The Alaska State Senate passed an amended version of a resolution urging continuation of the national ban on Russian seafood imports and returned it to the House of Representatives for consideration Tuesday.

The Senate approved a committee substitute for House Joint Resolution No. 29 with amendments on March 20, according to a message read during the House floor session. The resolution calls for extending the prohibition on Russian seafood that was imposed in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine and expanded in 2023 to cover third-party processing, primarily in China. The ban is set to expire later this year.

The House originally passed the resolution unanimously in February. The measure also calls for stronger monitoring and enforcement of the ban to protect Alaska's seafood industry and promote sustainable and ethical seafood production.

The resolution is part of broader efforts by Alaska lawmakers to support the state's struggling seafood industry. Russian seafood has been a competitive concern for Alaska processors and fishermen, particularly pollock and cod products processed through China.

The House will now consider whether to accept the Senate's amendments or request a conference committee to resolve differences between the two versions. No timeline has been set for the House vote.