Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
05/17/2021 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR16|| SJR17 | |
| SJR17|| SJR16 | |
| HB22 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SJR 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 17 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 22 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
May 17, 2021
3:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Joshua Revak, Chair
Senator Peter Micciche, Vice Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Gary Stevens
Senator Natasha von Imhof
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Scott Kawasaki
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 16
Calling on President Biden to immediately seek and secure an end
to the embargo imposed by Russia on seafood imports from abroad
so that Alaska seafood producers' access to the Russian domestic
seafood market is fully restored.
- MOVED SJR 16 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17
Requesting the United States Trade Representative to bring a
renewed focus on the plight of producers of seafood in the state
and the United States and to compel China to comply with its
commitment to increase its imports of seafood products from the
United States.
- MOVED SJR 17 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 22 AM
"An Act relating to shared animal ownership; and relating to the
sharing of raw milk and raw milk products."
- MOVED SCS HB 22(RES) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SJR 16
SHORT TITLE: END RUSSIA EMBARGO ON U.S. SEAFOOD
SPONSOR(s): SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON WORLD TRADE
05/11/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/11/21 (S) WTR
05/12/21 (S) RES REFERRAL REPLACED WTR
05/17/21 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SJR 17
SHORT TITLE: INCREASE SEAFOOD EXPORTS
SPONSOR(s): SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON WORLD TRADE
05/11/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/11/21 (S) WTR
05/12/21 (S) RES REFERRAL REPLACED WTR
05/17/21 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: HB 22
SHORT TITLE: SHARED ANIMAL AND RAW MILK/PRODUCTS
SPONSOR(s): TARR
02/18/21 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/21
02/18/21 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/18/21 (H) CRA, RES
03/30/21 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
03/30/21 (H) Heard & Held
03/30/21 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
04/06/21 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
04/06/21 (H) Moved HB 22 Out of Committee
04/06/21 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
04/07/21 (H) CRA RPT 6DP 1NR
04/07/21 (H) DP: MCCARTY, DRUMMOND, PRAX, MCCABE,
HANNAN, SCHRAGE
04/07/21 (H) NR: PATKOTAK
04/16/21 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
04/16/21 (H) Heard & Held
04/16/21 (H) MINUTE(RES)
04/19/21 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
04/19/21 (H) Moved HB 22 Out of Committee
04/19/21 (H) MINUTE(RES)
04/21/21 (H) RES RPT 6DP 1NR 2AM
04/21/21 (H) DP: MCKAY, FIELDS, CRONK, HANNAN,
SCHRAGE, PATKOTAK
04/21/21 (H) NR: HOPKINS
04/21/21 (H) AM: RAUSCHER, GILLHAM
05/06/21 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
05/06/21 (H) VERSION: HB 22 AM
05/07/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/07/21 (S) RES
05/17/21 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
STEPHANIE MADSEN
Executive Director
At-Sea Processors Association
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on SJR 16 and SJR 17 by
invitation.
MATT TINNING, Director of Sustainability and Public Affairs
At-Sea Processors Association (APA)
Washington, D.C.
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearings on
SJR 16 and SJR 17.
CHRIS BARROWS, President
Pacific Seafood Processors Association
Seattle, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SJR 16 and SJR 17.
REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 22.
THATCHER BROUWER, Staff
Representative Geran Tarr
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions regarding HB 22.
SUZY CROSBY, Owner
Cottonwood Creek Farm
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 22 by invitation.
AMY PETTIT, Executive Director
Alaska Farmland Trust
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 22 by invitation.
MARLENE WENGER, representing self
Kenny Lake, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 22.
LARAE SMITH, representing self
Willow, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 22.
AMY SEITZ, Executive Director
Alaska Farm Bureau
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 22.
MILENA SEVIGNY, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 22.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:34:17 PM
CHAIR JOSHUA REVAK called the Senate Resources Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:34 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Micciche, Stevens, Kiehl, Kawasaki, and
Chair Revak. Senators Bishop and von Imhof arrived during the
course of the meeting.
