ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE  April 10, 2012 9:06 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Bill Wielechowski, Chair Senator Albert Kookesh Senator Cathy Giessel MEMBERS ABSENT    Senator Joe Paskvan, Vice Chair Senator Kevin Meyer COMMITTEE CALENDAR  SENATE BILL NO. 206 "An Act enacting the Interstate Mining Compact and relating to the compact; relating to the Interstate Mining Commission; and providing for an effective date." - MOVED SB 206 OUT OF COMMITTEE HOUSE BILL NO. 169 "An Act relating to the review of proposed regulations by the Legislative Affairs Agency; and providing for an effective date." - MOVED HB 169 OUT OF COMMITTEE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 216(FIN) "An Act relating to fiscal notes for bills directing or resulting in the adoption, amendment, or repeal of regulations, and to the notice required for the proposed adoption, amendment, or repeal of a regulation; and providing for an effective date." - MOVED SCS CSHB 216(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE HOUSE BILL NO. 304 "An Act relating to the membership of the Alaska Fire Standards Council." - MOVED HB 304 OUT OF COMMITTEE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 333(STA) "An Act relating to the disposition of certain unused campaign contributions; and relating to public office expense term accounts and public office expense term account reserves." - HEARD AND HELD HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 28 Proclaiming the month of April 2012 to be Sexual Assault Awareness Month. - MOVED HCR 28 OUT OF COMMITTEE HOUSE BILL NO. 345 "An Act relating to regulations adopted by the Department of Administration waiving the commercial motor vehicle driving skills test for certain drivers with military commercial motor vehicle experience." - HEARD AND HELD HOUSE BILL NO. 204 "An Act relating to the State Procurement Code, including the use of small procurement provisions for certain amounts of leased space, the requirement of Alaska business license proof for Alaska bidder and other procurement preferences, the registration of construction contract bidders and offerors, the establishment and maintenance of lists of persons who want to provide supplies or services to the state, state agencies, and state instrumentalities, electronic bids and proposals, small procurements, and writings; and providing for an effective date." - MOVED HB 204 OUT OF COMMITTEE HOUSE BILL NO. 205 "An Act relating to state and public entity procurement, including the State Procurement Code, procurement preferences, and contract awards; relating to the meaning of 'Alaska bidder'; and providing for an effective date." - MOVED HB 205 OUT OF COMMITTEE HOUSE BILL NO. 247 "An Act establishing July 30 each year as Alaska National Guard Day." - MOVED HB 247 OUT OF COMMITTEE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 64(FIN)(efd am) "An Act relating to permanent motor vehicle registration; relating to the registration fee for noncommercial trailers and to the motor vehicle tax for trailers; and providing for an effective date." - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD HOUSE BILL NO. 281 "An Act establishing March 30 of each year as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day." - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 271(TRA) am "An Act relating to commercial motor vehicle requirements." - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD HOUSE BILL NO. 316 "An Act relating to military facility zones in the state; relating to the development of housing in military facility zones; relating to the financing of projects in military facility zones; and providing for an effective date." - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 190(FIN) "An Act relating to allowable absences from the state for purposes of eligibility for permanent fund dividends; and providing for an effective date." - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 3(STA) "An Act relating to issuance of driver's licenses." - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 8(FIN) "An Act relating to certain federal statutes, regulations, presidential executive orders, and secretarial orders; relating to the duties of the attorney general; and providing for an effective date." - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: SB 206 SHORT TITLE: INTERSTATE MINING COMPACT & COMMISSION SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) GIESSEL 02/21/12 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 02/21/12 (S) STA, FIN 03/29/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 03/29/12 (S) Heard & Held 03/29/12 (S) MINUTE(STA) 04/10/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 BILL: HB 169 SHORT TITLE: LAA REVIEW OF PROPOSED REGULATIONS SPONSOR(s): JUDICIARY 02/23/11 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 02/23/11 (H) JUD 02/23/11 (H) STA REFERRAL ADDED BEFORE JUD 03/15/11 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106 03/15/11 (H) Heard & Held 03/15/11 (H) MINUTE(STA) 03/17/11 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106 03/17/11 (H) Scheduled But Not Heard 