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SENATE BILL NO. 174
IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION
BY SENATOR DUNBAR
Introduced: 4/14/25
Referred: Resources, Finance
A BILL
FOR AN ACT ENTITLED
"An Act establishing the Alaska Invasive Species Council in the Department of Fish and 1
Game; relating to management of invasive species; and providing for an effective date." 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 3
* Section 1. AS 16.20 is amended by adding new sections to read: 4
Article 6. Management of Invasive Species. 5
Sec. 16.20.800. Alaska Invasive Species Council. (a) The Alaska Invasive 6
Species Council is an advisory council established in the department to facilitate 7
efforts by the department, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of 8
Environmental Conservation, the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, 9
and other natural-resource-related governmental entities operating in the state to 10
manage invasive species in the state by 11
(1) facilitating cooperation between state, federal, tribal, and local 12
agencies and nongovernmental organizations; 13
(2) assisting in coordination of activities to manage invasive species, 14 34-LS0901\A
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including those undertaken by local governments and nongovernmental organizations; 1
(3) recommending coordinated interagency strategies and policies 2
related to management of invasive species, including 3
(A) importation, possession, and use of invasive species; 4
(B) classification and listing of non-native species; and 5
(C) management of pathways associated with transfer of 6
invasive species; 7
(4) upon request of a state agency, providing guidance on prioritizing 8
the state agency's responses to occurrences of invasive species and how funds made 9
available under AS 16.20.820 may be best used; 10
(5) recommending expenditures from the invasive species response 11
fund; 12
(6) providing technical information and assistance to persons engaged 13
in regional and national invasive species management efforts. 14
(b) Except as provided in (c) of this section, the council consists of 15
(1) the following members appointed by the governor to three-year 16
terms: 17
(A) a representative of the University of Alaska who is 18
involved in research relating to, or management of, invasive species; 19
(B) a representative of an Alaska tribal entity who is involved 20
in management of invasive species; 21
(C) a representative of a statewide organization focused on 22
prevention, detection, and management of invasive species; 23
(D) a representative of an organization involved with 24
prevention, detection, and management of marine invasive species in the state; 25
(E) a representative involved in invasive species management 26
through a soil and water conservation district established under AS 41.10.130, 27
a conservation district established by an Alaska Native organization, or an 28
organization concerned with the health of watersheds in the state; 29
(2) one member of the house of representatives appointed by the 30
speaker of the house of representatives; 31 34-LS0901\A
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(3) one member of the senate appointed by the president of the senate; 1
(4) the commissioner of each of the following departments or the 2
commissioner's designee: 3
(A) the Department of Fish and Game; 4
(B) the Department of Natural Resources; 5
(C) the Department of Environmental Conservation; 6
(D) the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. 7
(c) The council may, as the council finds necessary, invite additional persons 8
to be nonvoting advisory members of the council. The council may invite 9
representatives or members of federal entities, local government organizations, tribal 10
governments, institutions of higher learning in the state, and other organizations with 11
expertise relating to invasive species to join the council under this subsection. The 12
council may prescribe procedures for the participation of persons added to the council 13
under this subsection. 14
(d) The council shall adopt bylaws to govern its operation. The bylaws must 15
provide procedures for 16
(1) decision making; and 17
(2) establishing subcommittees and advisory committees. 18
(e) The council shall elect a chair and vice chair from among the members 19
appointed under (b)(1) of this section. The council shall meet at least quarterly at the 20
call of the chair. A majority of the council constitutes a quorum. Meetings and council 21
votes may be held by audio or video teleconference. 22
(f) Members of the council serve without compensation and are not entitled to 23
per diem and travel expenses. However, a member appointed under (b)(4) of this 24
section is entitled to per diem and travel expenses as a state employee. 25
(g) By January 15 of each odd-numbered year, the council shall prepare and 26
present to the legislature an updated five-year strategic plan that addresses the effects 27
of invasive species on the state's natural resources and economy, states the council's 28
suggested priorities for addressing invasive species, and recommends legislation and 29
funding required to implement the council's priorities. The council shall transmit the 30
strategic plan to the senate secretary and the chief clerk of the house of representatives 31 34-LS0901\A
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and notify the legislature that the plan is available. 1
(h) By January 15 of each year, the council shall prepare and present an 2
annual report on invasive species active in the state, the effects of the activity, and any 3
measures taken to manage invasive species. The report must include other issues and 4
concerns related to invasive species that the council determines are of value to 5
policymakers. The council shall submit the report to the governor, the department, the 6
Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Conservation, the 7
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, and the senate secretary and chief 8
clerk of the house of representatives, and notify the legislature that the report is 9
available. 10
(i) Council members appointed under (b)(1) of this section serve staggered 11
three-year terms and until a successor is appointed. A vacancy on the council shall be 12
filled in the same manner as the original appointment. If a vacancy occurs, the 13
governor shall appoint a member for the unexpired portion of the term within 60 days 14
after the occurrence of the vacancy. 15
Sec. 16.20.810. Invasive species response fund. The invasive species 16
response fund is established as an account in the general fund. The fund consists of 17
appropriations made to the fund. Money appropriated to the fund does not lapse. The 18
department may use money appropriated to the fund to manage invasive species, 19
without further appropriation. 20
Sec. 16.20.850. Definitions. In AS 16.20.800 - 16.20.850, 21
(1) "council" means the Alaska Invasive Species Council; 22
(2) "department" means the Department of Fish and Game; 23
(3) "invasive species" means a non-native species the introduction of 24
which causes or is likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to 25
human health; 26
(4) "manage invasive species" means to take actions to prevent or 27
minimize harmful effects of invasive species on the economy, the environment, public 28
health, infrastructure, and cultural heritage; 29
(5) "non-native species" includes any biological material capable of 30
propagating a species that is not native to the state or an ecosystem in the state. 31 34-LS0901\A
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* Sec. 2. AS 16.20.800, 16.20.810, and 16.20.850 are repealed July 1, 2035. 1
* Sec. 3. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 2
read: 3
APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS AND CHAIR AND TIMING AND NUMBER OF 4
MEETINGS REQUIRED IN INITIAL YEAR. (a) Notwithstanding AS 16.20.810(i), added 5
by sec. 1 of this Act, the governor shall appoint the initial members of the Alaska Invasive 6
Species Council required under AS 16.20.800(b)(1) within 60 days after the effective date of 7
this Act. The governor shall appoint the members to staggered terms as follows: 8
(1) two members shall be appointed to three-year terms; 9
(2) two members shall be appointed to two-year terms; and 10
(3) one member shall be appointed to a one-year term. 11
(b) Notwithstanding AS 16.20.800(e), added by sec. 1 of this Act, the Alaska Invasive 12
Species Council shall 13
(1) hold its first meeting within 90 days after the appointment of members 14
under (a) of this section; and 15
(2) meet at least four times in the 12 months following the appointment of 16
members under (a) of this section. 17
* Sec. 4. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c). 18