INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT, the official text

Enrolled SB 174 
 Establishing the Alaska Invasive Species Council in the Department of Fish and Game; 
 relating to management of invasive species; and providing for an effective date. 
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 * Section 1. AS 16.20 is amended by adding new sections to read: 
 Article 6. Management of Invasive Species. 
 Sec. 16.20.800. Alaska Invasive Species Council. (a) The Alaska Invasive 
 Species Council is an advisory council established in the department to facilitate 
 efforts by the department, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of 
 Environmental Conservation, the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, 
 and other natural-resource-related governmental entities operating in the state to 
 manage invasive species in the state by 
 (1) facilitating cooperation between state, federal, tribal, and local 
 agencies and nongovernmental organizations; 
 (2) assisting in coordination of activities to manage invasive species,

including those undertaken by local governments and nongovernmental organizations; 
 (3) recommending coordinated interagency strategies and policies 
 related to management of invasive species, including 
 (A) importation, possession, and use of invasive species; 
 (B) classification and listing of non-native species; and 
 (C) management of pathways associated with transfer of 
 invasive species; 
 (4) upon request of a state agency, providing guidance on prioritizing 
 the state agency's responses to occurrences of invasive species and how funds made 
 available under AS 16.20.810 may be best used; 
 (5) recommending expenditures from the invasive species response 
 fund; 
 (6) providing technical information and assistance to persons engaged 
 in regional and national invasive species management efforts. 
 (b) Except as provided in (c) of this section, the council consists of 
 (1) the following members appointed by the governor to three-year 
 terms: 
 (A) a representative of the University of Alaska who is 
 involved in research relating to, or management of, invasive species; 
 (B) a representative of an Alaska tribal entity who is involved 
 in management of invasive species; 
 (C) a representative of a statewide organization focused on 
 prevention, detection, and management of invasive species; 
 (D) a representative of an organization involved with 
 prevention, detection, and management of marine invasive species in the state; 
 (E) a representative involved in invasive species management 
 through a soil and water conservation district established under AS 41.10.130, 
 a conservation district established by an Alaska Native organization, or an 
 organization concerned with the health of watersheds in the state; 
 (2) one member of the house of representatives appointed by the 
 speaker of the house of representatives;

(3) one member of the senate appointed by the president of the senate; 
 (4) the commissioner of each of the following departments or the 
 commissioner's designee: 
 (A) the Department of Fish and Game; 
 (B) the Department of Natural Resources; 
 (C) the Department of Environmental Conservation; 
 (D) the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. 
 (c) The council may, as the council finds necessary, invite additional persons 
 to be nonvoting advisory members of the council. The council may invite 
 representatives or members of federal entities, local government organizations, tribal 
 governments, institutions of higher learning in the state, and other organizations with 
 expertise relating to invasive species to join the council under this subsection. The 
 council may prescribe procedures for the participation of persons added to the council 
 under this subsection. 
 (d) The council shall adopt bylaws to govern its operation. The bylaws must 
 provide procedures for 
 (1) decision making; and 
 (2) establishing subcommittees and advisory committees. 
 (e) The council shall elect a chair and vice chair from among the members 
 appointed under (b)(1) of this section. The council shall meet at least quarterly at the 
 call of the chair. A majority of the council constitutes a quorum. Meetings and council 
 votes may be held by audio or video teleconference. 
 (f) Members of the council serve without compensation and are not entitled to 
 per diem and travel expenses. However, a member appointed under (b)(4) of this 
 section is entitled to per diem and travel expenses as a state employee. 
 (g) By January 15 of each odd-numbered year, the council shall prepare and 
 present to the legislature an updated five-year strategic plan that addresses the effects 
 of invasive species on the state's natural resources and economy, states the council's 
 suggested priorities for addressing invasive species, and recommends legislation and 
 funding required to implement the council's priorities. The council shall transmit the 
 strategic plan to the senate secretary and the chief clerk of the house of representatives

and notify the legislature that the plan is available. 
 (h) By January 15 of each year, the council shall prepare and present an 
 annual report on invasive species active in the state, the effects of the activity, and any 
 measures taken to manage invasive species. The report must include other issues and 
 concerns related to invasive species that the council determines are of value to 
 policymakers. The council shall submit the report to the governor, the department, the 
 Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Conservation, the 
 Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, and the senate secretary and chief 
 clerk of the house of representatives, and notify the legislature that the report is 
 available. 
 (i) Council members appointed under (b)(1) of this section serve staggered 
 three-year terms and until a successor is appointed. A vacancy on the council shall be 
 filled in the same manner as the original appointment. If a vacancy occurs, the 
 governor shall appoint a member for the unexpired portion of the term within 60 days 
 after the occurrence of the vacancy. 
 Sec. 16.20.810. Invasive species response fund. The invasive species 
 response fund is established as an account in the general fund. The fund consists of 
 appropriations made to the fund. Money appropriated to the fund does not lapse. The 
 department may use money appropriated to the fund to manage invasive species, 
 without further appropriation. 
 Sec. 16.20.850. Definitions. In AS 16.20.800 - 16.20.850, 
 (1) "council" means the Alaska Invasive Species Council; 
 (2) "department" means the Department of Fish and Game; 
 (3) "invasive species" means a non-native species the introduction of 
 which causes or is likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to 
 human health; 
 (4) "manage invasive species" means to take actions to prevent or 
 minimize harmful effects of invasive species on the economy, the environment, public 
 health, infrastructure, and cultural heritage; 
 (5) "non-native species" includes any biological material capable of 
 propagating a species that is not native to the state or an ecosystem in the state.

* Sec. 2. AS 16.20.800, 16.20.810, and 16.20.850 are repealed July 1, 2035. 
 * Sec. 3. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 
 read: 
 APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS AND CHAIR AND TIMING AND NUMBER OF 
 MEETINGS REQUIRED IN INITIAL YEAR. (a) Notwithstanding AS 16.20.810(i), added 
 by sec. 1 of this Act, the governor shall appoint the initial members of the Alaska Invasive 
 Species Council required under AS 16.20.800(b)(1), added by sec. 1 of this Act, within 60 
 days after the effective date of this Act. The governor shall appoint the members to staggered 
 terms as follows: 
 (1) two members shall be appointed to three-year terms; 
 (2) two members shall be appointed to two-year terms; and 
 (3) one member shall be appointed to a one-year term. 
 (b) Notwithstanding AS 16.20.800(e), added by sec. 1 of this Act, the Alaska Invasive 
 Species Council shall 
 (1) hold its first meeting within 90 days after the appointment of members 
 under (a) of this section; and 
 (2) meet at least four times in the 12 months following the appointment of 
 members under (a) of this section. 
 * Sec. 4. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).