HB 54-INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT  1:05:20 PM CHAIR PATKOTAK announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 54, "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." [Before the committee was CSHB 54(FSH).] 1:06:11 PM REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR, Alaska State Legislature, as chair of the House Special Committee on Fisheries, sponsor of HB 54, relayed a current events story about Zebra mussels shutting down a water system. She expressed hope that agencies across the state can work together to ensure that the invasive species issues in Alaska won't reach the magnitude of those seen in the Lower 48. 1:07:25 PM REPRESENTATIVE CRONK said that this proposed legislation would create a "humongous" invasive species council, and that he doesn't see the need for legislation of this magnitude. 1:08:45 PM REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY said he has firsthand experience with invasive species and understands the concern. He then asked how the state would manage invasive species on federal land. REPRESENTATIVE TARR replied that one of the advantages of this model of invasive species management is having the participation of federal, state, and tribal partners. She then explained that the quorum requirements for the Invasive Species Council under HB 54 would facilitate efficient work. REPRESENTATIVE MCKAY noted the cost of approximately $62,000 per year. REPRESENTATIVE TARR said that the program would be funded largely through federal funds, and deferred to Legislative Liaison Rachel Hanke. 1:12:29 PM RACHEL HANKE, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), explained that funding should come partially from federal grants, with additional funds raised through the sale of invasive species management decals. 1:12:59 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS thanked Representative Tarr as chair of the House Special Committee on Fisheries and noted that it's difficult to know how to deal with the threat of invasive species. He expressed concern about the effect of ticks on moose populations. 1:14:49 PM REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN spoke in favor of CSHB 54(FSH) and said that the Invasive Species Council would provide the framework for federal, state, tribal and private organizations to work together. She discussed governmental bureaucracy and said that the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), each have specific powers that overlap in some areas, leaving gaps in others. She said, "I really think it is time for us to put into statute something to address invasive species, versus depending on individual agencies to advocate and say, 'I see a problem, who else needs to know about this, how do we work to prevent it from spreading?'." 1:17:44 PM REPRESENTATIVE GILLHAM opined that DNR appeared to be doing "a pretty good job" eradicating invasive species and questioned the need for a 27-member committee. He then noted that Ms. Hanke said there "should" be federal funding, instead of saying there "will" be federal funding, and asked what could happen if the federal funds are not received. 1:18:32 PM REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE detailed a personal experience with an invasive flora species and its negative impact. He noted that HB 54 would create a council that "comes up with a plan" and that council members would serve without compensation, per diem, or travel expenses. He expressed his support of HB 54. 1:20:36 PM The committee took an at-ease from 1:20 p.m. to 1:22 p.m. 1:22:32 PM REPRESENTATIVE TARR said that a sunset date for the Invasive Species Council under HB 54 could be added. She then quoted an excerpt from a report [included in committee packet] provided by Tammy Davis, Invasive Species Program Coordinator at ADF&G, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: Minnesota DNR states, "Adult mussels can survive out of water less than five days in dry conditions, but up to 21 days in very wet conditions". They go on to state, "Microscopic larvae (veligers) can survive in water contained in bait buckets, live wells, bilge areas, ballast tanks, motors and other water containing devices." 1:24:30 PM REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER moved to report CSHB 54(FSH) out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 54(FSH) was reported out of the House Resources Standing Committee.