CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 54(FIN) "An Act establishing the Alaska Invasive Species Council in the Department of Fish and Game; relating to management of invasive species; relating to invasive species management decals; and providing for an effective date." 9:04:38 AM REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR, SPONSOR, introduced herself. THATCHER BROUWER, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR, introduced himself. 9:04:59 AM Representative Tarr explained the bill. She noted the invasive species issues faced by the respective districts of all members at the table. She thought that the bill would have a positive impact on all areas of the state. She discussed the brief history of the bill. She thought that Alaska was uniquely positioned to establish the Alaska Invasive Species Council as a mean of early intervention to save expense and resource devastation. She spoke of efforts to protect certain areas of the state by known invasive species, both land and water, and the various stakeholder groups working to manage invasive species in the state. 9:11:43 AM Representative Tarr continued to discuss the legislation. 9:12:34 AM Co-Chair Bishop understood that the surcharge for boats had been conceptual. 9:12:43 AM Representative Tarr replied in the affirmative. 9:13:14 AM Senator Olson understood that the intent of the bill was to establish a council that would put forth recommendations for regulations to the department for consideration. 9:13:34 AM Representative Tarr replied in the affirmative. She added that the council would provide a strategic plan that outlined specific steps the state could take to limit vulnerability to invasive species. 9:14:33 AM Senator Wielechowski appreciated the intent of the legislation. He wondered whether the bill pertained to invasive species introduced by humans or invasive species that made their way to Alaska due to climate change. 9:15:00 AM Representative Tarr replied that the bill pertained to both. She expounded on potential vectors associated with Arctic shipping. 9:17:36 AM Senator Wilson noted the fiscal note attached to the bill. He relayed that the projected spend was $100,000 in the first year and $64,000 in outgoing years. He added that the expected revenue was $4,000, which meant the remainder would come from undesignated general funds (UGF). 9:17:55 AM Representative Tarr cited intent language at the beginning of the bill. She said that it was important that additional UGF dollars not be added and that there was funding outside of UGF dollars that could be sought to fund the council. She thought that a representative from the department could better speak to the matter. 9:19:16 AM Senator Wilson asked how much the department currently spent combating invasive species. 9:20:08 AM DAYNA MACKEY, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, JUNEAU (via teleconference), introduced herself. She asked Senator Wilson to repeat his question. 9:20:28 AM Senator Wilson asked how the bill would be funded in the outgoing years. 9:20:33 AM Ms. Mackey explained that there was not current federal funding for the bill, which meant that it would be funded with UGF dollars. She added that it was expected that other funding would be identified. 9:21:03 AM Senator Wilson asked how much the department spent combating invasive species on an annual basis. 9:21:16 AM TAMMY DAVIS, INVASIVE SPECIES COORDINATOR, DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, JUNEAU (via teleconference), agreed to provide that information. 9:21:43 AM Co-Chair Stedman asked whether Dingell-Johnson Act funds qualified for use for the invasive species issue 9:22:01 AM Representative Tarr replied understood that Dingell-Johnson Act funds could be used. She thought that a follow up with the department on the matter would be beneficial 9:22:33 AM Co-Chair Stedman remarked that there was a significant number of members on the board and the fiscal note did not account for per diem or travel. He wondered how a diverse board that represented broadly around the state could be maintained without considering travel expenses for board members, particularly those that did not live on the road system. 9:23:13 AM Representative Tarr mentioned remote participation. She thought that there could be a combination of in-person and remote participation. 9:25:17 AM Co-Chair Stedman asked whether the sponsor would support an amendment to locate the council at the Sitka Sound Science Center on the Gulf of Alaska. He suggested those on the Railbelt could attend remotely. 9:25:42 AM Representative Tarr had not considered that placement but thought that it was a possibility. She noted that the fiscal note suggested the need for some administrative support. 9:26:36 AM Co-Chair Stedman thought the location was a serious point to consider. He asserted that the Sitka Sound Science Center experience with the issue of invasive species and other marine issues. He added that marine research should be conducted on the coast, where the fish were. 9:27:27 AM Representative Tarr stated that she had served on a council with a modest travel budget, which had afforded her the ability to travel to remote places. She said she would consider the location amendment amicably. 9:28:31 AM Senator Wielechowski read from a Letter from the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association (copy on file):   Unfortunately, due to permitting delays, an elodea infestation in Alexander Lake in the Mat-Su spread from 10 acres in 2014 to over 500 acres by 2016. The cost for treatment has grew from less than $15,000 to over $1 million because of this delay, funding the State of Alaska has had to seek through grants and other sources. This two-year delay also allowed for the spread of elodea into neighboring lakes, putting more environments and resources at risk. Recent research by UAA's Institute of Social and Economic Research showed that elodea can significantly threaten Alaska salmon. The odds for Alaska salmon in elodea-infested habitats to not exist beyond 20 years from now are 4 to 1. That is an 80% probability of extirpation. It was estimated that elodea could potentially cost the commercial sockeye salmon fishing industry $159 million per year in damages should it go unmanaged. Alaska needs a council to ensure permitting, planning, coordination, and resources are available to address existing and emerging threats such as elodea. Senator Wielechowski asked whether the sponsor had looked into the research cited in the letter. 9:29:46 AM Representative Tarr replied in the affirmative. She explained that the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) study (copy on file) showed concerning numbers. She said that several of the supporting documents included vulnerability studies and research maps that showed where watercraft form the Lower 48 were coming from with known infestations of invasive species. She expressed a significant concern for Zebra Mussels and Green Crab infestations. 9:31:51 AM Senator Wilson asked whether the bill would address invasive species outside of the water. He asked about the fund established by the bill and wondered whether the fund should be outside of the general fund for better protection from lapsing. 9:32:36 AM Representative Tarr explained that the idea was that having the fund available would allow for immediate action to be taken on an infestation. 9:33:56 AM Senator Wilson expressed concern that the fund could be swept and thought an amendment should be crafted to assure that the funds did not lapse. 9:34:26 AM Senator Wielechowski cited a letter from the Alaska Invasive Species Partnership (copy on file): In the spring of 2021, invasive zebra mussels were found in Alaska attached to aquatic plants sold as "moss balls" by retailers statewide. The concern was that live zebra mussels attached to moss balls could be released into waterways when unwanted aquarium pets and plants are dumped, causing significant damage to our fisheries and infrastructure. Senator Wielechowski wondered whether the council could make recommendations to the legislature concerning moss balls and the like. 9:35:19 AM Representative Tarr replied in the affirmative. She cited Page 5, line 9 of the legislation: (g) By January 15 of each odd-numbered year, the council shall prepare and present to the legislature an updated five-year strategic plan that addresses the economic effects of invasive species, states the council's suggested priorities for addressing invasive species, and recommends legislation and funding required to implement the council's priorities. The council shall transmit the plan to the senate secretary and the chief clerk of the house of representatives and notify the legislature that the strategic plan is available. 9:36:14 AM Co-Chair Bishop thought that the sponsor could focus on the boarder crossing in Tok and whether there would be an inspection station for incoming vehicles. 9:36:55 AM Representative Tarr replied in the affirmative. She said that the project was just beginning but that the hope was that inspections for invasive species would improve at border stations. 9:37:32 AM Co-Chair Bishop asked whether the bill considered invasive species on land. 9:37:54 AM Representative Tarr replied that currently the Department of Natural Resources was tracking terrestrials and the Department of Fish and Game was handling aquatic invasives. She noted that occasionally they overlapped as was the case with Elodea, which was an aquatic plant. She said that jurisdictions could often be questioned, and that the council would work to provide clarity on the matter. 