Legislature(2019 - 2020)GRUENBERG 120
04/02/2019 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation: Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development | |
| Presentation: Department of Defense | |
| HB93 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 93 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 93-MILITARY SPOUSE COURTESY LICENSE
1:48:19 PM
CHAIR LEDOUX announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 93, "An Act relating to temporary courtesy
licenses for certain nonresident professionals; and relating to
the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic
Development."
1:48:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS TUCK, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, paraphrased parts of the sponsor statement [included in
the committee packet], which read in its entirety as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
House Bill 93 calls for the Alaska Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development to
prepare an annual report to allow the Alaska
Legislature to evaluate the progress of a program to
make temporary courtesy occupational licenses
available to the spouses of active duty service
members stationed in Alaska. In 2011, the Alaska
Legislature passed House Bill 28 to provide expedited
temporary courtesy licenses if a military spouse
possesses a license from a previous jurisdiction with
similar requirements to the State of Alaska. However,
the bill didn't include reporting requirements.
Making temporary courtesy licenses available to the
spouses of active duty service members allows them to
practice their chosen trade without having to go
through the time-consuming process of meeting state
licensure requirements before beginning work.
Expediting courtesy licenses for military spouses
allows them to go to work quickly after relocating to
Alaska, while they work toward fulfilling any
remainder state requirements for their license.
The requirement in House Bill 93 for an annual report
will allow the Alaska Legislature, the Joint Armed
Services Committee, military installations, and local
communities to track the progress of the Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development in making
temporary courtesy licenses available to military
spouses. HB 93 also calls for the department to
produce and distribute informational materials about
temporary courtesy licenses to each board authorized
to issue such licenses. The intent of this stipulation
is to improve the board's knowledge of the licenses,
the application process, and the best practices in
providing applicant support. Additionally, the bill
calls for the department to encourage boards to
designate a single employee to serve as the point of
contact for public information and inquiries related
to temporary courtesy licenses for military spouses.
The annual report called for in HB 93 will also
highlight many of the opportunities available to help
military spouses enter the workforce in Alaska. To
date, a low number of eligible professionals have
taken advantage of the temporary courtesy license
program in Alaska, and many participants have reported
delays. House Bill 93 would help identify
inefficiencies in the program.
Legislation similar to House Bill 93 passed the Alaska
House of Representatives unanimously last year but was
not taken up by the Alaska State Senate.
Making temporary courtesy occupational and other
licenses available to military spouses is a priority
for the U.S. Department of Defense.
1:52:38 PM
CHAIR LEDOUX noted that a bill for temporary courtesy licensing
had already been passed several years ago. She asked if the
current bill is attempting to ensure that the program that was
enacted years ago is working the way it should be.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK answered yes.
1:53:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON sought clarification on the fiscal note.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK stated that the fiscal note shows zero costs
through FY 25. He explained that "the total amount of revenue
collected approximately equals the occupations actual regulatory
costs", adding that those individuals seeking occupational
licenses are not exempt from paying the fees.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK added that when a military family moves to
Alaska and the spouse can no longer continue her career because
her occupation requires a license, it is a loss of higher income
and revenue for that family. He emphasized the importance of HB
93 and explained why Alaska no longer has a reciprocity
agreement for electrician licenses with Washington.
CHAIR LEDOUX sought clarification on why the Department of
Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED) would
evaluate themselves in an annual report on the progress of
making temporary courtesy occupational licenses available to the
spouses of active duty service members stationed in Alaska. She
asked why Legislative Budget and Audit Committee (LBA) wouldn't
compile an audit instead.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK agreed that if DCCED didn't desire the same
outcome it would be a function of LBA. He noted that it takes
two years and 500-900 man-hours for a typical audit, while the
current bill institutes an annual report that requires less
resources and allows for a quicker response.
1:59:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR, referencing subsection (f) of the current
bill, asked for clarification on the purpose of the biennial
report, which is a consolidation of the two most recent annual
reports, that would be submitted to the legislature during the
first regular session of each legislature.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK offered his understanding that the purpose
of the biennial report is to provide a compilation of the last
two years of information on temporary courtesy licenses for
brand new legislators.
2:01:13 PM
CHAIR LEDOUX opened public testimony.
2:01:35 PM
SARA CHAMBERS, Director, Division of Corporations, Business and
Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community &
Economic Development, reiterated that the DCCED prioritizes
military families and would be happy to provide a progress
report to the legislature. She offered her belief that that the
items in HB 93 that would be reported on wouldn't take much
effort and could be accommodated without adding a fiscal note.
She noted that the DCB&PL doesn't regulate teachers or attorneys
and that education, along with any occupation outside of the
division, isn't included in the report.
2:03:46 PM
TAMMIE PERREAULT, Regional Liaison, Defense-State Liaison
Office, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Department
of Defense, informed the committee that the U.S. Department of
Defense is grateful to the Alaska legislature for making great
strides to improve the transition of military members and
families. She stated that HB 93 will continue to provide an
evaluation of the progress which Alaska has made and allow a
firm commitment and identification of the next best steps. She
acknowledged that different licensing requirements can limit
advancement or deter reentry into the workforce in a new
location, and that sometimes spouses can suffer periods of
unemployment due to licensure requirements. She offered her
belief that HB 93 will help identify if there are any gaps in
the current system and will help moved Alaska forward in
identifying possible processes that could be improved on. She
concluded by expressing her support for the policy within the
current bill.
2:05:46 PM
CHAIR LEDOUX closed public testimony.
[HB 93 was held over.]