Legislature(1997 - 1998)
02/23/1998 04:03 PM House RLS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE RULES STANDING COMMITTEE
February 23, 1998
4:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Pete Kott, Chairman
Representative Gail Phillips
Representative Brian Porter
Representative Al Vezey
Representative William K.(Bill) Williams
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Kim Elton
Representative Irene Nicholia
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 182
"An Act relating to the qualifications of the state forester."
- MOVED CSHB 182(RLS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
(* First public hearing)
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HB 182
SHORT TITLE: QUALIFICATIONS OF STATE FORESTER
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVES(S) WILLIAMS
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
03/07/97 584 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
03/07/97 584 (H) RESOURCES
02/12/98 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 124
02/12/98 (H) MINUTE(RES)
02/16/98 2325 (H) RES RPT CS(RES) 3DP 3NR
02/16/98 2325 (H) DP: WILLIAMS, OGAN, HUDSON;
NR: DYSON,
02/16/98 2325 (H) BARNES, MASEK
02/16/98 2325 (H) ZERO FISCAL NOTE (DNR)
02/16/98 2325 (H) REFERRED TO RLS
02/23/98 (H) RLS AT 4:00 PM CAPITOL 120
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 98-3, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIRMAN PETE KOTT called the House Rules Standing Committee
meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. Members present at the call to order
were Representatives Kott, Phillips, Porter, Vezey and Williams.
HB 182 - QUALIFICATIONS OF STATE FORESTER
Number 0027
CHAIRMAN KOTT announced the committee would hear HB 182, "An Act
relating to the qualifications of the state forester," sponsored by
Representative Williams.
Number 0030
REPRESENTATIVE BILL WILLIAMS, Sponsor of HB 182, referred to the
proposed committee substitute (CS), Version H, and said he has been
working the Administration and the Society of American Foresters to
come up with qualifications to be a state forester. He referred to
the version of the bill that moved out of the House Resources
Committee and said the committee members had misunderstood the
Society of American Foresters. He referred to page 1, line 11, and
stated he would like to change the language to read, "a bachelor's
or higher degree in the broad field of forestry;". He noted the
Alaska Forest Association, the Administration and the American
Society of Forestry agrees with the proposed change.
Number 0165
REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN PORTER asked if you had a degree in the narrow
field of forestry, you could qualify.
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS responded that was where it was at one
time.
Number 0218
REPRESENTATIVE PORTER said what he interprets the change to mean is
that it is an expansion of what was in the previous version of the
legislation. He said a general degree in forestry will be
required.
Number 0247
REPRESENTATIVE GAIL PHILLIPS asked about degrees such as in natural
resources management.
Number 0258
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS explained that a problem with Resources
version of the bill was it stated, "accredited by the Society of
American Foresters." He said he wanted to broaden it more and the
Society of American Foresters agreed. He said the Society of
American Foresters may change its philosophy, so they suggested
making it the broad field of forestry. Representative Williams
pointed out that the Society of American Foresters also made the
recommendation that a person have at least three years of
experience in forestry. In order to work in forestry, you would
have to have some sort of background. The way the current statute
is written it says you don't have to have a background in forestry.
Anyone can be hired that has a degree in resources management such
as mining, fisheries, et cetera.
Number 0385
CHAIRMAN KOTT said he understands that. He said if the committee
removed the wording, "accredited by the Society of American
Foresters", we would have a broad degree of forestry versus a
forestry-related program. He asked if the opportunity would be
expanded.
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS said he isn't sure.
Number 0423
REPRESENTATIVE PORTER said the wording could be interpreted to mean
that if the word "forestry" was not in the title of the degree, you
might not be able to qualify. He said if you had a degree in
national resource management with an emphasis in forestry and three
years of experience, he would guess someone might want to consider
that person. Representative Porter said leaving "a forestry or
related program" is better than "broad field of forestry."
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS responded, "close related program." He
questioned changing the wording to "a bachelor's or higher degree
in a forestry-related program."
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS added, "and the experience,".
Number 0495
CHAIRMAN KOTT asked Representative Williams if that still captures
the intent and would be supported by the foresters.
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS responded that he believes it would be
supported.
Number 0544
REPRESENTATIVE PORTER made a motion to adopt the proposed CSHB 182,
Version H, dated 2/16/98. There being no objection, it was so
ordered.
Number 0567
REPRESENTATIVE PORTER moved to amend page 1, line 11. He said
strike "broad field of forestry" and insert "in a forestry-related
program; and".
CHAIRMAN KOTT said it is a conceptual amendment. He asked if there
was an objection. There being no objection, the amendment was
adopted.
Number 0809
REPRESENTATIVE PORTER made a motion to move CSHB 182, as amended,
with individual recommendations and with the attached fiscal notes
out of committee.
CHAIRMAN KOTT asked if there was an objection. There being no
objection, CSHB 182(RLS) moved out of the House Rules Standing
Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
Number 0634
CHAIRMAN KOTT adjourned the House Rules Standing Committee meeting
at 4:12 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|