1995-03-28                     Senate Journal                      Page 0814
SB 142                                                                       
Fiscal note published today from Office of the Governor.  Zero                 
fiscal notes published today from University of Alaska, Department             
of Education, Department of Community and Regional Affairs,                    
Department of Labor, Department of Health and Social Services,                 
Department of Commerce and Economic Development.                               
                                                                               
Governor's transmittal letter dated March 24:                                  
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution,          
I am transmitting a bill that will establish the Alaska Human                  
Resource Investment Council as the lead state entity to plan and               
coordinate federal, state, and local employment training and human             
resource programs.  This bill consolidates the functions of three              
existing councils and commissions into a single council located in             
the Governor's office to provide coordinated oversight of job training         
programs throughout the state to ensure effective training that leads          
to employment of Alaskans.                                                     
                                                                               
This bill designs the Alaska Human Resource Investment Council                 
(AHRIC) to meet the federal statutory requirements for a                       
consolidated human resource investment council and is in response              
to anticipated changes that include the lump sum, block grant                  
funding scenario presently being proposed in Congress.   Twenty-one            
states have currently taken advantage of this option created under             
Title VII of the 1992 Job Training Partnership Act. It maximizes               
federal funds and avoids duplication of effort.                                
                                                                               
The consolidation will increase efficiency and effectiveness of job            
training and vocational education efforts within the state by                  
combining the existing staff and board members of the State Job                
Training Coordinating Council, the Employment Security Advisory                
Council and the Governor's Council on Vocational Education.   It               
reduces the current roster of 38 board and commission members to               
a maximum of 26.   This bill also envisions a key staff position to            
oversee the development of a collaborative strategic plan, facilitate          
the transitionary phase of the consolidation of the boards, and effect         
the merging of staff responsibilities in anticipation of major revisions       
in the Federal funding mechanisms for job training and vocational              
education.