Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205

04/19/2022 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= HB 62 MARRIAGE: WITNESSES/SOLEMNIZATION/CONSENT TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
+= HB 184 REQUIRE TRIBAL CHILD WELFARE COMPACT TELECONFERENCED
Moved SCS HB 184(HSS) Out of Committee
+= SB 216 DEMENTIA AWARENESS TELECONFERENCED
Moved SB 216 Out of Committee
+= SB 184 SETTLEMENT TRUSTS & BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY TELECONFERENCED
Moved CSSB 184(HSS) Out of Committee
*+ SB 242 EXEMPTIONS FOR FOOD PRODUCTS TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Invited & Public Testimony --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
**Streamed live on AKL.tv**
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
      SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                    
                         April 19, 2022                                                                                         
                           1:34 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator David Wilson, Chair                                                                                                     
Senator Shelley Hughes, Vice Chair                                                                                              
Senator Mia Costello                                                                                                            
Senator Lora Reinbold                                                                                                           
Senator Tom Begich                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
All members present                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 62(JUD) AM                                                                              
"An Act relating to the Legislative Ethics Act; relating to                                                                     
solemnization of marriage; and relating to consent to marriage."                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 184                                                                                                              
"An Act requiring state participation in a tribal child welfare                                                                 
compact."                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED SCS HB 184(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SENATE BILL NO. 216                                                                                                             
"An Act relating to dementia awareness."                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED SB 216 OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SENATE BILL NO. 184                                                                                                             
"An Act relating to Alaska Native settlement trusts and                                                                         
eligibility for adult public assistance, senior benefits, and                                                                   
the Alaska Pioneers' Home."                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED CSSB 184(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
SENATE BILL NO. 242                                                                                                             
"An Act relating to exemptions for the purchase and sale of                                                                     
certain food products for home consumption under the Alaska Food                                                                
Freedom Act."                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB  62                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: MARRIAGE: WITNESSES/SOLEMNIZATION/CONSENT                                                                          
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CLAMAN                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
02/18/21       (H)       PREFILE RELEASED 1/15/21                                                                               
02/18/21       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/18/21       (H)       STA, JUD                                                                                               
02/25/21       (H)       STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
02/25/21       (H)       -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                 
03/04/21       (H)       STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/04/21       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/04/21       (H)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
03/09/21       (H)       STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/09/21       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/09/21       (H)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
03/11/21       (H)       STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/11/21       (H)       Moved HB 62 Out of Committee                                                                           
03/11/21       (H)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
03/12/21       (H)       STA RPT 4DP 2DNP 1AM                                                                                   
03/12/21       (H)       DP: CLAMAN, STORY, TARR, KREISS-TOMKINS                                                                
03/12/21       (H)       DNP: EASTMAN, VANCE                                                                                    
03/12/21       (H)       AM: KAUFMAN                                                                                            
03/19/21       (H)       JUD AT 1:30 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/19/21       (H)       <Bill Hearing Canceled>                                                                                
03/24/21       (H)       JUD AT 1:30 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/24/21       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/24/21       (H)       MINUTE(JUD)                                                                                            
03/29/21       (H)       JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/29/21       (H)       <Bill Hearing Canceled>                                                                                
03/31/21       (H)       JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/31/21       (H)       Moved CSHB 62(JUD) Out of Committee                                                                    
03/31/21       (H)       MINUTE(JUD)                                                                                            
04/05/21       (H)       JUD RPT CS(JUD) NEW TITLE 4DP 3DNP                                                                     
04/05/21       (H)       DP: DRUMMOND, KREISS-TOMKINS, SNYDER,                                                                  
                         CLAMAN                                                                                                 
04/05/21       (H)       DNP: EASTMAN, VANCE, KURKA                                                                             
03/09/22       (H)       SUSTAINED RULING OF CHAIR Y21 N14 E4 A1                                                                
03/11/22       (H)       TECHNICAL SESSION 3/11 - ON 3/14                                                                       
                         CALENDAR                                                                                               
03/16/22       (H)       TRANSMITTED TO (S)                                                                                     
03/16/22       (H)       VERSION: CSHB 62(JUD) AM                                                                               
03/18/22       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/18/22       (S)       HSS, JUD                                                                                               
04/05/22       (S)       HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
04/05/22       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
04/05/22       (S)       MINUTE(HSS)                                                                                            
04/19/22       (S)       HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 184                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: REQUIRE TRIBAL CHILD WELFARE COMPACT                                                                               
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) ZULKOSKY                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
04/21/21       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
04/21/21       (H)       HSS, FIN                                                                                               
04/22/21       (H)       HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106                                                                               
04/22/21       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
04/22/21       (H)       MINUTE(HSS)                                                                                            
04/27/21       (H)       HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106                                                                               
04/27/21       (H)       Moved HB 184 Out of Committee                                                                          
04/27/21       (H)       MINUTE(HSS)                                                                                            
04/28/21       (H)       HSS RPT 4DP 2NR 1AM                                                                                    
04/28/21       (H)       DP: FIELDS, SPOHNHOLZ, SNYDER, ZULKOSKY                                                                
04/28/21       (H)       NR: PRAX, KURKA                                                                                        
04/28/21       (H)       AM: MCCARTY                                                                                            
04/28/21       (H)       TRB REPLACES FIN REFERRAL                                                                              
04/28/21       (H)       BILL REPRINTED                                                                                         
05/04/21       (H)       TRB RPT 4DP                                                                                            
05/04/21       (H)       DP: TARR, ORTIZ, CRONK, ZULKOSKY                                                                       
05/04/21       (H)       TRB AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106                                                                               
05/04/21       (H)       Moved HB 184 Out of Committee                                                                          
05/04/21       (H)       MINUTE(TRB)                                                                                            
05/13/21       (H)       BEFORE HOUSE IN THIRD READING                                                                          
05/13/21       (H)       TRANSMITTED TO (S)                                                                                     
05/13/21       (H)       VERSION: HB 184                                                                                        
05/14/21       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
05/14/21       (S)       HSS                                                                                                    
03/31/22       (S)       HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
03/31/22       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/31/22       (S)       MINUTE(HSS)                                                                                            
04/19/22       (S)       HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
BILL: SB 216                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: DEMENTIA AWARENESS                                                                                                 
