 Freshman legislator Representative Berta Gardner hosted a pizza party for constituents with Senator Johnny Ellis during a recent trip to Anchorage. |
Senate Bill 25, sponsored [statement] by Senators Kim Elton (D-Juneau) and Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) passed the Senate yesterday with unanimous approval. A product of the Joint Legislative Salmon Task Force, SB 25 requires Alaska retailers to identify and label foods containing fish and shellfish, or fish and shellfish products, which have been genetically modified. Many genetically modified agricultural products are allowed on the U.S. market, and an application by an aquaculture company to sell a genetically modified, growth-enhanced salmon is pending before the Food and Drug Administration. Atlantic salmon are expected to be the first species slated for genetic modification, but catfish, tilapia and others would follow close behind. The Pacific Fisheries Legislative Task Force Fish Review of December 2004 reports that Aqua Bounty, a biotechnology company with offices in the United States and Canada, is asking Canadian authorities for approval to use genetically modified fish in Canada's fish farms. Guttenberg Files Bill For Veterans' Cemetery House Bill 208, sponsored by Representative David Guttenberg (D-Fairbanks), will establish a state veterans' cemetery in the Interior. Representative Guttenberg's bill establishes a state cemetery similar to the Fort Richardson and Sitka National Cemeteries. It will provide a place in the Interior for soldiers to be laid to rest with full military funeral honors, pallbearers, rifle team, flag folding, and flag presentation. House Bill 208 authorizes the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to establish and maintain an Alaskan veterans cemetery with funds from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' State Cemetery Grants Program. Through the State Cemetery Grants Program, the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs can be awarded up to 100 percent of the development costs for an approved project. Upcoming Events- Wednesday, March 9 th-12:00-1:00 pm- The Joint Legislative Health Caucus will discuss the real-life impact of Medicaid in the Butrovich committee room on the second floor of the Capitol. The Health Caucus is co-chaired by Representative Sharon Cissna and Senator Donny Olson. For more information, please call Representative Cissna's office at 1-800-922-3875. Wednesday, March 9 th- 12:00-1:00 pm-Rally on the capitol steps highlighting the need for funding for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Health Check Program. Alaska Breast Cancer Advocacy Partners (ABCAP) representatives will present support statements to legislators at the rally. For updates and news concerning this topic go to http://www.abcap.alaska.com Saturday, March 19th-11:00-1:00 pm-Representative David Guttenberg will be in Fairbanks for a constituent meeting at the West Valley High School Library. For more information, please call Representative Guttenberg's office at 907-465-4457. Putting Alaskans First - Moving Alaska Forward |