Alaska Governor Issues Second Executive Order to Create Department of Agriculture Amid Legislative Resistance

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has issued a second executive order to establish a dedicated Department of Agriculture, aiming to streamline agricultural governance despite legislative opposition. The order, dated August 1, transfers responsibilities related to agriculture from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to the new agency, exercising authority granted by the Alaska Constitution to reorganize the executive branch. This move follows an earlier executive order in January, which was rejected by the legislature in March. Dunleavy's latest order seeks to consolidate expertise, reduce overlapping functions, and assign clear responsibility for state agricultural policies. It includes transferring key duties, such as those outlined in Title 3 of Alaska Statutes, and relocating the Alaska Board of Agriculture and Conservation to the new department. Collaboration on land management between DNR and the Agriculture Department will continue, with both agencies working jointly on land classification, leasing, and sales. Additionally, the order renames the Alaska Natural Resource Conservation and Development Board, appointing the Agriculture commissioner as an ex-officio member. Des...