2018-02-09                     House Journal                      Page 2377
HB 340                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 340 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act repealing the Alaska BIDCO Assistance program and                                                                  
     repealing requirements for an annual examination of a BIDCO by                                                             

2018-02-09                     House Journal                      Page 2378
     the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic                                                                        
     Development."                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce                                                                    
Committee.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 8 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that would repeal the BIDCO                                                              
loan assistance program.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
A "BIDCO" is a person licensed by the Department of Commerce,                                                                   
Community, and Economic Development to provide financial and                                                                    
management assistance to businesses. Under current law, the                                                                     
Department is required to examine a BIDCO annually and the cost for                                                             
these examinations borne by the BIDCO. This bill would remove the                                                               
requirement for an annual examination of a BIDCO, but continue to                                                               
allow the Department to examine a BIDCO at any time. Repealing the                                                              
annual schedule while leaving in place the ability to conduct these                                                             
examinations when necessary to protect the public while removing                                                                
unnecessary, burdensome, and costly requirements.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The bill would also repeal the BIDCO assistance program (AS 37.17),                                                             
including the Alaska BIDCO fund. The assistance program has not                                                                 
been funded, since it has not been used, and is unnecessary and should                                                          
be repealed.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor"