01/19/2024 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB119 | |
| HB186 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 186 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
January 19, 2024
3:16 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jesse Sumner, Chair
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Vice Chair
Representative Mike Prax
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Stanley Wright
Representative Ashley Carrick
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Zack Fields
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 119
"An Act relating to marijuana taxes; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 119(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 186
"An Act relating to volunteer labor compliance officers; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 119
SHORT TITLE: MARIJUANA TAX
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST
03/17/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/17/23 (H) L&C, FIN
03/24/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/24/23 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/31/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/31/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/31/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/24/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/24/23 (H) <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 04/26/23>
04/26/23 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/26/23 (H) Heard & Held
04/26/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
08/17/23 (H) L&C AT 3:00 PM ANCH LIO DENALI Rm
08/17/23 (H) -- Rescheduled to 09/14/23 --
09/14/23 (H) L&C AT 3:00 PM ANCH LIO DENALI Rm
09/14/23 (H) -- Rescheduled from 08/17/23 --
11/16/23 (H) L&C AT 2:00 PM ANCH LIO DENALI Rm
11/16/23 (H) VOLUNTEER LABOR COMPLIANCE OFFICER PRGM
12/05/23 (H) L&C AT 2:00 PM ANCH LIO DENALI Rm
01/19/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 186
SHORT TITLE: VOLUNTEER LABOR COMPLIANCE OFFICER PRGM
SPONSOR(s): LABOR & COMMERCE
05/03/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/03/23 (H) L&C, FIN
11/16/23 (H) L&C AT 2:00 PM ANCH LIO DENALI Rm
11/16/23 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
12/05/23 (H) L&C AT 2:00 PM ANCH LIO DENALI Rm
12/05/23 (H) Heard & Held
12/05/23 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
01/19/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
CODY RICE, Staff
House Majority
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented economic modeling for HB 119.
JOAN WILSON, Director
Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HB 119.
LACY WILCOX, Operator
Top Hat Cannabis
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 119.
RYAN TUNSETH, President
Alaska Marijuana Industry Association
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 119.
BAILEY STUART, Chief Operations Officer
Green Jar and Stuart Consulting
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 119.
TRAVOR HAYNES, Owner
Good Cannabis
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 119.
THOMAS AZZARELLA, Director
Alaska Children's Trust
Alaska After School Network
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed concern about HB 119.
GEORGE PIERCE, representing self
Kasilof, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 119.
BRANDON EMMETT, Co-Chair
Governor's Advisory Task Force on Recreational Marijuana
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 119.
SARENA HACKENMILLER, Staff
Representative Jesse Sumner
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 186 on behalf of
Representative Sumner, prime sponsor.
CHRIS DIAMOND, Representative
Western States Regional Council of Carpenters
Los Angeles, California
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided background on HB 186.
GABE SHADDY FARNSWORTH, Representative
Western States Regional Council of Carpenters
Los Angeles, California
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided background on HB 186.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:16:28 PM
CHAIR JESSE SUMNER called the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:16 p.m. Representatives
Saddler, Prax, Wright, Ruffridge, Sumner, and Carrick were
present at the call to order.
HB 119-MARIJUANA TAX
3:17:20 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 119, "An Act relating to marijuana taxes; and
providing for an effective date."
[Due to technical difficulties the above section was not on the
recording but was reconstructed from the committee secretary's
log notes.]
3:17:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) to HB 119, Version 33-LS0636\U, Radford,
12/7/23, as a working document. There being no objection,
Version U is before the committee.
3:18:05 PM
CODY RICE, Staff, House Majority, Alaska State Legislature,
addressed prices and how much demand can change based on price.
He described how a reduction in taxes could result in a
reduction in price and would likely drive a change in demand.
In addition, he said he spoke to industry to ascertain what
would be passed on to the consumer if industry taxes are
changed. He explained that a 10 percent reduction in retail
price is a conservative estimate, and that the estimated change
in demand would be a 17 percent increase; an increase in demand
due to a lower price. He pointed to the right side of the
"Cover" tab in the the Marijuana Tax Change Analysis document
[included in committee packet] and said three of the different
tax change scenarios would generate more revenue than the status
quo tax program.