03/22/11 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106 03/22/11 (H) Moved Out of Committee 03/22/11 (H) MINUTE(STA) 03/23/11 (H) STA RPT 5DP 1NR 1AM 03/23/11 (H) DP: JOHANSEN, P.WILSON, KELLER, PETERSEN, LYNN 03/23/11 (H) NR: SEATON 03/23/11 (H) AM: GRUENBERG 03/28/11 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120 03/28/11 (H) Moved Out of Committee 03/28/11 (H) MINUTE(JUD) 03/29/11 (H) JUD RPT 3DP 2NR 03/29/11 (H) DP: LYNN, KELLER, GATTO 03/29/11 (H) NR: HOLMES, PRUITT 04/07/11 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) 04/07/11 (H) VERSION: HB 169 04/08/11 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 04/08/11 (S) STA, JUD 04/03/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 04/03/12 (S) Scheduled But Not Heard 04/05/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 04/05/12 (S) Heard & Held 04/05/12 (S) MINUTE(STA) 04/10/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 BILL: HB 216 SHORT TITLE: REGULATIONS: INFORMATIVE SUMMARY/BILLS SPONSOR(s): P.WILSON 03/30/11 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/30/11 (H) STA, JUD 04/12/11 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106 04/12/11 (H) Heard & Held 04/12/11 (H) MINUTE(STA) 01/19/12 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106 01/19/12 (H) Moved CSHB 216(STA) Out of Committee 01/19/12 (H) MINUTE(STA) 01/20/12 (H) STA RPT CS(STA) 2DP 4AM 01/20/12 (H) DP: P.WILSON, LYNN 01/20/12 (H) AM: KELLER, GRUENBERG, SEATON, PETERSEN 01/23/12 (H) FIN REFERRAL ADDED AFTER JUD 01/30/12 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120 01/30/12 (H) Heard & Held 01/30/12 (H) MINUTE(JUD) 02/03/12 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120 02/03/12 (H) Heard & Held 02/03/12 (H) MINUTE(JUD) 02/10/12 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120 02/10/12 (H) Heard & Held 02/10/12 (H) MINUTE(JUD) 02/13/12 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120 02/13/12 (H) Moved CSHB 216(JUD) Out of Committee 02/13/12 (H) MINUTE(JUD) 02/15/12 (H) JUD RPT CS(JUD) NT 6DP 02/15/12 (H) DP: LYNN, GRUENBERG, KELLER, THOMPSON, HOLMES, GATTO 02/22/12 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519 02/22/12 (H) Moved CSHB 216(FIN) Out of Committee 02/22/12 (H) MINUTE(FIN) 02/24/12 (H) FIN RPT CS(FIN) NT 9DP 02/24/12 (H) DP: FAIRCLOUGH, GARA, T.WILSON, NEUMAN, COSTELLO, EDGMON, DOOGAN, STOLTZE, 02/24/12 (H) THOMAS 03/02/12 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) 03/02/12 (H) VERSION: CSHB 216(FIN) 03/05/12 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/05/12 (S) STA, JUD 04/03/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 04/03/12 (S) Heard & Held 04/03/12 (S) MINUTE(STA) 04/10/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 BILL: HB 304 SHORT TITLE: ALASKA FIRE STANDARDS COUNCIL SPONSOR(s): JOHNSON 01/30/12 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 01/30/12 (H) STA, FIN 02/21/12 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106 02/21/12 (H) Moved Out of Committee 02/21/12 (H) MINUTE(STA) 02/22/12 (H) STA RPT 5DP 1NR 02/22/12 (H) DP: P.WILSON, GRUENBERG, SEATON, PETERSEN, LYNN 02/22/12 (H) NR: KELLER 02/28/12 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519 02/28/12 (H) Moved Out of Committee 02/28/12 (H) MINUTE(FIN) 02/29/12 (H) FIN RPT 11DP 02/29/12 (H) DP: T.WILSON, GARA, FAIRCLOUGH, GUTTENBERG, JOULE, NEUMAN, COSTELLO, EDGMON, 02/29/12 (H) DOOGAN, STOLTZE, THOMAS 03/06/12 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) 03/06/12 (H) VERSION: HB 304 03/12/12 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/12/12 (S) STA, FIN 04/05/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 04/05/12 (S) Heard & Held 04/05/12 (S) MINUTE(STA) 04/10/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 BILL: HB 333 SHORT TITLE: CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS/POET ACCTS SPONSOR(s): HAWKER 02/20/12 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 02/20/12 (H) STA 03/15/12 (H) STA RPT CS(STA) NT 5DP 1NR 03/15/12 (H) DP: KELLER, GRUENBERG, SEATON, PETERSEN, LYNN 03/15/12 (H) NR: JOHANSEN 03/15/12 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106 03/15/12 (H) Moved CSHB 333(STA) Out of Committee 03/15/12 (H) MINUTE(STA) 03/19/12 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) 03/19/12 (H) VERSION: CSHB 333(STA) 03/21/12 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/21/12 (S) STA 04/10/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 BILL: HB 345 SHORT TITLE: WAIVE CDL SKILL TEST FOR CERTAIN VETERANS SPONSOR(s): SADDLER 02/22/12 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 02/22/12 (H) TRA, STA 03/27/12 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17 03/27/12 (H) Moved Out of Committee 03/27/12 (H) MINUTE(TRA) 03/28/12 (H) TRA RPT 3DP 2NR 03/28/12 (H) DP: PETERSEN, GRUENBERG, P.WILSON 03/28/12 (H) NR: JOHNSON, PRUITT 04/03/12 (H) STA RPT 7DP 04/03/12 (H) DP: JOHANSEN, P.WILSON, KELLER, GRUENBERG, SEATON, PETERSEN, LYNN 04/03/12 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106 04/03/12 (H) Moved Out of Committee 04/03/12 (H) MINUTE(STA) 04/04/12 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) 04/04/12 (H) VERSION: HB 345 04/07/12 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 04/07/12 (S) STA 04/10/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 BILL: HCR 28 SHORT TITLE: SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH SPONSOR(s): COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS 03/15/12 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/15/12 (H) STA 03/22/12 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106 03/22/12 (H) Moved Out of Committee 03/22/12 (H) MINUTE(STA) 03/23/12 (H) STA RPT 7DP 03/23/12 (H) DP: JOHANSEN, P.WILSON, KELLER, GRUENBERG, SEATON, PETERSEN, LYNN 03/29/12 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) 03/29/12 (H) VERSION: HCR 28 03/30/12 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/30/12 (S) STA 04/10/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 BILL: HB 204 SHORT TITLE: STATE PROCUREMENT CODE SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) FAIRCLOUGH 03/23/11 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/23/11 (H) STA, FIN 03/29/11 (H) STA RPT 6DP 1NR 03/29/11 (H) DP: PETERSEN, SEATON, GRUENBERG, KELLER, P.WILSON, LYNN 03/29/11 (H) NR: JOHANSEN 03/29/11 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106 03/29/11 (H) Moved Out of Committee 03/29/11 (H) MINUTE(STA) 04/09/11 (H) FIN RPT 9DP 04/09/11 (H) DP: FAIRCLOUGH, T.WILSON, EDGMON, JOULE, NEUMAN, COSTELLO, DOOGAN, STOLTZE, 04/09/11 (H) THOMAS 04/09/11 (H) FIN AT 1:00 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519 04/09/11 (H) Moved Out of Committee 04/09/11 (H) MINUTE(FIN) 04/11/11 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) 04/11/11 (H) VERSION: HB 204 04/12/11 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 04/12/11 (S) STA, FIN 03/27/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 03/27/12 (S) Heard & Held 03/27/12 (S) MINUTE(STA) 04/10/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 BILL: HB 205 SHORT TITLE: PUBLIC PROCUREMENT SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) FAIRCLOUGH 03/23/11 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/23/11 (H) STA, FIN 03/29/11 (H) STA RPT 6DP 1NR 03/29/11 (H) DP: PETERSEN, SEATON, GRUENBERG, KELLER, P.WILSON, LYNN 03/29/11 (H) NR: JOHANSEN 03/29/11 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106 03/29/11 (H) Moved Out of Committee 03/29/11 (H) MINUTE(STA) 04/09/11 (H) FIN RPT 9DP 1NR 04/09/11 (H) DP: FAIRCLOUGH, GUTTENBERG, T.WILSON, EDGMON, JOULE, NEUMAN, COSTELLO, DOOGAN, 04/09/11 (H) THOMAS 04/09/11 (H) NR: STOLTZE 04/09/11 (H) FIN AT 1:00 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519 04/09/11 (H) Moved Out of Committee 04/09/11 (H) MINUTE(FIN) 04/11/11 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) 04/11/11 (H) VERSION: HB 205 04/12/11 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 04/12/11 (S) STA, FIN 04/03/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 04/03/12 (S) Heard & Held 04/03/12 (S) MINUTE(STA) 04/10/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 BILL: HB 247 SHORT TITLE: ALASKA NATIONAL GUARD DAY SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) LYNN, THOMPSON, SADDLER 01/17/12 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/6/12 01/17/12 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 01/17/12 (H) MLV, STA 01/24/12 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120 01/24/12 (H) Moved Out of Committee 01/24/12 (H) MINUTE(MLV) 01/25/12 (H) MLV RPT 6DP 01/25/12 (H) DP: LYNN, AUSTERMAN, CISSNA, MILLER, SADDLER, THOMPSON 01/26/12 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106 01/26/12 (H) Moved Out of Committee 01/26/12 (H) MINUTE(STA) 01/27/12 (H) STA RPT 6DP 01/27/12 (H) DP: JOHANSEN, KELLER, GRUENBERG, SEATON, PETERSEN, LYNN 01/30/12 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) 01/30/12 (H) VERSION: HB 247 02/01/12 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 02/01/12 (S) STA 04/10/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205 WITNESS REGISTER JULI LUCKY, Staff Representative Mike Hawker Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HB 333 on behalf of the sponsor. JOAN MIZE, Lobby Administrator Alaska Public Officers Commission (APOC) Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions related to HB 333. REPRESENTATIVE ANNA FAIRCLOUGH Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 204 and HB 205, also testified on HCR 28 in place of Representative Cathy Munoz, sponsor of HCR 28. REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 345. WHITENY BREWSTER, Director Division of Motor Vehicles Department of Administration Anchorage, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information regarding HB 345. AVES THOMPSON, Executive Director Alaska Trucking Association Anchorage, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 345. VERN JONES, Chief Procurement Officer Division of General Services Department of Administration Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions related to HB 205. REPRESENTATIVE BOB LYNN Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 247. ACTION NARRATIVE 9:06:46 AM CHAIR BILL WIELECHOWSKI called