Finance committee refers SB208 on agricultural leases and SB174 on invasive-species management to other committees

The Alaska Senate Finance Committee on May 4 voted by unanimous consent to refer two bills to other panels for further consideration.

Senate Bill 208, described at the hearing as the agricultural land lease bill, had been heard by the committee on April 27 with public testimony and a fiscal note reviewed; the committee recorded that no amendments had been submitted. A committee member moved to send SB208 from committee with its attached fiscal note and recommendations; the chair asked if there was objection and, hearing none, the bill was referred to the next committee for consideration.

Senate Bill 174, described as legislation on invasive-species management, likewise had been heard April 27 with testimony and fiscal notes reviewed and with no amendments submitted. A committee member moved that SB174 (version A) be moved from committee with its attached fiscal note and recommendations; when the chair asked for objection none was raised and the bill was referred to the Rules Committee.

The record shows these referrals were handled by unanimous consent; the transcript does not record a roll-call vote, the names of movers or seconders beyond the spoken motions, or any recorded amendments. Both bills were described as having had prior public testimony and fiscal review on April 27. The committee adjourned after completing the day's agenda and announcing a 9 a.m. follow-up meeting the next day.

What happens next: referral means each bill will be scheduled for consideration by the committee to which it was sent; further hearings, amendments or roll-call votes could be recorded at those subsequent committee meetings.