Legislature(2021 - 2022)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/05/2022 03:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB411 | |
| HB298 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 298 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 411 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
May 5, 2022
3:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Shelley Hughes, Chair
Senator Robert Myers, Vice Chair
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator David Wilson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 411(CRA)
"An Act relating to municipal economic development; relating to
municipal tax exemptions and deferrals on economic development
property; and relating to economic development."
- MOVED SCS CSHB 411(CRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 298(CRA) AM
"An Act establishing the Alaska Food Strategy Task Force; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 411
SHORT TITLE: MUNI TAX EXEMPT/DEFER; ECON DEVELOPMENT
SPONSOR(s): COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
04/04/22 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/04/22 (H) CRA, L&C
04/05/22 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
04/05/22 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/07/22 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
04/07/22 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/12/22 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
04/12/22 (H) Heard & Held
04/12/22 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
04/14/22 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
04/14/22 (H) Heard & Held
04/14/22 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
04/19/22 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
04/19/22 (H) Moved CSHB 411(CRA) Out of Committee
04/19/22 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
04/20/22 (H) CRA RPT CS(CRA) NEW TITLE 3DP 2NR
04/20/22 (H) DP: MCCABE, HANNAN, SCHRAGE
04/20/22 (H) NR: MCCARTY, PRAX
04/20/22 (H) L&C REFERRAL REMOVED
04/20/22 (H) BILL REPRINTED
04/27/22 (H) CRA CS ADOPTED Y34 N4 E1 A1
04/27/22 (H) SUSTAINED RULING OF CHAIR Y37 N2 E1
04/29/22 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
04/29/22 (H) VERSION: CSHB 411(CRA)
05/02/22 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/02/22 (S) CRA
05/05/22 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: HB 298
SHORT TITLE: ALASKA FOOD STRATEGY TASK FORCE
SPONSOR(s): SNYDER
02/04/22 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/04/22 (H) CRA
03/15/22 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
03/15/22 (H) Heard & Held
03/15/22 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
03/17/22 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
03/17/22 (H) Heard & Held
03/17/22 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
03/24/22 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
03/24/22 (H) Moved CSHB 298(CRA) Out of Committee
03/24/22 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
04/04/22 (H) CRA RPT CS(CRA) 6DP 1NR
04/04/22 (H) DP: MCCARTY, DRUMMOND, MCCABE, PRAX,
HANNAN, SCHRAGE
04/04/22 (H) NR: PATKOTAK
04/14/22 (H) BEFORE HOUSE IN THIRD READING
04/14/22 (H) CALL FOR THE QUESTION WITHDRAWN
04/14/22 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
04/14/22 (H) VERSION: CSHB 298(CRA) AM
04/19/22 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/19/22 (S) CRA
04/28/22 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/28/22 (S) Heard & Held
04/28/22 (S) MINUTE(CRA)
05/05/22 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE CALVIN SCHRAGE
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 411 as Co-Chair of the House
Community and Regional Affairs Committee.
RYAN JOHNSTON, Staff
Representative Calvin Schrage
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sectional analysis for HB 411.
WILLIAM FALSEY, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony in support of HB
411.
MIKE EDGINGTON, Co-Chair
Girdwood Board of Supervisors
Girdwood, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony in support of HB
411.
BRITTANY SMART, Special Assistant to the Mayor
Fairbanks North Star Borough
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony in support of HB
411.
NILS ANDREASSEN, Executive Director
Alaska Municipal League
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony in support of HB
411.
DANIEL PHELPS, Staff
Senator Shelley Hughes
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the explanation of changes for the
SCS for HB 298 on behalf of the committee.
REPRESENTATIVE LIZ SNYDER
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 298.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:30:26 PM
CHAIR SHELLEY HUGHES called the Senate Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Present
at the call to order were Senators Myers, Gray-Jackson, and
Chair Hughes.
HB 411-MUNI TAX EXEMPT/DEFER; ECON DEVELOPMENT
3:30:52 PM
CHAIR HUGHES announced the consideration of CS FOR HOUSE BILL
NO. 411(CRA) "An Act relating to municipal economic development;
relating to municipal tax exemptions and deferrals on economic
development property; and relating to economic development."
