Legislature(2003 - 2004)
05/05/2004 09:04 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 379
"An Act establishing an office of citizenship assistance in
the Department of Labor and Workforce Development."
This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance
Committee.
Co-Chair Wilken stated this bill, sponsored by Representative
Weyhrauch, "establishes the Office of Citizenship Assistance in the
Department of Labor and Workforce Development."
REPRESENTATIVE BRUCE WEYHRAUCH explained that Senator Pete Kelly of
Fairbanks first introduced this bill two years ago. The Office of
Citizenship Assistance was originally envisioned within the Office
of Legislative Affairs. Representative Weyhrauch is overwhelmed by
the realization that a large minority community exists in the
State. For example, ten percent of the population of Juneau
consists of immigrants from the Philippines and Tonga. Often
immigrants within the State work multiple jobs. In order to obtain
citizenship, immigrants must fulfill many requirements and "run the
bureaucratic maze". These individuals may have come from a country
where they were threatened by their government, and they are
unfamiliar with the U.S. government. The Office of Citizenship
Assistance would benefit both the public and private sectors in
aiding immigrants with the paperwork and processes required to be
productive, and eventually naturalized, U.S. citizens.
ANDREE MCLEOD testified via teleconference from Anchorage that she
does not support this bill. She prefaced by stating that she is an
immigrant who was brought to the U.S. by a sponsor. Part of the
responsibilities of a sponsor who registers with the Department of
Immigration and Naturalization Services is to "bridge" the
transition for the immigrants they have chosen to sponsor. She
questioned whether it is appropriate to make immigrants into
victims when they have exhibited a strong sense of responsibility,
and initiative in leaving their native country. Being an American
involves interface with the government, and frustration with that
interaction. In 1999 Ms Mcleod participated in the Commission on
Privitization and Delivery of Government Services. One goal of the
Commission was to determine what services are inherently
governmental. Certain non-profit organizations provide immigration
services that do not need to be duplicated by the government. This
legislation addresses a federal problem, not a State problem. The
responsibility an immigration sponsor has committed to is
undermined by this bill. This legislation is discriminatory based
on national origin. She questioned the funding source for the
Office proposed in this bill. A few years ago approximately 75-
percent of Alaskans voted to make English the official language of
State government; therefore interpreting services offered to
immigrants should be eliminated. Immigrants must be offered
incentives to encourage them to create a better quality of life for
themselves; they should not be made into victims.
MARIO LIM, private citizen, testified in Juneau and informed that
he has assisted immigrants, and the previous testifier might not
understand the magnitude of the citizenship process. He has a
Masters degree in chemical engineering, and still could not
understand the paperwork process. The reaction of the federal
government regarding immigration assistance is appalling. All
immigrants face this daunting bureaucratic process. He shared an
example of a Mexican immigrant who had been attempting to complete
the paperwork required for citizenship for nearly two years. Mr.
Lim has been assisting immigrants for many years at no charge. The
federal government is overburdened with immigration issues, but the
State has the ability to help immigrants. After the events of
September 11, 2001, immigration issues have magnified. This
legislation would be making history by assisting immigrants of the
State of Alaska in becoming established in the U.S. He urged the
Committee to support this legislation.
Senator Bunde asked the number of people the Office of Citizenship
Assistance would serve.
Representative Weyhrauch responded that the Office would serve a
substantial number of immigrants. He predicted that the Office
would grow over time as the minority community became familiar with
the services it would provide.
Senator Bunde asked if the services the Office would provide would
be available to immigrants throughout the State.
Representative Weyhrauch replied that, yes, the services would be
available statewide in communities including Dutch Harbor,
Unalaska, Anchorage, and Kodiak, particularly in locations where
there is considerable seasonal employment which attracts a
substantial number of temporary employees. The Southcentral region
of the State would be an area of focus due to its large population.
Interpreting services are found statewide, and can be used
telephonically when not available in a particular community.
Senator Olson inquired as to why an immigrant, referencing Ms.
Mcleod, would be opposed to this legislation.
Representative Weyhrauch responded that Ms. Mcleod was the only
individual that had testified against this bill.
Senator Bunde questioned the amount of the fiscal note, and the
request for an additional full-time position.
GUY BELL, Director, Division of Administrative Services, Department
of Labor and Workforce Development, testified that this
legislation, when originally proposed by Senator Kelly, contained a
fiscal note in excess of $300,000 to provide for an Office in
Juneau and Anchorage with three staff members. The current fiscal
note reflects the minimum level of funding required to implement
this legislation. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development
is largely federally funded; however, the federal grant is not
sufficient to fund the proposed Office of Citizenship Assistance,
thus requiring funding from the State's general fund. The
Department has attempted to minimize the costs associated with the
Office of Citizenship Assistance, which would be within the Office
of the Commissioner, to include some travel expenses, a toll free
phone line, and the salary of one full-time professional.
SFC 04 # 108, Side A 10:41 AM
Senator Bunde asked if the staff position would be located in
Juneau.
Mr. Bell affirmed.
Senator Bunde expressed that legislators are expected to help their
constituents. He added that it would be helpful to have a central
location from which to get information on immigration issues.
Co-Chair Green offered a motion to report the bill from Committee
with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal note.
Without objection HB 379 MOVED from Committee with fiscal note #2
for $92,300 from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
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