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Committee advances bill to name giant cabbage Alaska’s official state vegetable
Summary
Representative Delana Johnson presented HB202 to designate the giant green cabbage as Alaska’s state vegetable, citing Palmer’s agricultural history and a 2012 Guinness World Record; the committee adopted a committee substitute (scientific-name correction) and moved the bill from committee as amended.
Juneau — Feb. 3, 2026
Representative Delana Johnson (Palmer) presented House Bill 202 to the House State Affairs Committee, proposing that the giant green cabbage be designated Alaska’s official state vegetable.
Johnson framed the measure as a marketing and agricultural recognition tool tied to Palmer and the Alaska State Fair, whose giant cabbage displays have drawn international attention. She cited state agricultural statistics — roughly $91 million in annual agricultural product from about 1,170 farms — and noted a 2012 Guinness World Record for the largest green cabbage at 138.25 pounds.
Andrew Evans, staff to Representative Johnson, read the bill’s sectional language, saying the measure would amend AS 44.09 by adding a new section (44.09.0.055) to establish the giant cabbage as the official vegetable and set an immediate effective date.
Committee action and next steps
Vice Chair Story moved to adopt a committee substitute that corrected the plant’s scientific name. Committee aide Stuart Relay summarized the changes. With no objection, the committee adopted the working document as amended and moved HB202 (version n) from committee. There was no public testimony for the item.
Representative Hemschute voiced concerns that Southeast Alaska’s soil is not conducive to "giant" cabbages, but said she had embraced the idea and might consider a lapel-pin amendment. Members also noted letters of support included in the packet.
Quote
"There really is none more iconic than our giant green cabbage," Representative Delana Johnson said, describing the vegetable as "a centerpiece of the agricultural attractions at the Alaska State Fair."
Provenance: Committee hearing transcript; HB202 coverage begins at SEG 031 and continues through SEG 381.
