Legislature(2019 - 2020)CAPITOL 106
04/05/2019 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB24 | |
| HB67 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 67 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 5, 2019
8:01 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Harriet Drummond, Co-Chair
Representative Andi Story, Co-Chair
Representative Grier Hopkins
Representative Chris Tuck
Representative Tiffany Zulkosky
Representative Josh Revak
Representative DeLena Johnson
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 24
"An Act relating to instruction in a language other than
English; and relating to limited teacher certificates."
- MOVED HB 24 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 67
"An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Labor and
Workforce Development; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 24
SHORT TITLE: LIMITED TEACHER CERTIFICATES; LANGUAGES
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) KREISS-TOMKINS
02/20/19 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/19
02/20/19 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/20/19 (H) EDC, L&C
03/29/19 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
03/29/19 (H) Heard & Held
03/29/19 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
04/01/19 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
04/01/19 (H) Heard & Held
04/01/19 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
04/03/19 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
04/03/19 (H) Heard & Held
04/03/19 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
04/05/19 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 67
SHORT TITLE: DEPT. OF LABOR: TECHNICAL ED. PROGRAMS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
02/20/19 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/20/19 (H) EDC, L&C, FIN
04/05/19 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
TAMIKA LEDBETTER, Ph.D., Commissioner Designee
Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 67, sponsored by House Rules
by the request of the governor.
LOUISE DEAN
Executive Director
Alaska Workforce Investment Board (AWIB)
Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions pertaining to HB 67.
DEBORAH RIDDLE, Division Operations Manager
Student Learning Division
Department of Education & Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
67.
PAUL LAYER, Vice President
Academic Students in Research
University of Alaska - Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided his testimony and made himself
available to answer questions during the hearing on HB 67.
JOEY CRUM, President and CEO
Northern Industrial Training
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 67.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:01:02 AM
CO-CHAIR HARRIET DRUMMOND called the House Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:01 a.m. Representatives Revak,
Tuck, Johnson, Hopkins, Story, and Drummond were present at the
call to order. Representative Zulkosky arrived as the meeting
was in progress.
HB 24-LIMITED TEACHER CERTIFICATES; LANGUAGES
8:01:53 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 24, "An Act relating to instruction in a
language other than English; and relating to limited teacher
certificates."
8:02:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY expressed her appreciation for HB 24. She
said she thinks the proposed legislation would benefit immersion
language programs such as those offered through the University
of Alaska - Southeast, in Juneau. She indicated that HB 24
exemplifies the flexibility that Alaska needs. She said this is
one of the ways in which the Department of Education & Early
Development (DEED) and the Alaska Board of Education and Early
Development can work to preserve and revitalize Alaska's
languages. She said she supports HB 24. She noted that her
daughter has gone through the language programs and is currently
working in a Tlingit immersion pre-school program.
8:04:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY moved to report HB 24 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, HB 24 was reported out of the House
Education Standing Committee.
8:04:36 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:05 a.m. to 8:06 a.m.
HB 67-DEPT. OF LABOR: TECHNICAL ED. PROGRAMS
8:06:40 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 67, "An Act relating to the duties of the
Department of Labor and Workforce Development; and providing for
an effective date."
8:07:31 AM
TAMIKA LEDBETTER, Ph.D., Commissioner Designee, Department of
Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD), presented HB 67, sponsored
by House Rules by the request of the governor. She relayed the
goals of DLWD. She related that HB 67 would add language to
accommodate vocational training. She said the primary focus of
DLWD is to connect people in Alaska to training and jobs in
their home regions throughout the state. The department works
to identify partnerships with employers and training
organizations that will prepare people for job opportunities.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER stated that HB 67 would add language in
Title 44, directing DLWD to coordinate and monitor state career
and technical education programs. She said this would be
accomplished in collaboration with DEED, the University of
Alaska (UA), and other entities that provide career and
technical education and training. She said federal legislation
governing the use of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act
(WIOA) funding, as well as Carl Perkins Career and Technical
Education funding, requires agency coordination and
collaboration. The language in HB 67 would formalize that
requirement.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER said DLWD works to provide job seekers
and workers with high quality training and education, as well as
career services. She stated, "The department further helps
employers find skilled workers and identifies education and
training opportunities for the current workforce." She said
Alaska Workforce Investment Board (AWIB), located in the
commissioner's office, is the lead state planning and
coordinating entity for human resource programs in the state.
