2004-01-28                     House Journal                      Page 2413
HB 402                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 402 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to fees for the inspection of recreational devices,                           
     for certificates of fitness for electrical wiring and plumbing, for                            
     filing voluntary flexible work hour plans, and for licenses for                                
     boiler operators; and providing for an effective date."                                        
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and                                    
Finance Committees.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development                                                  
2.  Fiscal, Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development                                                  
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22, 2004, follows:                                  
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska                                       
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to fees for the inspection                          
of recreational devices, for inspection and issuance of certificates of                             
fitness for electrical wiring and plumbing, for filing of voluntary                                 
flexible work hour plans, and for licenses for boiler operators.  The                               
Department of Labor (Department) spends time and state funds                                        
inspecting, reviewing, approving, or denying all of the above                                       
activities.  It is only fair that the individuals receiving the benefit of                          
the Department's efforts pay for those services.                                                    
                                                                                                    

2004-01-28                     House Journal                      Page 2414
Under AS 05.20.060, the Department conducts inspections of                                          
recreational devices to ensure public safety.  Recreational devices                                 
include, but are not limited to, ski tows, roller coasters, merry-go-                               
rounds, and ferris wheels.  If an inspection reveals a defect that is an                            
immediate safety hazard, the Department can shut down the device                                    
until the problem is fixed.  This bill would allow the Department to                                
collect an inspection fee of $200 from the owner or operator for each                               
recreational device inspected.                                                                      
                                                                                                    
Under AS 18.60.395, a person can apply to the Department for a boiler                               
operator license.  The Department reviews the application for                                       
compliance with its regulations and standards for boiler operators.                                 
This bill would allow the Department to collect an application fee of                               
$200 when a person applies for a boiler operator license.                                           
                                                                                                    
Under AS 18.62.030, except in limited situations, a person is required                              
to obtain a certificate of fitness from the Department before the person                            
can perform work under AS 18.50.580 (Electrical Safety Code) or                                     
AS 18.60.705 (Plumbing Code).  Currently, an applicant for a                                        
certificate of fitness must pay a biennial application fee of $160.  This                           
bill would increase the fee to $200.                                                                
                                                                                                    
Under AS 23.10.060(d)(14), an employer is required to obtain                                        
Department approval of the employer's proposed voluntary flexible                                   
work hour plan.  Flexible work hour plans, for example, allow an                                    
employee to work 4 days of 10 hours each rather than 5 days of 8                                    
hours each without additional overtime expense to the employer.  The                                
Department reviews the plan to make sure it meets certain                                           
requirements of Alaska's wage and hour laws.  The bill would require                                
an employer to pay a $100 fee when it files a plan for Department                                   
approval.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"