, Staff to Senator Georgianna Lincoln, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SCR 13, informed the committee that there is a projected surplus supply of approximately 60 million "tall" cans of pink salmon in inventory, with a strong year of pink salmon returns projected for the 2003 [fishing] season. Mr. Stopha said that salmon is a traditional Alaskan food, yet Alaskan inmates - particularly those in Arizona - receive little Alaskan salmon in their diet. That fact was observed during Senator Lincoln's recent visit to the prison facility in Arizona [where many Alaskan inmates are housed], and was the impetus for this legislation, he noted. MR. STOPHA stated that canned pink salmon is an inexpensive source of Omega-3, a fatty acid known to decrease the risk of heart disease and other ailments. Furthermore, he noted, canned pink salmon inventories are readily available in state, as well as from Seattle "if they choose to ship to Arizona." Mr. Stopha stated that SCR 13 encourages correctional facilities throughout [Alaska] and in Florence, Arizona to serve Alaska canned pink salmon to promote inmate health. He pointed to the fiscal note, which shows that [those facilities] serve approximately 600,000 meals annually. He stated that the intent of this legislation is that the increased consumption of canned pink salmon will "benefit the state's commercial sale and industry by reducing surplus inventories." Number 0815 CHAIR WEYHRAUCH echoed a question he credited as Representative Holm's, asking why a resolution is necessary to carry this plan out. He added that he is not opposed to SCR 13. Number 0820 MR. STOPHA responded that he thinks [SCR 13] is just another promotion of Alaska's [fishing] industry and canned pink salmon. He noted that the Department of Corrections (DOC) has a contract with a food service company; this resolution would add pink salmon to that contract. CHAIR WEYHRAUCH said that if there was more time left in the legislative session he would be inclined to expand this legislation to include agencies that house children, or finance hospitals, for example. He said that the State of Alaska has an inherent interest in this product and the bill should be "incredibly broad." He clarified that he is not criticizing Mr. Stopha or the sponsor, but that "it's just one of those government things." Number 0900 REPRESENTATIVE HOLM stated that another consideration is to ask where this stops. He asked if [the legislature] then should promote reindeer or buffalo, or anything else that might be produced in the state. He indicated concern over determining contracts. Number 0954 REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted, "At least it doesn't designate who we have to buy pink salmon from for the prisons." REPRESENTATIVE HOLM said the problem is that the salmon could be produced in Russia, for example. Number 0980 REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted that the resolution specifies that the product would be "canned Alaska pink salmon". Number 0998 REPRESENTATIVE LYNN commented that the resolution was not going to be changed; however, he opined that it should include any product grown in Alaska [for consumption]. Number 1050 REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to report SCR 13 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, SCR 13 was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.
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