JUNEAU, ALASKA — On Aug. 26, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy signed two items of legislation that together establish food security plans, forgivable loan programs and increased confidentiality for certain animal records.

“I am glad to sign these bills into law today to help support our agricultural and food producer community,” Dunleavy said.

Representative Liz Snyder sponsored House Bill 298, which creates the Alaska Food Strategy Task Force to improve the state’s food security. The bill also offers loan forgiveness for farm and meat processing projects.

“House Bill 298 will provide Alaska’s farmers and producers with tools to maintain and grow operations and meet the need of our state,” Dunleavy said. “Like the Alaska Food Security Task Force I created earlier this year, the Alaska Food Strategy Task Force will help to support our agriculture industry and growing markets for locally grown and processed foods. Further, the Task Force will help to ensure food security across Alaska — a need that was emphasized by the pandemic.”

The second piece of legislation signed by Dunleavy at the Alaska State Fair was House Bill 347, sponsored by Representative George Rauscher. The bill works to protect Alaska’s producers in the case of a virus outbreak. While testing results will be accessible, the privacy of the owner will remain intact by keeping names and locations confidential.

“This legislation has been five years in the making, with the support of both hunting groups and farmers,” Rauscher said. “This bill will help ensure vital testing information from domestic sheep and goats is available to the public without the owner’s personal information being disclosed as well. I am very grateful that HB 347 passed both bodies this past session with unanimous support from both the House and Senate.”