3:31:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CALVIN SCHRAGE, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, presented HB 411 as co-chair of the House Community and
Regional Affairs Committee. He explained that the bill came
about when residents from the Girdwood area brought forward a
concern that an economic development bill that passed several
years ago did not include service areas. HB 411 amends the
statute to allow special services areas to take part in economic
development programs, but they could opt out if they thought
such projects would have a negative effect. The bill also
addresses two concerns his office heard this year from the
Fairbanks area. One, it allows a borough and municipality within
that borough to work together to use federal funds for economic
development. Second, the bill broadens the definition of
"economic development to allow local areas to define that term
to meet the local needs.
3:34:52 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON asked whether HB 411 would apply to all
types of service areas
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE deferred the question to Ryan Johnston.
3:35:14 PM
RYAN JOHNSTON, Staff, Representative Calvin Schrage, Alaska
State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, answered that HB 411 applies
to all service areas that have appointed or elected boards.
MR. JOHNSTON presented the sectional analysis for HB 411 that
read as follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Section 1:
Amends AS 29.35.110(c) to include "other sources" to
possible funding sources for use by a borough and city
that have entered into an agreement to provide
economic development.
Section 2:
Amends AS 29.45.050(m) to allow for tax deferrals and
incentives within a service area. The service area has
a 30-day window after the adoption of the ordinance to
op-out of the tax deferral or incentive. Deletes the
definition of "economic development property" for the
section.
Section 3:
Adds a definition for "economic development", "means
an action intended to result in an outcome that causes
an increase in, or avoids a decrease of, economic
activity, gross domestic product, or the tax base."
3:38:04 PM
At ease.
3:38:03 PM
CHAIR HUGHES reconvened the meeting and asked if the committee
had questions or comments.
3:38:10 PM
SENATOR MYERS referenced the new language in Section 2 that
allows a municipality to apply an exemption or deferral "unless
the board objects to the exemption or deferral by
resolution....He relayed that someone in his district who has
considerable experience with road service areas, questioned
whether a road service area board, an appointed board in
particular, has the ability to pass a resolution. He asked if
there was a definitive answer to that question.
3:38:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE said he imagines that even if the board
wasn't strictly authorized to pass a resolution, the members
could sign and send a document to the municipality that would
fulfill the requirement spelled out in statute.
SENATOR MYERS clarified that he was not opposed to the process,
he just wanted to make sure the bill wasn't overly prescriptive.
3:39:58 PM
CHAIR HUGHES asked whether a road service areas could place a
time limit on the exemption.
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE answered yes; the statute says that the
tax deferral or exemption must be for a specified period. He
added that the taxes would only be deferred or exempted in a
service area if the project was in that service area. For
example, if there was a development in midtown Anchorage, the
property taxes for the special service area in Girdwood would
not be deferred or exempted. The taxes would only be exempted or
deferred if the project was in Girdwood.
3:41:49 PM
CHAIR HUGHES opened invited testimony on HB 411.
3:42:07 PM
WILLIAM FALSEY, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, stated
that he is a private practice attorney testifying today in his
personal capacity. He voiced support for the provision in
Section 2 that corrects an issue that was created in 2017 with
passage of Senate Bill 100. That bill created significant
challenges for municipalities that want to enact economic
development tax incentives in areas where taxes are mostly
collected for a service area that is overseen by a board.
MR. FALSEY explained that in 2017, Senate Bill 100 expanded the
ability of municipalities to provide economic development tax
incentives. It was a good bill that has benefited communities
across the state, but it also added a new limitation to AS
29.45.050(m) that prevents a municipality from applying a tax
exemption or deferral for special services when the service area
is supervised by a board under AS 29.35.460.
MR. FALSEY reminded the committee that service areas are
authorized in the state constitution. They are taxing districts
within boroughs and unified municipalities that offer local
services that a local borough or unified municipality has chosen
not to provide on an areawide basis. For example, in the
Municipality of Anchorage core services for police, fire, parks
and recreation, and roads and drainage are provided through
service areas. He noted that they were not affected by Senate
Bill 100 because they are not supervised by a board.
MR. FALSEY said the municipality also has numerous board
supervised service areas that were affected by the exclusion.
This includes the Hillside area out to the Anchorage Bowl that
has numerous limited road service areas and Chugiak and Eagle
River that have board supervised parks and fire boards. Perhaps
most significantly was the Girdwood Valley service area. It
operates like a small city, providing separate police, fire,
roads and parks services.
MR. FALSEY stated that the provision that excluded service areas
supervised by a board was added late in the Senate Bill 100
process. It was in response to a concern voiced in committee
that a borough or municipal assembly might enact an economic
development incentive that would negatively affect the board of
a supervised service area. The fix was to ban economic
development incentives in board supervised service areas
altogether. That was not the right fix. Rather, the board
supervised service areas should have been given the ability to
decide for themselves.
MR. FALSEY said HB 411 makes a surgical correction and allows
tax incentives in board supervised service areas when the
service area board doesn't object. It will be particularly
meaningful for Girdwood. Mechanically, the fix allows service
areas to opt out by passing a resolution of objection no later
than 30 days after the ordinance passes. This would be after the
notice and public hearing requirements are fulfilled.
MR. FALSEY, in response to an earlier discussion, said he knows
that the Girdwood Valley service area commonly adopts
resolutions. He thought most boards would think it was within
their powers to pass or adopt a resolution either expressing
their opinion or awarding a contract to a specific road service
contractor.
MR. FALSEY concluded his comments stating that HB 411 is a good
measure that he strongly supports and that he appreciates the
committee's consideration of the bill.
3:47:41 PM
CHAIR HUGHES acknowledged that he said he was representing
himself, but wondered if he also worked for the Anchorage
Assembly and was aware that the Municipality of Anchorage had a
resolution in support of HB 411.
MR. FALSEY replied that the Anchorage Assembly had hired him on
other issues, but not this one. Today he was representing
himself.
3:48:24 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON noted that the bill packet did not have a
resolution from the Anchorage Assembly. She asked if there was
one.
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE responded that his office had not
received a letter of support for HB 411 from the Municipality of
Anchorage, but there were letters of support from the Girdwood
Service Area Board, the Alaska Municipal League, and the
Fairbanks North Star Borough.
3:49:42 PM
MIKE EDGINGTON, Co-Chair, Girdwood Board of Supervisors,
Girdwood, Alaska, testified on HB 411 by invitation. He stated
that of all the issues facing Girdwood, housing is the most
pressing because it affects all the economic activity in the
community. When the board was looking for possible options to
pursue, they identified the restriction on offering tax
exemptions for economic development projects. He highlighted
that just under half of the taxes levied locally through the
service area are used to fund police, fire, parks and
recreation, the cemetery, and roads. He reiterated that under
existing law, the service area is not able to take advantage of
tax exemptions.
MR. EDGINGTON highlighted that the ordinance that the
Municipality of Anchorage introduced to look at incentives for
accessory dwelling units impacted areas of the municipality very
differently depending on what local services are provided
through the service areas. Because of the exclusion, the
ordinance would not be useful at all in Girdwood, but it would
have a positive effect in parts of the Anchorage bowl, Chugiak,
and Eagle River. He voiced support for the provision for service
areas to opt out if there was concern about the impact on tax
valuations.
3:52:42 PM
BRITTANY SMART, Special Assistant to the Mayor, Fairbanks North
Star Borough (FNSB), Fairbanks, Alaska, stated that current
statute does not have a broad definition for "economic
development,which makes it very difficult for FNSB, as a
second-class borough, to understand what authority it has to
apply for federal economic development funds. This was
particularly problematic during the COVID-19 pandemic when the
borough tried to navigate the various relief programs to support
the community. The FNSB Assembly identified defining economic
development within Title 29 as a 2022 legislative priority. This
will help the borough leverage additional programs and tools to
support the community and economy as it moves beyond recovery
and into growth and resiliency.
3:54:24 PM
NILS ANDREASSEN, Executive Director, Alaska Municipal League
(AML), Juneau, Alaska, stated that HB 411 is consistent with two
resolutions that AML passed. One spoke broadly about the need
for economic development that is consistent with the interests
of local government. The second was to provide a broad
definition of "economic development," which is consistent with
the interests of local governments.
MR. ANDREASSEN emphasized the importance of having a clear but
flexible definition of economic development so local governments
understand how they can contribute to local economies such that
it is beneficial to residents and businesses. The definition in
HB 411 is both. It provides multiple ways to measure economic
development and it not only creates new business activity it
also stabilizes current businesses. The pandemic made it clear
that there is a need for local governments to step in where they
haven't in the past. He opined that if the definition had been
in place during the pandemic, the local response to support
local economies would have been more robust. The definition
gives local governments clarity about what economic development
looks like; it gives flexibility to incentivize economic
development; it ensures that funding is available from a variety
of sources; and it allows the optional exemptions to apply
broadly but through a deliberative and public process. He
encouraged support for the bill.
3:57:48 PM
CHAIR HUGHES asked for confirmation that road service areas are
required to publicly notice meetings so the local area would be
aware of any proposed exemptions.
MR. ANDREASSEN responded that is correct. Decisions about
optional exemptions go through a months-long process; they are
not made in a piecemeal approach.
