Legislature(2011 - 2012)HOUSE FINANCE 519
02/16/2011 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB28 | |
| HB65 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 28 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 65 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 28
"An Act relating to temporary licenses for certain
nonresident professionals."
1:35:31 PM
Vice-chair Fairclough moved the workdraft CSHB 28 (FIN) 27-
LS0192\S dated February 15, 2011.
Co-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED for purpose of discussion.
KACI SCHROEDER HOTCH, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE BILL THOMAS,
discussed that HB 28 focused on improving the lives of
Alaska's military members. Families of military members
were largely impacted by frequent deployments, long periods
of single parenthood, and relocation. She explained that
14.5 percent of military spouses crossed the state line
annually, which made them one of the most mobile
populations in the nation. Only 1.1 percent of civilian
spouses crossed the state line on an annual basis. Military
spouses often moved every two to four years. The readiness
of Alaska's armed forces was directly impacted because the
ability for a spouse to maintain employment often factored
into a member's decision to remain in the military.
Military spouses were less likely to be employed and tended
to earn less than their civilian counterparts. Similar to
their civilian counterparts, military spouses depended on
two incomes and hoped to achieve aspirations of their own.
The legislation would assist spouses in their transition
into the State of Alaska.
Co-Chair Stoltze asked for a history and description of the
changes in the workdraft. Ms. Schroeder Hotch communicated
that most of the changes in the workdraft were at the
request of the Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development (DCCED). She discussed that whenever
the word "department" appeared in the legislation, the
language had been amended to read "department or
appropriate board." She explained that depending on the
circumstance, the department or a board was responsible for
regulation. She pointed out that the word "courtesy" was
inserted directly following any occurrence of the word
"temporary." The workdraft also removed marine pilots from
the exemption list on Page 3. She explained that tight
regulations alleviated the department's initial concerns
regarding its ability to comply with the bill.
Representative Wilson had been told that the legislation
was redundant by several callers. She wondered what
specific action the bill implemented that was not already
in place. Ms. Schroeder Hotch clarified that the bill was
not a criticism of existing law. She discussed that the
bill would put into statute what was currently done under
regulation. The bill included a section for the special
consideration of military spouses. Language to expedite the
issuance of a license was inserted on Page two and was the
primary change to the statute. It was very difficult for a
military spouse to find employment when they only lived in
Alaska for two years and had to wait six months to obtain a
license.
1:40:18 PM
Co-Chair Stoltze WITHDREW his OBJECTION.
Representative Guttenberg had also heard from a caller that
the bill would not do anything new. He saw that the
legislation shortened the temporary license to 180 days. He
wondered whether boards and commissions were capable of
taking action in the shortened timeframe in the event of a
large influx in military families.
Ms. Schroeder Hotch believed that DCCED did have the
ability to act within the new timeframe. She explained that
although some boards only met a couple of times per year,
there were ways for the boards to vote by email or by mail.
DON HABEGER, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS, BUSINESS
AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE,
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, discussed that the
department was already familiar with each of the six
different tasks included in the bill. He did not believe
the legislation would have a significant impact on the
Division of Corporations, Business and Professional
Licensing (CBPL). The only new process for the division was
related to the expedited licensing for military spouses. He
indicated that the department's zero impact fiscal note
reflected its belief that CBPL could easily absorb the
work. The ability to vote by mail and other methodologies
would enable boards that met less frequently to take action
on applications.
Co-Chair Stoltze asked Mr. Habeger if he had any objections
to the deletion of Section E on Page 3.
Mr. Habeger replied that the section did not pertain to
CBPL.
Co-Chair Stoltze wondered whether the legislation impacted
the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission's licensing
of educators.
Ms. Schroeder Hotch replied that the bill did not affect
teachers. She explained that a similar statute for teachers
existed and was working well.
1:43:59 PM
Co-Chair Stoltze opened public testimony.
MARK SAN SOUCI, NW REGIONAL LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE,
(via teleconference), stated that taking care of military
spouses was the number one priority of the defense state
liaison office. The temporary license would enable spouses
to begin work immediately and would give them up to six
months to fulfill any requirements imposed by the state. He
discussed that Florida had passed similar legislation the
prior year and that HB 28 would place Alaska on the cutting
edge of the issue. He expressed appreciation for Co-Chair
Thomas's sponsorship and for the committee's consideration
of the bill.
Co-Chair Stoltze closed public testimony.
Mr. Habeger discussed the zero impact Fiscal Note 1. The
department believed that the tasks under the legislation
were already occurring in one form or another and would
only require a slight variation or adjustment. He discussed
that there were three existing programs that had a military
exemption by regulation. The department believed it could
absorb the work relatively easily.
Co-Chair Stoltze thanked DCEED for its cooperation. He
appreciated the department's willingness to absorb the
functions through its normal activity.
Representative Neuman wondered how the list of professions
covered under the bill had been compiled.
Ms. Schroeder Hotch responded that the list included all of
the professions that were regulated by CBPL. She believed
that marine pilots would be included with the adoption of
the CS. She relayed that teachers were also in high demand
and were covered under a different statute.
1:48:09 PM
Representative Guttenberg believed the legislation was
positive. He wondered whether different jurisdictions had
aligned definitions related to the terms "unresolved
complaint, review or procedure," listed on Page 2, Line 13,
Sections 4 and 5. He asked whether an appeal process
existed for people who objected to a ruling.
Mr. Habeger responded that the bill pertained to just one
component of the extensive central licensing statute. The
division believed that a number of prohibitions or
authorities existed in order to verify the accuracy of the
credentialing commitment. There was an investigative unit
that could determine whether there was a mark against a
person in another jurisdiction. A board or the department
could then provide further review to determine whether
something was substantial enough to warrant probationary
modifications or the refusal of a license. The department
believed it could handle these occurrences.
Representative Guttenberg asked whether there was a way to
go from provisional to permanent licensing. Mr. Habeger
answered in the affirmative.
Co-Chair Thomas MOVED to report CSHB 28 (FIN) out of
committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note.
CSHB 28 (FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with previously published zero
note: FN1 DCED.
1:51:53 PM
AT EASE
1:55:10 PM
RECONVENED