She said, "Members represent a diverse cross-section of
businesses and educational partners."
8:09:54 AM
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER stated that in 2010, AWIB worked with
DLWD and UA to develop "the 2010 Alaska Career and Technical
Education Plan, which called for strategy to improve career and
technical education and prepare Alaskans with required skills
needed for postsecondary training in careers in high-growth
occupations in Alaska." Commissioner Ledbetter stated that the
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Plan called for "increasing
efforts to develop career pathways, career counseling, standards
for training programs, coordination, and program delivery." She
said the plan addresses individual needs for career
preparedness, as well as the broader needs for a training and
education system that is efficient, effective, and coordinated
with workforce needs, both current and future.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER related that in 2018, the same partners
created an addendum to the 2010 plan "to reenergize the
conversation around CTE, reexamine CTE plan strategies, and help
ensure that our broad spectrum of education and training
opportunities are communicated to Alaskans." She said a
coordinator located in DLWD implements these strategies. She
said the Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) is the
premier state training school for training directed at specific
employers, and it provides longer-term training, averaging nine
months, in the study of maritime, applied technology, culinary
arts, energy and building technology, and information
technology.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER related that another role of the
department is in the dissemination of career and technical
training funds through the State Training and Employment Program
(STEP) and the Technical and Vocational Education Program
(TVEP), and numerous federal grant programs. She said HB 67
would "formalize the role of DLWD as the lead agency in
coordinating and monitoring state career and technical
education."
8:12:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked whether state career and technical
education implies any in the state of Alaska or just those that
have received state funding.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER answered that it includes all state
career and technical education.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK mentioned a career school in mid-town
Anchorage, as well as a Baptist college in the east side of
Anchorage. He asked if, under HB 67, DLWD would have oversight
of those two private institutions. He then rephrased his
question to ask what the intent of the department would be for
those two organizations.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER answered that the department's intention
in coordinating and monitoring is to ensure people are not being
over-trained for jobs that do not exist or under-trained for
jobs that do exist. She further stated the intent is not "a
hostile takeover of every program" but rather to ensure
collaboration and coordination in meeting the needs of employers
to establish a qualified workforce. She described a streamlined
focus for training of Alaskans for work both now and for that
which is anticipated for the future.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK referred to the phrase "any other entities
involved in providing or funding the programs" on page 2, line
11, of HB 67, and asked whether that means "you'll be looking at
some of these institutions and their sources of funding, as
well."
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER relayed that a grant unit within the
department's Division of Employment and Training Services
administers federal and state grant funds to training providers,
including the university and private entities. The proposed
legislation, she said, would add "a strengthening to the
language" for the purpose of better coordination.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked if that included entities that do not
receive government funding whatsoever.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER said she would return with a specific
response.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK clarified he wanted to know what the intent
was.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER said, "The intent is simply monitoring
and coordinating."
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked, "No matter where the funding comes
from; no matter what they train; just any ... institution,
regardless of funding?"
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER answered yes.
8:15:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY inquired as to "who is coordinating this
now" and whether Commissioner Ledbetter had spoken with
representatives of DEED and UA.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER answered that there is a current plan
developed by DLWD, DEED, and UA. She continued:
Under the Alaska Workforce Investment Board, this
language is already written ... in legislation to have
mandatory partners in coordination so that services
and programs are administered in a way that our common
customers can be served better. And so, this language
is just helpful to us to strengthen that partnership
and strengthen that relationship.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER noted that currently DLWD has a career
and technical education coordinator on staff to ensure this
collaboration.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether the reason for the proposed
legislation is that the agencies are "having trouble
communicating."
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER stated her belief that "the formalization
of the language" helps in strengthening the partnership by
ensuring it happens at the desired level.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY inquired about the conversation between
DEED, UA, and DLWD.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER relayed that she has had multiple
conversations with the commissioner of DEED, who is supportive
of HB 67. She stated her intent to have "further conversation
with the president of the university." She recommended the
committee hear from Louise Dean, the Executive Director of the
Alaska Workforce Investment Board.
