CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 330(RES) "An Act relating to noxious weed, invasive plant and agricultural pest management and education; and providing for an effective date." REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG JOHNSON, presented an overview for HB 330. He reported that the bill would create a Weed Coordinator for the state, develop a weed plan, and create a Weed Board. He maintained that these three requirements are necessary to tap into federal funds which would allow Alaska to coordinate with other states for weed eradication of invasive species. Representative Johnson mentioned that there have been invasive species entering into the state with no plan to deal with this problem. 9:19:26 AM Representative Johnson reiterated that there is no plan in place to deal with invasive plant problems. He recounted that as the warming trend continues in the state, invasive species are becoming more prevalent. Representative Johnson declared that invasive species are often deadly to the local habitat and can cause severe economic havoc to state farms and the economy. He revealed that Alaska is in the preventative stage, not eradication phase. This bill would set up the mechanism process to keep these species out of Alaska. 9:21:47 AM Senator Elton mentioned that under some federal programs, fisheries are considered agriculture. He wondered if dealing with invasive plants and animals brought in by ships would be part of the responsibility of the new position. 9:22:32 AM Representative Johnson reported that it is not clearly outlined in this bill as HB 330 would act as a first step in the process. The bill does not specifically address animal or insect invasion species. He maintained that the new Weed Coordinator could expand into these other areas. Senator Elton remarked that his reading of the bill does not prohibit it. He encouraged the Committee to look at and focus on the maritime issues in the future. 9:24:16 AM Co-Chair Stedman recounted that several communities in Alaska are actively seeking both water exports. Representative Johnson supported the movement to include the water borne and non-indigenous plants and animals invading Alaska but he reminded the Committee that this bill was designed to narrow in on what is possible at this time. 9:25:11 AM Senator Olson requested the number of states that have a Weed Coordinator and Weed Board. He also questioned Canada's process for dealing with this issue. Representative Johnson reported he was not familiar with Canada's program but that most of the western states have this program. He explained that the agriculture in western states has been hard hit by invasive plants and the land where invasive species have been found has been devalued. 9:26:32 AM Senator Dyson advised that the maritime invasive conditions are killing off many of the natural species. He mentioned an agreement among western states is starting to allow the inspection in one jurisdiction to be recognized in another jurisdiction. Senator Dyson specified his concern over the farm fish invasion into Alaska waters, as farmed fish have been discovered in eighty six Alaskan rivers. 9:27:46 AM Senator Dyson reported hearing that some gardening stores in Alaska are selling ornamental plants that are listed as invasive species. He hoped that this commission would produce a list of what can not be sold in Alaska. He also questioned if federal funding would preclude being used on noxious animals and seaborne creatures. Representative Johnson replied he is not certain on the federal requirements as there has not been a mechanism in place up to this time. He recounted that some ornamental invasive plants sold in stores were added to the list and one of the charges of this board would be to update the list. 9:29:48 AM Co-Chair Stedman requested Representative Johnson expand on the potential for federal grants and the state matching requirements. Representative Johnson responded that securing federal grants would be part of the new weed coordinator's position. He believed this could lead to hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal money without state matching funds. Co-Chair Stedman referred to the four fiscal notes. 9:31:17 AM Senator Elton questioned on Page 2, Section 1, line 24, where it states that the new coordinator shall coordinate with the University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Service and the Alaska Association of Conservation Board of Directors. Senator Elton suggested the addition of coordinating with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game who already have an invasive species person on staff. Senator Olson questioned if the federal grants were ongoing or only there for a few years, ultimately requiring state funds. 9:33:00 AM Representative Johnson revealed he was not aware how long the federal programs would last. The weed problem is a widely recognized problem which causes huge economic losses in western states. He did not envision this as a problem going away but the state legislature needs to determine if it is worth pursuing. 9:33:47 AM BRYCE WRIGLEY, ALASKA FARM BUREAU, DELTA JUNCTION testified via teleconference in support of this bill. He revealed that Alaska is in a unique position to eliminate many of the invasive species before they become a major problem. He stressed that Alaska has the knowledge and tools to deal with this before it becomes a greater problem. This legislation could bring all the agencies together to develop a management strategy. He believed this bill would start putting an eradication plan into place. 9:35:34 AM JANICE CHUMLEY, KENAI SOIL AND CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE testified via teleconference, supported this bill. She indicated noticing more invasive plants appearing throughout the Kenai Peninsula in recent years. She reminded the Committee that Alaska is the only state without an overwhelming amount of invasive species and now is the time to remain in this position. 9:37:05 AM Representative Johnson signified that this bill is the first step to deal with the invasive species problems and, as more is learned, to continue to tackle more invasive plant and animals species problems. 9:37:50 AM CSHB 330 (RES) was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further consideration. AT EASE: 9:38:00 AM RECONVENED: 9:59:52 AM 9:59:58 AM