1996-01-19                     House Journal                      Page 2488
HB 434                                                                       
This bill represents an important step forward to update Alaskas               
unclaimed property laws.  I urge your support.                                 
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor                                                                 
                                                                               
HB 435                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 435 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
An Act relating to employment contributions and to making the                 
state training and employment program a permanent state program;               
and providing for an effective date.                                           
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce, Health,          
Education & Social Services, State Affairs and Finance Committees.             
                                                                               
The following fiscal notes apply:                                              
                                                                               
Fiscal notes (2), Dept. Of Community & Regional Affairs, 1/19/96               
Fiscal note, Dept. of Labor, 1/19/96                                           
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter, dated January 19, 1996, appears             
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
Dear Speaker Phillips:                                                         
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am      
transmitting a bill making the state training and employment program           
(STEP) a permanent state program.                                              
                                                                               
The STEP is an integral component of Alaskas job training program              
and has enabled participants to increase their average quarterly               
earnings from nine to 12 percent.  The STEP was established as a               
temporary, pilot program in 1989 and has been extended twice -- in             
1991 and 1993.  Since its inception, STEP has trained 4,890 Alaska             
workers at an average cost of $2,000 per participant which is covered          
by Alaska employees.   The program is financed entirely by employee