advocacy, on the menu, state policy

On the Menu 05.01.26

April 30, 2026

By Rachel Lord, Advocacy and Policy Director, AFPC

It’s hard to believe it’s the first of May, especially given how continually cold it’s been. As a small-scale farmer for almost 15 years, this is the latest spring I have on record. The legislature, meanwhile, continues on with the clock ticking. The constitutional end of session is May 20, and the budget is their one mandatory duty. Other bills are moving, however, as work on the budget progresses. 

We’re looking at some bill movement next week. On Monday, SB 187 is up again in House Education, SB 130 will be heard again in House Finance with public testimony, and SB 208 will be heard again in Senate Finance. On Friday, HB 296 – a House companion bill for SB 208, will be heard for the first time in House Resources with invited and public testimony. Throughout the week, House Finance has scheduled hearings on the capital budget. SB 200 is scheduled for the House Community & Regional Affairs committee next Thursday, pending referral from the Senate after it passes the Floor (it is still awaiting scheduling there!). 

Last week I was with colleagues from the Food Bank of Alaska, attending the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference and meeting with the Congressional Delegation. As I’m sure you’ve heard, the House passed their version of the Farm Bill this week. We’ll be out with a DC recap blog, and providing some updates on Congressional happenings impacting Alaska’s food systems in the next few weeks. Reach out and let us know what questions you have! 

Check out our food systems calendar for relevant hearings and presentations, and always check akleg.gov for the most up-to-date information.

Updates

SB 208 – Agricultural land leases

Senate Finance heard SB 208 for the first time on Monday morning. Sponsor Sen. Bjorkman and staff Laura Achee gave an overview of the bill. There was invited testimony in support of the bill from Amy Seitz, Alaska Farm Bureau, Margaret Adsit, Alaska Farmland Trust, and Emily Garrity, Twitter Creek Gardens. There was public testimony in support of the bill from Robert Gibson, Homer. Sen. Stedman asked Rachel Longacre, Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources, if they have a process for updating lease prices over time. She answered that this bill would allow the Department to develop regional market rates for new leases, and that the three existing ag leases could be reassessed at the time of their renewal. Sen. Stedman asked a number of other questions around when the re-opening of those leases would be and the ability to pass down leases in a family. Longacre answered that the point of renewal would be when they would be reassessed and that assignment to a new lessee is allowed on their leases. Sen. Kiehl asked about land sold under the bill, and Longacre confirmed that ag covenants would be required. Sen. Kiehl also asked about the process for designating and disposing of agricultural land and planning. Staff noted that the bill as drafted does not change those existing provisions. The bill was set aside, and you can watch the hearing here. 

SB 187– Prohibiting Food Dyes in School Meals

SB 187 passed the Senate last week, and was heard on Monday morning in House Education. Bill sponsor Sen. Wielechowski and staff gave a brief overview of the bill. Rep. Story expressed her appreciation for the sponsor having reached out to schools directly. Rep. Himschoot asked about the changed language that specifies school breakfast and lunch instead of “school meals”. Staff explained concerns around the law applying to food served by PTAs, at school events, during summer meal programs, which are not provided by the school district. Rep. Elam asked about the range of foods the schools would have available, and collaboration with other states on these kinds of restrictions. Staff noted that there are quite a few substitutes for existing items that would be provided, and spoke to the timing of food procurement as well as the implementation of these restrictions in other states. There was further discussion around the changes happening with food manufacturers as a result of these laws around the country. Brittani Robbins, Alaska Community Action on Toxics, provided invited testimony in support of the bill. There was no public testimony. Rep. Schwanke spoke in support of the MAHA movement, and the bill but asked about the enforcement. Staff noted while there is momentum, this would codify and empower parents to ask and ensure schools are complying. The bill was held with an amendment deadline of Thursday afternoon. You can listen to the hearing here. In the House, the bill has picked up a handful of cross-sponsors including Rep. Josephson, Holland, Frier, and Eischeid.

SB 130 – Fisheries Product Development Tax Credit

After passing the Senate, SB 130 was heard in House Finance on Wednesday morning. Sen. Stevens and staff provided an overview of the bill. The heard invited testimony with support and  information about the utility of the fisheries product development tax credit for diversifying fisheries, value-added product development, and more from Julie Decker, Pacific Seafood Processors Association, Abby Fredrick, Silver Bay Seafoods, Megan O’Neil, Canfisco Group USA, and Tom Enlow, UniSea Inc. Rep. Allard expressed concern about the expansion to all fish and shellfish, and asked about the financial impacts. Staff Tim Lamkin gave background on recommendations from various seafood task forces over time, and the success of the expansion on fisheries. Staff gave more information on how the program works regarding the tax credit. There were more conversations about the retroactivity clause and clarifying language, the diversified fisheries at hand, state versus federal waters (this bill addresses fisheries in Alaskan waters), the large list of supporting fisheries fleets and businesses across the state. The bill was set aside, and you can listen to the hearing here.

No Changes This Week:

Check out our bill tracker here to see all the food policy bills we are tracking, and where they are in the legislative process.

Budget

Capital budget (SB 214)

The House Finance committee continued discussions on the capitol budget. They took public testimony on Wednesday afternoon. There were nearly 250 pages of written testimony submitted, much of which was in opposition to $94M for development of the West Susitna Industrial Access Road project. Additional written comment was supporting funding for the Homeless Assistance Program, and an outpatient behavioral youth center in the Mat-Su Borough. House Finance is hearing the capital budget again on Friday morning.

Operating budget (HB 263)

Senate Finance took up a committee substitute for the operating budget this week, and on Thursday morning moved it from committee. The next stop is the Senate Floor. We are excited to see $300,000 included for the Alaska Farmers Market Association’s continuation of the Market Match program (see our letter of support here). While this is well below the ask of $750,000, continuing legislative support for this SNAP/WIC/Senior Nutrition matching funds at farmers markets around the state. The funding is directed through the Dept. of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. You can find the language on page 75, lines 25-30 in the current operating budget CS, version E here. The operating budget includes the additional nearly $8M in administrative costs shifted to the state from the federal government in H.R. 1. However, the current version still cuts $8M from the Division of Public Assistance to continue the Virtual Call Center. The VCC provides statewide assistance for people calling about SNAP, Medicaid, and other Public Assistance programs. The budget documents from DPA state, “Discontinuation of the Virtual Contact Center would place significant operational strain on the division, delay access to critical assistance programs, disrupt service delivery, and risk noncompliance with federal and State requirements. Sustaining the VCC through FY2027is a prudent and necessary investment in the department’s ability to meet statutory obligations and serve Alaskans efficiently and effectively.” We are unclear as to why the legislature has eliminated this funding, and what their alternatives are for supporting Alaskans seeking information about these programs. We will be reaching out to further understand the implications if the funding remains out of the budget.

Alaska State Budget Resources

Upcoming Public Testimony

SB 130 – Fisheries Product Development Tax Credit
House Finance
Monday, May 4, 9 AM
Email house.finance@akleg.gov

HR 296 – Agricultural Land Leases
House Resources
Friday, May 8, 1 PM
Email house.resources@akleg.gov 

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!

You can also see the list of public testimony options at the state website here: https://akleg.gov/pages/testify.php 

Hearings can be watched on Gavel/KTOO, and you can check out our calendar of hearings for bills we are watching here. If you’re interested in testifying but don’t know where to start, you can check out our simple “Tips for Testifying” document here.