Legislature(2015 - 2016)BARNES 124
04/10/2015 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB131 | |
| HB6 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 131 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 6-EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE FOR VETS & SPOUSES
4:27:23 PM
CHAIR OLSON announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 6, "An Act relating to a voluntary preference for
veterans and for spouses and domestic partners of veterans by
private employers." [Before the committee was CSHB 6(MLV)].
4:27:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS TUCK, Alaska State Legislature, stated that
HB 6 would remove barriers to employment for veterans and their
spouses. According to a 2012 survey of veterans from all eras,
more than two-thirds of respondents said they found it difficult
to transition from military service to civilian life, attributed
largely to employment challenges. As of June 2014, nearly
600,000 veterans were unemployed. Recent employment data from
the Veterans' Benefits Administration showed that in February
2015 the jobless rate for post 9/11 veterans at 6.7 percent,
with young male veterans experiencing a jobless rate of more
than 18 percent.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK said that the military discharges roughly
160,000 active duty service members and approximately 110,000
reserve and National Guard service members each year. During
2013, Alaska saw over 2,000 military personnel separate from
service and return home, and those figures will likely rise in
coming years. Many states have made great strides to improve
veteran employment by removing professional licensing barriers
and crediting military education and experience. However,
employment ultimately depends on employers providing workforce
opportunities. Although forty states and the District of
Columbia award preference to veterans who are being considered
for hire to a public position, private employers are prohibited
from establishing comparable business hiring policies. This
bill would allow an optional veteran hiring preference for
private employers by taking advantage of an option available
under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. To date, twelve states have
adopted similar legislation, which is supported by the United
States Department of Defense. It's time Alaska takes action by
joining these other states in passing HB 6 to help our veterans
and our small businesses, he said.
4:29:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK related a study completed by Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America indicated that one in five
veterans are unemployed. This study also stated that veterans
named finding a job as the greatest challenge in transitioning
into civilian life. Alaska has made significant inroads and
great strides to improve veteran employment by removing
professional licensing barriers and crediting military education
and experience; however, employment ultimately depends on
employers providing workforce opportunities. Veterans have
cited practical hurdles such as competing with candidates who
have been in the workforce longer, lack of education, and
challenges in showing how their military experience translates
into skills of interest to a civilian employer, and the current
economic situation.
4:29:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK said that the United States Department of
Defense (DOD) has found many private sector employers want to
hire veterans due to their unique skill sets, work ethic, and
reliability, but are hesitant to do so for fear of being sued
under Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This Act
prohibits veteran preferences for employment as unlawfully
discriminatory; however, Section 11 of the Act also allows
rights or preferences can be granted to veterans as long as
authorized under federal, state, and local law.
4:30:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK reported that currently all 50 states, the
District of Columbia, and Guam award preference to veterans who
being considered for hire to public positions; however, private
employers are prohibited from establishing comparable business
hiring policies. He said that HB 6 would allow an optional
veteran hiring preference for private employers by taking
advantage of an option available under the Civil Rights Act of
1964. To date, 17 states have adopted similar legislation,
which has been supported by the United States Department of
Defense (DOD) with legislation pending in 14 additional states.
In conclusion, he said, "It's time Alaska takes its action by
joining other states in passing HB 6 to help our veterans and
our small businesses."
4:31:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON directed attention to the third bullet,
which seemed to say, "It's unlawful unless it becomes lawful."
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK answered that under the Human Rights
Commission, the law allows states to provide that provision if
states decide to do so and all 50 have done so for public
employees. This bill would ask for the preference to be granted
to the private sector.
4:32:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KITO asked whether other states allow this for
private employers.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK reiterated that 17 states have done so.
4:32:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES asked for further clarification that if a
private employer offered a preference that it would be in
violation of federal law. She recalled from a previous
committee that it was important to protect business owners from
lawsuits.
4:32:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK answered yes; that currently if an employer
must choose between two applicants, the employer could not
recognize the veteran's service. He said that as previously
mentioned, Section 11 does allow states to adopt preferences so
that states are not in violation of the Human Rights Commission.
4:33:08 PM
CHAIR OLSON declared that he was a veteran and wished to state
so since it may represent a potential conflict of interest.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK thanked him for his service.
CHAIR OLSON opened public testimony on HB 6.
4:33:54 PM
MARK SAN SOUCI, Regional Liaison, State Liaison Office, U.S.
Department of Defense, stated that he was a retired US Air Force
officer and he currently serves the Department of Defense's
Regional Liaison for the Northwestern states including Alaska.
He stated that Representative Tuck summarized HB 6 well. He
emphasized that HB 6 has a [zero] fiscal note and the bill
addresses private employers voluntarily giving employment
preference to veterans. Although this was a new issue for the
Department of Defense, it was not a new issue for the National
Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Representative Saddler
has been active on the NCSL's Task Force on Military and
Veterans' Affairs. He reported that in 2015 a number of states
adopted legislation similar to HB 6, including Montana,
Kentucky, Nebraska, and Utah. He reported that the Bureau of
Labor's unemployment statistics for March 2015 for 18-24 year
old veterans was 19.1 percent as compared to 11 percent for non-
veterans and 25-34 year-old veterans have a 7.8 percent
unemployment as compared to 5.8 for non-veterans. In fiscal
year (FY) 2014, the Defense Manpower Data Center reported that
2,450 military in Alaska separated from active reserve and
National Guard components, which was up 13 percent from FY 13.
MR. SAN SOUCI said that the state will continue to see new
veterans, with proven work ethic, with unique skill sets, and
reliability that is very much valued by the private sector. He
added that the training has been paid for by through US taxes.
4:36:25 PM
RUSSELL BALL said he owns a small IT [Internet Technology]
business. He spoke in support of the bill. He stated he has
been in business for 30 years and have had many veterans who
have worked for him. He emphasized that veterans have a skill
set, military training, and productivity. He has found that
veterans have good discipline and work ethic, possess problem
solving and troubleshooting skills. He characterized veterans
as being a valuable resource. He stated that many employees
lack basic skills. He envisioned that this bill would allow him
to advertise that he provides a preference for veterans. He
hoped that veterans who are making a huge transition would gain
confidence in knowing that their skill set was considered
desirable. Further, it could give veterans a boost of morale
building confidence, his business would be protected, and Alaska
could send the right message to veterans that their service was
valued, their skill set is valued, and they can make the
transition to civilian life.
4:39:44 PM
RUSSELL POUNDS, Owner, Pacific Rim Media, stated that he owns
his own marketing and media communications business and his
father and brother are veterans. First, his company values
collaboration and veterans bring teamwork, which is a great
asset to his business. Second, he agreed with the earlier
testifier who desired to give preferences to veterans
transitioning out the military. Finally, it will be great to
not offend anyone who isn't a veteran and allow the preference
for veterans. He said he fully supported HB 6 and he hoped it
can become a part of the future in Alaska.
4:41:57 PM
CHAIR OLSON, after first determining no one wished to testify,
closed public testimony on HB 6.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES offered her support for HB 6.
4:42:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES moved to report CSHB 6(MLV) out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 6(MLV) was
reported from the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.