Legislature(2009 - 2010)BARNES 124
04/08/2009 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB89 | |
| HB37 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 144 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 37 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 89-VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COMMITTEE 3:30:34 PM CHAIR OLSON announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 89, "An Act repealing the governor's committee on employment of people with disabilities; creating the state vocational rehabilitation committee and relating to the committee; and providing for an effective date." PAULA SCAVERA, Special Assistant, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD), stated that HB 89 would allow the DLWD to conform to federal law. She related that the bill combines two committees within the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and sets up a process for appointment to the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee. She assured members that the bill is 100 percent federal conformity and the DLWD did not add any additional provisions to the bill. Additionally, the DLWD refers to the committee by the U.S. code number so if any aspects of the board changes, the DLWD can make those changes without seeking legislative approval. She pointed out that the DLWD has one technical amendment to the bill that corrects a typographical error that was in the U.S. code cite. CHERYL WALSH, Director, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Labor & Workforce Development, stated that the purpose of the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee (SVRC) is to provide advice and oversight for development of policies and procedures to implement programs to assist Alaskans with Disabilities to regain or obtain employment. Thus, the SVRC committee will assist the department with its policy development to develop a state plan, and to provide the department with a perspective from outside of the bureaucracy. Additionally, the composition of the SVRC committee is important since it provides good representation ranging from employers, people with disabilities, and educators. Further the bill combines the Assistive Technology Committee and the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee, which are required under federal regulation in order to administer the state programs. 3:33:54 PM REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL made a motion to adopt Amendment 1, labeled 26-GH1024\A.1, Wayne, 4/3/09, as follows: Page 2, line 4: Delete "3001" Insert "3003" There being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. 3:34:43 PM MS. WALSH, in response to Representative Chenault, explained that the committee meets four times a year, in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and in a rural area whenever possible. Also, the committee can meet telephonically, if necessary. The majority of the committee composition must be people with disabilities. Thus, sometimes the telephonic meeting can be important. REPRESENTATIVE CHENAULT related his understanding of the significance and necessity for telephonic meetings. He said he hopes the committee is making an effort to meet in rural areas since Alaskans with disabilities live in all parts of the state and to give rural Alaska a voice. 3:35:52 PM REPRESENTATIVE BUCH related his understanding other states would have to do this too. MS. SCAVERA, in response to Representative Buch, indicated other states have already made the changes. She stated there will not be any changes in the department except that the department will conform to federal law. MS. WALSH, in response to Representative Buch, stated the committee met in Nome and previously met in Barrow. She explained that the committee attempts to meet at least once a year in a rural area. She explained that it is sometimes accessibility in the communities that makes it more difficult. In response to Chair Olson, she stated that the committee met in Sitka in January 2009. 3:38:11 PM PAM STRATTON, Member, Governor's Committee on Employment and Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities, stated that the bill will bring the state into compliance with federal regulation and will allow it to have the appropriate membership. She offered that currently the state statute has a different definition for membership, as well as a different number of members. She also thought this bill would make it easier to obtain participation. She acknowledged the concern members raised with respect to holding meetings in rural Alaska. She explained that the committee meets in rural locations at least once a year, and takes public testimony. She also mentioned that an 800 number is also available for the public. She related that the committee solicits input and invited members to attend. 3:39:49 PM CHAIR OLSON, after first determining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 89. 3:40:05 PM REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL related his understanding that the reason to use the federal code is to avoid having the legislature review changes every time the federal law changes the name. However, he expressed concern and stated he would consider this since the bill has another referral. He stated that he does not want to slow down the bill, but at a later time would like to know the dynamics of the code such as does the number change often. He related the similarity to the debate on sunset dates, whether the matter should come back to the legislature or just be set into motion. He pointed out this bill addresses a federal requirement that references federal code, but the state performs the function. 3:41:36 PM CHAIR OLSON suggested that Representative Coghill may wish to consider adding a sunset clause at some point. REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL offered his belief that the bill is set up so to enable the committee to function more efficiently. He related that he has a favorable view of HB 89. REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL moved to report HB 89, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being no objection, CSHB 89(L&C) was reported from the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee. 3:42:10 PM The committee took an at-ease from 3:42 p.m. to 3:43 p.m. 3:43:56 PM