HB 54-INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT
4:37:48 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced the consideration of 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."
[CSHB 54(Fin) was previously heard on 3/11/2022.]
4:37:50 PM
CHAIR REVAK stated that the committee worked with the sponsor to
improve certain aspects of the bill. He then solicited a motion
to adopt the Senate Committee Substitute (SCS).
4:38:06 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to adopt the Senate Committee Substitute
(SCS) for CSHB 54, work order 32-LS0057\D, as the working
document.
4:38:19 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked whether the motion was to adopt version B or
version D.
SENATOR MICCICHE clarified that the motion was to adopt Version
D. He restated the motion.
4:38:52 PM
CHAIR REVAK objected for discussion purposes.
4:39:13 PM
TIM LAMKIN, Staff, Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, reviewed the Explanation of Changes
for Version N to Version D. He stated that Version D is the
result of a request by Senator Stevens to amend CSHB 54(Fin) in
conjunction with an agreement with the sponsor. He stated that
Version D primarily made two substantive changes:
1) Version N, Page 2, lines 5 and 6.
Refer to a fixed $20 dollar fee for decals.
Version D, Page 3, lines 5 and 6.
4:39:51 PM
MR. LAMKIN paraphrased the changes.
Changes the fixed dollar amount to an amount recommend
by the advisory council. It was considered more
flexible and appropriate to put fee setting in
regulation rather than come before the legislature
time and time again to request fixed dollar amount
changes. Especially, since the cost of decals may
increase over time.
2) Version D, Page 4, Lines 13-17.
Legislative representation was added to include two
members of the house of representatives appointed by
the speaker of the house of representatives, including
one member of the minority organizational caucus; and
two member so the senate appointed by the president of
the senate, including one member of the minority
organizational caucus.
MR. LAMKIN stated that the legislative representation is
consistent with the composition of other task forces set up by
the legislature. He stated that this would bring the membership
of the council to 31 members. Since the council would be
substantially represented by private sector members, and because
it is a public policy forum that conceivably would use public
dollars, the governor would appoint one of the four
commissioners as the chair of the council.
4:41:06 PM
MR. LAMKIN referred to page 5, line 4, which read, "A majority
of the council constitutes a quorum." He said this is consistent
with task force language. Finally, on page 5, lines 17-18, "A
vacancy on the council shall be 18 filled in the same manner as
the original appointment." He noted Legislative Legal Services
made conforming amendments.
4:41:30 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE asked whether Senator Stevens had volunteered
to serve on the Alaska Invasive Species Task Force [Council].
4:41:48 PM
SENATOR STEVENS clarified that the council was comprised of 31
members. He offered his support for Version D.
4:42:12 PM
CHAIR REVAK withdrew his objection; he heard no further
objection, and Version D was adopted as the working document.
CHAIR REVAK solicited the will of the committee.
4:42:39 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report the Senate Committee Substitute
(SCS) for CSHB 54, work order 32-LS0057\D, from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s).
4:43:02 PM
CHAIR REVAK found no objection, and SCS CSHB 54(RES) was
reported from Senate Resources Standing Committee.