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Work to Continue on Legislation Creating a
Department of Agriculture
Senate Resources Committee to Resume Consideration of SB 128
in 2026 Regular Session
Anchorage, AK - Last session, Governor Dunleavy introduced Executive Order 136 to create a new Department of Agriculture. The order received hearings in both the Senate Resources and Senate Finance Committees, where members of the public provided thoughtful testimony. Many good ideas were raised, but due to the nature of executive orders, none of those recommendations could be incorporated into the proposal.
Ultimately, after thorough deliberation, the Alaska Legislature voted to reject the Executive Order during a joint session. Lawmakers expressed concern over the unclear cost of establishing a new department and the limited scope of its proposed duties. Because the Legislature cannot amend an Executive Order, only vote to approve or reject, it was voted down to allow a more inclusive and transparent public process to move forward.
In response, the Senate Rules Committee introduced Senate Bill 128, a legislative vehicle that allows for full public input and amendment. SB 128 has already received three hearings in the Senate Resources Committee and now reflects many of the recommendations offered by stakeholders and Alaskans during earlier testimony.
Key provisions in SB 128 now include:
- Establishing a Division of Food Security to improve local food resilience;
- Creating a Division of Mariculture to support and market Alaska’s mariculture products;
- Supporting agricultural businesses and the marketing of Alaska-grown products;
- Promoting agricultural research and innovation.
The Senate remains committed to working through the details of a Department of Agriculture that reflects the real needs of Alaskans and the state’s growing agricultural and mariculture sectors.
“During the last legislative session, we listened to the public and incorporated their feedback into a stronger, more comprehensive bill,” instead of an executive order that could not be adapted to fit the real needs of Alaska’s agriculture industry,” said Senator Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, Chair of the Senate Resources Committee. “Senate Bill 128 represents the open, deliberative process that Alaskans expect and deserve when major changes to state government are on the table. We will continue the work on this bill next session and evaluate its merits.”
Public comments on SB 128 are encouraged and can be submitted to: SenateResources@akleg.gov
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