04/01/2008 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB118 | |
| SB77 | |
| HB357 | |
| HB413 | |
| HB379 | |
| SB295 | |
| HB295 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 295 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 295 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 379 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | SB 118 | ||
| = | HB 357 | ||
| = | HB 413 | ||
| = | SB 77 | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
April 1, 2008
2:13 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Johnny Ellis, Chair
Senator Gary Stevens, Vice Chair
Senator Bettye Davis
Senator Con Bunde
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 118
"An Act establishing a fee for disposable plastic bags
distributed by retail sellers of goods or services to consumers
to carry away or protect goods; and establishing the Alaska
litter and marine debris reduction and recycling fund."
MOVED CSSB 118(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 77
"An Act prohibiting use of agency shop fees for political
contributions or expenditures."
FAILED TO MOVE SB 77 OUT OF COMMITTEE
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 357(L&C)
"An Act requiring errors and omissions insurance for real estate
licensees; renaming the real estate surety fund as the real
estate recovery fund and relating to that fund, and redefining
the procedures and criteria used by the Real Estate Commission
to make an award from the fund to a person suffering a loss
caused by certain misconduct of real estate licensees; requiring
a real estate licensee to maintain an office in the state; and
providing for an effective date."
MOVED CSHB 357(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 413
"An Act extending the termination date for the Real Estate
Commission; and providing for an effective date."
MOVED HB 413 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 379
"An Act relating to educational requirements for licensure as a
certified public accountant."
HEARD AND HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 295
"An Act relating to the licensing of clinical laboratory science
professionals; and providing for an effective date."
HEARD AND HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 295
"An Act relating to the filing or recording of documents and
records with the Department of Natural Resources, to the
inspection and copying of filed and recorded documents, and to
the filing of secured transaction records under the Uniform
Commercial Code; and providing for an effective date."
HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 118
SHORT TITLE: PLASTIC BAG FEE; ESTABLISH LITTER FUND
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) ELTON
03/14/07 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/14/07 (S) L&C, RES, FIN
04/26/07 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 211
04/26/07 (S) Heard & Held
04/26/07 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
05/01/07 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 211
05/01/07 (S) Heard & Held
05/01/07 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
03/27/08 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 211
03/27/08 (S) Scheduled But Not Heard
BILL: SB 77
SHORT TITLE: USING UNION DUES FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) BUNDE
02/09/07 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/09/07 (S) STA
02/12/07 (S) L&C REFERRAL ADDED AFTER STA
02/07/08 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BELTZ 211
02/07/08 (S) Moved SB 77 Out of Committee
02/07/08 (S) MINUTE(STA)
02/08/08 (S) STA RPT 4DP
02/08/08 (S) DP: MCGUIRE, STEVENS, BUNDE, GREEN
03/25/08 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 211
03/25/08 (S) Heard & Held
03/25/08 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
BILL: HB 357
SHORT TITLE: CLAIMS AGAINST REAL ESTATE LICENSEES
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE BY REQUEST
02/06/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/06/08 (H) L&C, FIN
02/11/08 (H) L&C AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 17
02/11/08 (H) Heard & Held
02/11/08 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
02/22/08 (H) L&C AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 17
02/22/08 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/03/08 (H) L&C AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 17
03/03/08 (H) Moved CSHB 357(L&C) Out of Committee
03/03/08 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/04/08 (H) L&C RPT CS(L&C) 3DP 2NR 2AM
03/04/08 (H) DP: GATTO, RAMRAS, OLSON
03/04/08 (H) NR: BUCH, NEUMAN
03/04/08 (H) AM: GARDNER, LEDOUX
03/11/08 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/11/08 (H) Scheduled But Not Heard
03/12/08 (H) FIN RPT CS(L&C) 5DP 3NR
03/12/08 (H) DP: HAWKER, CRAWFORD, THOMAS, MEYER,
CHENAULT
03/12/08 (H) NR: NELSON, KELLY, STOLTZE
03/12/08 (H) FIN AT 8:30 AM HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/12/08 (H) Scheduled But Not Heard
03/12/08 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/12/08 (H) Moved Out of Committee
03/12/08 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
03/26/08 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
03/26/08 (H) VERSION: CSHB 357(L&C)
03/27/08 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/27/08 (S) L&C
03/27/08 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 211
03/27/08 (S) Heard & Held
03/27/08 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
