Legislature(2017 - 2018)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/16/2017 01:30 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB106 | |
| HB141 | |
| HB81 | |
| HB56 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 81 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 106 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 141 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 141
"An Act relating to allocations of funding for the
Alaska Workforce Investment Board; and providing for
an effective date."
4:38:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ZACH FANSLER, SPONSOR, introduced the
legislation which was an act relating to allocations of
funding for the Alaska Workforce Investment Board. The bill
was a renewal of an already existing bill. He reviewed the
sponsor statement:
AS 23.15.820 authorizes the Alaska Workforce
Investment Board to administer the Alaska Technical
and Vocational Education Program (TVEP). This
legislation reauthorizes the allocation of the TVEP
funding for five years.
TVEP was established by Legislature in 2000 with the
purpose of enhancing the quality and accessibility of
job training across the state, and aligning training
with regional workforce demands. TVEP funds are
obtained from a portion of employee contributions to
the unemployment insurance trust fund.
The TVEP funds are allocated to technical and
vocational education entities across Alaska designated
by AS 23.15.835. Each entity receives a set percentage
of the TVEP funds available each fiscal year. The
current allocation sunsets June 30, 2017. Unless the
allocation is reauthorized this funding will sit
unused in the TVEP account instead of being used by
these entities to train Alaskans.
TVEP recipients are required by statute to track and
report program outcomes to the Alaska Workforce
Investment Board. Each year the Board compiles and
provides to the legislature a TVEP performance report
containing this information. In Fiscal Year 2016, the
ten TVEP recipients were allocated $12,510,900 and
served 10,295 youth and adults. A statewide network of
training providers is critical to developing an
Alaskan workforce.
This legislation is necessary to help educate and
train Alaskans for Alaska's jobs.
Representative Fansler emphasized the importance of making
sure the state's highest paying technical and vocational
jobs were being performed by Alaskans. The system was set
up so that the legislation helped every region. He relayed
that 10 different programs were affected by the
legislation:
1. University of Alaska (statewide)
45 percent TVEP funds
2. Galena Interior Learning Academy
4 percent TVEP funds
3. Alaska Technical Center (Kotzebue)
9 percent TVEP funds
4. Alaska Vocational Technical Center (Seward)
17 percent TVEP funds
5. Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center
(Nome) 3 percent TVEP funds
6. Southwest Alaska Vocational and Education Center
(King Salmon) 3 percent TVEP funds
7. Yuut Elitnaurviat, The People's Learning Center
(Bethel) 9 percent TVEP funds
8. Partners for Progress (Delta Junction)
3 percent TVEP funds
9. Amundsen Educational Center (Soldotna)
2 percent TVEP funds
10. I (Bethel)
5 percent TVEP funds
Co-Chair Foster reviewed the list of testifiers available
for questions.
4:44:01 PM
Representative Tilton asked if the distribution in the bill
had changed from what it was prior to the sunset date.
Representative Fansler responded that the distribution was
the same.
Representative Tilton asked if any other entities were
interested in being part of the distribution.
Representative Fansler reported no other entities
approaching his office wanting to be on the distribution
list. He understood that previously there had been a
significant amount of discussion on the subject and
anticipated hearing from other entities. However, he had
not heard from anyone.
Representative Wilson asked about how the funding was used
and about the certification having to do with the
university.
Representative Fansler responded that he could provide a
PowerPoint detailing the information Representative Wilson
requested. He was happy to provide the materials for
members to review.
MARY SCHLOSSER, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER, added that
the information provided in the Labor PowerPoint was 5
pages, which was the standard submission for committees.
The full technical report from the Department of Labor and
Workforce Development was available online. She was happy
to provide the information to the representative.
Representative Wilson wondered if the state had an
obligation, because funds were being provided for by the
federal government, to use the funds to help people to
return to work.
Representative Fansler responded that he was not inclined
to answer her question and would likely differ her question
to someone else. He relayed that the funds were state
unemployment insurance funds being used on a state a state
level. He did not believe there were any federal guidelines
that applied to it. He was happy to differ to someone else
if he was incorrect.
4:48:42 PM
Representative Wilson commented that unemployment dollars
were being used to pay the amounts. She wanted to make sure
there was enough money to be able to train those people who
were not working so they could get back to work. She hoped
for additional information regarding retraining
expectations.
Representative Fansler would provide additional information
in a memo.
Co-Chair Foster reminded members that Paloma Harbour with
the Department of Labor and Workforce Development was in
the room and available for questions as well as others.
Representative Wilson understood the committee was short on
time presently and suggested that Representative Fansler
get an answer back to committee members.
4:50:18 PM
Co-Chair Foster OPENED Public Testimony.
4:50:45 PM
DENNIS DISHION, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, YUUT ELITNAURVIAT,
BETHEL (via teleconference), informed committee members
that the funds were paramount in order for the center to
continue its operations in preparing local people for local
jobs in the Yukon Delta Region. He noted jobs associated
with many large construction projects becoming available in
the region. The funds helped the center to deliver training
and workforce development skills for those people living in
the area. The training facilitated locals being able to
obtain family wage jobs rather than out-of-state skilled
tradesmen filling them. The ultimate mission of the
organization was to train local people for local, family
wage jobs.
4:52:06 PM
Representative Guttenberg remembered having a conversation
about the cost of broadband services at the center. He
asked if Mr. Dishion had that dollar figure.
Mr. Dishion responded that it was likely Representative
Guttenberg had spoken with his predecessor. He did not have
the figure off the top of his head but was happy to get the
number to him.
4:52:47 PM
Co-Chair Foster CLOSED Public Testimony.
Co-Chair Foster indicated he would be setting the bill
aside. Amendments were due to Jane Pierson by Thursday,
March 23, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.
HB 141 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
4:53:18 PM
AT EASE
4:53:48 PM
RECONVENED