3:59:01 PM
At ease.
3:59:16 PM
CHAIR HUGHES reconvened the meeting and invited the public to
submit written testimony on HB 411 to [email protected].
3:59:33 PM
SENATOR MYERS moved to adopt Amendment 1, work order 32-
LS1646\B.3.
32-LS1646\B.3
Dunmire
5/5/22
AMENDMENT 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR MYERS
TO: CSHB 411(CRA)
Page 2, line 7:
Delete "a service area"
Insert "an elected service area [A]"
Following "the":
Insert "elected service area"
Page 2, line 9:
Delete "30"
Insert "90"
3:59:37 PM
CHAIR HUGHES objected for discussion purposes.
3:59:40 PM
SENATOR MYERS stated that service areas in Fairbanks are a
little different than the rest of the state. It is a patchwork
of over 100 road service areas, about a dozen fire service
areas, and a couple of water service areas. Another difference
is that members are appointed rather than elected, which creates
a different power dynamic among the boards and residents.
Amendment No. 1 adds the word "elected" to specify that the
board is elected. He noted that this wouldn't affect Girdwood
because it has an elected board. The amendment also increases
the number of days to veto a municipality's action from 30 to 90
days. Extending the time recognizes that some public notices may
be misplaced or lost and that some board members may not always
be readily available due to travel or because they are
snowbirds. Service areas in the Fairbanks region often don't
have enough volunteers to fill all the board seats, which can
make it difficult to meet the quorum requirements when all
sitting members are absent.
4:02:31 PM
CHAIR HUGHES voiced support for the amendment. She asked the
sponsor if meetings have to be publicly noticed two weeks before
the meeting.
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE answered that for the Anchorage Assembly
to approve an economic development program, there are multiple
meetings with multiple public notice opportunities. He didn't
know about outside Anchorage other than that public notice is
required in statute as part of implementing an economic
development program.
Speaking to Amendment 1, he said he supports the change on page
2, line 7 to clarify it applies to elected service area boards.
But extending the time from 30 to 90 days for the board to
object to a municipal exemption or deferral is a concern. First,
there are very few elected service area boards so it won't have
broad applicability. Second, an entire construction season could
pass if 90 days is added to the time to go through the public
process.
4:04:52 PM
CHAIR HUGHES pointed out that nothing would prevent a board from
approving a municipal exemption or deferral well before 90 days.
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE said it's a good point but there could
still be the chance that a financer would be concerned that a
board could change its position during the time remaining in the
90-day window.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON said the sponsor has a sound concern and
she would support something less than 90 days.
4:06:43 PM
SENATOR MYERS suggested the committee consider a conceptual
amendment to give the board explicit authority to approve an
exemption or deferral, which would stop the clock once approval
was granted.
CHAIR HUGHES added that to address the valid concern about
jeopardizing the financing, the conceptual amendment would need
to clarify that the board could not reverse the approval once it
is formally given.
4:08:56 PM
At ease
4:10:06 PM
CHAIR HUGHES reconvened the meeting.
4:10:18 PM SENATOR MYERS moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1
to Amendment 1.
CONCEPTUAL AMENDMENT 1 TO AMENDMENT 1
Page 1, line 9 of Amendment 1:
Delete "90
Insert "60
4:10:31 PM
CHAIR HUGHES objected for discussion purposes.
4:10:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE stated that 60 days is a good compromise
between 90 days, requested by the amendment sponsor, and 30 days
in the bill. It strikes a good balance that he can support.
4:10:55 PM
CHAIR HUGHES withdrew her objection. Finding no further
objection, Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment 1 was adopted.
CHAIR HUGHES stated Amendment 1 as amended is before the
committee.
CHAIR HUGHES withdrew her objection to Amendment 1 as amended;
finding no further objection, Amendment 1 as amended, was
adopted.
4:11:22 PM
CHAIR HUGHES moved to adopt Amendment 2, 32-LS1646\B.4.
32-LS1646\B.4
Dunmire
5/5/22
AMENDMENT 2
OFFERED IN THE SENATE
TO: CSHB 411(CRA)
Page 1, line 2:
Delete "and"
Page 1, line 3, following "development":
Insert "; and relating to a municipal tax
exemption for certain farm structures"
Page 3, following line 19:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 4. Section 2, ch. 66, SLA 2013, is repealed."
4:11:25 PM
SENATOR MYERS objected for discussion purposes.
