Legislature(2019 - 2020)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/07/2019 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): | |
| Overview: Licensure in Alaska | |
| Overview: Department of Defense-state Liaison Office | |
| SB11 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | SB 11 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 11-MILITARY SPOUSE COURTESY LICENSE
2:56:24 PM
CHAIR REINBOLD announced that the final order of business would
be SENATE BILL NO. 11, "An Act relating to temporary courtesy
licenses for certain nonresident professionals; and relating to
the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic
Development."
2:56:48 PM
SENATOR BIRCH clarified that the committee would be hearing the
original version of SB 11, labeled 31-LS0262\A. Senator Gray-
Jackson objected for purpose of discussion.
2:57:18 PM
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
speaking as sponsor of SB 11, said he would provide a high-level
overview of SB 11. He said that a similar bill [House Bill 262]
passed the House last year with a 40-0 vote and gained
bipartisan support in the Senate before it failed to reach the
floor for a vote. The concept of this bill is listed as a
priority for the U.S. Department of Defense by the state liaison
serving Alaska.
SENATOR KAWASAKI said that Alaska supports its armed service
members, its veterans, its military and its families. He said
that volunteer groups transition soldiers and their families as
they come to Alaska. The school districts help integrate
children into their local schools quickly and without any
issues. Even small businesses participate. He described
Fairbanks as welcoming to military members, that its small
businesses offer discounts to military families. He reported
that Fairbanks has 9,000 servicemen and women, with 4,000
spouses. The community anticipates an additional 1,000 armed
service members in Fairbanks with the F-35s anticipated to come
to Alaska. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), located in
Anchorage has 10,000 servicemen and women, he said.
2:59:03 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI explained that SB 11 would build off the
original bill that Representative Thomas introduced in 2011 to
expedite temporary and courtesy licenses. He described SB 11 as
one way the legislature could show support for its military
families and allow spouses and dependents to transition into
their jobs quickly. He said he hoped to advance the bill quickly
since it is pro-military pro-jobs, and pro-economy at a time
when Alaska needs it more than ever. He thanked the Department
of Defense and the Department of Commerce, Community, and
Economic Development for their assistance.
[SB 11 was held in committee.]