03/31/2018 01:00 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB262 | |
| HB374 | |
| HB384 | |
| HB401 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 262 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 374 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 384 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 401 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
March 31, 2018
1:02 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Sam Kito, Chair
Representative Adam Wool, Vice Chair
Representative Andy Josephson
Representative Bryce Edgmon (alternate)
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Louise Stutes
Representative Chris Birch
Representative Gary Knopp
Representative Colleen Sullivan-Leonard
Representative Mike Chenault (alternate)
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 262
"An Act relating to temporary courtesy licenses for certain
nonresident professionals; and relating to the Department of
Commerce, Community, and Economic Development."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 374
"An Act relating to on-bill financing by an electric or gas
distribution utility for certain energy efficiency and
conservation improvements."
- MOVED CSHB 374(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 384
"An Act relating to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska and
broadband Internet regulations."
- MOVED HB 384 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 401
"An Act relating to insurance; relating to credit for
reinsurance; insurance standard valuation; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 401(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 262
SHORT TITLE: MILITARY SPOUSE COURTESY LICENSE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) KAWASAKI
01/16/18 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/18
01/16/18 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/18 (H) MLV, L&C
02/06/18 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/06/18 (H) Heard & Held
02/06/18 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
02/15/18 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/15/18 (H) Moved CSHB 262(MLV) Out of Committee
02/15/18 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
02/16/18 (H) MLV RPT CS(MLV) 4DP 1AM
02/16/18 (H) DP: SADDLER, PARISH, LEDOUX, TUCK
02/16/18 (H) AM: RAUSCHER
03/28/18 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/28/18 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/31/18 (H) L&C AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 374
SHORT TITLE: ON-BILL FINANCING OF ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) WOOL
02/21/18 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/21/18 (H) ENE, L&C
03/01/18 (H) ENE AT 10:15 AM CAPITOL 17
03/01/18 (H) Heard & Held
03/01/18 (H) MINUTE(ENE)
03/08/18 (H) ENE AT 10:15 AM CAPITOL 17
03/08/18 (H) Moved CSHB 374(ENE) Out of Committee
03/08/18 (H) MINUTE(ENE)
03/09/18 (H) ENE RPT CS(ENE) 2DP 1NR 2AM
03/09/18 (H) DP: CLAMAN, WOOL
03/09/18 (H) NR: JOHNSON
03/09/18 (H) AM: JOHNSTON, RAUSCHER
03/16/18 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/16/18 (H) Heard & Held
03/16/18 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/26/18 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/26/18 (H) Heard & Held
03/26/18 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/31/18 (H) L&C AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 384
SHORT TITLE: REGULATORY COMM OF AK; BROADBAND INTERNET
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GUTTENBERG
02/21/18 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/21/18 (H) L&C, FIN
03/30/18 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/30/18 (H) Heard & Held
03/30/18 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/31/18 (H) L&C AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 401
SHORT TITLE: INSURANCE; REINSURANCE;VALUATION; CREDITS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
03/05/18 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/05/18 (H) L&C
03/14/18 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/14/18 (H) Heard & Held
03/14/18 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/19/18 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/19/18 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/28/18 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/28/18 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard
03/31/18 (H) L&C AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
WILLIAM JODWALIS, Staff
Representative Scott Kawasaki
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 262 on behalf of
Representative Kawasaki, prime sponsor.
DALE VANDE HEY
Department of Defense State Liaison Office
San Antonio, Texas
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in the hearing on HB 262.
ROBERT DOEHL, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in the hearing on HB 262.
CHRISTIE RODRIGUEZ
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 262.
SARA CHAMBERS, Deputy Director
Division of Corporations, Businesses, and Professional Licensing
(DCBPL)
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions in the hearing on HB
262.
CAITLYN ELLIS, Staff
Representative Sam Kito
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the changes to HB 374 on behalf
of the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
ROB EARL, Staff
Representative Adam Wool
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 374 on behalf of
Representative Wool, prime sponsor.