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) COSTELLO                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
02/22/22       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/22/22       (S)       HSS, FIN                                                                                               
04/12/22       (S)       HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
04/12/22       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
04/12/22       (S)       MINUTE(HSS)                                                                                            
04/19/22       (S)       HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
BILL: SB 184                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: SETTLEMENT TRUSTS & BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY                                                                           
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) BEGICH                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
02/08/22       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/08/22       (S)       HSS, FIN                                                                                               
02/17/22       (S)       HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
02/17/22       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
02/17/22       (S)       MINUTE(HSS)                                                                                            
04/12/22       (S)       HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
04/12/22       (S)       Scheduled but Not Heard                                                                                
04/19/22       (S)       HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
BILL: SB 242                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: EXEMPTIONS FOR FOOD PRODUCTS                                                                                       
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
04/08/22       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
04/08/22       (S)       HSS, FIN                                                                                               
04/19/22       (S)       HSS AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
KATY GIORGIO, Staff                                                                                                             
Representative Tiffany Zulkosky                                                                                                 
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented an overview of HB 184 on behalf of                                                              
the sponsor.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KIM GUAY, Director                                                                                                              
Office of Children's Services                                                                                                   
Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS)                                                                              
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on HB 184.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
KATY MCCALL, Staff                                                                                                              
Senator Mia Costello                                                                                                            
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information on SB 216 on behalf of                                                               
the sponsor.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
LOKI TOBIN, Staff                                                                                                               
Senator Tom Begich                                                                                                              
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered a brief review of SB 184 on behalf                                                                
of the sponsor.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
JASON BRUNE, Commissioner                                                                                                       
Department of Environmental Conservation                                                                                        
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered opening remarks on SB 242 on behalf                                                               
of the administration.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
DOUG VINCENT-LANG, Commissioner                                                                                                 
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)                                                                                      
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 242 on behalf of                                                               
the administration.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CHRISTINA CARPENTER, Director                                                                                                   
Division of Environmental Health                                                                                                
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)                                                                                  
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a PowerPoint titled SB 242: Alaska                                                              
Food Freedom Act.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
DAVID W. SCHADE, Director                                                                                                       
Division of Agriculture                                                                                                         
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)                                                                                           
Palmer, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on SB 242.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
AMY SEITZ, Executive Director                                                                                                   
Alaska Farm Bureau                                                                                                              
Soldotna, Alaska                                                                                                                
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with concerns on SB 242.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SCOTT MURGRAGE, President                                                                                                       
Alaska Farm Bureau                                                                                                              
Soldotna, Alaska                                                                                                                
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with concerns on SB 242                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:34:56 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DAVID WILSON  called the Senate Health  and Social Services                                                             
Standing Committee  meeting to  order at 1:  p.m. Present  at the                                                               
call  to  order were  Senators  Begich,  Costello, Reinbold,  and                                                               
Chair Wilson. Senator Hughes arrived shortly thereafter.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
        HB  62-MARRIAGE: WITNESSES/SOLEMNIZATION/CONSENT                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:36:05 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON  announced the  consideration of  CS FOR  HOUSE BILL                                                               
NO. 62(JUD)  am "An Act  relating to the Legislative  Ethics Act;                                                               
relating to  solemnization of marriage;  and relating  to consent                                                               
to marriage."                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
He stated  that the  intent was to  adopt a  committee substitute                                                               
and hold the bill for future consideration.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:36:30 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:36:50 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and solicited a motion.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:36:55 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR COSTELLO  moved to adopt the  Senate Committee Substitute                                                               
(SCS)  for  HB  62,  work   order  32-LS0272\I,  as  the  working                                                               
document, and objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:37:13 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  WILSON explained  that the  SCS adds  two restrictions  on                                                               
unemancipated  people   ages  16  and  17.   He  described  these                                                               
restrictions as follow:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     First,  it adds  parental  consent and  they must  also                                                                    
     receive  approval  from  a  superior  court  judge  who                                                                    
     determines  the   marriage  is  in  the   minor's  best                                                                    
     interest.  Second, the  minor cannot  marry someone  if                                                                    
     they're  more than  three years  older. For  example, a                                                                    
     16-year-old can  only marry up  to a 19-year-old  and a                                                                    
     17-year-old can marry up to a 20-year-old.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
He   noted  the   Legislative   Legal   Services  opinion   about                                                               
unemancipated minors.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:38:40 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR BEGICH  offered his understanding  that under  version I,                                                               
an emancipated youth would not be restricted to marry.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON answered that is correct.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:38:58 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR HUGHES joined the committee.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR BEGICH said he appreciated  the clarification, because he                                                               
wanted  to ensure  that  the rights  of  emancipated youths  were                                                               
protected.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:39:28 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:39:54 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:39:56 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  COSTELLO  stated that  emancipated  youths  are able  to                                                               
enter into contracts  and thus are able get  married. As written,                                                               
the SCS  doesn't change  what is currently  allowed, and  that is                                                               
one  reason  she is  opposed  to  the  SCS.  She said  the  legal                                                               
