Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-01-24 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1411 SB 204 SENATE BILL NO. 204 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the issuance of certificates of fitness for plumbers and electricians; relating to fees for certificates of fitness for plumbers and electricians; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Labor and Workforce Development Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to authorize the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to issue a six-year trainee certificate of fitness for plumbers and electricians as opposed to the current two-year certificate. The bill maintains the current two-year certification requirement for journeyman level plumbers and electricians. 2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1412 Passage of this bill will allow plumber and electrician trainees to complete their 8,000 hours of work experience without having to renew their license. Currently, apprentice hours completed under an expired two-year certificate of fitness do not count towards the 8,000 hour requirement. By expanding the duration of the trainee certificate, trainee plumbers and electricians will be able to complete the apprenticeship programs with minimal expense and delay. Plumbing and electrical services are lagging behind capacity in Alaska. This professional trade gap significantly impacts the ability of public and private sectors to fully-staff development and infrastructure projects that are needed to maintain and advance Alaska's economy. This bill addresses this bottleneck by encouraging people to enter into the plumbing and electrical trades by lowering costs and bureaucratic barriers while simultaneously maintaining the high standards for professional development that Alaskans expect. Under the bill, currently certificated plumbing and electrical trainees are eligible for the new six-year certificate without the need to re-apply. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor