advocacy, on the menu
On the Menu 4.11.2025
By Rachel Lord, Advocacy and Policy Director, AFPC
Welcome to another week of activity with the Alaska Legislature! A handful of bill hearings were cancelled this week, resulting in schedule changes in various committees. When looking at the Daily Schedule at akleg.gov, each committee typically has a list of the bills they will be taking up on their agenda during that meeting. Also listed for most of them is “Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled”. This means that you (and I!) might not see a bill listed, but it’s taken up anyway. As we get closer to May, expect the pace to pick up significantly. Knowing that this is only year one of a two-year session, hopefully there won’t be quite so much last-minute bill stuffing as there was last year – it’s hard to track and, in my opinion, far from ideal policy-making.
Later this afternoon, there is a hearing with public testimony in Senate Resources on SB 128, the creation of a Department of Agriculture. That same meeting will have a public hearing for SB 139, which was introduced by Sen. Hughes on April 2 and which we haven’t started following. The bill covers a lot of ground that I haven’t looked at closely. Specifically for agriculture, SB 128 would prohibit the transfer or lease of state ag lands to citizens of countries designated as foreign adversaries or by foreign businesses who are majority owned by foreign adversaries.
We are shifting to sending OTM only to those specifically signed up for OTM! Please sign up here if you haven’t already done so!
The bills below are ones that are food systems-related and that AFPC doesn’t have a position on most legislation. If we do have a position, we will be sure to note that whenever we talk about the bill. Also, our hearing summaries are just that – summaries. For the full scoop, check out the linked videos! As always, please let us know if we’ve missed or misrepresented something, or if there’s an issue you think we should be tracking – email Rachel (advocacy@alaskafoodpolicycouncil.org).
Remember, you will be able to see all the bills we’re watching and read AFPC policy briefs as they are posted on our website. In our session preview, you can read brief summaries of most of the bills below. Hearings can be watched on Gavel/KTOO, and you can check out our calendar of hearings for bills we are watching here. Finally, if you’re interested in testifying but don’t know where to start, you can check out our simple “Tips for Testifying” document here.
Updates:
HB 140 /SB 128 Department of Agriculture (AFPC Supports)
HB 140 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, and their first hearings took place the last week of March. You can read our overview and AFPC’s position here.
HB 140 had its first hearing in House Resources on March 26. On Friday, March 28, the Senate version was heard for the first time in Senate Resources.
SB 128 will be heard again in Senate Resources today, Friday, April 11, at 3:30 PM with invited and public testimony.
HB 135 – Duties of ASMI board/Meaning 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 and 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. There was a first hearing on the bill with invited and public testimony on Thursday, March 27 in House Fisheries.
On Wednesday, April 9, Senate Resources briefly took up SB 131. After a brief presentation from Anna Latham, Deputy Commissioner of DCCED and Jeremy Woodrow, Executive Director of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, there was discussion with the committee. No public testimony was heard, and Chair Giessel kept the public testimony open for the bill’s future hearings. Concerns that were raised by committee members included the ASMI board composition (all commercial fishing harvesters and processors, and dictated by statute), and not wanting farmed fish to be included in “aquatic farm products”, if the Governor’s finfish farming bill were to pass. The bill was set aside without an amendment deadline. You can watch the hearing here.
HB 125 Membership on the Board of Fisheries
HB 125 was introduced on 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. It was heard in House Fisheries on March 18, March 25, and this week on April 8. You can read AFPC’s letter of support for HB 125 here.
House Fisheries took up HB 125 on Tuesday. TLDR: Overall, there was resounding support and appreciation for the bill and ultimately they approved an amendment and moved the bill out of committee. During the meeting, there were three amendments proposed. Rep. Stutes’ amendment #1 reinserted the guidance language for the Governor’s appointments. It removed the AFN and NOAA sideboards for names submitted to the Governor for subsistence and science seats (leaving these open to nominations from across the state). The amendment had broad support across the committee and was adopted unanimously. Rep. Vance brought forward amendment #2, which would broadly rewrite the bill and would focus on regional representation along with sector representation. There was discussion around the shared interest in fairness and representation, and support for the idea and the conversation. Ultimately, the proposed amendment was withdrawn. Rep. Vance then brought forward amendment #3, which would add language directing the Governor to give preference to the local fisheries advisory committees for appointments. There was some discussion about the composition of local advisory committees (ACs), how many are active, and what regions they represent. The amendment was voted down on a 3-3 tie vote. Following the amendment discussion, sponsor Rep. Jimmie thanked the committee for their work, and the bill was reported out of committee. It next heads to House Resources. You can watch the hearing here.
