Legislature(2003 - 2004)
05/01/2004 04:14 PM Senate STA
| Audio | Topic |
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SJR 34 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SCR 25 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 379 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 366 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 490 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 309 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 351 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 405 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 373 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 379-OFFICE OF CITIZENSHIP ASSISTANCE
CHAIR GARY STEVENS announced HB 379 to be up for consideration
and noted that the committee heard similar legislation during
the previous session.
TERRY HARVEY, staff to Representative Bruce Weyhrauch,
acknowledged that the Chair was correct. The legislation to
establish the Office of Citizenship Assistance in the Department
of Labor and Workforce Development was originally introduced
during the 22nd Legislature. The difference between the two
bills is that the fiscal note for the current legislation is
reduced to $86,000 annually.
Naturalized citizens and those pursuing citizenship could
receive assistance in immigration and employment services. The
office would be available to help individuals find affordable
legal services, medical services, and educational opportunities.
Information would also be available on discrimination, sexual
harassment, and unsafe working conditions.
Generally they've received broad statewide support for this
office, he said. The only negative debate has centered on the
argument that this is a duplication of services, but they
disagree.
SENATOR BERT STEDMAN asked why the bill didn't pass the previous
session.
MR. HARVEY said that in recent years it's been a challenge to
create new positions in the state. Also, he said, it's likely
that it would have passed last session if a bit more time and
effort had been expended.
SENATOR STEDMAN asked for a rough estimate of the number of
immigrants that arrive in Alaska each year and where they come
from.
MR. HARVEY said he didn't have that number, but he could find
out. They do feel that the office would assist several thousand
people every year. People immigrate to Alaska from Mexico,
Central and South America, Africa, Europe, the Philippines, and
parts of Asia.
SENATOR JOHN COWDERY asked where the office would be located.
MR. HARVEY replied it would be located in Juneau, but they
wouldn't be opposed to locating it in another central part of
the state.
SENATOR COWDERY opined it might be more properly located in
Anchorage then asked whether there are similar federal offices.
MR. HARVEY said there are individual offices that deal with the
individual paperwork and documentation, but not a central
position that serves as a navigational aid.
SENATOR COWDERY asked whether anyone in Alaska helps people
become citizens.
MR. HARVEY informed him that the Catholic Community Services in
Juneau and one main organization in Anchorage both do what they
can in this area.
SENATOR COWDERY remarked that both the Senate and the House have
World Trade Committees and his office has fielded calls from
immigrants that have experienced trouble with visa applications
since 911.
MR. HARVEY said that's why this proposed service is most
important. The challenges are enormous for those trying to
navigate through the system.
SENATOR COWDERY suggested that a lot of the issues are federal
rather than state and perhaps the Alaska delegation could be
encouraged to act.
CHAIR GARY STEVENS remarked that the fishing and processing
industry in particular is heavily dependent on legal alien
workers. Since 1970 he's found it rewarding to watch as
immigrants move from introductory positions in the fishing
industry to owning their own businesses.
SENATOR GRETCHEN GUESS stated for the record that Anchorage has
92 languages represented in the school district, which gave her
reason to echo Senator Cowdery's suggestion that Anchorage might
be a better location for the office. There's a tremendous need
for such assistance, she said, but her constituents wouldn't
have access to such an office if it were located in Juneau.
She asked whether they had discussed addressing safety issues as
well because domestic violence and sexual assault is a big issue
in the immigrant community. Women need to understand their
rights and the state laws and to know that there is a place they
can go if there is a need.
MR. HARVEY said those safety issues are an important aspect of
the assistance available.
SENATOR GUESS said it would be stronger if domestic violence and
sexual assault were specifically addressed because our laws are
different than a number of other countries.
SENATOR COWDERY asked what the qualifications and pay range
would be for the job.
MR. HARVEY replied Mr. Bell could answer those questions.
GUY BELL, Director of the Division of Administrative Services
with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD),
explained that the envisioned position is a range 17, employment
security analyst. That's a general classification within the
employment security division and these employees are generally
assigned to job centers. The position would require basic
understanding of the job market, wage and hour laws,
occupational safety and health issues, citizenship issues,
strong communication skills, and probably some bilingual
capability. What is a bit unusual is that the position will be
assigned to the commissioner's office.
SENATOR COWDERY asked if the office would be dealing with
citizens or those trying to become citizens.
MR. BELL replied it's the people that are working toward
citizenship.
CHAIR GARY STEVENS noted that an employment security analyst is
a range 17 and earns $64,000 a year. He asked whether that
includes retirement and health benefits.
MR. BELL said it does.
ANDREE McLEOD testified via teleconference saying she is an
immigrant from Lebanon and she didn't support the bill because
it's discriminatory based on national origin.
There was no further testimony or questions.
SENATOR STEDMAN motioned to report HB 379 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes. There
being no objection, it was so ordered.
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