SJR 16-END RUSSIA EMBARGO ON U.S. SEAFOOD
[Contains discussion of SJR 17.]
3:35:20 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced the consideration of SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 16 Calling on President Biden to immediately seek
and secure an end to the embargo imposed by Russia on seafood
imports from abroad so that Alaska seafood producers' access to
the Russian domestic seafood market is fully restored.
3:35:36 PM
SENATOR GARY STEVENS, speaking as chair of the Senate Special
Committee on World Trade that sponsored SJR 16, stated that
Alaska's fisheries are a centerpiece of the state's economy and
anything that increases the value of Alaska seafood improves the
health of the state's economy. He reminded the committee that in
August 2014, Russia banned a broad range of food products from
the European Union (EU), the United States, Canada, Australia,
and Norway in retaliation to the Western sanctions to the
Ukraine crisis. The ban includes nearly all seafood products
from Alaska which makes it very difficult for Alaska seafood
processors to stay competitive in the world market. They need
help from the federal government.
SJR 16 reaches out and urges the federal government to restore
Alaska's seafood industry for fair market access to Russia.
3:37:11 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced invited testimony.
3:37:25 PM
STEPHANIE MADSEN, Executive Director, At-Sea Processors
Association (APA), Juneau, Alaska, stated that since most of the
committee members attended the earlier detailed informational
session, she would save time by speaking to both SJR 16 and SJR
17. She thanked the committee for its leadership on these
critical issues. She said seafood industry workers do not
typically discuss international trade rules on the dock, but it
is a critically important variable for these workers and seafood
processors.
She related that the majority of seafood produced in Alaska is
destined for export to markets in Japan, China, the EU, and the
United Kingdom, and if the U.S. were to become uncompetitive in
these markets, Alaska seafood markets would lose value. This
would translate to lower revenue, fewer jobs, and lower wages
and crew shares. She pointed out that Alaska often has been on
the losing end in recent years due to developments in
international trade policy, and this has always resulted in a
direct loss for Alaska's seafood industry.
MS. MADSEN cited Russia as an example. As Russian seafood
exports to the U.S. have boomed since 2014, this lucrative
market has been almost entirely closed to U.S. seafood exporters
and thus has imposed ongoing costs on the Alaska seafood
economy. She thanked the committee for focusing SJR 16 on
Russia's outrageous embargo in American seafood. Hopefully it
will help to end the embargo and restore fair access to Russia
for Alaska/American products, she said.
MS. MADSEN turned her attention to SJR 17, stating that China's
July 2018 retaliatory tariffs on U.S. seafood products have made
it nearly impossible for Alaska's seafood industry to compete.
She reported that the unprecedented growth wave of the Alaska
pollock industry in China has been devastated under the weight
of the tariffs. The value of these exports to China has fallen
55 percent since 2017. Despite the Phase I Trade Agreement,
there does not seem to be an end in sight. She noted the trade
press today confirmed that China has not met its seafood
purchase commitments.
MS. MADSEN said SJR 17 requests a level playing field, so
consumers globally have the option to buy Alaska's premium
seafood products. If the terms are fair, the industry will
thrive. She relayed the At-Sea Processors Association's fervent
hope that SJR 16 and SJR 17 will catalyze a renewed fairness in
seafood trade. If this is successful, she said Alaska seafood
workers and the broader Alaska economy will benefit.
SENATOR STEVENS emphasized that the industry is not asking for
an unfair advantage; it is simply asking for a level playing
field.
3:42:01 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked if the U.S. trade representative or the
Biden administration were working on these issues currently.
3:42:27 PM
MATT TINNING, Director of Sustainability and Public Affairs, At-
Sea Processors Association (APA), Washington, D.C., answered it
is early days in the Biden administration's trade agenda, but
APA has been encouraged that the new U.S. trade representative
(USTR), Katherine Tai, is committed to enforce the Phase I deal
and review trade relations with China. He offered his
perspective that SJR 16 and SJR 17 were coming at a critical
time to encourage the administration to move in the right
direction to help Alaska's seafood industry.
3:43:37 PM
CHAIR REVAK opened public testimony on SJR 16.
3:44:01 PM
CHRIS BARROWS, President, Pacific Seafood Processors Association
(PSPA), Seattle, Washington, stated support of SJR 16 and SJR
17, calling attention to the unfair trade practices in Russia
and China that prevent Alaska seafood from competing on a level
playing field.
MR. BARROWS related that PSPA, which was founded in 1914, is
comprised of eight major seafood processing companies that
operate 25 facilities in 15 Alaskan coastal communities. These
companies purchase Alaska seafood from harvesters, process it
into various products, and distribute it to markets in the U.S.
and worldwide.
MR. BARROWS emphasized the critical importance of highlighting
that seafood is an important economic engine for the state. The
industry accounts for half of Alaskan exports, but the long-
standing and unfair trade conditions have made it increasingly
difficult to maintain and expand value for Alaska seafood
products. Federal trade policies and negotiations have
consistently failed to safeguard seafood producer interests,
while seafood imports overwhelmingly enter the U.S. duty free.
He said the biological success and importance of Alaska
fisheries has been a U.S. and Alaskan priority, but it is
equally important for the fisheries to be economically
successful. A robust U.S. seafood export economy directly shapes
the long-term health of Alaska's seafood processing sector,
including the ability to maintain and replace aging
infrastructure and obtain ongoing capital investment. It
supports Alaska fishermen, fishing communities, and related
economies that support seafood production.
MR. BARROWS thanked the committee for its support of SJR 16 and
SJR 17 to correct the long-standing injustices currently
embedded in the U.S. trade frameworks.
3:44:09 PM
SENATOR VON IMHOF joined the committee meeting.
3:46:51 PM
CHAIR REVAK discerned there was no one else who wished to
testify and closed public testimony on SJR 16. Finding no
committee comments or questions, he solicited a motion.
3:47:17 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report SJR 16, work order 32-LS0912\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
3:47:32 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced that without objection, SJR 16 moved from
the Senate Resources Standing Committee.
3:47:43 PM
At ease
SJR 17-INCREASE SEAFOOD EXPORTS
[Contains discussion of SJR 16.]
3:49:22 PM
SENATOR REVAK reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17 Requesting the
United States Trade Representative to bring a renewed focus on
the plight of producers of seafood in the state and the United
States and to compel China to comply with its commitment to
increase its imports of seafood products from the United States.
3:49:36 PM
SENATOR GARY STEVENS, speaking as chair of the Senate Special
Committee on World Trade that sponsored SJR 17, stated this
resolution has to do with retaliatory Chinese tariffs on U.S.
seafood products. According to the Alaska Seafood Marketing
Institute (ASMI), two-thirds of the seafood harvested in the
U.S. has traditionally come from Alaskan waters. Unfortunately,
market demand for Alaska seafood in China has been substantially
damaged since 2018 when China imposed tariffs on U.S. seafood
products. For example, the tariff on Alaska pollock is 500
percent higher than the same pollock that is called Russian
Alaska pollock. SJR 17 seeks to restore focus on negotiations
with China, ease the tariff war, and right the international
market in favor of Alaska seafood products
3:50:52 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE advised that SJR 17 and SJR 16 were the result
of a World Trade Committee meeting where several hours were
devoted to discussing the details of these issues.
CHAIR REVAK added it was a joint meeting with the Senate
Resources Committee, so the members are familiar with the
issues.
3:51:24 PM
CHAIR REVAK opened public testimony on SJR 17; finding none, he
closed public testimony.
SENATOR STEVENS thanked the committee for hearing the
resolutions and pointed out that testimony on the previous
resolution addressed both SJR 16 and SJR 17.
