House Passes Frankenfish Labeling Bill
Elton, Gary Stevens legislation
wins unanimous support

Senate Bill 25, sponsored [statement] by Senator Kim Elton (D-Juneau) and Senator Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak), which requires labeling of fish sold in Alaska that have been genetically modified, was passed unanimously by the House this week. The bill became known as the Frankenfish bill. The Senate bill passed unanimously in March.

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.

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.

SB 25 is now on its way to the Governor for his signature.

Resolution Supporting Parents and Families Passes House

House Concurrent Resolution 11, sponsored by Representative Sharon Cissna (D-Anchorage), declares July 24, 2005 "Parents Day" in Alaska. Congress has declared the fourth Sunday in July, July 24 this year, to be Parent's Day. The resolution encourages all parents to commit themselves to responsible and nurturing parenting to ensure the sound development of their children and to build strong and healthy communities.

HCR 11 is in the Senate Health Education and Social Services Committee.

Cover the Uninsured Week 2005
Health Caucus kicked off Alaska's events

Now in its third year, Covered the Uninsured Week is the largest nonpartisan mobilization in history on the issue of the uninsured. Hundreds of thousands of people across the country will participate May 1-8 in community service and education events.

The Joint Legislative Health Caucus opened the Cover the Uninsured Week with a discussion of the issue of the uninsured in Alaska on Monday.

The health caucus took testimony from uninsured Alaskans, heard presentations from health industry professionals and discussed the future of health coverage in Alaska. Twenty percent of Alaskans are estimated to have no health insurance, and, as the cost of providing health insurance continues to rise, more and more Alaskans are finding it impossible to afford health insurance.

The Joint Legislative Health Caucus is an informational forum for legislators, staff and the public to learn about important health care issues facing the State of Alaska. The Health Caucus is co-chaired by Rep. Sharon Cissna, D-Anchorage, and Sen. Donny Olson, D-Nome.

Putting Alaskans First - Moving Alaska Forward

Sen. Bettye Davis, Sen. Johnny Ellis, Sen. Kim Elton, Sen. Hollis French, Sen. Gretchen Guess,
Sen. Lyman Hoffman, Sen. Albert Kookesh, Sen. Donny Olson, Rep. Ethan Berkowitz,
Rep. Sharon Cissna, Rep. Harry Crawford, Rep. Eric Croft, Rep. Les Gara, Rep. Berta Gardner,
Rep. Max Gruenberg, Rep. David Guttenberg, Rep. Reggie Joule, Rep. Mary Kapsner,
Rep. Beth Kerttula, Rep. Carl Moses, Rep. Woodie Salmon