BILL: HB 413
SHORT TITLE: EXTENDING THE REAL ESTATE COMMISSION
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE
02/20/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/20/08 (H) L&C, FIN
02/25/08 (H) L&C AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 17
02/25/08 (H) Moved Out of Committee
02/25/08 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
02/27/08 (H) L&C RPT 5DP
02/27/08 (H) DP: GARDNER, BUCH, NEUMAN, LEDOUX,
OLSON
03/03/08 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/03/08 (H) Moved Out of Committee
03/03/08 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
03/04/08 (H) FIN RPT 3DP 6NR
03/04/08 (H) DP: CRAWFORD, NELSON, MEYER
03/04/08 (H) NR: HAWKER, STOLTZE, JOULE, THOMAS,
KELLY, CHENAULT
03/10/08 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
03/10/08 (H) VERSION: HB 413
03/12/08 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/12/08 (S) L&C, FIN
03/27/08 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 211
03/27/08 (S) Heard & Held
03/27/08 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
BILL: HB 379
SHORT TITLE: CPA EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HAWKER
02/19/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/19/08 (H) L&C, FIN
02/25/08 (H) L&C AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 17
02/25/08 (H) Moved Out of Committee
02/25/08 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
02/27/08 (H) L&C RPT 6DP
02/27/08 (H) DP: GARDNER, LEDOUX, BUCH, NEUMAN,
GATTO, OLSON
03/03/08 (H) FIN REFERRAL WAIVED
03/12/08 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
03/12/08 (H) VERSION: HB 379
03/14/08 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/14/08 (S) L&C
04/01/08 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 211
BILL: SB 295
SHORT TITLE: CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS
SPONSOR(s): HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
02/27/08 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/27/08 (S) L&C, FIN
04/01/08 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 211
BILL: HB 295
SHORT TITLE: RECORDED OR FILED DOCUMENTS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) LYNN
01/04/08 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/4/08
01/15/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/15/08 (H) L&C, RES
02/15/08 (H) L&C AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 17
02/15/08 (H) Moved Out of Committee
02/15/08 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
02/19/08 (H) L&C RPT 4DP
02/19/08 (H) DP: NEUMAN, BUCH, GARDNER, OLSON
02/27/08 (H) RES REFERRAL WAIVED
03/17/08 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
03/17/08 (H) VERSION: HB 295
03/18/08 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/18/08 (S) L&C
04/01/08 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 211
WITNESS REGISTER
SENATOR ELTON
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 118.
ELEANOR WOLFE
Staff to Representative Kurt
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on HB 357.
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE HAWKER
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 379.
MAX MERTZ, Chair
Board of Accountancy
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported HB 379.
DON BURRELL
Staff to Senator Davis
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on SB 295 for the sponsor.
JENNIFER STRICKLER, Licensing Chief
Division of Corporations, Businesses and Professional Licensing,
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Didn't support SB 295 as written.
NANCY MANLEY
Staff to Representative Lynn
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor or HB 295.
VICKY BACCHUS
State Recorder
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported HB 295.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR JOHNNY ELLIS called the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 2:13:14 PM. Present at the call to
order were Senators Davis, Stevens, and Ellis.
SB 118-PLASTIC BAG FEE; ESTABLISH LITTER FUND
2:14:03 PM
CHAIR ELLIS announced SB 118 to be up for consideration.
SENATOR ELTON, sponsor of SB 118, explained that SB 118 employs
the notion that if you can tax behavior, you can change it. This
bill was not introduced to raise revenues, but to change
behavior by establishing a 15 cent tax on plastic bags. He also
supported the CS that phases the tax in at a nickel a year over
three years.
2:14:27 PM
SENATOR BUNDE joined the committee.
SENATOR ELTON said this was adopted from an idea in Ireland
where a 20 cent tax cut use of plastic bags by about 90 percent.
CHAIR ELLIS asked if his intent was to just keep the
conversation going since this bill would have a long way to go
to get into law.
SENATOR ELTON replied yes; part of it is initiating the
discussion. He has received 617 signatures, a lot of emails, 37
letters and phone calls in support of SB 118. He has received
four letters, two from the American Chemistry Council, and four
POMs opposing it.
SENATOR STEVENS moved to adopt CSSB 118(L&C), version M. There
were no objections and it was so ordered.
SENATOR STEVENS asked if using paper bags is so much better than
plastic.
SENATOR ELTON answered yes, but every carrying device has its
down side. Plastic doesn't biodegrade over time and it creates a
huge problem especially in the marine environment where it
causes considerable harm to marine mammals and fish.
SENATOR BUNDE asked if biodegradable plastic bags would be
covered.