memorandum dated  April 18,  2022 also mentions  that the  SCS is                                                               
unnecessary because those minors  are already permitted to marry.                                                               
There are only certain things,  such as using alcoholic beverages                                                               
that an emancipated youth is not  able to do. She reiterated that                                                               
adding the exception for emancipated youth was unnecessary.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COSTELLO  stated that she  was maintaining  her objection                                                               
to adopting the SCS.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:40:59 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR REINBOLD asked  how this version would  affect a 17-year-                                                               
old's ability to marry even if she was not emancipated.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON stated that under  version I, a 17-year-old would be                                                               
able  to marry  if they  had  parental consent,  approval from  a                                                               
superior court  judge, and the spouse  was not more than  3 years                                                               
older.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  WILSON extended  the amendment  deadline until  Monday the                                                               
25th.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:42:40 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON  asked for  a roll  call vote  on adopting  the SCS,                                                               
version I.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:42:51 PM                                                                                                                    
A roll  call vote was  taken. Senators Begich, Hughes  and Wilson                                                               
voted in  favor of the  motion to adopt  SCS CSHB 62,  work order                                                               
32-LS0272\I,  and Senators  Costello and  Reinbold voted  against                                                               
it.                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Therefore, the motion to adopt the SCS  for HB 62 passed on a 3:2                                                               
vote.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:43:06 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON  announced that the  SCS for  HB 62, version  I, was                                                               
adopted as the working document on a 3:2 vote.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:43:16 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON held HB 62 in committee.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          HB 184-REQUIRE TRIBAL CHILD WELFARE COMPACT                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:43:37 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON  announced the consideration  of HOUSE BILL  NO. 184                                                               
"An Act requiring  state participation in a  tribal child welfare                                                               
compact."                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON asked  the sponsor's staff to give  a brief overview                                                               
of the bill before the committee considered an amendment.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:43:59 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:44:43 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:45:10 PM                                                                                                                    
KATY  GIORGIO,  Staff,  Representative Tiffany  Zulkosky,  Alaska                                                               
State  Legislature,  Juneau, Alaska,  stated  that  HB 184  would                                                               
codify the Tribal Child Welfare Compact in statute.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:45:45 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  BEGICH asked  if the  sponsor had  any objection  to the                                                               
modification [in the forthcoming amendment].                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. GIORGIO  stated that Representative Zulkosky  does not object                                                               
to the forthcoming amendment.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON  clarified that there  was a  forthcoming amendment,                                                               
not a committee substitute (CS).                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:46:06 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON moved Amendment 1, work order 32-LS0722\I.1.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                                 32-LS0722\I.1                                                                  
                                                      Ambrose                                                                   
                                                       4/1/22                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                          AMENDMENT 1                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
    OFFERED IN THE SENATE                 BY SENATOR WILSON                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 1:                                                                                                            
          Delete "requiring"                                                                                                  
          Insert "relating to"                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 4:                                                                                                            
          Delete "shall"                                                                                                        
          Insert "may"                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:46:09 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR HUGHES objected for purposes of discussion.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:46:11 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  WILSON  explained  that the  change  in  terminology  from                                                               
"requiring"  to "relating  to"  is  a change  in  the title.  The                                                               
change from  "shall" to "may"  allows, but does not  require, the                                                               
department to  enter into a  compact. This allows  the department                                                               
more flexibility to work with an  entity to ensure it is prepared                                                               
and eligible to be a compact member.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:47:00 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR HUGHES removed her objection.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  WILSON found  no further  objection, and  Amendment 1  was                                                               
adopted.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COSTELLO highlighted that  adopting the amendment means a                                                               
title change resolution will be required.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR BEGICH  said he looks forward  to seeing the bill  on the                                                               
floor.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:47:37 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  HUGHES mentioned  a conversation  she had  with somebody                                                               
who had worked  with the Office of Children's  Services (OCS) who                                                               
was concerned  about the bill and  the protections it may  or may                                                               
not provide  for children. She  asked if  there had been  a pilot                                                               
project  and whether  the compact  would be  very strict  to make                                                               
sure that everything is done properly to ensure child safety.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MS. GIORGIO  answered that  the compact has  been in  place since                                                               
2017,  and each  year OCS  and the  tribal cosigners  revisit the                                                               
terms of  the compact.  She deferred  further explanation  to Kim                                                               
Guay.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:49:49 PM                                                                                                                    
KIM GUAY, Director, Office of  Children's Services, Department of                                                               
Family   and  Community   Services  (DFCS),   Anchorage,  Alaska,                                                               
explained  that  the tribal  cosigners  and  OCS are  working  in                                                               
partnership so that more than one  set of eyes is on the families                                                               
receiving services.  This work also  involves oversight  from the                                                               
federal government  because these  children are typically  in the                                                               
foster  care  system. Everything  OCS  is  doing to  check  these                                                               
families, such as background checks, the tribes are also doing.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:50:58 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON found no further questions and solicited a motion.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:51:07 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR HUGHES moved to report  HB 184, work order 32-LS0722\I as                                                               
amended,  from  committee  with  individual  recommendations  and                                                               
attached fiscal note(s).                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:51:21 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  WILSON  found  no  objection  and  SCS  HB  184(HSS),  was                                                               
reported  from the  Senate Health  and  Social Services  Standing                                                               
Committee.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:51:32 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                    SB 216-DEMENTIA AWARENESS                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:55:10 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR   WILSON  reconvened   the   meeting   and  announced   the                                                               
consideration  of  SENATE  BILL  NO.  216  "An  Act  relating  to                                                               
dementia awareness."                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:55:33 PM                                                                                                                    
KATY   MCCALL,  Staff,   Senator  Mia   Costello,  Alaska   State                                                               
