Agriculture
HB 140 /SB 128 Department of Agriculture
HB 140 /SB 128 Department of Agriculture: This and SB 128 were introduced after the Governor’s Executive Order 136 failed (you can review the rundown in the OTM from March 21, and read an Alaska Beacon article here). I haven’t yet dug into the full text of both, but I believe they are currently pretty much identical to one another, and substantively identical to the Governor’s EO (with a handful of conforming changes that don’t change the substance of the proposal). Both bills were referred to their respective Resources and Finance Committees. You can read our overview and AFPC’s position here.
HB 60/ SB 67 Procurement Preferences for Agricultural and Fisheries Products
These companion bills make it easier for Alaska-grown food and locally harvested seafood to be chosen when cities, the state, or schools buy food with public money. Right now, these buyers have to choose local products if they cost no more than 7% more than similar items from outside Alaska, and they’re allowed to pick local if the price difference is up to 15%. This proposed legislation raises those limits to 10% and 25%, giving local farmers and fishers a better shot at selling their products. The goal is to keep more food dollars in Alaska and support local food producers.
Sponsor: SENATE AND HOUSE RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
FAILED - HSCR 1/SSCR 1: Disapproving Executive Order No. 136 (Department of Agriculture creation)
Both of these pertain to the Establishment of a Department of Agriculture (which AFPC Supports) – you can read more about Executive Orders from the Governor, and the general overview of Divisions vs. Departments, on our blog here.
As an Executive Order, the Legislature can either let it go into effect by doing nothing, or vote it down – no amendments are allowed to an Executive Order. The vehicle for taking action on an EO is a piece of legislation that would take the only action available – disapproval. Those are HSCR 1 and SSCR 1– Disapproval of EO 136. HSCR 1 (House Special Concurrent Resolution) was introduced on January 27 and was referred to the House Resources and Finance committees. SSCR 1 (Senate Special Concurrent Resolution) was introduced on January 27 and was referred to the Senate Resources and then Finance committees.
You can read a thorough overview of the EO and some background in our Policy Brief here.
School Nutrition
HB 12 Free Breakfast and Lunch in Public Schools (WE SUPPORT)
This would amend Alaska Statute 14.17 to provide, subject to appropriation, sufficient funding from the Department of Education and Early Development for school districts to provide breakfast and lunch to any student at no cost to the student. It specifies that the Department shall maximize the state’s receipt of available federal assistance. Read our policy brief here.
Sponsors
House: Reps. Dibert, Burke, Edgmon, Galvin
Food Access
SB 13/HB 154 Summer EBT for Children (WE SUPPORT)
These bills require the state to do everything necessary to participate in the federal Summer EBT program. You can read more here about the program and Alaska not participating last year.
SB 13 was introduced on January 22 by Senator Dunbar (Anchorage). It is referred to the Senate Education and then Finance committees. HB 154 was introduced by Rep. Mears on March 24, and is co-sponsored by Rep. Fields. It is referred to House Social Services and then Finance. Read our policy brief here.
Sponsors
Senate: Sen. Dunbar
House: Rep. Mears
Food Sovereignty
HB 125 Membership on the Board of Fisheries (WE SUPPORT)
HB 125 Membership on the Board of Fisheries
HB 125 was introduced March 5 by Representative Jimmie, and is co-sponsored by Reps. Foster, Kopp, and Burke. It amends the membership of the Board of Fisheries to specify sector representation from Board members. It is referred to House Fisheries and then Resources. You can read our letter of support here.
Other Bills
HB 25 Disposable Food Service Ware
With some exceptions, this bill would prohibit the use of polystyrene foam disposable food service ware by restaurants.
Sponsors
House: Rep. Josephson
HB 30 Establishing the office of entrepreneurship
- The proposal would require annual procurement reports that include reporting on contracts with new Alaska businesses, including demographic information and providing recommendations on improving access to procurement contracts for new businesses in the state.
- It would also remove the state business license fee for new businesses.
- HB 30 would establish a new Office of entrepreneurship within the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
- The proposed bill would direct state agencies to collectively expend at least 5% of funds appropriated for economic development programs for support organizations or programs that provide services to new businesses in the state.
- “New businesses” are defined as “a business with its principal place of business in the state that has been in operation for less than five years.”
Sponsors
House: Rep. Holland
HB 34 Establishing the Alaska Innovation Council
- The bill would establish the Alaska Innovation Council within the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. It would have 19 members, the focus of each seat is specified within the bill language.
- Under the proposed language, the council would advise the governor, legislature, agencies, research institutions, and the private sector on four primary topics around business development in the state.
- The Council would also prepare an innovation and economic competitiveness plan for each legislature.
Sponsors
House: Rep. Holland
HB 111 Finfish Farms and Products
House Bill 111, introduced by Governor Dunleavy, proposes lifting Alaska’s 1990 ban on finfish farming by creating a permitting system for inland, closed-system farms while prohibiting salmon farming. The bill assigns regulatory oversight to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game and the Department of Environmental Conservation, modifies several state statutes, and exempts farmed finfish from Alaska’s seafood marketing definition. While aimed at boosting food security and economic opportunities, the bill faces strong opposition due to concerns over wild fisheries protection and environmental impact.
Sponsor: Governor Dunleavy
HB 135/SB 131- Duties of ASMI board/Definition of seafood
HB 135/SB 131– Duties of ASMI board/Definition of seafood
HB 135 and SB 131 were introduced Friday, March 14 by the Governor. HB 135 is referred to House Fisheries and then Resources. SB 131 is referred to Senate Resources then Finance. The bill has two sections, and adds ‘aquatic farm products as defined in AS 16.40.199’ to the definition of seafood as it relates to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. It also clarifies, to be consistent with this expanded definition of seafood, that their work covers the handling of seafood from the moment of capture or harvest (that’s the added language!) to final distribution.