Legislature(2021 - 2022)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/17/2021 02:00 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB125 | |
| HB36 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 125 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 36 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
May 17, 2021
1:58 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mia Costello, Chair
Senator Joshua Revak, Vice Chair
Senator Peter Micciche
Senator Gary Stevens
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
MEMBERS ABSENT
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 125(L&C)
"An Act relating to employment preferences for active service
members, veterans, and spouses and dependent children of active
service members and veterans; relating to employment preferences
for surviving spouses of deceased service members and veterans;
and relating to employment preferences for disabled veterans and
former prisoners of war."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 36
"An Act relating to an application for a license to operate as a
dealer in motor vehicles; and requiring a dealer in motor
vehicles to maintain liability and property insurance."
- MOVED SCS HB 36(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 125
SHORT TITLE: MILITARY AND FAMILY EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) NELSON
03/05/21 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/05/21 (H) MLV, L&C
03/16/21 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/16/21 (H) Heard & Held
03/16/21 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/18/21 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/18/21 (H) Moved HB 125 Out of Committee
03/18/21 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/20/21 (H) MLV RPT 6DP
03/20/21 (H) DP: CLAMAN, TARR, SHAW, NELSON,
RAUSCHER, TUCK
04/16/21 (H) L&C AT 8:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
04/16/21 (H) Heard & Held
04/16/21 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/23/21 (H) L&C AT 8:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
04/23/21 (H) Moved CSHB 125(L&C) Out of Committee
04/23/21 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/26/21 (H) L&C RPT CS(L&C) NT 6DP 1NR
04/26/21 (H) DP: SCHRAGE, MCCARTY, SNYDER, NELSON,
FIELDS, SPOHNHOLZ
04/26/21 (H) NR: KAUFMAN
05/07/21 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
05/07/21 (H) VERSION: CSHB 125(L&C)
05/10/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/10/21 (S) L&C
05/17/21 (S) L&C AT 2:00 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: HB 36
SHORT TITLE: MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERS: APPLIC.; INSURANCE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CLAMAN
02/18/21 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/21
02/18/21 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/18/21 (H) L&C, FIN
03/03/21 (H) FIN REFERRAL REMOVED
03/03/21 (H) L&C AT 5:45 PM BARNES 124
03/03/21 (H) Heard & Held
03/03/21 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/12/21 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/12/21 (H) Moved HB 36 Out of Committee
03/12/21 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/15/21 (H) L&C RPT 6DP
03/15/21 (H) DP: SNYDER, NELSON, MCCARTY, SCHRAGE,
KAUFMAN, SPOHNHOLZ
03/25/21 (H) BEFORE HOUSE IN THIRD READING
03/25/21 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
03/25/21 (H) VERSION: HB 36
03/26/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/26/21 (S) TRA, L&C
04/09/21 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/09/21 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/13/21 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/13/21 (S) Heard & Held
04/13/21 (S) MINUTE(TRA)
04/15/21 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/15/21 (S) Moved SCS HB 36(TRA) Out of Committee
04/15/21 (S) MINUTE(TRA)
04/16/21 (S) TRA RPT SCS 3NR 1AM SAME TITLE
04/16/21 (S) NR: MYERS, SHOWER, MICCICHE
04/16/21 (S) AM: KIEHL
04/28/21 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/28/21 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/30/21 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/30/21 (S) Heard & Held
04/30/21 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
05/17/21 (S) L&C AT 2:00 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID NELSON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 125
VERDIE BOWEN, Director
Office of Veterans Affairs
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions and provided information
during the hearing on HB 125.
KIM SKIPPER, Staff
Representative David Nelson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sectional analysis for HB 125.
KATE SHEEHAN, Director
Division of Personnel and Labor Relations
Department of Administration
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
125.
TAMMIE PERRAULT, Northwest Regional Liaison
Defense-State Liaison Office
U.S. Department of Defense
Olympia, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 125 by invitation.
DAN WAYNE, Legal Counsel
Legislative Legal Services
Legislative Affairs Agency
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions about the drafting of HB
125.
MELODIE WILTERDINK, Staff
Senator Mia Costello
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Summarized HB 36 and explained the proposed
amendment.
SOPHIE JONAS, Staff
Representative Matt Claman
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions related to HB 36 and
stated that the sponsor supported the amendment.
MARTEN MARTENSEN, owner
Contented Auto Group; and board member
Alaska Auto Dealers Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 36.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:58:33 PM
CHAIR MIA COSTELLO called the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:58 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Gray-Jackson, Stevens, and Chair Costello.
