Legislature(2015 - 2016)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/07/2016 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB193 | |
| HB268 | |
| HB305 | |
| SB118 | |
| HB314 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 193 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 268 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 305 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 118 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 314 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 305-RECREATIONAL/AVOCATIONAL TRAINING EXEMPT.
2:18:22 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of HB 305. She noted that this is the first
hearing of the bill. [CSHB 305(EDC) is before the committee.]
2:18:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN GATTIS, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of
HB 305, said the bill puts sideboards on the regulatory powers
of the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE). It
exempts recreational and avocational training programs that are
done primarily for fun and not as a career.
2:20:45 PM
CHRYSTAL RANDOLPH, Staff, Representative Lynn Gattis, Alaska
State Legislature, provided the sectional analysis for HB 305.
Section 1:
AS 14.48.030 (a). Adds new lines.
Exemptions to the Regulations of Postsecondary
Institutions.
Exempts programs that are in a field that:
A. Does not require a professional or
occupational license under AS 08.
B. Provides training primarily for recreational
purposes; and
C. At the advanced training level, prepares
program graduates to teach or instruct in that
field.
Section 2:
AS 14.48.030. Adds new subsection.
Exemptions to the Regulations of Postsecondary
Institutions.
Requires the educational programs or institutions that
are exempt under (a)(5) to provide students with
written notice, before enrollment, that the program or
institution is exempt from state authorization
requirements.
Section 3:
AS 14.48.030. Adds new paragraphs.
Exemptions to the Regulations of Postsecondary
Institutions.
Provides definitions to the terms "avocational,"
"recreational," and "vocational".
2:22:44 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO inquired about page 2, line 5, "at the advanced
training level, prepares program graduates to teach or instruct
in that field" and asked how this would apply to coaches who
would need special training.
MS. RANDOLPH said she believes the bill wouldn't apply to
recreational youth programs because ACPE regulates postsecondary
programs.
CHAIR COSTELLO said she'd like that clarified.
2:24:28 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked for examples of exempted programs.
MS. RANDOLPH listed karate, Zumba, and hunter courses.
SENATOR STEVENS asked if ACPE will suffer a loss due to this
bill.
MS. RANDOLPH deferred to the representative from ACPE.
2:25:30 PM
STEPHANIE BUTLER, Director, Program Operations, Alaska
Commission on Postsecondary Education, said HB 305 would
represent a loss in revenue, but not a significant loss.
Regarding the coach question, a volunteer youth coach would not
be subject to commission regulations. Someone looking to coach
or teach in a school would need to meet all district
requirements.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if the administration or ACPE has a
position on the bill or the zero fiscal note.
MS. BUTLER said ACPE does not have concerns about the bill and
has no comment on the fiscal note.
2:27:17 PM
JODEE DIXON, Owner, The Yoga Path, testified in support of HB
305. She said that yoga teacher training (YTT) is a program for
advanced yoga. It is a 200-hour program that requires commitment
and is motivating for those who complete the training.
Completion generally does not lead to a sustainable career.
She said Alaska does not regulate yoga teachers and they do not
have to have a special license. She discussed the Yoga Alliance,
of which she is a member, which sets standards for the industry.
2:30:28 PM
SENATOR MEYER asked if there are different types of yoga that
require different training.
MS. DIXON said there are many types, but all of them could
generally be categorized as Hatha Yoga.
SENATOR MEYER asked if yoga is used for both relaxation and
stretching.
MS. DIXON said it's used for a myriad of reasons to benefit the
health of the individual.
2:34:09 PM
BARBARA DOBBERTHIEN, Executive Director and Chief Operating
Officer, Yoga Alliance, testified in support of HB 305. She
clarified that ACPE's institutional authorization process does
not apply to yoga programs and YTT programs should not be
subject to the requirements. She listed the states that have
passed legislation similar to HB 305. The bill is consistent
with the national trend of states refraining from subjecting
YTTs to occupational educational regulation.
2:36:49 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO closed public testimony and held HB 305 in
committee for further consideration.