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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB191

Alaska Invasive Species Council Act

Last scannedSep 14, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill creates an advisory council in the Department of Fish and Game to help coordinate state efforts against invasive species.

What it does

  • Establishes the Alaska Invasive Species Council within the Department of Fish and Game as an advisory body.
  • Requires the council to recommend strategies for managing non-native species, including their importation, listing, and pathways into the state.
  • Creates an invasive species response fund in the general budget where money does not expire at year-end.
  • Mandates that the council submit a five-year strategic plan to the legislature by January 15 of each odd-numbered year.
  • Requires the council to provide guidance on how funds from the response account should be used when requested by state agencies.

Who it affects

  • State departments including Fish and Game, Natural Resources, Environmental Conservation, and Transportation and Public Facilities.
  • Federal, tribal, local government entities, universities, and nongovernmental organizations involved in invasive species management.
  • The Governor, who appoints specific voting members of the new council to three-year terms.
  • Legislators, who receive annual reports and five-year strategic plans from the council.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill text does not specify an initial dollar amount for the response fund, only that it consists of appropriations made to it.
  • This law is scheduled to be repealed on July 1, 2035.
  • The effective date of this act is listed as blank in the provided source material.

Plain language

Terms to know

Invasive species
A non-native plant or animal whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health.
Non-native species
Any biological material capable of reproducing that is not originally from Alaska or its ecosystems.
Invasive species response fund
A state account in the general fund where appropriated money stays available year after year to manage invasive threats without needing new approval each time.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT An Act establishing the Alaska Invasive Species Council in the Department of Fish and Game; relating to management of invasive species; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE1136
  2. (H) FN1: (DFG)1136
  3. (H) AM: COULOMBE, RAUSCHER, SADDLER1136
  4. (H) NR: ELAM1136
  5. (H) DP: FIELDS, HALL, MEARS, DIBERT, BURKE1136
  6. (H) RES RPT CS(RES) 5DP 1NR 3AM1136
  7. (H) Minutes (HRES)Min
  8. (H) Moved CSHB 191(RES) Out of Committee -- Delayed to 20 min. Following Session --Text
  9. (H) RESOURCES at 01:00 PM BARNES 124Text
  10. (H) Heard & HeldText
  11. (H) RESOURCES at 01:00 PM BARNES 124Text
  12. (H) RES, FIN719
  13. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS719