SB 174-INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT  4:42:07 PM CHAIR GIESSEL announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 174 "An Act establishing the Alaska Invasive Species Council in the Department of Fish and Game; relating to management of invasive species; and providing for an effective date." 4:43:01 PM SENATOR DUNBAR, speaking as the sponsor of SB 174, provided a brief overview. He said this legislation would help prevent, eradicate, and control invasive species in Alaska and would reduce their long-term impacts. He provided several examples of invasive species and their impacts. 4:44:19 PM CHAIR GIESSEL opened public testimony on SB 174. 4:44:33 PM AL BARRETTE, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified with concerns on SB 174. He said that AS 16.05.255 gives the Board of Game some authority on this issue. The board has created regulations under 5 AAC 92.029. He suggested adding a Board of Game member to the council. He expressed concern that SB 174 would result in two competing statutes. 4:46:45 PM KIM TITUS, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified with concerns on SB 174. He said he is a retired wildlife professional and provided a brief overview of his work around the state. He said he is an avid user of Alaska's fish and wildlife resources and expressed a desire to keep [invasive species] out of Alaska. He expressed support for the creation of the Alaska Invasive Species Council and for broad representation on the proposed council; however, he questioned why there is no federal land management agency representation. He noted that SB 174 designs a complex, non-regulatory coordination system. He said there is a fair amount of invasive species work occurring in the state, including work done by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). MR. TITUS noted that 5 AAC 92.029 restricts the introduction of non-native wildlife and associated diseases into the state. DNR has a strategic plan for invasive weed and agricultural pest management and prevention. He expressed concern related to the definitions of "invasive species," "invasive species management," and "non-native species." He said these definitions do not consider the natural progression of species into and/or across the state. He offered examples to illustrate these concerns. He opined that SB 174 is overly complex insofar as it applies to activities that are already occurring in the state. 4:49:48 PM CHAIR GIESSEL closed public testimony on SB 174. 4:50:02 PM RACHEL LEVY, Staff, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the sectional analysis for SB 174: [Original punctuation provided.] SECTIONAL ANALYSIS  SB 174: INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT Version A (34-LS0901\A) 4.23.2025 "An Act establishing the Alaska Invasive Species Council in the Department of Fish and Game; relating to management of invasive species; and providing for an effective date." Section 1 Amends AS 16.20 to add three subsections. AS 16.20.800 establishes the 11-person Alaska Invasive Species Council; outlines the council's role in managing invasive species; and establishes the form, function, membership, responsibilities, and expectations of the council. AS 16.20.810 establishes the invasive species response fund as an account in the general fund. AS 16.20.850 defines "council," "department," "invasive species," "manage invasive species," and "non-native species." Section 2 Sets a date of repeal for the new subsections of July 1, 2035 Section 3 Amends the uncodified law of the State of Alaska to add a new section detailing (a) the appointment and terms of members by the governor and (b) the timing of the first meeting within 90 days of appointment of members and the number of meetings required in the initial year at four. Section 4 Sets an immediate effective date under AS 01.10.070(c). 4:51:15 PM SENATOR DUNBAR explained that his interest in invasive species management began with a slug species in Cordova. He shared that he attended a meeting of the Alaska Invasive Species Partnership (AKISP) in 2022. He said the partnership has identified a need for greater coordination of the invasive species work being done in the state. He stated that many professionals working on this issue are in support of the proposed council. Eighteen states have similar councils. He surmised that none of those states rely on their state's natural resources to the degree that Alaska does. He emphasized Alaska's pristine environment and said invasive species have the potential to do great harm. He said he is working with another legislator on invasive species issues, specifically European green crab, which is threatening red king crab populations. He reiterated that professionals who work with invasive species requested the creation of the council. 4:52:55 PM SENATOR CLAMAN said European choke cherry is an invasive species impacting the Anchorage area. He explained that, in addition to removal, there are concerns related to the use of chemicals. He commented that protecting the natural habitat comes with a diverse set of challenges. 4:53:26 PM SENATOR DUNBAR replied that as a member of the Anchorage Assembly one he worked to ban the sale of European choke cherry (Prunus padus). He explained that the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) planted European choke cherry for erosion control. He emphasized that this is an example of a lack of communication and coordination between departments. He briefly discussed the negative environmental impacts of European choke cherry. 4:54:25 PM SENATOR HUGHES asked why AKISP could not address this issue, rather than creating a separate entity. 4:54:45 PM SENATOR DUNBAR replied that AKISP has expressed frustration at the limited number of invasive species addressed in Alaska Statutes. He explained that AKISP has informed the department that additional species should be added; however, those changes have not been made. He shared his understanding that AKISP believes creating an official council within ADF&G would be a more effective way to address this issue. He noted that private organizations are working to address invasive species management; however, creating a council would provide an official forum through which to address these issues. 4:55:45 PM [CHAIR GIESSEL reopened public testimony on SB 174.] 4:56:17 PM CASEY DINKEL, Manager, Alaska Plant Materials Center, Division of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Palmer, Alaska, provided information related to SB 174. He said the Alaska Plant Materials Center hosts and works with Cody Jacobson, the state's invasive plant coordinator to manage invasive species throughout the state. He briefly discussed Elodea (waterweed) an invasive aquatic weed that Mr. Jacobson has been working on eliminating. He noted that Elodea has been a focus for the past several years. The Division of Agriculture is unable to address all invasive plant issues across the state simultaneously. He stated that there are many invasive species in Alaska's agricultural sector, including orange hawkweed and bird vetch. He said Mr. Jacobson works closely with agencies across the state to address the different invasive species. He indicated that the invasive species council would provide an additional layer of information to the industry and indicated that this would help the Division of Agriculture tackle invasive species issues. He emphasized that successfully addressing invasive species requires statewide coordination and funding. 4:59:00 PM [CHAIR GIESSEL closed public testimony on SB 174.] 4:59:06 PM SENATOR DUNBAR thanked the committee. 4:59:14 PM CHAIR GIESSEL held SB 174 in committee.