Legislature, Juneau,  Alaska, reminded the committee  that SB 216                                                               
would create a  dementia awareness campaign which  would help the                                                               
state qualify for  a share of the $25 million  in federal funding                                                               
that is available through the  2018 Building Our Largest Dementia                                                               
(BOLD) Infrastructure  for Alzheimer's Act. She  noted that since                                                               
the hearing last week followed  up with the requested information                                                               
about  that  funding. The  Core  Capacity  grant funding  is  for                                                               
states  like  Alaska  that  are   just  starting  their  dementia                                                               
infrastructure.  It also  lays the  groundwork for  the state  to                                                               
qualify  for the  Enhanced Capacity  grants at  some time  in the                                                               
future.  The  state  could  qualify  for  this  next  funding  by                                                               
establishing ongoing  programs and  making a  plan to  expand the                                                               
dementia awareness activities in the future.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:57:24 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON advised  that the information Ms.  Bolling sent were                                                               
uploaded to  BASIS. He found  no questions or comments  and asked                                                               
the sponsor if she had any closing comments.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COSTELLO  thanked everyone who supported  the legislation                                                               
and opined  that it was a  good time for the  legislature to pass                                                               
legislation that will help educate Alaskans about dementia.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON solicited a motion.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:58:41 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR HUGHES  moved to report  SB 216, work  order 32-LS1583\A,                                                               
from  committee  with  individual  recommendations  and  attached                                                               
fiscal note(s).                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:58:54 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON found no objection and  SB 216 was reported from the                                                               
Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:58:58 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
        SB 184-SETTLEMENT TRUSTS & BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:04:23 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR   WILSON  reconvened   the   meeting   and  announced   the                                                               
consideration of SENATE  BILL NO. 184 "An Act  relating to Alaska                                                               
Native  settlement  trusts  and   eligibility  for  adult  public                                                               
assistance, senior benefits, and the Alaska Pioneers' Home."                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
He asked Loki Tobin to give a brief overview of the bill before                                                                 
the committee considered a committee substitute (CS).                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:04:51 PM                                                                                                                    
LOKI TOBIN, Staff, Senator Tom Begich, Alaska State Legislature,                                                                
Juneau, Alaska, paraphrased the sponsor statement for SB 184. It                                                                
read as follows:                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Historic in  its application, the Alaska  Native Claims                                                                    
     Settlement  Act (ANCSA)  sought to  resolves indigenous                                                                    
     land  claims by  transferring land  titles to  regional                                                                    
     corporations  for the  benefit  of  Alaska Natives  and                                                                    
     their  descendants.  Part  of the  settlement  included                                                                    
     distributions  or  benefits  to  1971  enrolled  tribal                                                                    
     members,  compensating   them  for  their   portion  of                                                                    
     historic  land   ownership  and  in   recognition  that                                                                    
     financial   resources  may   be   needed  to   preserve                                                                    
     indigenous  cultures  and  ensure  Alaska  Natives  and                                                                    
     their  descendants are  able to  contribute to  live in                                                                    
     indigenous communities.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Distributions  or benefits  from ANCSA  settlements are                                                                    
     meant   to   compensate   Alaska  Natives   and   their                                                                    
     descendants   for  indigenous   land  claims   and  are                                                                    
     separate from other benefits  an individual may receive                                                                    
     due to disability or age.  Unfortunately, the law as it                                                                    
     currently  is  written  does not  guarantee  an  Alaska                                                                    
     Native   can   and    will   receive   their   rightful                                                                    
     distribution  as well  as other  benefits available  to                                                                    
     all Alaskans due to qualifying circumstances. Senate                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Bill 184  seeks by statute to  exclude certain payments                                                                    
     to   aged  or   disabled   Alaska   Natives  or   their                                                                    
     descendants  from being  used to  determine eligibility                                                                    
     for adult  public assistance, senior benefits,  and the                                                                    
     Alaska  Pioneers' Home.  A  similar  bill is  currently                                                                    
     being  considered   in  the  United   States  Congress,                                                                    
     introduced  by Senator  Murkowski  and co-sponsored  by                                                                    
     Senator Sullivan.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:06:02 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON solicited a motion to adopt the CS.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:06:07 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  HUGHES  moved to  adopt  the  Senate Health  and  Social                                                               
Services CS  for SB 184,  work order 32-LS1473\B, as  the working                                                               
document.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:06:19 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON  objected for purposes  of discussion.  He explained                                                               
that the CS does two things.  First, it removes the references to                                                               
an  Alaska Native  individual or  a descent  of an  Alaska Native                                                               
individual  and opens  the legislation  to any  beneficiary of  a                                                               
trust settlement. Second, it places a $1,500 cap on the income.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:06:55 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  HUGHES asked  him  to confirm  that the  cap  is not  on                                                               
individual income;  it's the amount  of interest in  a settlement                                                               
trust.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON agreed.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:07:08 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  BEGICH   agreed  with   Senator  Hughes  and   added  an                                                               
individual  who received  a settlement  or interest  payment that                                                               
was over $1,500 would lose their  benefits. It's the same idea as                                                               
the cap on the PFD [to determine certain eligibility].                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON called in a  hold harmless provision and the sponsor                                                               
agreed.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR HUGHES  offered her belief  that the  CS made the  bill a                                                               
better product.  She asked the  sponsor if it resolves  a problem                                                               
and creates more fairness.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:08:50 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR BEGICH answered yes; it  addresses a fairness issue about                                                               
somebody continuing  to receive  public assistance when  they are                                                               
receiving consistently  large dividends that remove  the need for                                                               
public assistance. He stated support for the changes.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:09:31 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  WILSON   removed  his  objection;  he   found  no  further                                                               
objection and  the CS for SB  184, version B, was  adopted as the                                                               
working document.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
He asked the sponsor if he had any closing comments.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR   BEGICH  said   the  law   is  nuanced   and  unintended                                                               
consequences have to be addressed.  He expressed appreciation for                                                               
the committee's thoughtfulness.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:10:26 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR HUGHES  moved to report  SB 184, work  order 32-LS1473\B,                                                               