SENATOR ELTON answered no. Section 1 on page 2 of the CS notes
exceptions and includes biodegradable types of bags. He
mentioned that some rural villages have already banned plastic
bags.
SENATOR BUNDE said his concern is that some people can afford to
be environmentally conscious and he asked how this affects lower
income communities.
2:21:04 PM
SENATOR ELTON answered that many communities pick up dog waste
now; it just takes time. Fred Meyer is giving a refund to
customers for bringing their own bags.
2:22:04 PM
SENATOR STEVENS moved to report CSSB 118(L&C) version M from
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
note(s). There were no objections and it was so ordered.
SB 77-USING UNION DUES FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES
2:23:47 PM
CHAIR ELLIS announced consideration of SB 77.
SENATOR BUNDE, sponsor of SB 77, explained the purpose of the
bill is prohibiting unauthorized use of agency fees (union dues)
for political reasons. An agency fee is a fee paid to an
organization by a non-union member. This bill would require that
the employee would have to "opt in" or choose affirmatively to
have his or her dues used for the specific purposes. Currently,
if the member disagrees with an activity, he can go through a
fairly complicated procedure to get reimbursed for that portion
of his agency fee that was used for the political activity.
SENATOR BUNDE moved to report SB 77 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s).
CHAIR ELLIS objected and asked if a public employee was
available to testify.
SENATOR BUNDE replied that he was referring to a concern that
this was going to be a yearly opt-in procedure, but it's only
once at the beginning of a person's employment.
SENATOR STEVENS said it seems that it is an issue of fairness
and one should be able to choose how one's money is used.
A roll call vote was taken. Senators Bunde and Stevens voted
yea; Senators Davis and Ellis voted nay; so SB 77 failed to move
from committee.
CSHB 357(L&C)-CLAIMS AGAINST REAL ESTATE LICENSEES
2:27:02 PM
CHAIR ELLIS announced CSHB 357(L&C) to be up for consideration.
SENATOR BUNDE said he heard from a small real estate business
operator that he was quoted as much as $700 for E&O coverage and
previous testimony from the sponsor said it would be only a
couple of hundred dollars.
ELEANOR WOLFE, staff to Representative Kurt Olson and the House
Labor and Commerce Committee, explained that individuals who
have been quoted individually have run into very high rates.
That is why this would become a small group and the existing
brokers who have insurance could go with this organization if
they choose to do so. The approximately 40 percent that aren't
covered now would be able to be covered at $100,000 per year for
$200. Most brokers are carrying over $1 million and a whole
bunch of extras that aren't included in this policy.
2:29:15 PM
SENATOR BUNDE moved to report CSHB 357(L&C) from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There
were no objections and it was so ordered.
HB 413-EXTENDING THE REAL ESTATE COMMISSION
2:29:45 PM
CHAIR ELLIS announced HB 413 to be up for consideration. He said
it comports with recommendations from the Legislative Audit
division.
SENATOR STEVENS moved to report HB 413 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There
were no objections and it was so ordered.
HB 379-CPA EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
2:30:23 PM
CHAIR ELLIS announced HB 379 to be up for consideration.
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE HAWKER, sponsor of HB 379 explained that
this measure is really a piece of ministerial legislation. In
2006 the legislature passed a fairly substantial updating of
Alaska framework for licensing of certified public accountants
st
(CPA). The state is moving slowing into the 21 Century and
being in conformance with a consistent best practices approach
across the nation for the licensing of certified public
accountants.
One of the adopted provisions was a change in the education
requirements to receive a CPA certificate. Prior to the adoption
of the changes two years ago, a person could receive a CPA
certificate if they passed the examination and met certain
experience requirements, but at issue are the scholastic
requirements. Prior to passage of the bills, the state had two
acceptable methods to satisfy the education requirements. One
was that an individual had an accounting degree and subsequently
spent two years working under appropriate conditions supervised
as an accountant. Alternatively the state would accept any
degree, such as an MBA or Finance, from someone who had worked
for three years and had an additional year of experience
substituting for the specific accounting degree. That bill
eliminated the three-year-of-any-degree provision and said CPA's
really should have an accounting degree - without a doubt an
excellent practice. The new educations requirements took effect
on January 1, 2008; however they didn't take into consideration
the number of accountants who had graduated with the other
experience requirement prior to that date and were working on a
three-year experience program under supervision. Those folks are
denied the ability to receive a CPA certificate without going
back and getting an accounting degree. This measure grandfathers
them in and allows them to continue their three-year experience
program without having a specific accounting degree. This issue
was brought to him by the Alaska State Board of Accountancy.
