Legislature(2023 - 2024)ADAMS 519
04/27/2023 01:30 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB26 | |
| SB87 | |
| SB25 | |
| HB125 | |
| HB178 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 26 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 93 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 87 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 125 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 25 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 178 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 87
"An Act relating to a lumber grading training program
and lumber grading certificates; relating to use of
lumber graded and certified by a person holding a
lumber grading training program certificate; and
providing for an effective date."
1:49:06 PM
Co-Chair Foster explained that SB 87 was the companion bill
to HB 93, sponsored by Representative Jesse Sumner. The
committee heard HB 93 on April 14, 2023.
SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, SPONSOR, introduced SB 87. The bill
would allow for local lumber millers and saw millers to
receive training from the Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) through the University of Alaska (UA) to grade and
assess the lumber and subsequently sell the lumber to the
end user to build residential homes.
Co-Chair Foster asked if committee members had questions.
Representative Ortiz asked whether the bill addressed how
an individual could become a lumber grader. He recently had
a constituent call him and ask how to become a lumber
grading trainer.
Senator Bjorkman responded that the bill would initiate a
training program.
1:51:47 PM
Representative Galvin relayed that she was supportive of
the bill and had already co-sponsored the House companion
bill. She asked if the bill would act as a stepping stone
to the next level of a grading program that would be
inclusive of products that could be used for larger houses.
There was a great need for housing in the more urban areas
and wondered if the bill would be expanded upon.
Senator Bjorkman responded that the reason the restrictions
limiting locally graded lumber were in place was in
correspondence to the strength testing that lumber was
required to undergo by lumber grading agencies. The local
lumber was not less strong, but the reason why the program
was not made available for the purpose of building larger
structures was for quality control to maintain a one-to-one
relationship between the seller and the buyer. He thought
it was smart to begin the program on a smaller scale. There
was potential for it to be a stepping stone to larger
projects, but it would be under the purview of statewide
building codes.
Representative Coulombe asked about Section 41 of the bill
which stated that the certification would be valid for five
years. She asked if a person would need to do the entire
program again after the certification had expired or if the
process could be expedited.
Senator Bjorkman deferred the question to an online
testifier.
1:55:15 PM
JEREMY DOUSE, NORTHERN REGIONAL FORESTER, DIVISON OF
FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES (via teleconference), responded that the intent
was that the individual would take the class again. The
class was only one day and he thought it would be
beneficial for individuals to receive the learning
experience again. Additionally, the class would be free.
Representative Cronk appreciated the bill and believed it
was a stepping stone in creating a vibrant timber and
lumber industry in the state. He thought timber was an
endless resource in the state.
Representative Hannan commented that she had been concerned
that the program would be housed in the university but
there was no information provided from the university. She
was aware that the university had stated its support for
the legislation in a letter, but the letter was not
included in committee packets. She wanted to give Senator
Bjorkman the opportunity to speak on the university's
support.
Senator Bjorkman deferred the question to his staff.
LAURA ACHEE, STAFF, SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, responded that
DNR had spoken with UA about creating a position that would
support the instruction for the lumber grading program. The
fiscal note was from DNR because it was a DNR program. The
department could have chosen to conduct the training in-
house or work with another vendor, but ultimately decided
to collaborate with the university.
Co-Chair Foster asked Mr. Douse to describe the fiscal
note.
Mr. Douse explained that the fiscal note from DNR [control
code pQzXM] would not require any additional personnel but
would require some additional travel expenses for lumber
milling and grading training events. Additionally, expenses
for contractual services through a reimbursable services
agreement with the university would be incurred. There
would also be a cost for commodities, which would cover the
cost of publishing a lumber grading handbook for purposes
of training.
Co-Chair Foster noted that there were no amendments. He
would entertain a motion to move the bill if it was the
will of the committee.
2:00:45 PM
Representative Tomaszewski MOVED to REPORT SB 87 out of
committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
SB 87 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with one previously published fiscal
note: FN1 (DNR).