DUFF MITCHELL, Manager Director
Juneau Hydro Power; Chairman, Juneau Commission on
Sustainability
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 374.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GUTTENBERG
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Reintroduced HB 384 as prime sponsor.
CAITLYN ELLIS, Staff
Representative Sam Kito
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the changes to the proposed bill
on behalf of Representative Kito, prime sponsor.
LORI WING-HEIER, Director
Division of Insurance
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions in the hearing on HB
401.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:02:48 PM
CHAIR SAM KITO called the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:02 p.m. Representatives Edgmon,
Josephson, Wool, and Kito were present at the call to order.
HB 262-MILITARY SPOUSE COURTESY LICENSE
1:03:42 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 262, "An Act relating to temporary courtesy
licenses for certain nonresident professionals; and relating to
the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic
Development."
1:04:03 PM
WILLIAM JODWALIS, Staff, Representative Scott Kawasaki, Alaska
State Legislature, presented HB 262 on behalf of Representative
Kawasaki, prime sponsor. He paraphrased the sponsor statement
[in committee packet], which reads as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
In 2011, HB 28 was passed to provide expedited
temporary courtesy licenses to eligible individuals
transferred to Alaska with their active duty service
member spouse, so they can practice their trade
without experiencing extensive wait times for
licensure approval. For a military spouse, expedited
temporary courtesy licenses are the fastest method of
obtaining licensure and getting back to their
profession.
Similar legislation was also passed by several other
states. However, states such as Washington and
Connecticut, also included a reporting mechanism so
that the Legislature and Joint Armed Services
Committee equivalent in that state could track the
executive branch's progress of implementation and
occupational board communication. HB 28 did not
include a reporting requirement when it was passed.
In fall 2017, legislators voiced concern that full
implementation of HB 28 (2011) was not yet completed,
and that not all occupational boards were aware of the
now 7-year-old statute. While questions remain, the
bill simply seeks to strengthen the ability of
military spouses to obtain these occupational licenses
in an efficient and expedited manner as prescribed by
law.
HB 262 seeks to amend AS 08.01.063 to include that the
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development prepare an annual report regarding
courtesy licenses issued the previous calendar year.
This simple reporting mechanism will help facilitate
communication between occupational boards, the
department and the legislators. It will also aid in
making occupational board staff and legislators more
aware of what opportunities are available for helping
military spouses get back into the workforce.
The passage of HB 262 would improve communication
between the boards, the department and the legislator
and by improving efficiency and awareness about what
opportunities are available, will help welcome
military families to Alaska and encourage their
integration into our local economy. I respectfully
urge your support of HB 262, a corrective bill that is
in the interest of improving communication,
accountability and helping with the transition of
Alaska's military families.
1:06:49 PM
DALE VANDE HEY, Department of Defense (DoD) State Liaison
Office, testified in the hearing on HB 262. He explained the
DoD works with state legislators who work on legislation that
impacts and supports military members and their families. He
stated the proposed bill was "top of the list", as military
spouses continue to need assistance. He said it is "not a give-
away," but merely recognizing a license from another state and
expediting the process for transitioning military spouses.
1:08:35 PM
ROBERT DOEHL, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Military &
Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), testified in the hearing on HB 262.{
He said military spouses have to figure out what licenses and
standards are current in the new state and they end up doing
this on their own through word-of-mouth as the DoD doesn't
provide any assistance. He said DMVA has reached out to the
active military to offer informal avenues, but it still comes
down to the military spouse to navigate. He added that
typically they have to do this about every four years.
1:10:30 PM
CHRISTIE RODRIGUEZ testified in support of HB 262. She shared
her experience with moving every few years as a military spouse.
She said military spouses are 38 percent under-employed compared
to their civilian counterparts.
CHAIR KITO asked about the fiscal note (FN) for HB 262.
1:13:06 PM
SARA CHAMBERS, Deputy Director, Division of Corporations,
Businesses, and Professional Licensing (DCBPL), Department of
Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED), answered
questions in the hearing on HB 262. She addressed the fiscal
note and explained that currently the department does provide
updates on an ad hoc basis. She said $5,000 in expenditure
authority was the request.