8:18:25 AM
LOUISE DEAN, Executive Director, Alaska Workforce Investment
Board (AWIB), Department of Labor & Workforce Development
(DLWD), stated that AWIB is a 26-member board appointed by the
governor. Board members communicate on a regular basis and work
closely with DEED, as well as with the workforce program at UA.
She said one thing that [DLWD] has is a connection to employers
and industry that brings about an understanding of what is
needed in terms of training and the future workforce.
8:20:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked a series of questions regarding the
frequency of board meetings and the identity of the chair.
MS. DEAN responded that the full board meets three times a year,
and committees meet throughout the year. She indicated the
committees cover the topics of workforce readiness, employment
placement, assessment and evaluation, policy and planning, and
legislation. The executive committee meets monthly, which she
opined is adequate. She said the executive committee is made up
of the board chair and vice chair, as well as "the chairs of the
standing committee." She said statute requires them to meet
three times a year; due to budget cuts, two of those meetings
are done virtually, while one is face to face. She said Larry
Bell is the current chair of AWIB and is a business and industry
representative. She said Brenda Pacarro is vice chair and a
business and industry representative. She explained that
statute requires the chair and vice chair to be from the
business an industry sector. The board also has private sector
members.
8:23:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY relayed that she has some experience
working for non-profits focused on workforce readiness in rural
Western Alaska. She inquired as to how HB 67 may change
existing private/public partnerships. She said many of those
entities operate through user fees - scholarships that are paid
for by various regional entities or Native corporations - and
they operate based on local employment needs. She asked how HB
67 might impact STEP or TVEP funds that are "passed through to
those programs."
8:24:39 AM
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER stated that it would "require all of us
to come to the table." She said HB 67 would allow for greater
outreach to private entities, training providers, and nonprofit
agencies; it would help to coordinate across the state, to
expand opportunity to rural areas. She said there is data
focused on "job development numbers" that demonstrate the need
for a strategic workforce development plan. She said the
department has the information to be able to show what the need
is and say where funding dollars are for which members can
compete. She opined that that coordination is better suited in
DLWD because of the amount of services the department provides
for the state.
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY inquired whether the intention [of HB
67] is to expand the state's ability to coordinate those
services "but not necessarily to assume them from private
entities that are doing that work."
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER answered yes.
8:26:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked whether it would be possible to get
a list of schools and entities that are being overseen
currently.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER answered yes.
8:27:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked for clarification regarding DEED's
role in overseeing the career and technical program.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER replied that every school, the
university, and oftentimes private industry have career and
technical education programs. The goal of HB 67 is to create a
single plan with a single focus.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY said it would be good to know the resources
that the department has at its disposal to assist with
implementation of the program.
8:28:39 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND suggested the question would be better asked
of Ms. Riddle of DEED.
8:28:48 AM
DEBORAH RIDDLE, Division Operations Manager, Student Learning
Division, Department of Education & Early Development (DEED),
said currently DEED, DLWD, and UA meet monthly. She indicated
that DEED funds career and technical education at the secondary
level via federal funding. Districts must coordinate with
"their local industry and workforce." She mentioned the
Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st
Century Act and a provision wherein a needs assessment must be
done every two years, in which there is a component that
addresses workforce needs. She said she has initiated
conversation with DLWD to have that department "do that piece
for our districts." She characterized such coordination as
helpful and expressed appreciation for the ability to "cross
over through the different departments to get what the districts
need."
8:30:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked how many staff cover the technical
education aspect.
MS. RIDDLE answered that DEED has two program managers, a data
manager, and herself.
8:30:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked whether the staff just listed by
Ms. Riddle would continue to work on the same effort if HB 67
passed.
8:31:09 AM
MS. RIDDLE answered yes, the division provides Carl Perkins
funds and does outreach. Further, she said the division
provides funds to post-secondary education and the Department of
Corrections, as well as works with "nontraditional students."
In response to a follow-up question, she said she serves as
proxy to the commissioner on AWIB. To another question, she
stated that specific requirements related to the Carl Perkins
funds would not be changed under HB 67.