9:39:01 AM Mr. Brouwer discussed the Sectional Analysis (copy on file): Section One  Adds a new section to uncodified law that states it is the intent of the legislature that the Department of Fish and Game does not use money from the state's general fund to support the Alaska Invasive Species Council, and instead finds other sources of funding to support the council. Section Two  Section 16.20.800 establishes the invasive species management decals. The decals will be produced by the Department of Fish and Game annually and made available for sale to the public. The fee for the decal will be determined by the Alaska Invasive Species Council and set in regulation. The department will work in conjunction with the Alaska Invasive Species Council described in Sec. 16.20.810 to design and produce the decals. The legislature may then appropriate the proceeds from the sale of the decals to further produce the decals or to the invasive species response fund described in Sec. 16.20.820, to carry out the work of invasive species response. Section 16.20.810 establishes the Alaska Invasive Species Council in the Department of Fish and Game. The council will be comprised of representatives from the Departments of Fish and Game, Natural Resources, Environmental Conservation and Transportation and Public Facilities. Furthermore, the council will have members from stakeholder organizations and industries appointed by the governor to three-year terms, as well as representatives from federal agencies that deal with invasive species. The will also be two members from the House of Representatives and two members from the Senate. Additionally, Section 16.20.810 outlines the responsibilities of the council. This section requires that the council be responsible for facilitating cooperation between state, federal, tribal, local agencies, and nongovernmental organizations in the management invasive species. The council will be tasked with recommending coordinated interagency strategies and policies related to the management of invasive species. The council will also provide guidance on how to prioritize the response to invasive species and how to best use funds from the invasive species response fund. Lastly, the council will be responsible for selecting designers of the invasive species control decals and approving and promoting the designs. Furthermore, Section 16.20.810 provides guidance on council meetings and deliverables. The council will meet at least once a year, and by January 15th of each odd-numbered year, the council shall produce a plan that addresses the economic impact of invasive species and recommends legislation and funding to implement the council's priorities. Section 16.20.820 establishes an invasive species response fund in the general fund and allows the department to use the funds to prevent, control, or eradicate invasive species. Section 16.20.850 defines commissioner, council, department, invasive species, management of invasive species and non-native species. Section Three  Section 37.05.146 adds the invasive species decal fee to the list of separately accounted program receipts. Section Four  Adds a July 1, 2029, sunset date all the sections in the bill. Section Five  Gives direction to the governor regarding the appointment of the members, chair, as well as timing and number of meetings in the initial year. Section Six  Establishes an immediate effective date. 9:42:35 AM Representative Tarr explained that the sunset date was added in the other body. She said that she agreed to the sunset because it would allow for an evaluation of the work of the council. 9:44:15 AM DANIELLE VERNA, PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND REGIONAL CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL, VALDEZ (via teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation. She believed that the council would be beneficial to the state by creating coordinated strategies between stakeholders. She similar council were already working in Washington and Oregon. She thought that monitoring invasive species in the state was important and discussed the ways that invasive species were transported to the states land and waters. She encouraged the committee to consider the benefit of invasive species prevention. 9:49:11 AM Co-Chair Bishop OPENED public testimony. 9:49:32 AM LISA KAAIHUE, COOK INLET AQUACULTURE ASSOCIATION, KENAI (via teleconference), testified in support of the bill. She spoke of the affects of invasive species on the salmon population. She believed the establishment of a council and response fund was critical to dealing with the issue of invasive species in the state. 9:51:32 AM DAVID MARTIN, SELF, CLAM GULCH (via teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation. He said that the council would not only help to develop plans to eradicate invasive species in the stat but would also educate the public. He spoke of the various ills of invasive species in the state both on land and in water. 9:53:47 AM PAUL SHADURA, SELF, KALIFORNSKY (via teleconference), testified in support of the legislation. He stated that he was a commercial fisherman, so he understood the issues related to invasive species. He spoke of various action taken on the issue at the federal level. Co-Chair Bishop CLOSED public testimony. HB 54 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.