2:34:44 PM
MAX MERTZ, Chair, Board of Accountancy, supported HB 379. It is
very timely as the board is in the process of promulgating
regulations.
CHAIR ELLIS said he was committed to holding HB 379 for a second
hearing.
SB 295-CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS
2:37:21 PM
CHAIR ELLIS announced SB 295 to be up for consideration.
DON BURRELL, staff to Senator Davis, sponsor of SB 295, read the
sponsor statement. He explained that this measure establishes a
voluntary advisory board of clinical laboratory science
professionals to assist the Department of Commerce, Community &
Economic Development in identifying acceptable credentialing
agencies and determine which laboratory tests would be included
in the waived category.
MR. BURRELL said the advisory board would review the FDA's list
of waive tests and make recommendations to the department
concerning which tests should be in the waive category. He
explained:
Clinical laboratory science professionals and
radiologic technologists are two of the health care
professionals not licensed by the state. According to
the Institute of Medicine 70 percent of all medical
decisions are based on diagnostic testing. If the
individuals collecting the samples and performing the
diagnostic testing are not qualified, the information
used by the physician to diagnose or treat their
patients may be incorrect. Clinical laboratory science
professionals and radiologic technologists perform the
majority of the diagnostic testing. Certification of
the clinical laboratory professionals ensures that
qualified professionals are performing diagnostic
testing. By licensing clinical laboratory science
professionals and requiring certification and
participation in certification maintenance programs
for licensure and renewal, we can ensure the qualified
professionals are performing the diagnostic testing
while controlling the licensing costs.
SENATOR STEVENS asked how many of these folks are in the state.
MR. BURRELL answered approximately 400.
SENATOR BUNDE asked if this focuses on people who administer the
test, not those who diagnose possible illness from the results
of the test.
MR. BURRELL answered yes.
2:40:45 PM
JENNIFER STRICKLER, Licensing Chief, Division of Corporations,
Businesses and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce,
Community & Economic Development, didn't support SB 295 as
written. Although it is up to the legislature to decide whether
this new industry should be licensed or not, she had serious
concerns. First it creates a new Chapter 30 under Title 8
Professions and Occupations, but it doesn't include Section
08.30 under Section 08.01, which is the Centralized Licensing
Act. This Act contains the statutes that give her department the
administrative duties and powers to do things like issue and
sanction licenses, establish fees, adopt regulations, conduct
investigations and hold hearings.
Second, SB 295 establishes a five-member volunteer advisory
board of clinical laboratory science professionals appointed by
the governor and therefore would be subject to confirmation by
the legislature under AS 39.05, but it doesn't provide the board
per diem and transportation expenses as directed in Section
(1)(d) on page 2, lines 6-8. This might not be legal.
MS. STRICKLER said the volunteer advisory board is not the
subject of a sunset review process under AS 08.03 and therefore,
while the process to establish the board is established like any
other regulatory board, she didn't know if this board was
intended to exist continuously without legislative oversight.
2:43:10 PM
MS. STRICKLER said under the duties of the board in Section
08.30.030 on page 2, lines 14-16, the board's responsibilities
are limited to only two items. Number one would be to identify
credentialing agencies or organizations and, from her
information, there are three known organizations affiliated with
this group. Her second concern was to identify what laboratory
tests should be defined as waive tests for this industry, she
would need a board to assist with that because she has no idea.
Her fifth item concerned Section 08.30.080, on page 4, that
specified the duration of a license was for three years or until
it is relinquished. However, she said, all other licenses within
the division are issued for two years on a biennium cycle. If
this bill were to be subject to the Centralized Licensing Act,
it would go to a two-year duration. If it's not subject to the
Act and stays on a three-year cycle, it would be the only
program with a three-year license. She also felt the word
"relinquished" should be changed to "lapsed" just for
standardization of licensing terms. Most people let their
licensing lapse and choose not to renew.
2:44:44 PM
Last, she mentioned that Section 08.30.090, Article 3, on page
4, line 27, provides the grounds for denial or disciplinary
sanctions, but it doesn't give the department the authority to
investigate or to provide due process under the Administrative
Procedures Act of AS 44.62, which would normally be provided if
the chapter was subject to Section 08.01.
MR. BURRELL added that SB 295 has two fiscal notes, one from the
Department Of Administration and one from the Department of
Commerce, Community & Economic Development and they indicated
one part time staff would be needed to oversee the 400 members
of this particular profession.