1:14:18 PM
CHAIR KITO asked whether the amount is a one-time request and in
future years the amount would be incorporated into the budgets
of individual boards.
MS. CHAMBERS answered in the affirmative.
1:14:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked about producing a report every
calendar year rather than every fiscal year. He further asked
about renewals.
MS. CHAMBERS answered that there are existing practices for
military spouses. She said there are over 100 license types and
nearly every type offers the process. She added that the ones
that don't are the ones that don't need it or have safety
requirements. She said there were only 35 military spouse
license requests in the previous year. She said she was very
interested in hearing from the Department of Military &
Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) and other groups who could help meet
the needs. She underlined that currently the division was not
hearing from them about any problems.
1:18:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked whether Ms. Chambers understands the
need to move to reporting on the calendar year.
MS. CHAMBERS answered the department is happy to provide the
information whenever it is necessary.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked about the timing of reporting.
MS. CHAMBERS said the timing gives the department plenty of time
to produce a report.
1:21:32 PM
CHAIR KITO opened public testimony on HB 262.
CHAIR KITO held over HB 262.
HB 374-ON-BILL FINANCING OF ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS
1:21:50 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 374, "An Act relating to on-bill financing by an
electric or gas distribution utility for certain energy
efficiency and conservation improvements."
1:22:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL moved to adopt the CS for HB 374 as the
working document.
CHAIR KITO objected for discussion.
1:22:41 PM
CAITLYN ELLIS, Staff, Representative Sam Kito, Alaska State
Legislature, presented the changes in the CS. She paraphrased
the explanation of changes [included in committee packet], which
reads as follows [original punctuation provided]:
MOVED meter conservation charge language from section
42.05.750 to the meter conservation charge section
(Page 2, lines 10-17) and DELETED meter conservation
charge language unnecessarily repeated in the
definition of meter conservation charge (Page 5, lines
6-7). Change requested by bill drafter- cosmetic
change only.
Page 2, line 27 DELETED "AS 42.05.261," (mistaken
cross reference)
Page 3, lines 25-28 DELETED most of Sect. 42.05.754
Rental Property.
With deletion, only landlords that are responsible for
the entire utility bill can enter into an on-bill
financing agreement for rental property; and tenants
cannot enter into on-bill financing agreements at all.
This led to the following conforming DELETIONS:
• "a customer or landlord of' on Page 1, line 8;
• "or landlord" Page 2, line 19;
• "a tenant or subsequent tenant of the residence
or building under AS 42.05.754." Page 2, line 21;
• "a purchaser's obligation to notify a tenant
under AS 42.05.754 if the purchase leases the
property." Page 3, line 16; and
• "or landlord of a utility customer" Page 4, line
27.
Page 2, lines 8-9 INSERTED language making it
explicitly clear that the utility can choose what type
of improvements the utility will finance under an on-
bill program. This was the bill's intent all along.
DELETED "an electric or gas distribution" before
"utility" nine places in the bill (including the
title). The change would allow a district heating
utility to utilize on-bill financing.
Page 4, line 31 REWORDED definition of "energy
conservation system".
Version N: the new fuel switched to must be more
efficient and not increase direct
greenhouse gas emissions.
Version E: the new fuel still must not increase
greenhouse gas emissions, and must
either be more efficient OR cheaper.
1:25:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON asked about weatherization
considerations in the CS.
MS. ELLIS answered that weatherization considerations were not
included in the CS. She deferred to Mr. Earl.
1:26:10 PM
ROB EARL, Staff, Representative Adam Wool, Alaska State
Legislature, presented HB 374 on behalf of Representative Wool,
prime sponsor. He answered that he agreed that weatherization
is not included.
CHAIR KITO added that one change to the bill is to make sure the
utility provider can approve the measures that can be financed.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL said that the original intent was to
facilitate the conversion to more efficient fuel sources.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON asked about the concerns expressed by
Alaska Electric Light and Power (AELP).
MS. ELLIS said the new definition mostly resolves those
concerns. She added AELP had been involved in the change.
1:29:02 PM
CHAIR KITO removed his objection to adopting the CS to HB 374.
1:29:24 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that public testimony on HB 374 was still
open from the previous hearing.
1:29:37 PM
DUFF MITCHELL, Manager Director, Juneau Hydro Power; Chairman,
Juneau Commission on Sustainability, testified in support of HB
374. He described some of the innovative heating systems in the
state. He stated he supports Version E of the proposed bill.
He said the new language is "utility agnostic". He said he
believes the bill supports the state's energy policies.
1:33:38 PM
CHAIR KITO closed public testimony.
1:33:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL moved to report CS for HB 374 out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
1:34:16 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:34 p.m. to 1:35 p.m.
HB 384-REGULATORY COMM OF AK; BROADBAND INTERNET
1:35:49 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 384, "An Act relating to the Regulatory
Commission of Alaska and broadband Internet regulations."
1:36:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GUTTENBERG, Alaska State Legislature,
reintroduced HB 384 as prime sponsor. He answered questions
from the previous meeting. He indicated he could offer more
information of what other states have done about broadband
development.
1:37:51 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that public testimony was still open from
the previous meeting. Upon ascertaining that no one was
available to testify, he closed public testimony on HB 384.
1:38:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL moved to report HB 384 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, it was so ordered.
1:38:26 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:38 p.m. to 1:38 p.m.
HB 401-INSURANCE; REINSURANCE;VALUATION; CREDITS
1:38:32 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 401, "An Act relating to insurance; relating to
credit for reinsurance; insurance standard valuation; and
providing for an effective date."
1:40:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL moved to adopt the CS for HB 401 as a
working document.
CHAIR KITO objected for discussion.
1:40:55 PM
CAITLYN ELLIS, Staff, Representative Sam Kito, Alaska State
Legislature, presented the changes to the proposed bill on
behalf of Representative Kito, prime sponsor. She stated there
were a number of drafting issues that were being resolved. The
summary of changes [included in committee packet], with an
additional table of drafting changes, read as follows:
The CS for HB 401 makes drafting changes in accordance
with the legislative drafting manual. The original
legislation was drafted to repeal and reenact the
credit for reinsurance model act. The CS interlineates
revisions to model law in existing statute. No
substantive changes are made in the revision.
1:42:15 PM
CHAIR KITO commented that the bill was being examined for
drafting changes to conform to legislative drafting manuals. He
stated he would like to continue to move the bill forward as the
changes were being implemented.
1:43:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON asked about other committee referrals.
CHAIR KITO said the bill would be going to House Rules
Committee.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON asked whether the intent was to bring
the changes to the House floor.
CHAIR KITO answered the changes would be worked on while it
moved on through to the other body.
1:44:06 PM
CHAIR KITO removed his objection. There being no further
objection, Version D was adopted as the working document.
1:44:23 PM
LORI WING-HEIER, Director, Division of Insurance, Department of
Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED), answered
questions in the hearing on HB 401. She clarified that the bill,
in its entirety, is based on NAIC model law. She said the
repeal and reenact approach was not in accordance with
legislative drafting manuals. She said that all parts of the
model law are in the CS and have been noted in the CS, but the
overall intent has not changed in the CS.
1:45:41 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that public testimony was still open from
the previous meeting.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked about the issues with repeal and
reenact motions.
CHAIR KITO explained that the changes were ensuring that the
proposed CS conforms to Legislative Drafting manuals and the
repeal and replace" of a section of statute was still being
worked on. He indicated there was also a time issue.
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON asked for an explanation of the urgency
of the adoption of the changes.
MS. WING-HEIER answered that first part of the bill credit for
reinsurance was for all states seeking accreditation and had
an effective date in 2019. The second part of the bill has a
2020 effective date. She stated the 2019 date was most urgent.
1:48:56 PM
CHAIR KITO closed public testimony on HB 401.
1:49:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL moved to report HB 401 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, it was so ordered.
1:49:53 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
1:49 p.m.