An Act establishing the Department of Agriculture; relating to the establishment of the Department of Agriculture; transferring functions of the Department of Natural Resources related to agriculture to the Department of Agriculture; and providing for an effective date.

This bill creates a new Department of Agriculture in Alaska, transferring agricultural responsibilities currently held by the Department of Natural Resources. It directly affects agricultural producers, businesses, and state agencies by shifting oversight of farming, pest control, product regulation, and industrial hemp programs to the new department. Key provisions include defining the commissioner’s duties - such as promoting agricultural development, regulating product safety and labeling, and establishing industrial hemp rules for seed testing, isolation distances, and sales. The bill also sets an effective date for these changes, which would streamline agricultural governance under a dedicated agency. The bill remains in committee and has not been enacted.