HB 93-MILITARY SPOUSE COURTESY LICENSE  1:48:19 PM CHAIR LEDOUX announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 93, "An Act relating to temporary courtesy licenses for certain nonresident professionals; and relating to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development." 1:48:44 PM REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS TUCK, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, paraphrased parts of the sponsor statement [included in the committee packet], which read in its entirety as follows [original punctuation provided]: House Bill 93 calls for the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development to prepare an annual report to allow the Alaska Legislature to evaluate the progress of a program to make temporary courtesy occupational licenses available to the spouses of active duty service members stationed in Alaska. In 2011, the Alaska Legislature passed House Bill 28 to provide expedited temporary courtesy licenses if a military spouse possesses a license from a previous jurisdiction with similar requirements to the State of Alaska. However, the bill didn't include reporting requirements. Making temporary courtesy licenses available to the spouses of active duty service members allows them to practice their chosen trade without having to go through the time-consuming process of meeting state licensure requirements before beginning work. Expediting courtesy licenses for military spouses allows them to go to work quickly after relocating to Alaska, while they work toward fulfilling any remainder state requirements for their license. The requirement in House Bill 93 for an annual report will allow the Alaska Legislature, the Joint Armed Services Committee, military installations, and local communities to track the progress of the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development in making temporary courtesy licenses available to military spouses. HB 93 also calls for the department to produce and distribute informational materials about temporary courtesy licenses to each board authorized to issue such licenses. The intent of this stipulation is to improve the board's knowledge of the licenses, the application process, and the best practices in providing applicant support. Additionally, the bill calls for the department to encourage boards to designate a single employee to serve as the point of contact for public information and inquiries related to temporary courtesy licenses for military spouses. The annual report called for in HB 93 will also highlight many of the opportunities available to help military spouses enter the workforce in Alaska. To date, a low number of eligible professionals have taken advantage of the temporary courtesy license program in Alaska, and many participants have reported delays. House Bill 93 would help identify inefficiencies in the program. Legislation similar to House Bill 93 passed the Alaska House of Representatives unanimously last year but was not taken up by the Alaska State Senate. Making temporary courtesy occupational and other licenses available to military spouses is a priority for the U.S. Department of Defense. 1:52:38 PM CHAIR LEDOUX noted that a bill for temporary courtesy licensing had already been passed several years ago. She asked if the current bill is attempting to ensure that the program that was enacted years ago is working the way it should be. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK answered yes. 1:53:16 PM REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON sought clarification on the fiscal note. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK stated that the fiscal note shows zero costs through FY 25. He explained that "the total amount of revenue collected approximately equals the occupations actual regulatory costs", adding that those individuals seeking occupational licenses are not exempt from paying the fees. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK added that when a military family moves to Alaska and the spouse can no longer continue her career because her occupation requires a license, it is a loss of higher income and revenue for that family. He emphasized the importance of HB 93 and explained why Alaska no longer has a reciprocity agreement for electrician licenses with Washington. CHAIR LEDOUX sought clarification on why the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED) would evaluate themselves in an annual report on the progress of making temporary courtesy occupational licenses available to the spouses of active duty service members stationed in Alaska. She asked why Legislative Budget and Audit Committee (LBA) wouldn't compile an audit instead. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK agreed that if DCCED didn't desire the same outcome it would be a function of LBA. He noted that it takes two years and 500-900 man-hours for a typical audit, while the current bill institutes an annual report that requires less resources and allows for a quicker response. 1:59:21 PM REPRESENTATIVE TARR, referencing subsection (f) of the current bill, asked for clarification on the purpose of the biennial report, which is a consolidation of the two most recent annual reports, that would be submitted to the legislature during the first regular session of each legislature. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK offered his understanding that the purpose of the biennial report is to provide a compilation of the last two years of information on temporary courtesy licenses for brand new legislators. 2:01:13 PM CHAIR LEDOUX opened public testimony. 2:01:35 PM SARA CHAMBERS, Director, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development, reiterated that the DCCED prioritizes military families and would be happy to provide a progress report to the legislature. She offered her belief that that the items in HB 93 that would be reported on wouldn't take much effort and could be accommodated without adding a fiscal note. She noted that the DCB&PL doesn't regulate teachers or attorneys and that education, along with any occupation outside of the division, isn't included in the report. 2:03:46 PM TAMMIE PERREAULT, Regional Liaison, Defense-State Liaison Office, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Department of Defense, informed the committee that the U.S. Department of Defense is grateful to the Alaska legislature for making great strides to improve the transition of military members and families. She stated that HB 93 will continue to provide an evaluation of the progress which Alaska has made and allow a firm commitment and identification of the next best steps. She acknowledged that different licensing requirements can limit advancement or deter reentry into the workforce in a new location, and that sometimes spouses can suffer periods of unemployment due to licensure requirements. She offered her belief that HB 93 will help identify if there are any gaps in the current system and will help moved Alaska forward in identifying possible processes that could be improved on. She concluded by expressing her support for the policy within the current bill. 2:05:46 PM CHAIR LEDOUX closed public testimony. [HB 93 was held over.]