Legislature(1995 - 1996)
1995-03-24 House Journal
Full Journal pdf1995-03-24 House Journal Page 0896 HB 280 HOUSE BILL NO. 280 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act establishing the Alaska Human Resource Investment Council and transferring certain functions of other entities to the council; establishing a planning mechanism for employment training and other human resource investment needs; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social Services and Finance Committees. The following fiscal notes apply: Fiscal note, Office of the Governor, 3/24/95 Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Commerce & Economic Development, 3/24/95 Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Community & Regional Affairs, 3/24/95 Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Education, 3/24/95 Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Health & Social Services, 3/24/95 1995-03-24 House Journal Page 0897 HB 280 Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Labor, 3/24/95 Zero fiscal note, University of Alaska, 3/24/95 The Governor's transmittal letter, dated March 24, 1995, appears below: "Dear Speaker Phillips: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that will establish the Alaska Human Resource Investment Council as the lead state entity to plan and coordinate federal, state, and local employment training and human resource programs. This bill consolidates the functions of three existing councils and commissions into a single council located in the Governor's office to provide coordinated oversight of job training programs throughout the state to ensure effective training that leads to employment of Alaskans. This bill designs the Alaska Human Resource Investment Council (AHRIC) to meet the federal statutory requirements for a consolidated human resource investment council and is in response to anticipated changes that include the lump sum, block grant funding scenario presently being proposed in Congress. Twenty-one states have currently taken advantage of this option created under Title VII of the 1992 Job Training Partnership Act. It maximizes federal funds and avoids duplication of effort. The consolidation will increase efficiency and effectiveness of job training and vocational education efforts within the state by combining the existing staff and board members of the State Job Training Coordinating Council, the Employment Security Advisory Council and the Governor's Council on Vocational Education. It reduces the current roster of 38 board and commission members to a maximum of 26. This bill also envisions a key staff position to oversee the development of a collaborative strategic plan, facilitate the transitionary phase of the consolidation of the boards, and effect the merging of staff responsibilities in anticipation of major revisions in the Federal funding mechanisms for job training and vocational education. This legislation will provide an economy of scale for the many advisory and oversight groups presently involved in job training, adult, 1995-03-24 House Journal Page 0898 HB 280 and vocational education; eliminate state agency overlap in planning and data collection; increase the efficiency and effectiveness of existing training programs to meet the changing needs of Alaskan employers through private sector involvement; better prepare Alaskan workers for Alaskan jobs with targeted training programs and recommend policy incentives for employers to seek out and hire Alaskan workers. In addition, the AHRIC will use its resources to open more opportunities for self-sufficiency to those Alaskan families presently receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children in order to achieve our goal of putting our citizens presently receiving benefits back into the workforce with good jobs in the shortest time possible. The council will be made up of at least 15 percent representation from education, 15 percent representation from industry, and 15 percent representation from labor, as well as other representation that will bring valuable input to the human resources strategic planning process. The bill also dictates that a private sector majority will sit on this board to insure that employers and labor have dynamic involvement in designing effective programs. A full year of transition is proposed to insure the orderly transfer of functions from existing councils and commissions to AHRIC. The councils and their volunteer members will plan an orderly consolidation and contribute to the development of a long range strategic plan. The Governor's Office staff member will compile and facilitate this development. Thirteen additional state and federal programs may be considered during this period for inclusion under the advisory provisions of AHRIC. Enactment of this bill would enable the state to promote an efficient, effective, and integrated system of employment education and training programs and services. I urge your support of the bill. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor" 1995-03-24 House Journal Page 0899 HB 280 A sectional analysis of the bill appears below: