03/27/2024 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE

         SB 154-BIDDER PREF MILITARY CAREER SKILLS PROG                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:33:33 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BJORKMAN announced  the consideration  of SENATE  BILL NO.                                                               
154,   "An  Act   relating  to   bidder   preferences  in   state                                                               
procurement."                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:33:59 PM                                                                                                                    
KALEB CALLAHAN,  Intern, Senator Bill Wielechowski,  Alaska State                                                               
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,  provided an overview of  SB 154 and                                                               
explained  that  this  would  establish   a  two  percent  bidder                                                               
preference for military service  members who are transitioning to                                                               
veteran status.  In addition, businesses  would be  encouraged to                                                               
partner  with SkillBridge  and other  similar programs,  creating                                                               
additional  procurement opportunities  for veterans  entering the                                                               
civilian workforce.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:35:00 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened  public testimony on SB  154; finding none,                                                               
he closed public testimony.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:35:25 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BJORKMAN  found  no  further  questions  or  comments  and                                                               
solicited a motion.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:35:29 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR MERRICK moved  to report SB 154,  work order 33-LS0545\B,                                                               
from  committee  with  individual  recommendations  and  attached                                                               
fiscal note(s).                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:35:46 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN  found no objection  and SB 154 was  reported from                                                               
the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.