the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. Present at the call to order were Senators Giessel, Kookesh, and Chair Wielechowski. SB 206-INTERSTATE MINING COMPACT & COMMISSION  9:08:09 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that the first bill before the committee would be SB 206, which authorizes the state to join the Interstate Mining Compact. He said it was the second hearing on the bill and Senator Giessel is the prime sponsor. Alaska is a currently an associate member of the Interstate Mining Commission and the bill would enable Alaska to become a full member. He noted that all previous testimony was in favor of the bill. He said he thought it was a good bill. SENATOR GIESSEL, sponsor of SB 206, announced that the companion bill passed unanimously in the other body floor session and the fiscal note was reduced. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI stated that the previous fiscal note was for $40,000 for membership and $20,000 annually for travel and expenses. He inquired about the amount of reduction. SENATOR GIESSEL explained that the travel budget was reduced by $20,000. 9:09:07 AM SENATOR KOOKESH moved to report SB 206 from committee with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal note. There being no objection, SB 206 was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee. HB 169-LAA REVIEW OF PROPOSED REGULATIONS  9:09:44 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that next bill before the committee would be HB 169, which changes the way the Legislative Affairs Agency reviews executive branch regulations. He noted it was the second hearing of the bill. At the last meeting Melanie Lesh, representing the House Judiciary Committee testified on the bill. The bill drafter, Lisa Kirsch, was also online. She commented that the bill does correct a problem within the administrative review process. The bill has a zero fiscal note. SENATOR KOOKESH moved to report HB 169, version A, from committee with individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, HB 169 was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee. At-ease from 9:10 a.m. to 9:11 a.m. HB 216-REGULATIONS: INFORMATIVE SUMMARY/BILLS  9:11:03 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that HB 216 was before the committee. He noted the bill would set firmer deadlines for the drafting of regulations and require that they are written simply and clearly. The committee heard an overview of the bill on April 3. There is a new CS for the bill, version L. SENATOR KOOKESH moved to adopt the proposed SCS for CSHB 216, labeled 27-LS0701\L, as the working document. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI objected for discussion purposes. He explained that four words "to the extent practicable" were added to the bill on page 2, lines 14-15. This clarifies that notices accompanying the release of new regulations will be written in clear, easily readable language "to the extent practicable." He noted that several agencies within the state deal in very complex, technical subject matter. The committee did not want to ask these agencies to do something that would prevent them from communicating the content of their regulations to the very specific audiences they are seeking to reach. For example, if the Department of Environmental Conservation is putting out regulations on the use of "polybrominated diphenyl ethers," they may need to use that term at some point. He said the committee wanted to make sure it was not tying the hands of agencies and inadvertently preventing them from actually saying what they're doing. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI removed his objection and stated that the bill has a zero fiscal note. SENATOR KOOKESH moved to report the SCS for CSHB 216, version L, from committee with individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, SCS CSHB 216(STA) was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee. At-ease from 9:13:09 a.m. to 9:13:46 a.m. HB 304-ALASKA FIRE STANDARDS COUNCIL  9:13:46 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that the next bill before the committee would be HB 304, which would modify the membership of the Alaska Fire Standards Council. The bill would add one new member that must be from the Alaska Fire Chiefs Association. In addition, it specifies that one existing seat must be filled by a member of the State Alaska Firefighters Association and another by a representative of the Alaska Professional Firefighters Association. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI noted a fiscal note for the bill for $2,200 annually to cover the travel and per diem costs of the new seat created on the Council. SENATOR KOOKESH moved to report HB 304 from committee with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal note. There being no objection, HB 304 was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee. 9:14:57 AM At-ease from 9:14:53 a.m. to 9:15:27 a.m. HB 333-CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS/POET ACCTS  9:15:27 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that the next bill before the committee would be HB 333, which proposes to modify statutes pertaining to Public Offices Expense Term (POET) accounts. JULI LUCKY, staff, Representative Mike Hawker, introduced the bill on behalf of the sponsor. She explained that the bill makes one major change to the statute by repealing the POET account reserve. She noted that the bill also sets in statute, in Section 1, what a person can do with any remaining POET funds. It provides guidelines for both POET accounts. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI requested an overview of how the POET account works. MS. LUCKY explained that when a member finishes his or her campaign, there is a certain amount of time to expend campaign money. There is also a limit as to what can be done with the money. One of the options is to put a certain amount into a POET account for legitimate office expenses. The amount is limited to $5,000 per year of term of office. She explained the way the current process works is for $5,000 to be deposited into the POET account and anything over that amount must be put into a POET reserve account. A transfer of $5,000 per year from the reserve account back into the POET account would then be allowed. That process was deemed unnecessary and complicated. The new legislation would allow a person to deposit the full amount directly into the POET account. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there have been any objections to the bill. MS. LUCKY said no. She noted that Alaska Public Officers Commission (APOC) requested two amendments which have been incorporated into the House State Affairs version of the bill. 9:19:13 AM JOAN MIZE, Lobby Administrator, Alaska Public Officers Commission (APOC), Juneau, Alaska, offered to answer questions related to HB 333. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked Ms. Mize if she considered HB 333 a "clean-up" bill. MS. MAIZE said yes. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI closed public testimony. SENATOR KOOKESH asked if there was another committee referral for the bill. MS. MAIZE said no. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI stated that HB 333 would be held in committee. At-ease from 9:21:00 a.m. to 9:21:54 a.m. HCR 28-SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH  9:21:54 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that the next bill before the committee would be HCR 28, which proclaims April 2012 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. REPRESENTATIVE ANNA FAIRCLOUGH, testified on HCR 28 in place of Representative Cathy Munoz, sponsor of HCR 28. She stated that all Alaskans deserve a life free of violence. This resolution, as well as the governor's Choose Respect campaign, sends an important message to Alaskans about the necessity to end sexual violence which will not be tolerated, silenced, or covered up. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI closed public testimony. He said the bill is straightforward and there are huge sexual assault problems in Alaska. He requested a motion to move the bill. SENATOR KOOKESH moved to report HCR 28, from committee with individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, HCR 28 was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee. At-ease from 9:23 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. HB 345-WAIVE CDL SKILL TEST FOR CERTAIN VETERANS  9:25:29 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that the next bill before the committee would be HB 345, which proposes to adopt regulations by the Department of Administration waiving the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) test for certain drivers with military commercial motor vehicle experience. REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, sponsor of HB 345, introduced the bill. He stated that this bill recognizes Alaskans who hone their driving skills during military service. The bill will help military personnel get jobs and help Alaskan businesses get qualified drivers by acknowledging that military drivers already have safe driving skills. He pointed out that federal law does allow states to waive the road test for the CDL if military drivers have recent driving experience and a clean record. They must still pass the regular knowledge test, vision test, and physical exam. The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration is encouraging states to grant such waivers and many states are already doing so. HB 345 simple authorizes the director of the Department of Administration to adopt regulations in accordance with federal standards. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI noted that HB 345 compliments another bill that also tries to help veterans get jobs. He asked if there is a requirement that members of the military have a commercial driver's license. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said no. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI concluded that military drivers are essentially doing the work that those with CDL's can do, but they are not required to have a CDL. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER agreed. He noted that military drivers hold a military driver's license. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI summarized that the bill provides that the state of Alaska can recognize military commercial driving experience and waive the CDL road test requirement. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER agreed. 9:28:13 AM WHITENY BREWSTER, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of Administration, provided information regarding HB 345. She explained about a caveat in federal regulations that allows states to adopt programs that allow for a substitution of the required driving skills tests. Military personnel who have had recent commercial motor vehicle driving experience qualify for such a program. The regulations were finalized in May of 2011 and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is now urging states to move forward with waiver programs for military veterans. She reported that the regulations do specify that the program must have two minimum requirements, that the applicant show evidence that he or she has been regularly employed or was regularly employed within the last 90 days in a military position requiring operation of a commercial motor vehicle, and with operating a vehicle representative of the commercial motor vehicle the driver applicant expects to operate for at least the two years immediately preceding discharge from the military. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked how closely the military requirements compare the CDL requirements. MS. BREWSTER responded that she was not sure about the military requirements. She stated that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration works closely with the Department of Defense in order to allow the waiver. 9:30:53 AM AVES THOMPSON, Executive Director, Alaska Trucking Association (ATA), testified in support of HB 345. He stated that his industry needs drivers and returning veterans need jobs. The ATA welcomes returning veterans and appreciates the opportunity to do something to support them, as well as to help the industry. He stated support for veterans and for HB 345. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI closed public testimony. He inquired if Representative Saddler knew the answer to the question about military commercial driving requirements. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER related that military training for commercial driving is "heavy on systems and checklists and the pre-trip." CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI stated his intent to hold HB 345. At-ease from 9:33:05 a.m. to 9:33:29 a.m. HB 204-STATE PROCUREMENT CODE  9:33:51 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that the next bill before the committee would be HB 204. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there were any questions. Seeing none, he requested a motion to move the bill. SENATOR KOOKESH moved to report HB 204 from committee with individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, HB 204 was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee. HB 205-PUBLIC PROCUREMENT  9:34:49 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that HB 205 was before the committee. REPRESENTATIVE ANNA FAIRCLOUGH, sponsor of HB 205, stated that HB 205 changes procurement in Alaska. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI said it was the second hearing on HB 205. He asked if previous questions were resolved. VERN JONES, Chief Procurement Officer, Division of General Services, Department of Administration, Juneau, Alaska, stated that he followed up on questions related to HB 205. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI requested a motion to move the bill. SENATOR KOOKESH moved to report HB 205 from committee with individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 205 was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee. At-ease from 9:36 a.m. to 9:37 a.m. HB 247-ALASKA NATIONAL GUARD DAY    9:37:10 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that HB 247 was before the committee. REPRESENTATIVE BOB LYNN, sponsor of HB 247, introduced the bill. He related that National Guard honors Alaska and Alaska should honor the National Guard with a special day of recognition. He said the National Guard can't be mentioned in the same sentence without the words assist, deploy, help, perform, rescue, serve, or save. HB 247 recognizes the value and the dedication of the Guard with a day of its own on July 30, which is the same day in 1948 when the Guard was officially authorized by Congress. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI opened and then closed public testimony. At-ease from 9:39:16 a.m. to 9:39:36 a.m. 9:39:34 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI noted that HB 247 was short and simple. He asked for the will of the committee. SENATOR KOOKESH moved to report HB 247, version A, from committee with individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 204 was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee. At-ease from 9:40 a.m. to 9:41 a.m. 9:41:05 AM There being no further business to come before the committee, Chair Wielechowski adjourned the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee at 9:41 a.m.