HB 111/SB 108 – Finfish Farms and Products
These bills were introduced by the governor on Friday, February 21, and February 24. HB 111 was referred to House Fisheries and Resources committees. SB 108 was referred to Senate Resources and then Finance. Significant opposition has been voiced from across the legislature, as well as from Alaskans around the state. Meanwhile, others have expressed interest in further exploring fish farming opportunities to support Alaska’s food security and independence. Alaska has a rich seafood industry and a growing mariculture industry. We have a long history of protecting wild fish harvest, with a strong international brand. You can read our policy brief here. We have also received a copy of the 1990 Alaska Finfish Farming Task Force Report, which you can find here.
SB 108 was heard for the first time with invited and public testimony on Monday, March 10 in Senate Resources. The bill was set aside with public testimony open.
HB 111 was heard on Thursday, April 10 for the first time (and, for your TLDR – the last time) in House Fisheries. Chair Stutes opened the hearing by noting that they were hearing the bill out of respect for the Department of Fish & Game and Commissioner Vincent-Lang, but she was clear on her position on the bill (it’s not going anywhere) She noted that she’s received more written testimony about this bill than anything else, ever (including education, which is saying a lot). Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang gave a bill presentation, and there was a sectional overview of the bill provided. The committee asked a number of questions, asking more about details regarding marketing, economic opportunities, and conflicts with wild fish. Rep. McCabe was very interested in having walleye in Alaska (somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but he did note he was probably the most friendly (only friendly?) person at the table towards this proposal).
Speaker Edgmon spoke strongly against the bill, and politely but vehemently expressed frustration and disappointment that the Governor would bring this forward, calling it “shockingly bad judgement by the administration.” There was public testimony from Mary McDowell, Johnny Fishmonger, Adam Cuthriell, and Jill White, Government Affairs, Central Council of Tlingit & Haida, all speaking strongly against the bill. Following some brief closing remarks, the bill was set aside. I don’t anticipate hearing about this bill again in the House. You can watch the hearing here.
SB 13/HB 154 – Summer EBT
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. It hasn’t yet been scheduled for a hearing. Read our policy brief here.
SB 13 was first heard on March 5 invited and public testimony. SB 13 was heard again in Senate Education on April 9. There was a Committee Substitute offered, that changed the Department in charge from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED) to the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED). When Sen. Bjorkman asked why this wasn’t being proposed in the Department of Health, which already oversees SNAP, Sen. Dunbar’s staff replied that DEED was the only Department that was interested. Sen. Kiehl asked about the additional overhead and why it was estimated as a higher overhead percentage than SNAP. There were continued concerns about DEED administering the program instead of DOH. We will note here that the Division of Public Assistance within the Department of Health is under significant pressure to improve the timeliness of processing applications for existing public assistance programs. Despite concerns, the Committee Substitute was adopted as the working document, and the bill was passed out of the Committee unanimously. You can watch the hearing here.
HB 60 / SB 67 – Procurement Preference for Agricultural and Fisheries Products.
These bills were introduced by the Governor on January 22 (House) and January 24 (Senate). You can read our Policy Brief here. SB 67 was last heard on Feb. 7 in Senate Resources. The House Fisheries Committee heard HB 60 on February 6 and for the second time Tuesday, February 11 where it was passed out of committee with no amendments. The bill was heard in the House Labor & Commerce on February 21.
SB 67 was scheduled for a hearing with public testimony on Wednesday, April 9 which was cancelled.
