Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
02/05/2008 01:30 PM House FINANCE
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Presentation: Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority | |
HB315 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
+ | HB 315 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 315 "An Act extending the termination date of the Big Game Commercial Services Board; and providing for an effective date." LINDA HAY, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE RALPH SAMUELS, described House Bill 315 as an extension of the Big Game Commercial Services Board to June 30, 2012, at the recommendation of the Legislative Audit Division. PAT DAVIDSON, LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR, LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AGENCY, explained that the Big Game Commercial Services Board was reconstituted approximately two years ago. Normally sunset extensions are around eight years. The Board had only two years of activity under their belt at the time of the review. 2:55:53 PM Legislative Audit recommended a four-year extension. Most of the other recommendations were administrative. Legislative Audit recommended that fees be increased to cover the costs generated by the Board. 2:57:48 PM PAUL JOHNSON, PRESIDENT, BIG GAME COMMERCIAL SERVICES BOARD, spoke in favor of the bill. He reported that the Board spent the past two years getting up and running, and that its members are volunteers. Mr. Johnson said in response to a query by Representative Kelly that his biggest concern was addressing complaints that have come in after a ten-year lapse. He reported that the Board now has a good investigator, great support from the Department of Commerce and have been working on their image. ROBERT FITHIAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA PROFESSIONAL HUNTERS' ASSOCIATION (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE) spoke in support of HB 315. He believes the oversight board is vital to the integrity of Alaska's guide and transporter industries, to prudent wildlife conservation, and to sustainable economy in rural Alaska. The Board also represents a much needed buffer between Alaska's public resources of wildlife and wild lands, and exploitation by the professional guide and transporter industries. Mr. Fithian said that six years ago Alaska had a blemished image in relation to how the State managed guide industries and wildlife, and the lack of consumer protection. He described the three years of hard work re-creating the Board. In a recent meeting with a worldwide group of guide and outfitter association representatives, people from all over the world requested the footprint for how Alaska established the current guide and outfitting licensing standards. He said the Board is working exceptionally well, supported by all affiliated state and federal agencies. The Board carries its own weight financially. 3:03:10 PM Vice-Chair Stoltze observed that the United States Department of Agriculture is in favor of this bill. He wondered why the federal government is interested in the issue. Mr. Johnson explained that the Board has learned from experience that cooperating with the federal agencies on land use and other issues, then the State can make its own laws and regulations with local input. 3:05:14 PM Co-Chair Meyer opened discussion of the new fiscal note. JENNIFER STRICKLER, LICENSING CHIEF, DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING, DEPTARTMENT OF COMMERCE, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, pointed out that the fiscal note before the Committee reflects both direct and indirect costs to the Big Game Commercial Services Board. She explained that all professional licensing programs are responsible by statute for covering costs through licensing fees. The Board's costs are built into the standard operating budget. Ms. Strickler explained that the Board is staffed by two full-time occupational examiner positions. One of the positions is currently vacant due to difficulties in recruiting because of the pay ranges. The Board is receiving the support of a dedicated investigator. Other costs are indirect costs, for example, the supervisors that have been sitting in with the licensing examiners to help staff the Board and the regulations specialists that have helped to promulgate the regulations and other management costs. 3:07:19 PM Co-Chair Chenault wanted clarification regarding travel costs which he thought looked high. Ms. Strickler indicated that the Board meets twice a year. Licensing examinations are given during the meeting because the presence Board members and staff are necessary to conduct examinations. The meeting lasts for a week and costs around $35,000. Sometimes members are required to fly exam proctors (professional licensees) to come and help with the exams. If the proctors can drive, their mileage is covered. Co-Chair Chenault asked if all the other costs were covered in the $108,000 for contractual services. Ms. Strickler answered that the contractual costs cover legal fees, expert witnesses and also re-writes of the guide licensing examinations. The examination is currently being re-written, which is a major undertaking. Co-Chair Chenault asked if the examinations would be re-written every year. Ms. Strickler hoped not, but explained that the examination is extensive. Co-Chair Chenault pointed out that the cost was projected out through the length of the extension. He noted the Board has nine board members. 3:10:11 PM Co-Chair Meyer had further questions about travel costs. He pointed out that if the Board meets twice each year, at a cost of $35,000 each meeting, the total would be $70,000. He asked what the other $30,000 on the fiscal note was used for. Ms. Strickler answered that the Board sends investigators to conferences outside Alaska. The investigators also work with other law enforcement agencies, such as Fish and Wildlife Protection, and need to travel to hearings. Co-Chair Meyer thought the justification sounded weak. Co- Chair Chenault wanted to know how many investigators the Board utilized. Ms. Strickler answered one there was one investigator, with one position for investigator still open. Representative Kelly wondered if the position that hasn't been filled could be eliminated since the Board is performing so well without it. Ms. Strickler answered that currently a supervisor is filling in as much as she can. However, there are major projects require much staff time, including the guide scanning project. The Board is always behind with requests from enforcement officers for these records. Once that process is completed, she thought one staff position to the Board could be reduced. 3:13:16 PM Representative Kelly thought more information was needed and that the vacancy rate was a budget issue. Co-Chair Meyer thought the bill could be passed out of committee with the current fiscal note and then changes could still be made in the budget. Representative Hawker observed that as a statutory board, the Board is separately accounted and not part of the Department's general fund budget. Representative Joule added that the absence of the Board for about ten years created significant problems. He referred to the effort taken to get the Board running again and noted that part of the Board's success will depend on how well it is maintained. He understood the need to scrutinize but did not want the Board to fall behind again. Representative Kelly thought any problems could be handled in committee. 3:16:07 PM Representative Hawker asked if the fiscal note reflects the increase in fee rates. He wondered how personal services positions are acquired. Ms. Strickler answered that personal services positions are not listed on the fiscal note because they are not exclusively authorized through the budget process. Occupational licensing examiner positions are authorized through the Division's budget. Management assigns the various licensing programs to the positions. Representative Hawker discussed the difference between contractual services to an agency and personal services. 3:18:42 PM Co-Chair Chenault MOVED to REPORT HB 315 out of Committee with individual recommendations and the new attached fiscal note dated 2/4/08. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. HB 315 was reported out of Committee with a "no recommendation" and with a new fiscal note by the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. # ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 3:19 PM.
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