CHAIR REVAK found no further questions or comments and solicited
a motion.
3:52:13 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report SJR 17, work order 32-LS0913\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
3:52:29 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced that without objection SJR 17 moved from
the Senate Resources Standing Committee.
3:52:43 PM
At ease
HB 22-SHARED ANIMAL AND RAW MILK/PRODUCTS
3:54:35 PM
CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 22 am "An Act relating to shared
animal ownership; and relating to the sharing of raw milk and
raw milk products."
3:55:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HB 22, stated this bill is the result of five
years of working closely with farmers statewide to try to create
additional opportunities in the state's agriculture industry. HB
22 strengthens the existing herd share program by moving it from
regulation into statute. The notion is this will provide more
certainty that the program will continue to exist.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR said HB 22 also provides the opportunity for
farmers to provide herd share members with value added raw milk
products such as cheeses, yogurt, and ice cream. She described
this as a modest step to expand the herd share program after
decades of safe operation. She noted the packets contain a
sample contract that a person who participates in a herd share
program signs when they become a member. All members have an
opportunity to inspect the facility and get to know the farmer
and animals.
3:57:29 PM
She stated her office worked with the Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) to allow the department to
respond to any foodborne illness outbreak. The department
suggested the language for this new section, and it is
incorporated in the forthcoming committee substitute (CS). She
said the CS also reflects DEC's recommendation that farmers
provide two forms of contact to each herd share member.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR described HB 22 as an opportunity to improve
food security and the potential for economic development,
particularly for rural areas.
3:58:52 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced invited testimony.
3:59:12 PM
SUZY CROSBY, Owner, Cottonwood Creek Farm, Wasilla, Alaska,
presented the PowerPoint, "Managing A Goat Herd Share Operation
In Alaska." She offered her perspective that goats are a missing
link between pets and livestock. They have personalities, are
easy to handle, produce milk with minimal infrastructure, and
the cleanup is simple.
She discussed the reasons for participating in herd share listed
on slide 3. Herd share is a way for goats to help pay their way;
it connects consumers to producers; it accommodates the locavore
trend for locally grown or produced food; it provides freedom of
choice in food; and it contributes to food security in Alaska.
She pointed to the image of empty cooler case shelves at a local
store in March 2020 and compared it to the image at her farm
that same day of full refrigerator shelves in her downstairs
milking room kitchen. She said the members of her herd share
operation never experienced food insecurity related to their
weekly milk share.
4:01:07 PM
MS. CROSBY stated herd share is the only legal way to access raw
milk in Alaska. It currently is restricted to fluid milk, but HB
22 seeks to expand this. It is sustainable, community-supported
agriculture. The producer and herd share member enter into a
trust relationship where the member commits to pick up their
milk share on a regular schedule. The basis of herd share is to
know your farmer. Inspections can and do occur every time
someone goes to a farm to inquire about herd share and
thereafter every time they pick up their milk.
She described what herd share is not. It is not the grocery
store. There is no purchase associated with picking up one's
share of milk on a regularly scheduled basis. Value-added
products are not offered yet, although HB 22 seeks to allow
cheese and other value-added products within the definition of
the herd share relationship.
4:02:41 PM
MS. CROSBY directed attention to slides 7-9 that address safety
and sanitation. She emphasized the importance of keeping things
clean and the milk cold. Following these guiding principles will
ensure a good, high-quality product. She said Cottonwood Creek
Farm stresses hand washing and draws a sharp line between
excrement and food. She described the image on slide 8 and
explained the milk is accepted into the stainless canisters and
then is filtered into glass jars that are immediately put into
an ice bath in the refrigerator. Share members are educated
about the importance of keeping the product clean and cold.
She displayed images of the value-added products queso fresco,
feta with sundried tomatoes and calamata olives, and chevre, all
of which would be legal components of a herd share agreement if
HB 22 were to pass. She reviewed the benefits of HB 22 to
consumers listed on slide 13 that read as follows:
• Freedom to make food choices without restriction
• Having a variety of dairy options besides milk
• Access to digestible products for those
intolerant to commercial dairy
• Many consumers prefer ready-made vs. DIY
• Growing preference for unique locally
made/artisan food
MS. CROSBY highlighted the benefits to producers of allowing
value-added products. The slide read as follows:
• Allows for best usage of seasonal surplus milk
• Farmer can buy more hay per gallon of milk (goats
eat even during their dry period!)
• Specialty products would still be available in
winter even when fluid milk production drops
MS. CROSBY reviewed the overall benefits of HB 22 listed on
slide 15:
• Help strengthen Alaska's fragile food system
• Help prevent food waste
• Expand Alaskan agriculture by offering a new
business opportunity for farmers
4:05:27 PM
SENATOR BISHOP joined the committee meeting.
MS. CROSBY referenced Senator Kiehl's forthcoming amendment that
adds annual testing of these raw milk products the results of
which would be provided to the department. She questioned
whether it would add a fiscal note, expressed concern that the
data would not be confidential, and maintained the legislature
should be trying to make it easier rather than harder for herd
share to grow.
4:07:43 PM
CHAIR REVAK advised that the committee was not considering an
amendment at this time.
4:08:13 PM
AMY PETTIT, Executive Director, Alaska Farmland Trust, Palmer,
Alaska, began her presentation with a survey of who had eaten
today, whether it was Alaska grown, and whether they would have
liked to have eaten more Alaska grown food today. She expressed
satisfaction with the results.
MS. PETTIT stated the Alaska Farmland Trust (AFT) is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit based in Palmer that focuses on three areas: 1)
protect agricultural land; 2) promote the agriculture industry;
and 3) educate consumers and Alaskans generally about the
benefits of the agriculture industry. She directed attention to
the next several statistics slides and related the following
information:
• According to the most recent agriculture census, the number
of Farms in Alaska grew 30 percent from 2012 to 2017. In
the Lower 48, the number of farms decreased 3 percent
during the same time.
• Alaska leads the nation in the number of new farmers; 46
percent of Alaskan farmers have less than 10 years of
farming experience.
• The number of small farms with fewer than 10 acres in up 73
percent in Alaska. Securing herd share in statute allows
for responsible growth over time.
• In Alaska, 47 percent of farmers are women. The national
average is 27 percent of farmers are female.
• The value of food sold directly to consumers increased from
$2.2 million in 2012 to $4.5 million in 2017.
MS. PETTIT challenged members to name an industry that had
experienced this type of growth in five years.
4:12:25 PM
MS. PETTIT advised that HB 22 has been five years in the making
and it enjoys industry-wide support. It is about access,
removing barriers, developing economies, and expanding
production. She described this as a bipartisan issue and Alaskan
agriculture as a renewable resource that all members should
support. She directed attention to the various "free the cheese"
lapel pins depicted on slide 11 and said she would like the
sponsor to distribute them to the members if the bill passes
from committee today.
MS. PETTIT concluded the presentation displaying an image of a
child wearing an Alaska Grown sweatshirt and a statement of
support for the bill and the next generation of farmers. She
asked for a showing of hands for those who want to allow greater
access to local food today and expressed hope the cheese would
be freed this year.
4:14:56 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE stated support for HB 22 and asked her to
confirm that he would not have to wear a free the cheese pin if
it were to pass.
MS. PETTIT replied they are in hot demand, and he could probably
auction it.
4:15:27 PM
CHAIR REVAK asked Mr. Brouwer to explain the changes in the
Senate committee substitute (CS) for HB 22.
4:15:47 PM
THATCHER BROUWER, Staff, Representative Geran Tarr, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the explanation of
changes between version A.A and Version I of HB 22:
Version I adds a new subsection starting on page 2
line 6 to wit: "(c) If the department suspects or
determines that there is an outbreak of a foodborne
illness that can be traced to a facility where raw
milk or raw milk products are produced under this
section, the department may exercise its authority
under AS 17.20.005(7) and (8) and AS 17.20.200 for
that facility."
Furthermore, on page 2 lines 17-28 a new Section 2 has
been added to provide clarifying language for AS
17.20.200(a) to wit:?"or to a facility, as provided
under AS 17.20.015(c)."
The above language was added at the request of the
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and has
been agreed upon by the bill sponsor. Adding this
language would allow DEC to respond if there is a
foodborne illness outbreak related to herd share raw
milk or raw milk products. DEC believes they would be
able to investigate and respond to any outbreaks
utilizing their current resources, and therefore would
not produce a fiscal note.
4:17:09 PM
CHAIR REVAK listed the individuals available online to answer
questions.
4:17:35 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked how often herd share facilities conduct
internal tests for things like salmonella, E coli, and listeria
or if they wait to test until an illness outbreak.
MR. BROUWER responded that the last foodborne illness outbreak
associated with the raw milk program was in 2013. He deferred
further response to Ms. Crosby.
4:18:24 PM
MS. CROSBY stated that it was not industry standard to test for
those bacteria. She reported just two outbreaks in the last 20
years. Both were in the same family, and both related to
Campylobacter in cattle. She proffered her belief that
unsanitary conditions played a role.
4:18:58 PM
CHAIR REVAK found no further questions and solicited a motion to
adopt the Senate Committee Substitute.
4:19:09 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to adopt the [Senate] CS for HB 22, work
order 32-LS0212\I, as the working document.
4:19:22 PM
CHAIR REVAK found no objection and version I was adopted.
4:19:39 PM
CHAIR REVAK opened public testimony on HB 22.
4:20:08 PM
MARLENE WENGER, representing self, Kenny Lake, Alaska, stated
that she and her husband have been farming in the Copper River
Valley since 1985 and they started the Copper River Valley Farm
Bureau 20 years ago. She stated support for the sale of raw milk
products and shared that she raises goats for a hobby. They run
a grocery/feed/hardware store and sell as many Alaska grown
products as are available. She noted that Alaskan products were
available during the COVID-19 pandemic whereas products from
outside Alaska were not available. She expressed support for
local agriculture and legalizing raw dairy products.
4:21:30 PM
LARAE SMITH, representing self, Willow, Alaska, related that she
is currently a consumer of raw dairy milk and will eventually be
a producer. She said she was living in Idaho when COVID-19 broke
out and she could not find milk in the stores. She was able to
access raw milk and other local food, so she did not go hungry.
She voiced support for supporting local Alaska farmers including
dairy. It is a huge resource for the state that provides food
stability. She spoke of the health benefits of raw goat's milk
and stated support for HB 22.
4:23:24 PM
AMY SEITZ, Executive Director, Alaska Farm Bureau, Soldotna,
Alaska, stated the Alaska Farm Bureau is a grassroots
organization whose mission is to improve the economic wellbeing
and expansion of agriculture to enrich the quality of life for
all Alaskans. She emphasized that a robust local food system
will enrich the lives of Alaskans through improved access to
food and less dependence on a long and complicated supply chain.
It will also help diversify the economy.
MS. SEITZ reported that Alaskans spend close to $2 billion to
purchase food each year, just 5 percent of which is produced in
the state. She referenced the Agriculture Census that shows
Alaska farmers are able to expand. She encouraged support for
this growth through good policies. HB 22 is designed to help
farmers succeed and provide increased access to local food
products by giving herd share owners the option to produce
value-added products such as cheese, butter, and kefir. She
pointed out that HB 22 not only supports farmers and increases
food security, it also is a freedom of choice bill. It gives
people the option to choose raw milk products. She noted the
safety features of knowing the farmer, the farm, the animals,
the process, and the cleanliness of the system. The herd share
program also has built in traceability. She encouraged the
members to support HB 22 and moving it forward today.
