CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 217(FIN) "An Act relating to civil liability for risks inherent in farm touring; relating to the state and municipal procurement preferences for agricultural products harvested in the state and fisheries products harvested or processed in the state; relating to merchandise sold and certain fees charged or collected by the Department of Natural Resources; and providing for an effective date." 2:16:26 PM DIANA RHODES, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR, provided a brief description of the bill from the sponsor statement as follows: House Bill 217 seeks to create more opportunities for small scale producers, strengthen our local food systems, and grow our local economies. 1. Authorizes receipt authority for the Dept. of Natural Resources (Division of Agriculture) - to collect a fee for promotional merchandise related to the Alaska Grown logo; 2. Encourages "farm touring," which is defined in statute and provides protection from civil liability; 3. Encourages the State of Alaska, municipalities and schools to buy more Alaska Grown agricultural and fisheries products, by providing more flexibility in procurement rules. Co-Chair MacKinnon related that she had previously sponsored many bills related to procurement. She noted that the bill raised procurement from 7 percent to not more than 15 percent. Vice-Chair Bishop reviewed the fiscal note. He conveyed the fiscal impact note information for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), FN3(DNR) allocated to Agricultural Development in the amount of $5 thousand in Designated General Funds (DGF) and gaining estimated revenue of $10 thousand per year based on the amount of Alaska Grown marketing materials distributed in previous years. He read from page 2 of the fiscal note: The bill allowed DNR to sell merchandise and charge fees associated with the Alaska Grown trademark. The department will continue to manage the Alaska Grown program through existing staff. Additional merchandise will be purchased through program receipts for inventory replacement. 2:19:03 PM Vice-Chair Bishop MOVED to REPORT CSHB 217(FIN) from committee with individual recommendation and accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSHB 217(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with one fiscal impact note: FN 3(DNR). 2:19:30 PM AT EASE 2:21:38 PM RECONVENED