from  committee  with  individual  recommendations  and  attached                                                               
fiscal note(s).                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:10:41 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON  found no objection  and CSSB 184(HSS)  was reported                                                               
from committee.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:10:49 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
              SB 242-EXEMPTIONS FOR FOOD PRODUCTS                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:12:52 PM 55                                                                                                                 
CHAIR   WILSON  reconvened   the   meeting   and  announced   the                                                               
consideration  of  SENATE  BILL  NO.  242  "An  Act  relating  to                                                               
exemptions for  the purchase  and sale  of certain  food products                                                               
for home consumption under the Alaska Food Freedom Act."                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:13:28 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:15:00 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON  reconvened the meeting and  recognized Commissioner                                                               
Jason Brune.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:15:17 PM                                                                                                                    
JASON   BRUNE,   Commissioner,    Department   of   Environmental                                                               
Conservation, Anchorage, Alaska, said he  would like to yield his                                                               
time to  Commissioner Vincent-Lang to provide  opening remarks as                                                               
Co-Chair of the governor's initiative on food security.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:15:57 PM                                                                                                                    
DOUG VINCENT-LANG,  Commissioner, Alaska  Department of  Fish and                                                               
Game (ADF&G), Juneau, Alaska,                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     If  we learned  one thing  one thing  from COVID,  it's                                                                    
     just  how vulnerable  our state  is  to disruptions  in                                                                    
     food supply.  Food shelves across Alaska  were bare and                                                                    
     supplies  were short  all across  the  state. This  was                                                                    
     especially  true  in   Rural  Alaska.  Alaskans  became                                                                    
     really  aware   of  how  dependent   we  are   on  food                                                                    
     deliveries  from outside  Alaska. In  essence, we  have                                                                    
     less  than   a  week's  supply  of   some  food  items,                                                                    
     especially   perishable    items.   Without   resupply,                                                                    
     shortages  did occur  and will  likely  occur into  the                                                                    
     future.   This   resulted    in   increased   awareness                                                                    
     surrounding  the  issue  of food  security  across  our                                                                    
     state.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     In   response,   Governor   Dunleavy  has   issued   an                                                                    
     administrative order establishing  a food security task                                                                    
     force   to   evaluate   this    issue   and   to   make                                                                    
     recommendations how  best to increase our  state's food                                                                    
     security.  Membership   on  this  taskforce   is  being                                                                    
     recruited  and  if  anyone is  interested  in  serving,                                                                    
     please apply  to the Office  of Boards  and Commissions                                                                    
     in the Governor's Office. I  also understand the Alaska                                                                    
     legislature  is considering  establishing a  task force                                                                    
     to address this important issue.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     We also have a bill  you're hearing today on the table.                                                                    
     We support this as one  means to increase food security                                                                    
     across  our state.  This bill  provides exemptions  for                                                                    
     the  purchase and  sale of  certain  food products  for                                                                    
     home consumption. The  purpose of this act  is to allow                                                                    
     producers  to   sell  homemade  food  products   to  an                                                                    
     informed  end user  and to  encourage the  expansion of                                                                    
     homemade  food sales  at farmers  markets, agricultural                                                                    
     fairs, ranches, farms, and  producers homes to informed                                                                    
     end users  by providing Alaskans with  unimpeded access                                                                    
     to food from known sources.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     In  addition to  other undertakings,  this will  lessen                                                                    
     dependency  on outside  food sources  thereby improving                                                                    
     food security  across our state. This  bill exempts the                                                                    
     sale  of   seafood  and  game   meat.  That   said,  we                                                                    
     understand  one   element  of  food  security   is  the                                                                    
     importance for  our wild populations  of fish  and game                                                                    
     resources to  Alaskans. Alaskans directly  harvest fish                                                                    
     and game  through subsistence, personal use,  and sport                                                                    
     fishing  and  hunting  regulations.  They  also  access                                                                    
     these  resources by  purchasing commercially  harvested                                                                    
     Alaskan  seafood  products.  Last  week  I  saw  direct                                                                    
     marketing  of  cod  fillets.   Also,  in  most  coastal                                                                    
     communities  one can  directly purchase  Alaska seafood                                                                    
     at  the docks.  We  need to  explore  more options  for                                                                    
      making Alaska's commercially caught salmon available                                                                      
     throughout Alaska.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     In closing, I urge your support for this bill. I also                                                                      
       support your participation in the Governor's food                                                                        
     security task force.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:19:14 PM                                                                                                                    
COMMISSIONER  BRUNE began  the PowerPoint  presentation, SB  242:                                                               
Alaska Food Freedom Act. He spoke to the points on slide 2:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
         Increasing Alaska's Food Production and Sales                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
        • 95% of food purchased in Alaska is imported.                                                                          
        • The ongoing pandemic has demonstrated how fragile                                                                     
          the Alaskan food supply chain is.                                                                                     
        • Governor Dunleavy is committed to addressing this                                                                     
          issue through the creation of the Food Security &                                                                     
          Independence Taskforce (AO 331).                                                                                      
        • Creating  broader   opportunities    for   small                                                                      
          homebased businesses to make and sell food                                                                            
          products will provide more local food options.                                                                        
        • Building a food secure Alaska will also open the                                                                      
          doors to greater economic opportunities for home-                                                                     
          based businesses.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER BRUNE  stated that the  task force looks  forward to                                                               
working with the  legislature to build a more  secure Alaska that                                                               
has  more  economic  opportunities   that  will  help  home-based                                                               
businesses and Alaskans thrive.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:20:54 PM                                                                                                                    
CHRISTINA CARPENTER, Director,  Division of Environmental Health,                                                               
Department  of   Environmental  Conservation   (DEC),  Anchorage,                                                               
Alaska, highlighted that  the governor put forward  a $25 million                                                               
capital  appropriation   to  increase   food  security   for  the                                                               
agricultural  industry. This  appropriation  and SB  242 offer  a                                                               
multi-prog approach to increase food security in Alaska.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MS. CARPENTER discussed slide 3:                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                      National Legislation                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