2:49:11 PM
SENATOR BUNDE said based on the administration's testimony, this
bill isn't ready for prime time yet.
SENATOR STEVENS asked Mr. Burrell if per diem was provided.
MR. BURRELL answered no.
CHAIR ELLIS said SB 295 would be held for further work.
HB 295-RECORDED OR FILED DOCUMENTS
2:50:53 PM
CHAIR ELLIS announced HB 295 to be up for consideration.
NANCY MANLEY, staff to Representative Lynn, sponsor or HB 295,
related that advancing technology improvements in the Recorder's
Office are reaching the point to allow instant recording and HB
295 cleans up the statutes to allow this to happen. It amends
three areas in statute to enable the return of original
documents to the presenter at the time of recording, to ensure
that all required recording information is located on the
document, to delete references to film or scanning the daily
recordings, to remove references to court authority over the
Recorder's Office, and updates UCC forms referenced in statute
to conform with national standards. She said this bill also
requires that documents presented for recording contain the name
of the recording district in which the document is to be
recorded. Currently this information may be provided verbally or
in a cover letter.
MS. MANLEY said her office was asked to introduce this bill for
the Recorder's Office and that office would answer questions.
2:52:26 PM
VICKY BACCHUS, State Recorder, Department of Natural Resources
(DNR), supported HB 295. She said it has cleanup language for
the Recorder's Office and gets the state ready for electronic
recording. To do that she needs to be able to return a document
immediately to the presenter after it has been recorded. Right
now the statute requires her to return the documents to the
person identified within the document.
2:53:38 PM
MS. BACCHUS said she also wanted all required recording
information on the document itself. Right now the only piece of
recording information that is not required to be on the document
is the identification of the recording district and this
information can be given verbally or in a cover letter. When it
is given to her that way, she has to retain it and save it so if
the question ever comes up on what district it was supposed to
be recorded in, that record can be accessed. So, HB 295 requires
the recording district information on the document itself.
She said HB 295 also cleans up a couple of areas in AS 40.25
that require her to provide facilities for copying the public
records by removing reference to being under the direction of
the Court System, which the Recorder's Office hasn't been since
1977. She explained that the requirement to provide facilities
for the filming and copying of the public record was put in
place back in the 70s or early 80s when the office had extreme
backlogs in indexing and filming of the daily work. Title
companies got together and determined that an independent
company would come in and film the daily work to provide to
them. Now in the electronic age, the Recorder's Office gives
electronic downloads to all of the title companies on a daily
basis; so that's not an issue any more.
2:55:13 PM
MS. BACCHUS said one of the major updates in HB 295 gives her
the ability to reject UCC finance statements that are submitted
on the old forms that are currently referenced in the statutes
and include a space for social security numbers. The people
using those forms feel compelled to fill in all the blanks, so
first they put in their social security numbers. Right now she
is not in a position to reject them, because it is in statute;
11 AAC 06.050 already provides for DNR to designate a UCC form
which is already on the UCC website. It is the current national
form that does not include a space for a social security number.
She offered to answer questions.
2:56:08 PM
SENATOR BUNDE asked if this legislation would address the
Recorder's backlog or has it been addressed.
MS. BACCHUS replied that they haven't had backlogs for a long
time. Recorder's Offices in more remote locations like Fairbanks
or Juneau scan documents and provide CDs to their customers
daily. She said her office uses a file transfer protocol (FTP),
which is a totally electronic download, to get daily information
to her customers.
2:57:10 PM
CHAIR ELLIS asked how Alaska's Recorder's Offices compare to
others in other states and if this bill would bring her up to
par with best practices in other states.
MS. BACCHUS answered that the State of Alaska has a lot better
recording system than most other states. Others states usually
handle recording at the county level. They don't have the
ability to have a statewide search done from one source. Some
states are going to that, but their counties have a
conglomeration of different programs and systems. Alaska's
recording requirements are at par with other recording
jurisdictions and so are its recording fees. She said Alaska
belongs to the Public Records Industry Association (PRIA), which
sets the standard for recording and all in all Alaska has better
access to its documents with its retention and preservation
programs. All public records of the state will available for
research in digital form within the next three years.
CHAIR ELLIS asked about known opposition to the bill.
MS. BACCHUS answered she knew of no opposition.
CHAIR ELLIS said he would hold HB 295 for further consideration
in the near future. There being no further business to come
before the committee, he adjourned the meeting at 2:59:29 PM.
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