 News From The Alaska Republicans April 04, 2002 Ward's Bill on Fish Labeling is Now Law (JUNEAU) - Sen. Jerry Ward, watched Wednesday as his legislation allowing labeling of wild salmon became law during a bill signing ceremony with Gov. Tony Knowles. This was the third bill this session the governor has signed. SB 208, which is now law, will allow labeling of salmon and halibut products sold in Alaska to be labeled as "wild," as well as "antibiotic, hormone and dye free," provided the fish is harvested from an ocean or river and has not been raised in captivity. Read the full text of this news release. Audio actualities:
(JUNEAU) - What first looked like a 100-proof objection to raising Alaska's alcohol tax is now looking more like watered-down beer, as research reveals that Alaska's cumulative taxation of alcohol is actually the lowest in the nation, Rep. Lisa Murkowski said Wednesday. Murkowski has sponsored HB 225, which would raise Alaska's alcohol excise tax from about 3 to 4 cents tax per drink of beer, wine or distilled spirits by a dime a drink, the first increase since 1983. The bill is an effort to increase alcohol excise tax revenue from $12.1 million per year to approximately $34 million per year to help offset the estimated $250 million to $483 million annual state costs for alcohol abuse. "In focusing on just excise taxes, however, we had been overlooking the fact that that is the only state tax Alaskans pay on alcohol," Murkowski said. "Most other states have not only an excise tax, but also general sales taxes, special alcohol sales taxes, and even special taxes for on-premise consumption of alcohol - not to mention special alcohol sales taxes and other levies in many major tourist cities." HB 225 remains in the House Finance Committee, where it has rested dormant since being tabled Feb. 6. Read the full text of this news release. Audio actualities:
(JUNEAU) - Alaska's fishermen will be able to continue defending and expanding their wild salmon markets at home and abroad, under legislation sponsored by Rep. Lesil McGuire and passed unanimously by the HouseWednesday. The Alaska Legislature first
authorized the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) in 1993
to collect a 1 percent tax on the value of salmon at the docks,
to fund the Institute's efforts to market Alaska's signature
seafood products to the rest of the nation. The "By authorizing fishermen
to continue supporting ASMI by assessing themselves this small
fee, the Legislature is simply giving fishermen a critical financial
tool they need to market the best seafood product in the world,"
McGuire said. The tax raised about $2.5 million last Read the full text of this news release. Audio actualities:
(JUNEAU) - Adults who illegally provide alcohol to minors could face felony penalties of up to five years in prison if the youths then injured or killed others while under the influence of that alcohol, under a bill the House passed Tuesday. House Bill 330 raises the sanction for such crimes from a class A misdemeanor to a class C felony in recognition of the serious consequences that can result when adults give liquor to children, said Rep. Norman Rokeberg, who sponsored the bill as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. "It is important that
individuals who purchase alcohol for minors be appropriately
punished when those minors go on to hurt or kill someone while
under the influence of alcohol," Rokeberg said. "This
bill sends a clear message that the people of Alaska will not
condone Read the full text of this news release.
(JUNEAU) - Alaska's welfare programs would more vigorously guide recipients away from dependence on cash benefits and toward employment and self-sufficiency, under a bill passed by the House Tuesday. "House Bill 402 provides
authorization for a significant, if not profound, cultural shift
in how we assist people in our state," said Rep. Fred Dyson,
who introduced the measure as chair of the House Health, Education
and Social Services Committee. "It is literally Read the full text of this news release.
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(JUNEAU) - The House Monday passed a bill that would clarify the fish and game commissioner's ability to issue commercial fishing openings, and that would require the state Board of Fish to show scientific justification before considering changing its meeting agenda. "Currently the Board of Fish can take up anything if they declare a conservation concern," Scalzi said. "It's very subjective, and there's some risk that this discretion could be misused. This bill simply requires some scientific justification by requiring the department to issue a finding that conservation is actually an issue. It takes the politics out of the Board of Fish, and makes such decisions much easier for them." Read the full text of this news release.
(JUNEAU) - Young Alaskans seeking the benefits and experience of paid labor would have an easier time obtaining the government permission required under state law under HB 128, which passed the House unanimously on Monday. Rep. Scott Ogan introduced
HB 128 in response to concerns from constituents who want to
employ young people on their farms, but who found it takes so
long for minors to comply with state law by applying to and waiting
for approval from the commissioner of the state Read the full text of this news release.
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