        • Most states have cottage food laws, which allow                                                                       
          the  sale  of homemade  non-potentially  hazardous                                                                    
         foods directly from producer to end consumer.                                                                          
          • Alaska has had  cottage  food  regulations  in                                                                      
             place since 2012.                                                                                                  
        • Food Freedom Laws expand cottage food exemptions                                                                      
          to allow  the production of  potentially hazardous                                                                    
          foods  in   a  home  kitchen   without  regulatory                                                                    
          oversight.                                                                                                            
          • Wyoming passed the first  Food Freedom  Law in                                                                      
             2015.                                                                                                              
          • Since then, Maine, North Dakota, and Utah have                                                                      
             passed similar acts.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
She stated that food freedom laws  allow the direct sale of foods                                                               
that require  time and temperature  controls. These  products are                                                               
made in  home kitchens that  are not permitted or  inspected, and                                                               
they must be sold directly to the end consumer.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:23:27 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. CARPENTER reviewed the definitions of potentially and non-                                                                  
potentially hazardous foods outlined on slide 4:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                   Food Category Definitions                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
        • Potentially hazardous foods are foods that                                                                            
          require time or temperature  control to reduce the                                                                    
          risk  of  contaminants (pathogens,  toxins,  etc.)                                                                    
          that could cause foodborne illness.                                                                                   
          • Direct sale  between  the   producer  and  end                                                                      
             consumer.                                                                                                          
          • Examples  heat treated  fruits and vegetables,                                                                      
             fresh herb-in-oil mixtures, meat, and products                                                                     
             made with dairy.                                                                                                   
        • Non-potentially hazardous foods are foods that do                                                                     
          not require time or temperature control.                                                                              
          • Direct sale has been  allowed since  2012. Now                                                                      
             expanded to allow retail sales.                                                                                    
          • Examples      pickles,   fresh    fruits   and                                                                      
             vegetables, coffee beans, and popcorn.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:25:21 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. CARPENTER paraphrased the bullet points on slide 5:                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
           Alaska's Food Freedom Act (AFFA) Overview                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
        • Exempts most homemade food from labeling,                                                                             
          licensing,  packaging, permitting,  and inspection                                                                    
          requirements.                                                                                                         
        • Codifies DEC's existing cottage food regulations                                                                      
          in statute and expands  exemptions to allow retail                                                                    
          sales of non-potentially hazardous foods.                                                                             
        • Creates an "animal share" arrangement that would                                                                      
          exempt  meat producers  from oversight  if certain                                                                    
          conditions are met.                                                                                                   
        • Alaska's Food Freedom Act would be the least                                                                          
          restrictive  in  the   nation  because  it  allows                                                                    
          limited  retail  sales  and  the  creation  of  an                                                                    
          "animal share" exemption.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:26:22 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.  CARPENTER stated  that the  next three  slides serve  as the                                                               
sectional analysis. They  discuss what the bill  does and provide                                                               
examples of  what is and  is not exempted under  the legislation.                                                               
She reviewed slide 6:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                SB 242: Alaska Food Freedom Act AS 17.20.331 creates an exemption for the                                                                             
          purchase and  sale of  homemade food  products for                                                                    
          home    consumption   and    provides   applicable                                                                    
          restrictions   or   limitations   on   transaction                                                                    
          requirements,  food ingredients,  and labeling  or                                                                    
          signage requirements.                                                                                                 
          • Potentially hazardous foods will be allowed for                                                                     
             direct sale between the producer and end                                                                           
             consumer.                                                                                                          
          • Non-potentially  hazardous   foods   are   now                                                                      
             expanded to allow retail sales.                                                                                    
          • Food products must  be  produced and  sold  in                                                                      
            Alaska. No interstate commerce allowed.                                                                             
          • Producer can make up to $250,000 in gross sales                                                                     
             annually.                                                                                                          
          • Does not allow the  purchase of  meat or  meat                                                                      
             products, seafood, controlled substances, oil                                                                      
            rendered from animal fat, and game meat.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MS. CARPENTER highlighted that the administration would consider                                                                
a friendly amendment to eliminate the $250,000 cap on the annual                                                                
gross sales for producers.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:28:12 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON asked if the  administration had discussed this with                                                               
the sponsor  and already  had an amendment  for the  committee to                                                               
consider.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MS. CARPENTER answered that the  administration had done neither,                                                               
but would be happy to do so.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:28:37 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  BEGICH  said  the  description   of  the  hazardous  and                                                               
nonhazardous foods  caused some concern.  He added that  he liked                                                               
the $250,000  cap because if  would eliminate the  possibility of                                                               
industrial production  of products that  would not be  subject to                                                               
inspection. He  asked how the administration  was justifying what                                                               
seemed  to   be  an  effort  to   relinquish  the  constitutional                                                               
responsibility to protect the health and safety of citizens.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER BRUNE answered:                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     I think  the emphasis  that we have  is on  an informed                                                                    
     end consumer, and  putting the onus on them.  Yes we do                                                                    
     have a responsibility but we  believe that the products                                                                    
     we're  talking about  that are  included  in this  bill                                                                    
     will  still  meet  that  intent  of  protecting  public                                                                    
     safety, but  at the  same time  ensuring that  the food                                                                    
     freedom  opportunities that  are out  there will  exist                                                                    
     for Alaskans to  be able to make  informed decisions as                                                                    
