ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE  May 2, 2018 2:07 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Andy Josephson, Co-Chair Representative Geran Tarr, Co-Chair Representative John Lincoln, Vice Chair Representative Harriet Drummond Representative Justin Parish Representative Chris Birch Representative DeLena Johnson Representative George Rauscher Representative David Talerico MEMBERS ABSENT  Representative Mike Chenault (alternate) Representative Chris Tuck (alternate) COMMITTEE CALENDAR  Appointment of House Resources Committee Members to a House Resources Food Security Subcommittee PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  No previous action to record   WITNESS REGISTER  No witnesses to record ACTION NARRATIVE 2:07:37 PM CO-CHAIR GERAN TARR called the House Resources Standing Committee meeting to order at 2:07 p.m. Representatives Tarr, Rauscher, Drummond, Johnson, Parish, Talerico, and Josephson were present at the call to order. Representatives Birch and Lincoln arrived as the meeting was in progress. 2:07:59 PM ^APPOINTMENT(S): MEMBERS TO SUBCOMMITTEE 2:08:15 PM CO-CHAIR TARR announced that the only order of business would be to form a House Resources Committee subcommittee to explore food policy issues that are of interest to certain committee members. She directed attention to a document entitled, "Planning Outline: House Resources 2018 Food Security Subcommittee," dated 5/2/18, included in the committee packet, and suggested possible visits to the Delta area districts represented by Representatives Rauscher and Talerico, the Plant Materials Center, Division of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the facilities at Laboratory Services and the Office of the State Veterinarian, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON referred to previous discussion about charging dairies fees for DEC lab work. She pointed out there is only one dairy in the state and the license fee is $400,000, which is very high. She encouraged further discussion on the importance of the dairy industry in Alaska. CO-CHAIR TARR agreed. 2:15:10 PM REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND suggested a visit to the Nenana- Totchaket region referred to in the document entitled, "Building Food Security in Alaska" included in the committee packets. REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON inquired as to the conditions and availability of agricultural land in the state. [There followed further discussion related to agricultural land in Alaska.] CO-CHAIR TARR concluded forming a subcommittee provides a structure for meetings, including the public notice of meetings and teleconferencing. She directed attention to a document entitled, "Alaska's Economic Strategy Phase 1 Priorities," included in the committee packet, "Building Food Security in Alaska," and a document entitled, "Alaska Food Policy Council," included in the committee packet, and expressed her interest in continued work during interim on these topics. 2:20:24 PM REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND suggested visits to meat processing plants in Delta and Fairbanks. She referenced a previous visit to the Mt. McKinley meat packing plant. REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO described various businesses including farms, tree farms, and hydroponics at Chena Hot Springs. He said there is a yak farm at Kenny Lake and provided details related to a biomass project growing vegetables in Tok. CO-CHAIR TARR spoke of a recent visit to see vertical container farming in Juneau. She said the farmer could produce potentially 7,000 heads of lettuce per month. REPRESENTATIVE PARISH remarked the growing is done in a shipping container. [There followed an informal discussion of various farming procedures in Alaska and related topics for discussion.] [The committee took a group photo.] 2:32:56 PM ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the House Resources Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 2:32 p.m.