INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT

Enrolled SB 174
LAWS OF ALASKA

2026

Source Chapter No.
SB 174 _______

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.

_______________

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

THE ACT FOLLOWS ON PAGE 1

-1- Enrolled SB 174

AN ACT

Establishing the Alaska Invasive Species Council in the Department of Fish and Game; relating 1
to management of invasive species; and providing for an effective date. 2
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* Section 1. AS 16.20 is amended by adding new sections to read: 4
Article 6. Management of Invasive Species. 5
Sec. 16.20.800. Alaska Invasive Species Council. (a) The Alaska Invasive 6
Species Council is an advisory council established in the department to facilitate efforts 7
by the department, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of 8
Environmental Conservation, the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, 9
and other natural-resource-related governmental entities operating in the state to 10
manage invasive species in the state by 11
(1) facilitating cooperation between state, federal, tribal, and local 12
agencies and nongovernmental organizations; 13
(2) assisting in coordination of activities to manage invasive species, 14

Enrolled SB 174 -2-
including those undertaken by local governments and nongovernmental organizations; 1
(3) recommending coordinated interagency strategies and policies 2
related to management of invasive species, including 3
(A) importation, possession, and use of invasive species; 4
(B) classification and listing of non-native species; and 5
(C) management of pathways associated with transfer of 6
invasive species; 7
(4) upon request of a state agency, providing guidance on prioritizing 8
the state agency's responses to occurrences of invasive species and how funds made 9
available under AS 16.20.810 may be best used; 10
(5) recommending expenditures from the invasive species response 11
fund; 12
(6) providing technical information and assistance to persons engaged 13
in regional and national invasive species management efforts. 14
(b) Except as provided in (c) of this section, the council consists of 15
(1) the following members appointed by the governor to three-year 16
terms: 17
(A) a representative of the University of Alaska who is involved 18
in research relating to, or management of, invasive species; 19
(B) a representative of an Alaska tribal entity who is involved in 20
management of invasive species; 21
(C) a representative of a statewide organization focused on 22
prevention, detection, and management of invasive species; 23
(D) a representative of an organization involved with prevention, 24
detection, and management of marine invasive species in the state; 25
(E) a representative involved in invasive species management 26
through a soil and water conservation district established under AS 41.10.130, a 27
conservation district established by an Alaska Native organization, or an 28
organization concerned with the health of watersheds in the state; 29
(2) one member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker 30
of the house of representatives; 31

-3- Enrolled SB 174
(3) one member of the senate appointed by the president of the senate; 1
(4) the commissioner of each of the following departments or the 2
commissioner's designee: 3
(A) the Department of Fish and Game; 4
(B) the Department of Natural Resources; 5
(C) the Department of Environmental Conservation; 6
(D) the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. 7
(c) The council may, as the council finds necessary, invite additional persons to 8
be nonvoting advisory members of the council. The council may invite representatives 9
or members of federal entities, local government organizations, tribal governments, 10
institutions of higher learning in the state, and other organizations with expertise relating 11
to invasive species to join the council under this subsection. The council may prescribe 12
procedures for the participation of persons added to the council under this subsection. 13
(d) The council shall adopt bylaws to govern its operation. The bylaws must 14
provide procedures for 15
(1) decision making; and 16
(2) establishing subcommittees and advisory committees. 17
(e) The council shall elect a chair and vice chair from among the members 18
appointed under (b)(1) of this section. The council shall meet at least quarterly at the 19
call of the chair. A majority of the council constitutes a quorum. Meetings and council 20
votes may be held by audio or video teleconference. 21
(f) Members of the council serve without compensation and are not entitled to 22
per diem and travel expenses. However, a member appointed under (b)(4) of this section 23
is entitled to per diem and travel expenses as a state employee. 24
(g) By January 15 of each odd-numbered year, the council shall prepare and 25
present to the legislature an updated five-year strategic plan that addresses the effects of 26
invasive species on the state's natural resources and economy, states the council's 27
suggested priorities for addressing invasive species, and recommends legislation and 28
funding required to implement the council's priorities. The council shall transmit the 29
strategic plan to the senate secretary and the chief clerk of the house of representatives 30
and notify the legislature that the plan is available. 31

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(h) By January 15 of each year, the council shall prepare and present an annual 1
report on invasive species active in the state, the effects of the activity, and any measures 2
taken to manage invasive species. The report must include other issues and concerns 3
related to invasive species that the council determines are of value to policymakers. The 4
council shall submit the report to the governor, the department, the Department of 5
Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of 6
Transportation and Public Facilities, and the senate secretary and chief clerk of the 7
house of representatives, and notify the legislature that the report is available. 8
(i) Council members appointed under (b)(1) of this section serve staggered 9
three-year terms and until a successor is appointed. A vacancy on the council shall be 10
filled in the same manner as the original appointment. If a vacancy occurs, the governor 11
shall appoint a member for the unexpired portion of the term within 60 days after the 12
occurrence of the vacancy. 13
Sec. 16.20.810. Invasive species response fund. The invasive species response 14
fund is established as an account in the general fund. The fund consists of appropriations 15
made to the fund. Money appropriated to the fund does not lapse. The department may 16
use money appropriated to the fund to manage invasive species, without further 17
appropriation. 18
Sec. 16.20.850. Definitions. In AS 16.20.800 - 16.20.850, 19
(1) "council" means the Alaska Invasive Species Council; 20
(2) "department" means the Department of Fish and Game; 21
(3) "invasive species" means a non-native species the introduction of 22
which causes or is likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to 23
human health; 24
(4) "manage invasive species" means to take actions to prevent or 25
minimize harmful effects of invasive species on the economy, the environment, public 26
health, infrastructure, and cultural heritage; 27
(5) "non-native species" includes any biological material capable of 28
propagating a species that is not native to the state or an ecosystem in the state. 29
* Sec. 2. AS 16.20.800, 16.20.810, and 16.20.850 are repealed July 1, 2035. 30
* Sec. 3. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 31

-5- Enrolled SB 174
read: 1
APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS AND CHAIR AND TIMING AND NUMBER OF 2
MEETINGS REQUIRED IN INITIAL YEAR. (a) Notwithstanding AS 16.20.810(i), added by 3
sec. 1 of this Act, the governor shall appoint the initial members of the Alaska Invasive Species 4
Council required under AS 16.20.800(b)(1), added by sec. 1 of this Act, within 60 days after 5
the effective date of this Act. The governor shall appoint the members to staggered terms as 6
follows: 7
(1) two members shall be appointed to three-year terms; 8
(2) two members shall be appointed to two-year terms; and 9
(3) one member shall be appointed to a one-year term. 10
(b) Notwithstanding AS 16.20.800(e), added by sec. 1 of this Act, the Alaska Invasive 11
Species Council shall 12
(1) hold its first meeting within 90 days after the appointment of members under 13
(a) of this section; and 14
(2) meet at least four times in the 12 months following the appointment of 15
members under (a) of this section. 16
* Sec. 4. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c). 17