advocacy, on the menu, state policy

On the Menu 01.23.26

January 23, 2026

By Rachel Lord, Advocacy and Policy Director, AFPC

The AK Leg kicked off the second session of the 34th Legislature on Tuesday! There was a lot of procedure to run through – new bills were assigned to committees that they have to go through to be considered for passing, sponsors of bills were added and changed, and the “committee on committees report” was approved – updating committee members for the session. There was plenty to unpack this week in the broader legislative happenings (failed veto override, Governor’s last state of the state, etc) but here we’re going to stay true to our focus on food policy bills – even as we acknowledge that the overall functionality of the state and budget deeply impact the viability of proposed policy changes!

From week-to-week, we’ll focus on bills that have been heard in committees or have some changes to update. This week, we’re going to run through each of the twenty bills we plan on tracking, and where they are in the process. AFPC will be developing new policy briefs and updating our existing ones in the coming weeks. We’re excited to be kicking off the AKLeg session with you! Let us know your questions, feedback, and how we can help you advocate for the food policies you care about for Alaska.

Bills We’re Tracking

SB 13/HB 154 – Summer EBT

Introduced last session, these bills would direct the state to participate in the national Summer EBT program which would provide grocery benefits to eligible families with school-aged children during months when school meals are unavailable. The program would be administered through the state. SB 13 was passed out of Education last year, and is now waiting to be heard in Senate Finance. HB 154 is referred to both Health & Social Services and Finance committees, but has yet to have a hearing.

SB 186 – Prohibiting soft drinks in SNAP

SB 186 was introduced last session, and it would prohibit the purchase of soft drinks using SNAP benefits in Alaska. The bill would define soft drinks for the purposes of SNAP eligibility and restrict their purchase at participating retailers. We have heard that the state may submit a federal waiver to USDA for a similar action, which would negate this bill. SB 186 is referred to Health & Social Services and Community & Regional Affairs, and has not had a hearing.

SB 187 – Prohibiting certain food dyes in school meals

SB 187 would prohibit the use of seven specified artificial food dyes in food or drinks served through Alaska public school nutrition programs. It was referred to Education and Health & Social Services, and has not had a hearing.

SB 200 – Farm & Agriculture land assessments

SB 200 was pre-filed in January. It would revise how agricultural land is assessed for property tax purposes. The bill would update assessment criteria last updated through provisions in Sen. Bjorkman’s SB 161 which were wrapped into another bill (SB 179) and passed at the very end of 2003. SB 200 would provide a path for S corporations that don’t file a Schedule F to prove commercial farm activity, expand eligible farm use to include flowers and livestock, expand livestock to include horses, and explicitly prohibit marijuana. It was referred to Community & Regional Affairs and Resources.

SB 208 – State land leasing for agricultural purposes

SB 208 was pre-filed in January. It would amend statutes governing the leasing of state land to develop and streamline provisions specific for agricultural use. It was referred to Resources and Finance.

HB 202 – Designating the giant cabbage as the State vegetable

HB 202 would designate the giant cabbage as the official state vegetable of Alaska and add this designation to state statute. The bill is in House State Affairs, its only committee, and is scheduled for hearings next week on Tuesday and with public testimony on Thursday, both starting at 3:15.

SB 128 / HB 140 – Creating a Dept. of Agriculture

Introduced last year after the Governors (first) Executive Order failed, SB 128 and HB 140 are the legislative vehicles for creating a Department of Agriculture. Note that the Governor tried for another, similar, EO this summer which led to a lawsuit between the Legislature and the Governor. A Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the Legislature on Dec. 31, and the administration says they plan to appeal to the state Supreme Court. Meanwhile … during Wednesday’s Senate Floor session, the Senate Rules committee was removed as the sponsor of the bill, and Senate Resources committee was added (“enthusiastically” noted Sen. Giessel) as the prime sponsor. Both bills are currently in their respective Resources Committees.

HB 60 / SB 67 – Procurement Preference for Agricultural and Fisheries Products

These bills would expand procurement preference percentages for Alaska-grown agricultural and fisheries products in state purchasing. AFPC has a policy brief here for more information. HB 60 was referred to Fisheries and Labor & Commerce. It passed out of Fisheries, and is currently held in L&C. SB 67 was referred to Resources then Finance, and is currently in Resources.

HB 135/SB 131– Duties of ASMI board/Definition of seafood

These bills would amend statutes related to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) to include mariculture products within their duties. HB 135 was referred to Fisheries and Resources, and has been held in Fisheries. SB 131 was passed out of Resources and is now referred to Finance.

HB 125 – Membership on the Board of Fisheries

HB 125 would revise the membership structure for the Alaska Board of Fisheries to include specific seats for members representing commercial, sports, and subsistence fisheries as well as the scientific community, and providing definitions. It was referred to Fisheries and Resources, and has passed out of both committees (with amendments) and passed the House Floor 22-17. The bill is now in the Senate, where it is referred to Community & Regional Affairs and Resources.

SB 199 – Repealing the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Limited Entry Commission (CFEC)

SB 199 was introduced this week. It would repeal statutes establishing the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Limited Entry Commission and transfer its duties to the AK Department of Fish & Game. It is referred to Resources then Finance.

SB 130 / HB 129 – Fisheries product development tax credit

Rural Health Transformation Program

This is not a bill, but a massive amount of federal dollars ($272 million per year) programmed to come into Alaska in a fast and somewhat convoluted manner to support our rural health systems. Check out the Department of Health’s webpage on it here. There are a lot of questions around RHTP, and the federal guidance continues to come out. On Thursday, Jan. 29, Commissioner Heidi Hedberg, Dept. of Health, and others will present to Senate Health & Social Services on the RHTP at 3:30.

Budget

Alaska’s financial footing has been tenuous for a long time, with competing expectations and understandings of the role of the state government, what to pay for, and how to do it. Pending capacity, we will try to provide budget updates throughout the session!

Alaska State Budget Resources

Legislative Finance Budget website
Alaska Legislative Budget Handbook, for legislators and legislative staff (November 2024)
Executive Branch – Office of Management and Budget FY2027
OMB guide to budget reports

Upcoming Public Testimony

HB 202 – Cabbage as State Vegetable

Thursday, January 29, House State Affairs, 3:15PM

Remember – things can (and often will) change! If there is a bill you’re particularly interested in, text the bill number (ie. HB202) to 559-245-2529 and you’ll get text alerts when its status changes!

Hearings can be watched on Gavel/KTOO, and you can check out our calendar of hearings for bills we are watching here.