Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124
01/23/2026 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR20 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HJR 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HJR 20-HIRING OF APPRENTICES/VETERANS
3:15:29 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the only order of business would
be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20, Encouraging the United States
Congress to establish hiring goals for apprentices and veteran
apprentices.
3:15:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID NELSON, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, introduced HJR 20. He explained that the proposed
legislation would encourage the United States Congress to
establish hiring goals for apprentices and veteran apprentices.
The resolution aims to assist veterans and those preparing to
transition from the armed forces to civilian life. He noted
that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2024,
60 percent of unemployed veterans were aged 25 through 54,
meaning most unemployed veterans are in their prime working age.
These veterans are rigorously trained by the U.S. Department of
Defense (DoD), making them skilled and motivated, and therefore
highly valuable in the workforce. By passing HJR 20, it would
encourage Congress to establish hiring goals for domestic DoD
construction projects, specifically for individuals who are
participating in qualified apprenticeships or post-secondary
programs. These hiring goals would be no less than 10 percent
of the total workforce employed in the performance of the
project, with no less than 10 percent of those being veterans.
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON said that promoting the inclusion of
veterans in DoD funded construction projects would enhance the
workforce with individuals accustomed to working in complex and
demanding environments. He stated, "This would create a solid
foundation for countless individuals who have protected and
served our great country." He urged committee support for the
proposed legislation.
3:17:48 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced the committee would hear invited
testimony on HJR 20.
3:18:05 PM
KYLE KAISER, President/Founder, Viper Transitions, provided
invited testimony in support of HJR 20. He said that as an army
veteran and former Airborne Infantryman, transitioning from the
Armed Services to a civilian career can be difficult.
Apprenticeships are often a desired route for many veterans
looking to enter their next career field. He said it makes
sense to have this type of language implemented on a national
level, especially with DoD. He explained that veterans already
undergo background checks and security clearances, which make it
easier to get them on base. They are trainable, and there are
many reasons why it would make sense for DoD to adopt policies
like this and for the legislature to create statute to support
these initiatives. He explained that partnerships are crucial
because apprentices do not need prior knowledge; this is the
purpose of an apprenticeship.
MR. KAISER said given his experience, without an apprenticeship,
transitioning from Airborne Infantry to a career as an
electrician would not have been smooth or easy. He had no prior
knowledge of the trade, and apprenticeships only work if an
employer has work available for apprentices. He said that
veterans typically enter apprenticeships when these employers
have "a place to send them." He concluded by stating that this
legislation is good for the country, good for veterans, and good
for building a strong workforce.
3:20:04 PM
MICHAEL SMITH, International Representative for Veteran Affairs,
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, testified in
support of HJR 20. He said that he represents thousands of
veterans in his organization. He said that as a former training
director who oversaw apprentices at an apprenticeship school,
there is a clear understanding of where opportunities can arise.
He noted that when it comes to veterans, they want structure and
apprenticeships provide structure. He explained that it keeps
them on task and on track. Veterans have a lifestyle very
similar to what they experienced in the military. He said that
there is full support for this resolution from the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). He noted that setting
a goal of 10 percent of veteran apprentices on DOD projects is a
great step forward and makes life easier for transitioning
veterans. He said transition can be hard and getting veterans
working in places they are familiar with such as military and
federal installations is a good thing.
3:21:45 PM
MIKE KUFCHAK, Director of Veterans Affairs, International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, testified in support of HJR
20. He began testimony by highlighting that he served in the
military for 32 years, all of which were active duty. He said
that the electrical industry and many other trade unions have
discovered that veterans bring unique qualities to their
employment. This includes reliability, dependability,
accountability, and responsibility. He said that military
personnel are groomed to work as a team and this team dynamic is
an important factor in the trades. He said that the military
exceeds all standards regarding safety regulations and veterans
understand safety as it relates to trades. He remarked that
many military occupational specialties (MOS) are aligned with
industry standards. He said many military members have been
formally trained and gained real-world experience while in
military service. He said this could include a United States
military apprenticeship program or even certificates of
completion from DOD. He remarked that veterans are well suited
to work in military installations given this previous
experience. They understand the culture, terminology, the rank
structure, and rules of federal operations.
MR. KUFCHAK said that the bottom line is that apprenticeships
offer careers for veterans that can provide the intangibles that
they became accustomed to while in the military. Additionally,
if a veteran has a career, then they can provide for themselves
and their family, which reduces depression, stress, and suicide
rates. He concluded by reiterating that he was in full support
of the proposed legislation.
3:23:50 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS commented that he works for a labor union for
his private sector job that had apprenticeships and members that
work on military installations and much of this work is done by
veterans.
3:24:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE thanked the committee for bringing the
legislation forward since her sons and husband all served in the
military and their transition to civilian life was challenging.
She asked for clarification with the intent of the legislation.
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON responded that the resolution's intent is
to urge Congress to establish hiring goals for contracts. He
said that when a DOD project is put up for bid, the goal is to
reach 10 percent representation of military veteran apprentices
on those types of contracts.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE asked for clarification of whether this
pertained to the DoD or the U.S. Department of War (DoW).
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON noted that according to DoD, DoW is a
secondary title for DoD. He said that it would take an act of
Congress to change the name from DoD to DoW.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE said that she assumed that DoD contracts
already have a union agreement in place. She asked for
clarification for an instance where someone was a veteran but
not associated with a union.
3:25:48 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS responded that the apprenticeship system has
both union and nonunion participants and the resolution is
drafted to support the registration of apprenticeships. He said
that there are many nonunion apprenticeships in Alaska.
3:26:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON added that the resolution also includes
those who are in post-secondary programs. He said there was a
little bit of separation but as Co-Chair Fields had clarified,
the resolution supports both union and nonunion individuals.
3:26:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER noted that Sergeant Major Kufchak had
referred to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). He
said that having HJR 20 apply to any federal military
construction project and not just those funded by NDAA was
ideal.
REPRESENTATIVE NELSON responded that this would be up to
Congress, but the intent of the resolution is to be as open and
accommodating as possible.
3:27:18 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that HJR 20 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HJR 20 Sponsor Statement Version A.pdf |
HL&C 1/23/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 20 |
| HJR 20.pdf |
HL&C 1/23/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 20 |
| HJR 20 AWP Letter of Support.pdf |
HL&C 1/23/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 20 |
| HJR 20 IBEW Local 11 Letter of Support.pdf |
HL&C 1/23/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 20 |
| HJR20-LEG-SESS-01-21-2026.pdf |
HL&C 1/23/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 20 |
| Letter of Support - HJR20 1-23-26.pdf |
HL&C 1/23/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 20 |