Senate Bill 282, introduced by Senate Democratic Whip Kim Elton (D-Juneau), will require Alaska restaurant menus to identify if fish is wild or farmed. State law already provides that farmed fish be identified on the label when the fish is sold at the retail level.

"Recent reports in the scientific and general media focus on increased toxin loads in farmed fish and environmental degradation near fish farm sites," Elton said. "Restaurant consumers in Alaska deserve the same notice as retail consumers when they make purchase decisions based on whether the fish is farmed or wild."

Senate Bill 281, also introduced by Senator Elton, requires retail package labels to identify fish or fish products that are genetically modified. Senate Bill 281 is similar to legislation introduced in other fish-conscious states. It requires retailers to identify fish and shellfish or fish and shellfish products whose genetic structure has been altered by means not possible under natural conditions.

"These fish are commonly called Frankenfish," Elton said. "Consumer and environmental groups are legitimately concerned about genetically modified foods, including fish. The scientific community also has significant questions about problems associated with escaped genetically modified fish affecting wild stocks."

Led by the efforts of Representative Sharon Cissna (D-Anchorage), the House and Senate Democrats today formed a Legislative Health Caucus to safeguard the health of Alaskans. Representative Cissna will serve as the founding minority co-chair for the coming year.

"As we address the state's fiscal problems, it is imperative that we simultaneously watchdog health concerns," said Cissna. "Chronic health conditions create mammoth costs to the state, which is why our first meeting will focus on cost containment through prevention."

The caucus will meet every other Wednesday, and upcoming topics will address Alaskan seniors' health care issues, workers' comp insurance, and health care workforce development. Statewide teleconferencing will be available for each meeting, and the public is encouraged to participate in the discussions.

For more information, contact Representative Cissna's Juneau office at 1-800-922-3875.

Senate Bill 284, introduced by Senator Gretchen Guess (D-Anchorage), and House Bill 411, introduced by Representative Eric Croft (D-Anchorage), will protect Alaskans' privacy rights. A survivor of domestic violence brought attention to the fact that the list of PFD applicants and their addresses are currently public information. Although this appears benign on the surface, to victims of violent crime, disclosing their mailing address can be a terrifying and potentially life-threatening mistake.

Senate Bill 284 and House Bill 411 would allow a Permanent Fund Dividend applicant to check a box to keep the information disclosed on their form private, except in cases where disclosure of such information is required by the state or federal government.

Nobody should have to put themselves or their family at risk to receive their permanent fund dividend," says Representative Croft. "This bill protects Alaskans' privacy rights."

"A family should not only be able to collect a PFD without fearing for their lives," says Senator Guess. "The community at large should have the option to keep their information private."

Thursday, January 29 th -12:00 noon to 1:00 pm-Egan Forum, featuring Representative Harry Crawford, Representative Eric Croft, and Representative Guttenberg on "The Petition Process", Baranof Hotel, Juneau

Tuesday, February 3 rd -11 am -12pm (public testimony from 11:15-12) and Thursday, February 5 th , 11 am - 1pm (public testimony only if carry over from Tuesday)- The House Education Committee has formed a subcommittee tasked to hear all the current Base Student Allocation proposals, and to come up with a number for consideration by the main committee. Rep. Gara will sit on the subcommittee.

Wednesday, February 4 th - 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.- "Stop Fiscal Hemorrhaging in Health Services A discussion of how to decrease health cost drivers: Chronic Conditions and Crisis Prevention", Butrovich Room, State Capitol. Statewide Teleconference. For more information, contact Representative Cissna's Juneau office at 1-800-922-3875

Putting Alaskans First - Moving Alaska Forward