     they make those purchasing decisions.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:30:28 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON said the response caused  him pause because it was a                                                               
buyer beware  warning for Alaskans  who might decide to  buy this                                                               
food.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR BEGICH agreed.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:30:44 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  HUGHES  wondered  about  the  legal  implications  of  a                                                               
producer  selling  product  that   doesn't  have  to  be  labeled                                                               
directly to an end user. She  said she didn't see anywhere in the                                                               
bill that  the producer would  be freed of responsibility  if the                                                               
end user were to get sick.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MS.  CARPENTER  confirmed   that  the  bill  did   not  speak  to                                                               
liability. She  described that as  part of being an  informed end                                                               
consumer in a direct-sale transaction.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:32:22 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR HUGHES said  she supports the concept,  but the consumers                                                               
need  to understand  there is  some risk.  She asked  whether the                                                               
administration  had considered  a requirement  for labeling  that                                                               
mentions the potential risk.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:33:29 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.  CARPENTER responded  that the  bill  has some  transactional                                                               
requirements for  potentially hazardous  foods; the  producer has                                                               
to inform  the purchaser that  the products are  not manufactured                                                               
in an inspected kitchen.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR HUGHES said  she'd look at that  language. She reiterated                                                               
that she generally believes this is a great idea.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:34:53 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  BEGICH  said  he  too is  generally  supportive  of  the                                                               
concept, but  his concern is  that the average end  consumer will                                                               
not  necessarily be  informed.  He also  questioned whether  this                                                               
might expose  these food producers  to unrealistic  liability. He                                                               
asked whether the administration had given this any thought.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:36:31 PM                                                                                                                    
COMMISSIONER BRUNE offered his belief  that the general public is                                                               
smarter than  he is in making  decisions about whether or  not to                                                               
buy  these  cottage  food  products. He  also  pointed  out  that                                                               
industrial  food  that is  regularly  inspected  can be  recalled                                                               
because it is determined to be unsafe.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:37:45 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. CARPENTER continued  the presentation with a  review of slide                                                               
7:                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                SB 242: Alaska Food Freedom Act                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
        • AS  17.20.332    establishes   conditions    and                                                                      
          requirements   of  animal   share  operations   in                                                                    
          statute,  which would  allow the  sharing of  meat                                                                    
          and meat products  by individuals participating in                                                                    
          a herd share arrangement.                                                                                             
          • Shared ownership must be established before the                                                                     
             animal(s) is slaughtered;                                                                                          
          • Labeling requirements;                                                                                              
         • No further sales or distribution allowed.                                                                            
        • AS 17.20.337 contains clarifications to the bill,                                                                     
          including                                                                                                             
          • DEC retains its investigative and regulatory                                                                        
             powers;                                                                                                            
          • State  agencies   may    provide   assistance,                                                                      
             consultation, or guidance at the request of the                                                                    
             producer;                                                                                                          
          • the bill shall not be construed as more                                                                             
             restrictive     than     applicable     federal                                                                    
             requirements; and                                                                                                  
          • the bill does not affect any federal or local                                                                       
             laws.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:39:35 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  REINBOLD  read the  first  two  bullet points  under  AS                                                               
17.20.337 and asked  how that works when the  producer is cooking                                                               
the food in their home  kitchen. She wondered about the potential                                                               
for  violating private  property rights,  calling it  an oxymoron                                                               
for  the government  to say  it was  going to  help by  being Big                                                               
Brother watching over the producer's shoulder.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER BRUNE pointed out that  it says that any assistance,                                                               
consultation, or  guidance a  state agency  provides would  be at                                                               
the request of the producer.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:41:35 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR BEGICH observed that the  exceptions that start on page 4                                                               
line  20  are not  about  the  department  being invited  into  a                                                               
producer's  home.   That  provision   is  about   the  department                                                               
retaining the  authority to inspect and  investigate, which gives                                                               
him  reason   to  support  the  bill.   He  acknowledged  Senator                                                               
Reinbold's concerns  and asked Commissioner  Brune what  he could                                                               
say to allay her concerns.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER BRUNE said  the goal is to not go  into a producer's                                                               
house, but  if an  outbreak were to  occur, the  department needs                                                               
the authority to do an inspection.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:43:32 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.  CARPENTER added  that a  lot of  the work  to investigate  a                                                               
food-borne  outbreak  can  be  conducted   over  the  phone.  The                                                               
department  regularly looks  into  complaints  about a  regulated                                                               
entity by  first talking  to the manager  in charge  to determine                                                               
whether the  complaint was warranted.  She assured  the committee                                                               
that entering a private residence would be a last resort.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR BEGICH highlighted that the  language in in paragraph (A)                                                               
on page 4, line 21 is  restrictive. Nothing in the bill gives the                                                               
department the authority to enter  a producer's home unless there                                                               
was a report of:                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
      (i) foodborne illness, food caused injury, or death;                                                                      
     (ii) unsafe sanitary practices; or                                                                                         
     (iii) misbranded or adulterated food;                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
He asked Ms. Carpenter if  that was an accurate interpretation of                                                               
the language.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CARPENTER answered yes.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON asked  if she agreed that this was  not similar to a                                                               
no-knock warrant.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CARPENTER answered that is correct.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON asked her to continue the presentation.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CARPENTER turned  to slide  8 and  explained that  it is  a chart                                                               
that provides  examples of products  that would and would  not be                                                               
allowed under the Alaska Food Freedom Act.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR BEGICH commented  that he was sad that  people were still                                                               
buying kombucha.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  REINBOLD   voiced  support  for  opportunities   to  buy                                                               
