Legislature(2017 - 2018)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/06/2018 03:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB2 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 2-PRIV EMPLOYER VOLUNTARY VET PREFERENCE
3:37:05 PM
CHAIR BISHOP announced the consideration of HB 2. [CSHB 2(MLV,
version 30-LS0071\D), was before the committee.]
3:37:31 PM
CHAIR BISHOP said he had experience dealing with veteran
preference in his past career as it related to Helmets to
Hardhats, a program that allowed registered apprenticeship
programs "to pierce their list" to bring veterans into
registered apprenticeships. It worked very well.
3:38:39 PM
At ease.
3:40:01 PM
CHAIR BISHOP called the meeting back into order.
3:40:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS TUCK, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of
HB 2 said the bill would allow for an optional veteran hiring
preference for private employers by taking advantage of an
option that is available under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Section 11 of the act allows special rights for preferences to
be granted to veterans if they are authorized under federal law,
state law, or local law. Currently 37 states have adopted
similar legislation and five other states, including Alaska, are
considering it. The bill is a nationwide effort by the U.S.
Department of Defense. All 50 states and D.C., Guam, and Puerto
Rico award preferences to veterans for initial hiring for public
employment.
3:42:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK said however, private employers are
prohibited from establishing comparable business hiring
practices unless specific legislation is passed allowing this
option. The road to employment can be difficult for veterans
returning to civilian life. A 2012 survey of veterans from all
areas found that for two-thirds, finding a job was the greatest
challenge for transitioning. Alaska has one of the highest
percentages of veterans per capita. About 14 percent of adults
in Alaska, over 72,000 people, are veterans.
3:42:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK said that as of November 2016, the national
Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the jobless rate of male
veterans ages 18 to 24 still exceeds that of their civilian
counterparts. Alaska prides itself in being a leader in
supporting veterans and active duty military. The bill allows
private employers to adopt a veteran hiring preference.
3:44:18 PM
CHAIR BISHOP opened public testimony.
3:44:34 PM
BOB DOEHL, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs, supported HB 2. He said the department
supports HB 2 for two reasons. The private sector can compete
with the public sector, which already can give a veteran
preference. Second, it enables the private sector to hire
veterans, if employers want to.
3:46:03 PM
BERNADETTE WILSON, Owner, Denali Disposal, supported HB 2. She
shared, in the interests of full disclosure, that she is in a
relationship with the bill sponsor and they have a child, but
she is appearing as a witness in the role of president and owner
of Denali Disposal, a commercial refuge company servicing
Girdwood, Anchorage, Eagle River, and the surrounding area. She
related a story of hiring two people, one a veteran and one not.
The veteran did not have the relevant job experience, and the
other person, on paper, was highly qualified. A year later the
on-paper, highly qualified person was let go. The 24-year
veteran is now the operations manager and a critical component
to the company. As a small employer, they have seen first-hand
that veterans are easy to train, have experience working with
other people, and are very dependable.
3:48:54 PM
DALE VANDE HEY, Liaison, State Liaison Office, U.S. Department
of Defense, supported HB 2. He said he was speaking on behalf of
Military Community and Family Policy. This is one of the key
quality of life issues for the Department of Defense. This would
be of great benefit to veterans. It equals the playing field and
allows them to get a job when they exit the military.
3:49:52 PM
CHAIR BISHOP noted they had received many letters of support for
the bill.
3:50:26 PM
CHAIR BISHOP closed public testimony.
3:50:45 PM
SENATOR STEDMAN asked why it has taken so long to get this issue
to the legislature.
3:50:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK said it was perhaps lack of awareness, but
he doesn't know why the veteran preference was not extended from
public employers to private employers previously.
3:52:20 PM
CHAIR BISHOP held HB 2 in committee.
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