2004-02-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 2186
SB 341                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 341 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
             "An Act relating to the administration of the Alaska                                  
              Vocational Technical Center; and providing for an                                    
          effective date."                                                                          
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and                                  
Finance Committees.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Labor and Workforce                                         
          Development                                                                               
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 13:                                                    
                                                                                                    
Dear President Therriault:                                                                          
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska                                       
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the Alaska Vocational                            
Technical Center (AVTEC). AVTEC is a vocational training provider                                   
located in Seward. In 2003, the responsibility to administer AVTEC                                  
was transferred from the Department of Education and Early                                          
Development to the Department of Labor and Workforce                                                
Development. However, the authority for the Department of Labor and                                 
Workforce Development (department) to administer and set rates for                                  
AVTEC's programs and services was not provided for in the transfer.                                 
This bill would correct that oversight.                                                             
                                                                                                    
Section 1 of the bill proposes to amend AS 44.31.020 to provide the                                 
statutory authority for the department to administer the programs of                                
AVTEC and to set rates for student tuition and room and board, and                                  
other fees for the programs and services provided by AVTEC.                                         
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely yours,                                                                                    
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor