Legislature(1999 - 2000)
04/23/1999 01:55 PM House FIN
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HOUSE BILL NO. 40
"An Act combining parts of the Department of Commerce
and Economic Development and parts of the Department of
Community and Regional Affairs by transferring some of
their duties to a new Department of Commerce and Rural
Development; transferring some of the duties of the
Department of Commerce and Economic Development and the
Department of Community and Regional Affairs to other
existing agencies; eliminating the Department of
Commerce and Economic Development and the Department of
Community and Regional Affairs; relating to the
Department of Commerce and Rural Development and the
commissioner of commerce and rural development;
adjusting the membership of certain multi- member
bodies to reflect the transfer of duties among
departments and the elimination of departments;
creating the office of international trade and relating
to its duties; and providing for an effective date."
MIKE TIBBLES, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE GENE THERRIAULT, updated
Committee members regarding changes to the work draft
committee substitute. He noted that an updated copy of the
changes made would be forth coming. Mr. Tibbles addressed
the concerns of Legal Services, which would be included in
the work draft.
* Placement of the Office for International Trade.
The bill arrived with that office being seated in the
Governor's Office. Through discussion, it was
determined that the bulk of that work was performed in
the Department of Community and Regional Affairs.
consequently, it will be placed in the new department.
* Vocational Rehabilitation.
This Division has been moved into the new department,
and will be situated in the new work force development.
* ChildCare Licensing.
This component was moved from Department of Health and
Social Services to the new Department of Education and
Child Development.
* Deletion of Section #35
This section mandated divisions within Department of
Commerce and Economic Development, division directors
to provide maximum flexibility.
Co-Chair Therriault commented that change would allow more
flexibility within the division structure for the
department.
* Community Grants.
Mr. Tibbles advised that the municipal matching grants
had been moved out of Title 37 and into the new
department.
* Adult Basic Education.
Mr. Tibbles noted that the new committee substitute
moved the component to the new work force development
component. It was accepted that vocational technical
would work more closely with high school.
* Pass Work Services & I.
Mr. Tibbles commented that included in the new work
draft, these items were left in the Department of
Health and Social Services because of their tie to the
Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP).
(Tape Change HFC 99 - 102, Side 2).
* Licenses.
Co-Chair Therriault addressed the regulation section.
The Legislature granted the authority to start
developing the regulation package before the new
statute went into effect. The intent here was to give
the Department the authority to develop the statutes
and guarantee that it would go into effect the same
time that the statute does.
Mr. Tibbles advised that three items had not made it into
the work draft.
1. The placement and number of board members on the
Human Resource Development Council. Currently,
they are on a five-year plan. The intent is to
transition after the work is completed.
Co-Chair Therriault commented that he would like to see the
number of members reduced, however, understood that they are
in the process of finishing up a five-year plan.
2. Mr. Tibbles added that he was working with
Legislative Legal on language which would address
any missed provisions or references for the impact
of bills on federal funds.
3. Mr. Tibbles continued, Power Cost Equalization
(PCE) and Alaska Industrial Development Export
Authority (AIDEA) was not included in the work
draft.
Representative Grussendorf questioned why Vocational
Technology was being moved to the Department of Education.
Mr. Tibbles replied that function had been left in the
Department of Labor and Work Force Development.
Representative Grussendorf voiced concern for the Alaska
Peer Information system because of the increased need to
move people into the work force. Mr. Tibbles interjected
that from public testimony, the idea was to move that item
to the Department of Administration.
Co-Chair Therriault updated members regarding the process.
Representative Kohring voiced his appreciation on the work
provided by Mr. Tibbles and all the efforts put forth by the
individuals departments and agencies. He acknowledged that
he was hopeful that the bill would provide greater
efficiency in government with less management.
Representative G. Davis questioned the need to change the
names of agencies. He believed that changing the names would
complicate concerns of the public. Co-Chair Therriault
explained that when working with "mission and measures", it
is important to indicate the work performed by specific
agencies. He added that constituents are interested in
being able to access budget documents through the Internet
and he believed that the proposed new titles could assist
and expedite that service.
HB 40 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.
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