8:32:10 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND inquired as to "how much in total of Carl
Perkins funds" the division currently administers in Alaska.
MS. RIDDLE answered that the division handles all the funds;
last year that amount was approximately $4.6 million. She
anticipated that amount would raise next year.
8:32:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK said he is trying to figure out "how far
this authority will go." He inquired what the ramifications
would be if, for example, the [aforementioned] Baptist [college]
decides it will not provide information or access to DLWD.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER reiterated that there would be no
ramifications. She restated, "This is not a hostile takeover."
She said this is just an opportunity for DLWD to coordinate
workforce development in career and technical education. She
opined that all training and education should lead to a good-
paying job.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK inquired whether the focus is between state
departments. He relayed that he is trying to establish the
problem HB 67 is attempting to fix. He said he likes "the
vision" and allowed perhaps "we should put this in the scope of
the duties of the department." Nevertheless, he expressed his
concern that there should be sidebars added so that future
administrations do not misinterpret their roles and
responsibilities.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER responded that there is not necessarily a
problem to be fixed. She said the intent is to "form a
discussion around career and technical education." She stated
that having legislation that gives DLWD a lead role will help
inform the discussion "that all training, all education, should
lead to viable career opportunity."
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK directed attention to language on page 2,
lines 9-12, of HB 67, which read as follows:
(8) coordinate and monitor state career
and technical education programs through a cooperative
effort with the Department of Education and Early
Development, the University of Alaska, and any other
entities involved in providing or funding the
programs.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK suggested changing the language on line 9 to
"coordinate and monitor states provided career and technical
education" and deleting "or funding" from the language on line
12. He explained that he is not sure that "we" want to keep
track of every private organization and their funding sources,
so he recommended limiting it to government funded programs. He
expressed concern that there may be too much government
overreach in some of the private institutions. He concluded,
"So, I understand why we might want to have that oversight for
state-funded or government-funded programs and why we'd want to
coordinate and maybe even offer state assistance to some of the
state entities; but I don't think that we should be required to
go any further than that unless they do receive state grants or
state funding."
8:37:06 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND noted that Paul Layer, from Fairbanks, was
available telephonically.
8:37:31 AM
PAUL LAYER, Vice President, Academic Students in Research,
University of Alaska - Fairbanks, stated that that UA is proud
to work with its partners to meet Alaska's future workforce
needs. Career and technical education is at the heart of UA's
mission; it has workforce programs on 14 campuses throughout the
state, as well as at learning and workforce centers elsewhere in
the state.
MR. LAYER said UA suggests amending HB 67 to ensure continued
collaborative relationships between UA, DEED, and DLWD. He said
this can be accomplished through small changes that he said he
would submit to the committee in writing. One change would
involve "precluding the expansion of the department's authority
from merging into monitoring and coordinating of program
delivery for career and technical education."
MR. LAYER stated the importance of preserving the distinct roles
of UA, DEED, and DLWD in delivering career and technical
programs. He indicated that under HB 67, DLWD would be given
"more authority designating as Alaska's lead agencies in areas
of CTE." He said this concerns UA. He said that as the state's
largest career and technical education provider, UA has
workforce training programs that serve thousands of Alaskans
annually. He said UA has had a productive working relationship
with DLWD for decades. He said one example of that is the
Alaska CTE plan, as shown in an addendum. Both organizations
serve on AWIB and deal with policy questions and elaborate on
joint initiatives. He emphasized UA's desire to maintain the
distinct roles through collaborations. For example, he said UA
works with DEED and local school districts on a number of high
school "dual enrollment programs." Further, UA collaborates
with AVTEC on maritime training centers. He stated, "These are
great existing partnerships that should not require additional
facilitation by the Department of Labor [& Workforce
Development]."
8:40:30 AM
MR. LAYER said HB 67, as drafted, is interpreted as giving
[DLWD] authority over career technical and education program
delivery, and the proposed change could have "unintended
consequences and potentially impede the strategic coordination
that the department is seeking." He continued as follows:
The university respects the department's desire to
maximize its ability to advance the state's workforce
and policy goals; however, we are concerned that the
bill, as drafted, hinders the university's independent
academic mission.
We hope to work with the department and the committee
on this legislation and the larger issue of advancing
career and technical education in Alaska.
MR. LAYER, to a point raised by Commissioner Ledbetter, said UA
does its own industry outreach to ensure its CTE program meets
needs and coordinates with AWIB on that assessment. He said
currently UA has a good working relationship with DLWD and DEED,
and it would like to see that continue into the future.
8:43:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked for clarification as to the intent
behind the phrase "coordinate and monitor" in the aforementioned
bill language.
8:43:47 AM
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER answered that it means ensuring that the
programs in the plan coordinated with DEED and UA are meeting
the needs of employers. In response to a second request from
Representative Story to understand the intent behind the
language, she emphasized that DLWD has no intention of
approaching a public or private entity and asking them to hand
over all their records. She reiterated that monitoring would be
for the purpose of ensuring training is being offered for the
jobs available.
8:44:43 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND proffered that not part of the consideration
is the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE),
whose board comprises 14 members. She said the commission does
a lot of oversight of training programs, including consideration
of fiscal status and certification. She stated, "It sounds like
there's a lot of this 'monitoring' happening under their
authority." She said there are members of the University of
Alaska Board of Regents and the Alaska Board of Education that
are members of the ACPE Board. She said ACPE also runs student
loans, grants, and scholarship programs. She implored
Commissioner Ledbetter to consider collaboration with ACPE "to
make sure that we're not providing too many layers of oversight
here."
8:46:03 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK inquired further about the intent of the
bill, whether it is "to know what's going on" in order to "help"
or to do that plus ensure that entities are "doing what they're
supposed to be doing."
8:47:03 AM
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER responded that the intent of DLWD is "to
provide informed information that allows those entities to do
better jobs, if needed, or continue doing the great job that
they're doing." She reiterated that the department would not
monitor with the intent of asking people to turn over records.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK stated that he thinks if DLWD had grants
going out to training facilities, then the department "would
want to have that." He said that explained his concern about
"funding versus non-funding." He said he is also concerned
about "private versus anything that's receiving government
funds." He questioned "how this is not being met" with AWIB,
UA, and ACPE. He further questioned why AWIB's Technical
Education Program findings are not sufficient.
8:48:37 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND offered her understanding that ACPE had
reviewed programs within the Waylon Baptist University, but she
does not know whether the board has oversight in the area of
training. She expressed concern there could be too many
organizations overseeing the various schools and providers of
training. She told Commissioner Ledbetter she would like to
have a list of programs DLWD "is currently coordinating." She
asked Mr. Layer to confirm that he had said he would provide an
amendment for the committee's consideration.
8:49:45 AM
MR. LAYER confirmed that UA would provide an amendment
addressing the question regarding monitoring.
8:50:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked whether there is something similar
that the department already monitors that could serve as an
example.
8:50:58 AM
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER stated that there is STEP funding, as
well other grant funding under WIOA, regarding "adult and
dislocated worker." The department considers the amount of the
grant being requested and the criteria surrounding the grant.
Then it will look at how the funds are spent, which individuals
are served, and whether the individuals actually got jobs. She
stated, "There's nothing punitive, per se, that happens when
they don't do what they say they're going to do, but that
informs us to not award that grant the next year." She said
DLWD already has entities that monitor and entities that work
together, and she indicated that her expectation of [HB 67] is
that it would "strengthen those relationships." It would not
expand the scope of the department's role, because under WIOA,
the department already has "the lead position in career and
technical education."
8:52:52 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked for a list of the grants and
organizations mentioned by Commissioner Ledbetter. She said she
appreciates the intent of HB 67 in terms of "unsiloing" the work
done in departments. She noted that the fiscal note is for one
position within the department at a cost of approximately
$140,000 annually. She asked whether the position already
exists or would be new.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER stated that the position is already
filled, and the fiscal note will be amended.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked if Commissioner Ledbetter was saying the
fiscal note "would go away."
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER answered that is correct.
8:54:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK inquired as to how long the individual has
been in the position.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER offered her understanding that the
position was filled in February or March [2019]. In response to
a follow-up question, she related that the job existed
previously but was just vacant for a time.
8:54:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS inquired whether the person in the
position was assigned to AWIB.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER answered no. To follow-up questions, she
said the person in the position is not responsible for staffing
and overseeing AWIB; that job is done by the executive director
of AWIB. She said there are two staff for the board. To
another line of questioning from Representative Hopkins, she
said it seems like there are a lot of programs that overlap, and
it would be nice if there was better coordination so that
training for jobs that do not exist does not occur. She said
she could follow up later with a list of programs that
illustrate the overlap.
8:56:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON sought to clarify the intent of
monitoring a program that is not receiving state funding. She
asked whether it was to know whether other programs were "out
there" for the purpose of establishing state-funded programs or
receiving grants.
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER answered yes.
8:58:16 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND opened public testimony on HB 67.
8:58:39 AM
JOEY CRUM, President and CEO, Northern Industrial Training,
stated that he is testifying because he has been involved in
many aspects of training and adult education, including public
and private, as well as union and nonunion. He said he supports
HB 67 to clarify the commissioner's role in helping "break down
silos" and coordinate efforts related to career and technical
education - especially those between state-funded entities. He
continued as follows:
It is frustrating enough to see the state compete with
the private sector, but it is especially frustrating
to see the state compete with itself. For example, on
January 31, the university issued RFP Number 19-06 for
work consisting of labor and materials and equipment
necessary to renovate the University of Alaska -
Anchorage welding lab located at the Kenai Peninsula
College. AVTEC offers welding instruction two hours
away in a new, multi-million dollar facility described
as state-of-the-art. Why is UAA spending money to
renovate this facility? So they can take the state
dollars and compete with other state dollars given to
AVTEC? Both are operating below capacity.
MR. CRUM opined that HB 67 is needed so that the state can
"strategically use its precious training dollars and prioritize
Alaskans over facilities." He offered clarification that UA is
statutorily exempt from ACPE oversight, even though it has three
voting members on the board of commissioners.
9:00:58 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND expressed her appreciation for Mr. Crum's
testimony. She said she is amazed to hear about the RFP and
finds it curious that UA is exempt from ACPE oversight. She
asked Mr. Crum for information regarding his position as chair
on the ACPE Board.
MR. CRUM stated that he was appointed by Governor Sean Parnell
to the Board of Commissioners of ACPE in 2014 and served as vice
chair for one year and chair for another year; he served again
as chair "before he was not reappointed to the board." In
total, both those positions he served for approximately two
years and three months.
9:02:04 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked whether Mr. Crum thinks AWIB needs
stronger oversight from the commissioner of DLWD.
MR. CRUM relayed that AWIB's membership needs to be "statutorily
cleaned up" in order to represent Alaska's current workforce
composition. He said he thinks the commissioner of DLWD has
adequate oversight of AWIB function; however, "when you're only
able to coordinate a portion of state dollars, you are lacking
incent from a broader group of people that help propel Alaska."
9:03:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK thanked Mr. Crum for telling the committee
about the RFP redundancy issue. He asked Mr. Crum how HB 67 can
solve any type of redundancy.
MR. CRUM stated that he believes HB 67 would be the beginning of
a coordination that would eliminate redundancies, the
duplication of efforts using public dollars. He said DLWD funds
not only AVTEC, but also regional training providers located in
many of the same places in which there are UA facilities. He
said, "Coordination clearly hasn't happened at this point; maybe
this will force the discussion."
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK referenced Mr. Crum's earlier statement that
this isn't needed and inquired whether that is because AVTEC
does not already have full enrollment in its welding program.
MR. CRUM replied that he has not spoken directly with a
representative of AVTEC; however, he said "past results" show
that neither the Kenai Peninsula College nor AVTEC are operating
their welding classes at full capacity. He opined that the
state should determine what facilities are needed in order to
operate them at full capacity. In response to a follow-up
question, he indicated that the information he received was
public information reported to the Senate Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee and House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee. He said UA information is much more difficult to
get, but he said he has developed "significant relationships"
growing up on the Kenai Peninsula, and that is where he got his
information.
9:06:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON thanked Mr. Crum for his testimony and
recognized his expertise in the area.