4:25:51 PM
MILENA SEVIGNY, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, stated
support for HB 22 and shared that she is a herd share member in
Wasilla. When she moved to Wasilla with her family it was
important to find a source of goat's milk for her son who is
allergic to cow's milk. She was relieved to find local, fresh
raw milk that was dependable. She is able to visit the farm any
time to observe the care and cleanliness while milking and to
get to know the goats. Her kids know their names and ask whose
milk they are drinking.
MS. SEVIGNY related she works at the Port of Alaska and sees
first hand how quickly the food supply can get cut off. She said
the port infrastructure is deteriorating and it was a miracle it
survived the recent earthquake. Another concern is the
increasing number of late ship arrivals due to stronger winter
storms. The depleted grocery store shelves readily reflect these
late arrivals, she said. Produce and dairy are particularly hard
hit. She emphasized the importance of increasing food security
in Alaska and making local food supplies more accessible.
4:28:28 PM
CHAIR REVAK closed public testimony on HB 22.
4:28:40 PM
SENATOR KIEHL moved Amendment 1, work order 32-LS0212\I.1.
32-LS0212\I.1
Lemons
5/17/21
AMENDMENT 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR KIEHL
TO: SCS HB 22(RES), Draft Version "I"
Page 2, following line 5:
Insert a new subsection to read:
"(c) Under regulations adopted by the
department, the department may require the
collective owners of a milk-producing animal to
test, not more than once a year, a shared raw
milk product of the milk-producing animal and
provide the test results to the department."
Reletter the following subsections accordingly.
Page 2, line 23:
Delete "AS 17.20.015(c)"
Insert "AS 17.20.015(d)"
4:28:50 PM
CHAIR REVAK objected for discussion purposes.
SENATOR KIEHL stated the amendment is about basic food safety in
the commercial arena. It would require herd share owners to test
a shared raw milk product from one of their milk-producing
animals once a year and provide the test results to DEC. He
noted the department is able to specify what product is tested.
Depending on the product, the herd share owner could expect to
pay from $17 to $70 for the test. Since DEC only receives the
results, the amendment is not expected to generate a fiscal
note.
4:33:38 PM
CHAIR REVAK noted that these are small dairy operations, and
asked the sponsor her position on Amendment 1.
4:34:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR confirmed that these are small businesses
with animals that number in the dozens. She stressed that her
office sought input from DEC and annual testing was not
mentioned. She said she appreciates the intent, but she does not
believe the amendment is necessary at this time.
CHAIR REVAK commented on his experience growing up and consuming
his neighbor's raw milk cheese and said he would like to think
that these small operations would have the tests done without
the government telling them to do so.
4:36:31 PM
CHAIR REVAK maintained his objection to Amendment 1.
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked if herd share owners in remote areas
would have ready access to the tests.
4:36:55 PM
SENATOR KIEHL replied, depending on the location, the samples
may need to be mailed, which is not unlike other food businesses
subject to inspection and testing.
SENATOR KAWASAKI expressed confidence that the CS would provide
adequate protections and said the amendment was not necessary.
4:38:05 PM
SENATOR KIEHL said he still views the issue as live, but he
would withdraw Amendment 1.
SENATOR REVAK stated Amendment 1 has been withdrawn.
SENATOR MICCICHE quipped about a future goat milk bill from
Senator Kiehl.
SENATOR STEVENS observed that none of the free the cheese lapel
pins mentioned Kodiak even though that community has a very
productive goat herd.
SENATOR REVAK solicited a motion.
4:39:30 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report [SCS HB 22], work order 32-
LS0212\I, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached zero fiscal note(s).
4:39:45 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced that without objection, SCS HB 22(RES)
moved from the Senate Resources Standing Committee.
4:40:21 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Revak adjourned the Senate Resources Standing Committee
meeting at 4:40 p.m.