HB 34 – Alaska Innovation Council
HB 34 was introduced on January 22 by Rep. Holland (Anchorage). It is referred to the House State Affairs and Labor & Commerce committees. AFPC doesn’t have a position on this bill, but we are lightly tracking it and thinking about possible impacts on new food systems businesses.
HB 34 was first heard in the House Labor & Commerce Committee on Monday, February 10, and again on February 14 and February 24. The committee substitute (CS) for HB 34 was moved out of committee on February 24. Along with HB 30, HB 34 was scheduled for a hearing on April 10 in House Finance however the House Finance meeting was delayed and both HB 34 and HB 30 were pushed off the agenda to a future meeting.
HB 30 – Office of Entrepreneurship
HB 30 was introduced on January 22 by Rep. Holland (Anchorage). It was originally referred to the House State Affairs and Labor & Commerce committees, and had a referral for House Finance added. HB 30 was first heard on Feb. 22, and moved out of State Affairs on March 11. HB 30 was heard in House Labor & Commerce on March 17, and moved out of committee on March 23.
House Finance was added as a committee of referral to HB 30, and it was scheduled for a hearing there on April 10. However, the House Finance meeting was delayed and both HB 30 and HB 34 were pushed off the agenda to a future meeting.
No Changes From Last Week:
HB 12 – School Food for All Alaskan Kids (AFPC Supports)
Read our policy brief here. Introduced on January 22 by Rep. Dibert (Fairbanks), HB 12 is referred to the House Education and then Finance committees. Thanks to Representative Edgmon, Burke, and Galvin for signing on to HB12 as co-sponsors. HB 12 was heard for the first time in House Education on Monday, February 24.
HB 25 – Disposable container ban for restaurants
HB 25 was introduced on January 22 by Rep. Josephson (Anchorage). It was referred to the House State Affairs and Labor & Commerce committees. HB 25 was heard in House State Affairs on Tuesday, Feb. 18, Feb. 20, and Feb. 25 where it was moved out of committee. HB 25 was then heard in House Labor & Commerce (L&C), first on March 5 and again on March 14. On March 28, Rep. Hall signed on as a co-sponsor.
Budget:
On Thursday night, the House Finance committee rescinded action from last week and brought the operating budget bill (HB 53) back up again. Nothing ended up changing, and they finished less than thirty minutes later back where they started. I’m not going into it, but yikes – it was spicy. The meeting was only 27 minutes long, and as noted – they ended up right where they started. If you can stomach it, you can get an idea of the tenor between the House majority and minority members (at least on the Finance committee).
The budget bills are large and complex, with many moving pieces. Similar to last year, AFPC will do our best to track food systems interests within the Capital and Operating budgets but our capacity is limited on this front. If you have particular interests you’d like us to follow, please let me know: advocacy@alaskafoodpolicycouncil.org.
To navigate through all the departments within the operating budget, the House has Finance Subcommittees that focus on specific departments and offer amendments to the operating budget. Legislative Finance has fantastic websites for tracking the budgets – check them out here – operating and capital.
- HB 53 / SB56 – Operating Budget, both were introduced on January 22 by the Governor and referred to House and Senate Finance committees respectively. HB 53 was passed out of Finance this week and will head to the House Floor.
- HB 54 / SB57 – Capital Budget, both were introduced on January 24 by the Governor and referred to House and Senate Finance respectively. Similar to the operating budget, but simpler overall with less money.
Upcoming Public Testimony:
SB 128 – Create Department of Agriculture
Friday, April 11
Senate Resources, 3:30 PM
SB 139 – Ownership restrictions, Ag Lands
Friday, April 11 & Monday, April 14
Senate Resources, 3:30 PM
SJR 12 – NOAA Buoy Outages
Tuesday, April 15
House Transportation, 1:00 PM
we haven’t covered this resolution, but the issue came up in our Advocacy Working Group and we’ll start covering it in OTM!
Remember these can change quickly!
Keep an eye on all public testimony opportunities here.
There are 3 ways you can testify:
Email committee: Spreadsheet of Committee email addresses
Testify from your local LIO: https://akleg.gov/lios.php
Call in from your phone: 1-844-586-9085