Senators Revak and Micciche arrived thereafter.
HB 125-MILITARY AND FAMILY EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE
1:59:09 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO announced the consideration of CS FOR HOUSE BILL
NO. 125(L&C) "An Act relating to employment preferences for
active service members, veterans, and spouses and dependent
children of active service members and veterans; relating to
employment preferences for surviving spouses of deceased service
members and veterans; and relating to employment preferences for
disabled veterans and former prisoners of war."
She noted that this was the first hearing.
2:00:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID NELSON, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HB 125, read the sponsor statement into the
record. [Original punctuation provided.]
HB 125 seeks to extend the current private sector and
state employment hiring preferences to military
spouses. In addition, seeks to extend employment
preferences to the dependent children of military
service members who died in the line of duty.
Military spouses are among the highest unemployed and
underemployed group. They are highly educated and
qualified for a range of careers but because of
frequent moves the unemployment rate among military
spouses is 24% and there is a 26% wage gap compared to
civilian counterparts.
2:00:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON continued:
In 2019 the Blue Star Families Military Family
Lifestyle Survey found that 49% of military spouses
indicated that financial issues were the top stressor
for military families, and 48% were concerned about
employment. Of employed military spouses 75 % were
considered underemployed. HB 125 can provide some
help to reduce these concerns for military families by
providing a hiring preference.
2:01:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON continued:
A Covid-19 Military Support Initiative created by the
Blue Star Families and the Association of Defense
Communities found that an additional 17% of military
spouses lost their jobs during the pandemic on top of
the 24% unemployment before the pandemic.
Currently 35 states and the District of Columbia
provide hiring preferences to active-duty spouses or
surviving spouses. HB 125 will add Alaska to this
growing list of states that support our military
community and honor the sacrifices these families make
in service to our country.
2:02:06 PM
SENATOR REVAK joined the meeting.
2:02:19 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked how the bill changes what is currently in
statute to provide an advantage to military spouses.
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON replied there is a hiring preference for
military personnel in statute and HB 125 extends that preference
to military spouses and dependents.
SENATOR STEVENS expressed support for the concept and said he
looked forward to hearing from the experts.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Verdi Bowen to answer Senator Stevens'
question about how HB 125 deviates from current statute.
2:03:51 PM
VERDIE BOWEN, Director, Office of Veterans Affairs, Department
of Military and Veterans Affairs, Anchorage, Alaska, stated that
veterans receive a point preference but that does not include
military spouses or dependents. HB 125 would fix that gap help
spouses to more readily find gainful employment. He described
the bill as a good gesture to join the other 35 states that
provide hiring preferences to active-duty spouses.
SENATOR STEVENS asked what it means to have a point preference.
MR. BOWEN explained that the points provide a hand up when a
veteran applies for a job. Veterans with a disability
automatically receive an interview.
SENATOR STEVENS asked if that is only for veterans with a
disability, and how that affects a spouse.
MR. BOWEN replied that private industry can provide a hiring
preference to a spouse but under existing statute, the state
does not extend hiring preferences to military spouses.
2:06:23 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked if there was a reporting system for
somebody who feels they did not receive the advantage.
MR. BOWEN said private companies have veteran hiring standards
and their hiring reports would go through the human resources
offices and on to the regional offices. He offered his belief
that those companies would follow the same process for military
spouses.
2:07:25 PM
At ease
2:07:49 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting and advised that she asked
Representative Nelson's staff to walk through a sectional
analysis. She expressed particular interest in Sections 2 and 3.
2:08:12 PM
KIM SKIPPER, Staff, Representative David Nelson, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the sectional analysis
for HB 125.
Section 1. AS 18.80.200(c)
This section does not prohibit a private employer from
having hiring preferences for persons described in
Section 2 of this bill.
Section 2. AS 23.88.010
This section repeals and reenacts the current statute
by adding definitions removed from Section 1 for
clarity. This section does not prohibit a private
employer from having hiring preferences to active-
military, veterans and families. This section adds
language to include spouses and dependent children of
deceased service members to the list.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked her to read the language on page 2, lines
17-22 that talks about the people for whom private industry may
provide a hiring preference. She said she reads the bill to
include a spouse or dependent child of an active-duty military
member in addition to a spouse or dependent child of a deceased
military member.
MS. SKIPPER suggested the drafter could also provide
clarification. She offered her understanding that the House
Labor and Commerce Committee amended the bill to include a
preference for a surviving child of a Gold Star member. A hiring
preference for the spouse of an active duty or deceased member
of the military was included in both versions of the bill.
2:10:07 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO read the language on page 2, paragraph (2), lines
23-24, and noted that paragraph (1) is the list of military
service entities. Paragraph (2) read as follows:
(2) the spouse or dependent child of a person
described in (1) of this subsection; and
MS. SKIPPER recognized that she was speaking to the wrong
version of the bill.
2:10:27 PM
At ease
2:11:34 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting and asked Ms. Skipper to
proceed.
MS. SKIPPER interpreted the changes made in the House Labor and
Commerce Committee as eliminating a private industry hiring
preference for a dependent child of a member killed in the line
of duty.
CHAIR COSTELLO pointed out that the language in paragraph (2) on
page 2, lines 23-24 says, "or dependent child." She asked if the
drafter was available.
SENATOR STEVENS asked the reason for the changes in the House
Labor and Commerce Committee.
2:12:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON explained that the House Labor and
Commerce Committee narrowed the focus to members of Gold Star
Families.
2:13:28 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked if that change was a good idea.
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON answered that he wanted to see the bill
pass and he believes it was meaningful to maintain the Gold Star
Family section.
2:14:05 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO pointed out that the change on page 6 removed the
hiring preference for state employment but on page 2, the hiring
preference for a dependent child was maintained for private
employment. She questioned whether that was the intention.
2:14:37 PM
MS. SKIPPER advised that the preference in private sector
employment is optional whereas the preference for state
employment is mandatory. She offered her view that the previous
committee wanted to limit the preference for state employment to
just dependents of Gold Star Families.
CHAIR COSTELLO recapped that the language on page 2 provides
that the private employer may grant a hiring preference to
active and former military members and the spouse or dependent
child of those individuals.
MS. SKIPPER agreed.
2:15:21 PM
SENATOR REVAK said the narrow definition of "dependent child" on
pages 2 and 3 gives him comfort. The definition read as follows:
(b) In this section, "dependent child" means a
natural child, stepchild, or adopted child who is
(1) permanently disabled; or
(2) under
(A) 19 years of age; or
(B) 23 years of age and registered at
and attending on a full time basis an accredited
educational or technical institution recognized by the
Department of Education and Early Development.
CHAIR COSTELLO invited Kate Sheehan to add to the discussion.
2:16:32 PM
KATE SHEEHAN, Director, Division of Personnel and Labor
Relations, Department of Administration, Juneau, Alaska, advised
that the existing state policy is to offer an interview to every
5-point and 10-point veteran. If the bill were to pass, a
qualified dependent or spouse would receive the same
consideration.
2:17:07 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO pointed to the language on page 6 that says,
"points equal to five percent of the points available ... shall
be added ..." She asked Ms. Sheehan if she was saying the
preference would be to offer an interview to the spouse.
2:17:21 PM
MS. SHEEHAN answered that the state generally does not use the
old rating system any longer. The current policy requires that
every 10-point veteran who meets the minimum qualifications
advance to the interview stage. However, the division currently
offers an interview to both 5-point and 10-point veterans.
Applications from a dependent or a spouse receive a more in
depth review, but the current policy is to allow the interview
if the applicant meets the minimum qualifications.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if that was in regulation.
MS. SHEEHAN replied an interview is required for a 10-point
veteran who meets the minimum qualifications but the division's
policy is to offer an interview to qualified 5-point veterans as
well.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if that was in regulation.
MS. SHEEHAN said yes.
2:18:37 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked for further explanation of the 5-point and
10-point preference. He also asked how many points were in the
system.
MS. SHEEHAN acknowledged that the language was confusing because
it refers to a rating system that is no longer used. She
reiterated that under current statute, a 10-point veteran who
meets minimum qualifications will receive an interview. Since
she has been the director, she has had the policy that a
qualified 5-point veteran also receives an interview. Should HB
125 pass, dependents and spouses would receive the preference
too.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if it presents a problem to have the
statute refer to a point system that is not used.
MS. SHEEHAN answered that it did not present a problem.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked Tammie Perrault to provide her testimony.
2:20:54 PM
TAMMIE PERRAULT, Northwest Regional Liaison, Defense-State
Liaison Office, U.S. Department of Defense, Olympia, Washington,
Joint Base Lewis McCord, Washington, stated support for HB 125
to expand the protection of private sector employment
preferences and to establish state employment preferences to
spouses, dependents, and surviving spouses. She said the mission
of her office is to be a resource for state policy makers.
2:21:28 PM
MS. PERRAULT referenced a February 2020 letter to Governor
Dunleavy in which the undersecretary of defense for personnel
and readiness highlighted the need to support military spouses.
She read the following excerpt:
Military spouse employment and the associated financial and
personal wellbeing is an important component of retention of
service members. More than half of all active-duty military
personnel are married, and 88 percent of employed military
spouses indicate they wanted, or needed, to work. Not only are
military spouses highly influential in general, regarding
their service members' decision to remain in service, but
over 28 percent of service members reported that their
decision to leave the military would largely or moderately be
affected by their spouses' career prospects.
MS. PERRAULT highlighted that Alaska has approximately 8,000
active-duty military and 3,250 National Guard Reserve spouses so
they are an important part of the workforce. She noted that this
group is also among the highest unemployed, and underemployed
group in the nation. These spouses report significant challenges
obtaining employment due to frequent moves, which adds stress to
family finances.
MS. PERRAULT stated that the U.S. Department of Defense supports
the policy in HB 125 and asks the committee to forward the
legislation.
2:23:10 PM
SENATOR STEVENS said he agrees with supporting military spouses,
but wonders about the statutory reference to a point system that
is no longer used. He asked if it was common in other states to
use a point system.
MS. PERRAULT replied that the use of a point system in prevalent
nationwide, but there is significant variability in practice
among the 35 states that have passed this type of legislation.
2:24:15 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO asked the drafter to explain the difference
between the hiring preferences for dependent children in Section
2 on page 2 and in Section 4 on page 6. She also asked how these
provisions deviate from current statute.
2:25:14 PM
DAN WAYNE, Legal Counsel, Legislative Legal Services,
Legislative Affairs Agency, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, advised that the "may" in Section 2 and the "shall" in
Section 4 is an important factor. He said the language in the
two sections regarding the benefits for dependent children was
more similar before the bill was amended. He believes that for
policy reasons, the members in the previous committee felt it
was important to narrow the scope of the benefit for dependent
children in Section 4 to just the dependent children of Gold
Star members.
CHAIR COSTELLO observed that for both work in the private sector
and state employment, the definition of "dependent child" is
somebody who is under 19 years of age or 23 years of age if they
are registered and attending an accredited educational
institution on a full-time basis.
MR. WAYNE agreed that both definitions of "dependent child" have
the two ages. He advised that in statutes relating to a benefit,
it is common to extend the qualifying age beyond age 19 if the
dependent is attending an accredited school full time. He said
he could not comment on the policy reasons for the ages.
CHAIR COSTELLO said she assumes the rationale was to allow those
who have chosen to go to college to still receive the
preference.
MR. WAYNE said that perhaps the assumption is that the parents
in the military will be providing support while the child is in
in college.
2:29:59 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO opened public testimony on HB 125; finding none,
she closed public testimony. She asked the sponsor if he had any
closing comments related to the discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON advised that a representative from NCSL
was available to talk about the hiring benefit the other 35
states provide on a point basis. He noted that the information
was also in the packets. He reiterated that the bill provides an
option for private employers to extend this benefit; it is not
mandatory.
2:31:35 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO held HB 125 in committee for further
consideration.
2:31:43 PM
At ease
HB 36-MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERS: APPLIC.; INSURANCE
2:33:08 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 36 "An Act relating to an
application for a license to operate as a dealer in motor
vehicles; and requiring a dealer in motor vehicles to maintain
liability and property insurance."
She noted that this was the second hearing and there was an
amendment for the committee to consider. She asked Ms.
Wilterdink to summarize the bill and explain the amendment.
2:33:45 PM
MELODIE WILTERDINK, Staff, Senator Mia Costello, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, explained that the bill creates
stricter insurance requirements for licensed motor vehicle
dealers and increases their bonding requirement. According to
the sponsor, this better aligns Alaska with the insurance
requirements in other states. Alaskans will be covered when they
test drive a car and the bonding requirement will provide
recourse for buyers who purchase used cars that were
fraudulently represented.
SENATOR MICCICHE joined the committee.
2:34:44 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO moved Amendment [1], work order 32-LS0271\B.2.
32-LS0271\B.2
Fisher
5/14/21
AMENDMENT [1]
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR COSTELLO
TO: SCS HB 36(TRA)
Page 1, line 1, following "vehicles;":
Insert "relating to the duties of a motor vehicle
dealer;"
Page 2, following line 17:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 2. AS 08.66.040 is amended to read:
Sec. 08.66.040. Filing application for
registration; identification of dealer. The
application shall be filed with the department. Upon
receipt of the application, the department shall
examine it and may make an investigation of the
information in it. If the department is satisfied that
the dealer is entitled to registration, and the fees
have been paid and a bond filed, the department shall
assign a distinctive registration number to the dealer
and file the dealer's application and index it
alphabetically and numerically. A dealer is registered
when the department assigns a registration number. A
dealer shall inform each person who purchases a
vehicle from the dealer that the dealer is registered
under this chapter and provide the dealer's
registration number."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
2:34:54 PM
SENATOR STEVENS objected for discussion purposes.
2:35:03 PM
MS. WILTERDINK explained that the proposed amendment seeks to
resolve the issue of registered vehicle dealers who go to closed
auctions, which are only open to registered dealers, and they
buy cars that are meant to be used for parts and sell them on
sites like Craigslist, posing as an individual not a dealer. The
buyers are unsuspecting and only later find out these cars are
not meant to be on the road. Amendment [1] requires a dealer to
identify to identify himself as a dealer whenever they sell a
car. The buyer would know they purchased a vehicle from a dealer
and that they have the avenues of recourse that HB 36 provides.
2:36:21 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked what stakeholders she had talked to.
MS. WILTERDINK answered that she spoke to large and small motor
vehicle dealers and some victims, most of whom are young and
have just made the largest purchase in their life.
2:37:06 PM
SENATOR STEVENS removed his objection.
CHAIR COSTELLO found no further objection and Amendment [1]
passed.
She asked the bill sponsor's staff for the sponsor's position on
the amendment.
2:37:46 PM
SOPHIE JONAS, Staff, Representative Matt Claman, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, stated that the sponsor supports
Amendment 1.
CHAIR COSTELLO offered her belief that the amendment strengthens
the consumer protection portion of the bill as well as the
intent of the legislation.
2:38:19 PM
SENATOR STEVENS offered his understanding that dealers currently
are not required to identify themselves as a dealer when they
sell a used car. HB 36 requires the dealer to inform the
purchaser and guarantee the vehicle.
MS JONAS answered yes and deferred further comment to the dealer
who was available online to speak to the bill.
2:39:11 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE asked the record to reflect that he heard the
explanation of the amendment and he supports it. He asked how
the bill proposes to differentiate between an individual who
frequently buys and sells their personal vehicles and a dealer
who buys vehicles at auction and poses as an individual when
they sell the vehicle to an unsuspecting consumer.
MS. JONAS answered that the existing statute has an annual five-
vehicle threshold above which an individual is required to
obtain a motor vehicle dealer license. However, her
understanding is that the requirement is not enforced.
2:40:44 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked to hear from a dealer.
CHAIR COSTELLO recognized that Martin Martensen with the Alaska
Auto Dealers Association was available to provide comment and
answer questions.
2:41:04 PM
MARTEN MARTENSEN, owner, Continental Auto Group; board member,
Alaska Auto Dealers Association, Anchorage, Alaska, stated
support for the amendment the chair brought forward to require
dealers to disclose that they are a dealer and that consumers
have recourse. He highlighted that the bill also requires [the
application for dealer registration] to include a phone number
for the business so the consumer has recourse if the vehicle was
misrepresented.
SENATOR STEVENS asked if this is a large concern for legitimate
dealers.
MR. MARTENSEN answered yes; it has become a big issue in
Anchorage and throughout Southcentral. He noted that dealer
fraud on vehicles was one of the most frequent complaints to the
Consumer Protection Unit when former Attorney General Ed Sniffen
was head of the unit.
CHAIR COSTELLO, finding no further questions, solicited a
motion.
2:43:04 PM
SENATOR REVAK moved to report SCS HB 36, work order 32-LS0271\B
as amended, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
CHAIR COSTELLO stated that without objection, SCS HB 36(L&C)
passed from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
2:44:01 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Costello adjourned the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting at 2:44 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 125 Sectional Analysis Version B 4.23.21.pdf |
SL&C 5/17/2021 2:00:00 PM |
HB 125 |
| HB 36 Additional Letters of Support 5.17.21.pdf |
SL&C 5/17/2021 2:00:00 PM |
HB 36 |
| HB 36 Amendment B.2.pdf |
SL&C 5/17/2021 2:00:00 PM |
HB 36 |