4:11:30 PM
CHAIR HUGHES explained that her constituents voiced interest in
allowing the local governing board to give voters the option of
giving certain farm structures in the MatSu Borough a tax
exemption for a given period of time. This is also a priority
for the Food and Farm Caucus, which more than half of the
legislature has joined. She said this is not a factor for
agricultural areas that are not in an organized borough, but in
addition to MatSu it would affect Fairbanks, Kenai, and
Anchorage. The exemption would sunset July 1, 2023.
4:14:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE stated that he defers to the Chair's
testimony about the need in her area and therefore supports the
amendment.
4:14:22 PM
CHAIR HUGHES asked Mr. Andreassen if he wanted to comment on
behalf of AML on Amendment 2. She noted that he shook his head
and commented that AML was probably neutral.
4:14:43 PM
SENATOR MYERS withdrew his objection to Amendment 2.
4:14:45 PM
CHAIR HUGHES found no further objection, and Amendment 2 was
adopted.
She asked Representative Schrage for closing comments.
4:15:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE expressed appreciation to the committee
for hearing the bill and hope for support in moving it forward.
4:15:35 PM
SENATOR MYERS commented that initially he was a little concerned
that HB 411 might contain cost shifts. Fairbanks has numerous
road service areas, some of which are very small, and adding one
property that has a tax exemption could mean a significant
increase in property taxes for their neighbors. He was worried
this might be a disincentive to economic development, but
Amendment 1 addressed a lot of the concerns. He said this will
be a good bill moving forward.
4:16:35 PM
CHAIR HUGHES solicited the will of the committee.
4:16:37 PM
SENATOR MYERS moved to report HB 411, work order 32-LS1646\B as
amended, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
4:16:52 PM
CHAIR HUGHES found no objection and SCS CSHB 411(CRA) was
reported from committee.
4:16:57 PM
At ease.
HB 298-ALASKA FOOD STRATEGY TASK FORCE
4:22:15 PM
CHAIR HUGHES reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 298(CRA) am "An Act
establishing the Alaska Food Strategy Task Force; and providing
for an effective date."
4:22:45 PM
SENATOR MYERS moved to adopt the Senate Committee Substitute
(SCS) for CSHB 298, work order 32-LS1398\I, as the working
document.
4:22:58 PM
CHAIR HUGHES objected for discussion purposes.
4:23:11 PM
DANIEL PHELPS, Staff, Senator Shelley Hughes, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the explanation of
changes for the SCS for HB 298 on behalf of the committee. He
paraphrased the following changes from version B.A to version I:
Change 1 Section 2, subsection (b) is amended to say that the
executive board of the task force will consist of two members
from the Alaska Food Policy Council, one member from the
Institute of Social and Economic Research, one member from the
Alaska Farm Bureau, one member from the Alaska Industrial
Development and Export Authority, and four members of the Alaska
State Legislature.
Change 2 Section 2, subsection (d), number (11) is amended to
say a youth member from Alaska Future Farmers of America or the
Alaska 4-H Program.
Change 3 Section 2, subsection (j), number (3) is amended to
say enhancing the climate for food and beverage processing or
distribution businesses.
Change 4 Section 2, subsection (j), number (6) is amended to
say ensuring food security in all communities in the state,
including those that are and are not connected to the main road
system of the state.
Change 5 Section 2, subsection (k) is amended to say seven
integrated focus areas to resolve a drafting error in the
previous version.
4:25:53 PM
CHAIR HUGHES withdrew her objection. Finding no further
objection, SCS CSHB 298 was adopted as the working document.
4:26:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LIZ SNYDER, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HB 298, expressed her gratitude for the
opportunity to discuss the bill and work through changes with
committee members.
4:27:00 PM
CHAIR HUGHES commented that the Institute of Social and Economic
Research (ISER) was excited about the prospect of being a member
the Alaska Food Strategy Task Force. ISER has not delved in this
area but understands the importance of this task force and is
willing to serve. The same is true with AIDEA. One of the
reasons AIDEA was selected is its experience with areawide
distribution systems and financing. Food strategy will require a
lot of effort over time for systemic transformation. The start
date was changed to accommodate legislators and the task force
will pick up where the executive task force ended.
CHAIR HUGHES asked Representative Snyder if she would like to
make closing remarks.
4:31:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER replied that she was looking forward to
working with the committee next week.
4:32:01 PM
CHAIR HUGHES held HB 298 in committee.
4:32:10 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Hughes adjourned the Senate Community and Regional Affairs
Standing Committee meeting at 4:32.