9:07:10 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND thanked Mr. Crum for being alert to the
duplication of services. She said she had heard that AVTEC had
a success rate such that every person who went through its
program got a job. She asked Mr. Crum if he knew whether that
success rate has been maintained or declined.
MR. CRUM deferred the question to DLWD because he has not seen a
report to be able to answer.
9:08:12 AM
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER stated that the department would follow
up and provide that information at a later time.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND recommended committee members take a tour of
AVTEC as she had done in the past.
9:09:05 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND, after ascertaining that there was no one else
who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 67.
9:09:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY referenced line[s] [9 and] 10 of HB 67,
regarding career and technical programs. She said it would be
interesting to hear from UA regarding the use of the word
"programs". She said she hopes further conversations will
continue.
9:10:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK stated that this appears as an almost two-
part vision. One part is the coordinate of services,
educational opportunities, and career paths that are desperately
needed but without duplicating efforts; the second part is the
ability for DLWD to monitor to ensure state dollars are being
used as intended. He said that blending the parts together may
be a problem, because it could allow for a future commissioner
to have an overpowering role. He said he appreciates the vision
[of HB 67] but wants it done "the right way."
9:11:55 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND shared that as a former Anchorage School Board
member, she has watched how use of the career center has
changed. It has transitioned from a half-day program to a full-
time career program. There has been a suggestion considered to
open the building to the public at night. Another school
district brings rural students to Anchorage for classes. School
districts around the state have focused "career tech efforts" in
hub communities and have developed boarding school programs for
career building. She said it would be great to have the
departments and the university coordinating to ensure the
appropriate services are being offered to Alaskans. She said
she appreciates the intent of HB 67, but said the committee
needs to carefully consider it to avoid "overdoing it." She
recommended speaking with someone from ACPE to see what its role
may be in this. She reiterated her response regarding Mr. Crum
having stated that UA does not have oversight by ACPE, which she
said seems odd.
9:13:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS drew attention to the fiscal analysis of
the fiscal note from the Department of Labor & Workforce
Development, and he paraphrased [the first three sentences of]
the third paragraph, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
The Alaska Workforce Investment Board (AWIB) within
the department is already the lead state planning and
coordinating entity for the human resource programs in
the state. The AWIB is responsible for the
facilitation and development of an effective
employment and training education system, which aligns
workforce, education, and economic development. The
AWIB's staff includes a position that serves as the
department's CTE Coordinator.
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS then directed attention to language
beginning on the second line of the next paragraph, which stated
that "this position will shift focus slightly to help the
department and the AWIB monitor and evaluate the state's CTE
programs as well." He said it seems like the department already
has the authority it is seeking under HB 67.
9:14:56 AM
COMMISSIONER LEDBETTER answered that HB 67 would formalize "that
requirement."
9:15:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK offered his understanding that a lot of
these functions are already happening; HB 67 would amend AS
44.31.020, which relates to the duties of the department. He
indicated that he notices when the word "strengthen" is used,
but he thinks the intent of the proposed legislation is to "have
one place and one person" to oversee the process and "coordinate
these things" and then "monitor these things" when there are
state funds involved. He emphasized the importance of properly
crafting HB 67 "to make sure that we have that there."
9:16:54 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND remarked that House Bill 221, [passed during
the Thirtieth Legislative Session], "reupped the workforce and
education-related statistics program" run by ACPE. She said it
is an extensive database that follows the delivery of programs
from preschool through workforce development. She said she
thinks it is called a "PK 20 Program." She said DLWD is one of
the signatories. She said that database is intended to track
investments in students in the state. She concluded, "So, I
think this is an important ... factor and something that the
[Alaska] Commission on Postsecondary Education would be happy to
educate you on."
9:18:20 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that HB 67 was held over.
9:18:50 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:19 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 67 Committee Packet.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 67 |
| HB0067 House Education committee cte hearing request.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 67 |
| HB0067 transmittal letter.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 67 |
| HB0067 sectional analysis.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 67 |
| HB0067-1-2-022019-EED-N.PDF |
HEDC 4/5/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 67 |
| HB0067-2-2-022019-LWF-Y.PDF |
HEDC 4/5/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 67 |
| HB0067A.PDF |
HEDC 4/5/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 67 |