SENATE SPECIAL CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 Disapproving Executive Order No. 136. 9:58:06 AM LIZ HARPOLD, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, addressed SSCR 1. She explained that SSCR 1 was a resolution to disapprove EO 136, the governor's proposal to create a Department of Agriculture. The resolution noted the authority of the governor to create a department through executive order and also outlined how the legislature had 60 days to disapprove an executive order in resolution taken up in joint session. She made a procedural note that hearing and moving the resolution in committee as not a reflection of any member's intent to vote for or against the resolution in joint session at a later time. 9:59:13 AM Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony. 9:59:48 AM AT EASE 10:00:16 AM RECONVENED DYLAN BLANKENSHIP, SELF, POINT MACKENZIE (via teleconference), testified in opposition to SSCR 1. He grew hay to feed livestock in his region. He mentioned the 2022 United States Census, which indicated that Alaska was only one of five states that gained farms as it was losing them. He mentioned many farms for sale in his area. He cited that the average age of an Alaskan farmer was 58 years old. He mentioned the Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund, through which he had purchased his farm. He was concerned about the viability of funds and his future financing opportunities. He discussed food security and the support he had been given by the Division of Agriculture. He was concerned about the future of farming in the state and the lack of support for farmers. 10:03:10 AM BERNIE KARL, FARMER, CHENA HOT SPRINGS (via teleconference), spoke in opposition to SSCR 1. He believed that the only two ways to create wealth was through growing or mining. He thought Alaska had the ability to grow and even export food. He discussed food production in the Netherlands. He referenced Co-Chair Hoffman's comments about rural Alaska. He discussed the need for greenhouses in every community to take advantage of power. He discussed the use of power and greenhouses in Chena Hot Springs. He referenced greenhouses in Bethel and mentioned Alaska's long growing season. He emphasized that agriculture was the future. He thought the state's founding fathers knew the importance of agriculture. He had been in the state for 50 years. 10:06:48 AM SCOTT MUGRAGE, PRESIDENT, ALASKA FARM BUREAU, DELTA JUNCTION (via teleconference), spoke in opposition to the resolution. He was a farmer and rancher and was President of the Alaska Farm Bureau. He relayed that the Alaska Farm Bureau strongly supported EO 136. He acknowledged the concerns related to growth in government. He thought the industry had huge potential. He referenced recommendations from the task forces and emphasized the need for consistent support for agriculture through different administrations. 10:08:52 AM RACHEL LORD, ALASKA FOOD POLICY COUNCIL, HOMER (via teleconference), testified in opposition to SSCR 1. She shared that the Alaska Food Policy Council strongly supported the establishment of the Department of Agriculture. She expressed support for the Division of Agriculture and Commissioner Boyle. She continued that her organization worked closely with many stakeholders across the state and thought for the development of stronger more sustained agricultural sector there needed to be high-level focus and collaboration. She reiterated Mr. Mugrage's remarks regarding the task force recommendations. 10:10:48 AM AT EASE 10:10:57 AM RECONVNEED AMY SEITZ, ALASKA FARM BUREAU, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference), spoke in opposition to SSCR 1. She relayed she was a third-generation farmer that lived on the property her grandparents started in 1948. She conveyed that the Alaska Farm Bureau was in strong support of EO 136. She wanted agriculture to have stronger voice in the state. She contended that agriculture was not a priority of DNR, and that having a cabinet level seat would bring more focus to what was needed and for building relationships for markets. She considered timing and pondered that the state currently had momentum and potential in agriculture. She cited increased numbers of farms and local products. She mentioned the peony industry and the rise of agri-tourism. She thought the new department would increase food security and build a strong agriculture industry. 10:14:56 AM MARSHALL TRENT, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), testified against SSCR 1. He advocated for the new department and the strategic development of agriculture in the state. He considered that a deliberate state-led approach was needed, with coordinated policies and resources. He discussed the slim margins in agriculture and discussed agricultural loans. He discussed loan limitations. He referenced Mr. Blankenship's remarks. He emphasized the need for a long-term strategic approach. He mentioned federal loan guarantees. He requested urgent action and permanent investment capital. 10:18:43 AM Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony. Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to report SSCR 1 out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. He noted that the action did not reflect an intent by any member to vote for or against the special concurrent resolution disapproving Executive Order 136 in joint session. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Co-Chair Hoffman reiterated that there was work to be done with the current administration. He thought questions had arisen regarding the implementation of EO 136. He relayed that the committee would go forward and continue dialog with the administration. SSCR 1 was REPORTED out of committee with one previously published zero fiscal note: FN 1(SRES). 10:20:20 AM AT EASE 10:21:32 AM RECONVENED ^PRESENTATION: FY 45 MEDICAID ENROLLMENT and SPENDING IN ALASKA REPORT (MESA) DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 10:22:09 AM TED HELVOIGHT, PRESIDENT, EVERGREEN ECONOMICS, discussed a presentation entitled "MESA FY2025 FY2045 Long-Term Forecast of Medicaid Enrollment and Spending in Alaska March 3, 2025" (copy on file). Mr. Helvoight looked at slide 2, "Long-Term Medicaid Forecast ('MESA') • Requested by the Alaska Legislature in 2005 • First forecast completed in 2006 • 20-year projection updated annually • Assumes current Medicaid structure remains in place Provides a baseline for analysis of proposed initiatives • Provides insights into trends in AK population, Medicaid enrollment, utilization, reimbursement rates, and spending Co-Chair Hoffman handed the gavel to Co-Chair Stedman. 10:24:14 AM AT EASE 10:27:50 AM RECONENVED Co-Chair Stedman relayed that there had been an issue with the presentation, and the committee would consider the topic at Wednesday's meeting. Co-Chair Stedman discussed the agenda for the upcoming meeting.