kombucha.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:46:43 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON opened public testimony  on SB 242; finding none, he                                                               
closed public testimony.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
He noted that David Schade was available for questions.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR REINBOLD stated  that she had tried for  several years to                                                               
get  disaster  declaration  bills to  include  information  about                                                               
food,  medical supplies,  water,  and  communication. She  opined                                                               
that with the  current supply chain issues,  this information has                                                               
become urgent.  She asked  what the director  of the  Division of                                                               
Agriculture would suggest to elevate the urgency of this issue.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:48:35 PM                                                                                                                    
DAVID SCHADE,  Director, Division  of Agriculture,  Department of                                                               
Natural  Resources   (DNR),  Palmer,  Alaska,  stated   that  the                                                               
Dunleavy administration considers food  security a high priority.                                                               
To  this  end,  a  task  force  is  working  on  the  issue,  the                                                               
administration  has proposed  funding in  the capital  budget for                                                               
additional   land  sales   for   the  Nenana-Totchaket   project,                                                               
increasing  seed   opportunities  for  farmers,   and  continuing                                                               
existing  grants and  incentives in  traditional agriculture  and                                                               
mariculture. He offered to follow up with additional details.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR REINBOLD invited him to her upcoming townhall meeting.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:50:14 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR HUGHES  mentioned the  $25 million  capital appropriation                                                               
to  increase food  security for  the  agricultural industry.  The                                                               
bulk was going to the  Nenana-Totchaket Agricultural Project, but                                                               
$7 million was  for incentive grants. The  Mariculture Task Force                                                               
also has  $25 million that it  can decide how to  spend. She said                                                               
her  understanding  was  that mariculture  producers  could  also                                                               
access part  of the $7  million allocated for  agriculture, which                                                               
was  a concern.  She also  expressed concern  that the  state was                                                               
opening  up this  new agricultural  area, potentially  with roads                                                               
and  utilities,  when  farmers  in  the  Delta  area  were  still                                                               
supplying their own  utilities. She opined that if  the state was                                                               
really  interested  in  enhancing  food  security,  the  existing                                                               
agricultural  producers  potentially   could  produce  more  food                                                               
faster  if  they  had  access to  utilities,  than  farmers  just                                                               
starting out in the new area.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:52:29 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. SCHADE responded that $8.5 million  of the $25 million is for                                                               
electricity and infrastructure, but  just $2 million is earmarked                                                               
for  the  Nenana-Totchaket  Agricultural Project.  The  remaining                                                               
$6.5  million  is  earmarked for  Delta,  the  Kobe  Agricultural                                                               
Project,  and  others.  Road   and  infrastructure  projects  are                                                               
planned and have started for all agricultural projects.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  WILSON  asked Ms.  Carpenter  to  confirm that  the  items                                                               
listed  on slide  8 were  examples; it  was not  an all-inclusive                                                               
list.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MS. CARPENTER agreed that the list was not all-inclusive.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR HUGHES asked if the  individuals from the farm bureau who                                                               
were in the room could comment on the bill.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:54:35 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:55:32 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON reconvened  the meeting and asked  for a description                                                               
of the Alaska Farm Bureau.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:56:15 PM                                                                                                                    
SCOTT MURGRAGE, President, Alaska  Farm Bureau, Soldotna, Alaska,                                                               
stated that the  Alaska Farm Bureau advocates  for legislation on                                                               
the state and national level  that benefits farms. He deferred to                                                               
Amy Seitz to relay the mission statement.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:57:00 PM                                                                                                                    
AMY  SEITZ, Executive  Director,  Alaska  Farm Bureau,  Soldotna,                                                               
Alaska,  stated  that the  Alaska  Farm  Bureau's mission  is  to                                                               
 Improve  the Economic  Well-Being and  Expansion of  Agriculture                                                               
and to  Enrich the  Quality of Life  for All  Alaskans." COVID-19                                                               
made it  abundantly clear  that everybody  is affected  by issues                                                               
related  to food.  She added  that the  Alaska Farm  Bureau is  a                                                               
grassroots organization  and as such the  membership dictates the                                                               
bureau's position on policies.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MR. MURGRAGE  said the bill  raises concerns about  liability for                                                               
these producers.  There are standards  to ensure food  safety and                                                               
the bill appears to be a work around.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MS.   SEITZ  suggested   the   administration   gather  all   the                                                               
stakeholders to  discuss ideas about  ways to expand  markets and                                                               
increase  sales   without  placing  all  the   liability  on  the                                                               
producers.  She  said conversations  will  be  important part  of                                                               
working through this and similar bills.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
3:00:13 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR HUGHES suggested  that in a future  hearing the committee                                                               
could  hear legal  remedies to  release producers  from liability                                                               
concerns.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON asked  the department to provide  someone to address                                                               
legal liability concerns.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:01:03 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  COSTELLO  asked  whether  the  Alaska  Farm  Bureau  had                                                               
visited Anchorage  elementary schools at lunch  time and observed                                                               
what is offered.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MS. SEITZ  said she attended  elementary school in  Anchorage and                                                               
remembers the lunches but she had not been there recently.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COSTELLO said  she believes there is a  growing number of                                                               
parents  who would  support a  wholesale change  to school  lunch                                                               
programs, because it's heart breaking to see what schools                                                                       
provide.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MS. SEITZ said the Alaska Farm Bureau has been trying to get                                                                    
more local foods into school meal programs for some time.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COSTELLO said she brought it up to bring awareness to                                                                   
the fact that Alaskan children deserve better food than they're                                                                 
being offered.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
3:05:25 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR WILSON [held SB 242 in committee].                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:05:38 PM                                                                                                                    
There being no further business to come before the committee,                                                                   
Chair Wilson adjourned the Senate Health and Social Services                                                                    
Standing Committee meeting at 3:05 p.m.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
SB 242 FN DNR 4.8.22.pdf SHSS 4/19/2022 1:30:00 PM
SB 242
SB 242 FN DEC EH 4.8.22.pdf SHSS 4/19/2022 1:30:00 PM
SB 242
SB242 Transmittal Letter.pdf SHSS 4/19/2022 1:30:00 PM
SB 242
SB 242 Sectional Analysis.pdf SHSS 4/19/2022 1:30:00 PM
SB 242
HB 62 Testimony 4.18.22.pdf SHSS 4/19/2022 1:30:00 PM
HB 62
HB 184 Ammendment 1 4.19.22.pdf SHSS 4/19/2022 1:30:00 PM
HB 184
SB 184 Work draft Version B.pdf SHSS 4/19/2022 1:30:00 PM
SB 184
SB 216 Bolling Follow Up 4.12.22.pdf SHSS 4/19/2022 1:30:00 PM
SB 216
HB 62 Work Draft Version I.pdf SHSS 4/19/2022 1:30:00 PM
HB 62
HB 62 Emancipated Minors Memo 4.18.22.pdf SHSS 4/19/2022 1:30:00 PM
HB 62
DEC SB 242 Food Freedom.pdf SHSS 4/19/2022 1:30:00 PM
SB 242
SB 184 Explanation of Changes v. B 4.19.22.pdf SHSS 4/19/2022 1:30:00 PM
SB 184