3:20:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER requested clarification on the estimated
tax revenue chart and what the sales growth is from.
MR. RICE explained that the graph shows estimated tax revenue
and that the gray line denotes the new tax forecast, and the
blue line is the forecast under the proposed tax system.
3:22:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX commented that his concern is reducing the
illicit marijuana market, and he asked whether the illicit
market was factored in the estimations.
MR. RICE replied that it is not; if the price of legal cannabis
goes down, theory suggests that it would take market share from
the black market as it is seen as a premium product. He said if
it were cheaper, it would be more competitive and buyers would
more often choose to purchase legal cannabis.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX inquired as to whether there is data that
quantifies the illicit market.
MR. RICE responded that it is difficult to get good quantitative
black-market data; the model shown is somewhat conservative.
3:24:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER requested clarification regarding the
status quo growth figure of $1.4 million dollars that is shown
on the top right of the cover tab.
MR. RICE explained that the $1.4 million figure was the net
difference from status quo tax over the period of fiscal year
2023 (FY 23) to FY 30. He said it would be reasonable to expect
that the number would grow over time. In response to a follow-
up question, he explained that the figure represents a
cumulative total over the years.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned whether the change in retail
price was within the purview of the legislature.
MR. RICE answered no, and that the retail price is set by the
free market. He explained that there are elements that
contribute to the subjectivity of the analysis, but the numbers
are a conservative estimate in a free and robust market.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether the change in retail price
is in output, whereas the new sales tax is an input in the
model.
MR. RICE responded that the change in retail price as an input,
as it is a driver for the model and can change depending on the
scenario.
3:27:24 PM
JOAN WILSON, Director, Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office
(AMCO), shared that she met and spoke with licensed marijuana
cultivators and limited growers. Many of the conversations
occurred during the process of issuing tax violations, which is
when the license holders explained how onerous the tax burden
was; it was to the point that the only sound economic choice was
to surrender their license. She noted that there are 478
licensed businesses in Alaska, of which 248 are held by standard
and limited cultivators. As of December 8, 2023, 12 current
licensees are delinquent on taxes in ranges from $750 to
$110,000, coming to a total of $332,549 in delinquent taxes.
She detailed that, since 2020, 29 cultivators have gone out of
business, and whose cumulative taxes owed were $3 million; 8 of
the licenses expired in 2023, 11 in 2022, and 10 in 2020. She
relayed that 61 percent of the surrendered licenses were from
standard cultivators. She highlighted that the businesses that
have stayed open have contributed to the economy, with over
6,000 Alaskans having marijuana handlers permits, providing the
state with $29.5 million in excise taxes in 2023. She said the
marijuana control board will take action against licensees who
are delinquent on taxes, and that of the 12 licenses on the
December report, AMCO will file 11 accusations to revoke the
licenses. She said that HB 119 provides the legislature the
ability to adjust tax rates, and advised that a lower tax burden
would help many of the licensees continue to operate.
3:32:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE questioned why the adjustment from
cultivation tax alone to retail tax might help the tax payment
be on time and not delinquent.
MS. WILSON responded that, when taxing at the cultivator level,
that is the first transaction. She explained that cultivators
typically choose whether to pay their taxes, pay their
electricity, or pay their employees; eventually, they make the
choice to not pay their taxes. She said that retail shops are
not borrowing against their tax liability to the level
cultivators are.
3:34:17 PM
CHAIR SUMNER opened public testimony on HB 119.
3:34:48 PM
LACY WILCOX, Owner/Operator, Top Hat Cannabis, explained that
she employs 10 Alaskans at a competitive wage with retirement
and health benefits; however, after seven years her cultivation
is still operating at a loss due to an unsustainable tax
structure. She spoke of the need for reform so that the
cannabis industry can continue to exist in Alaska and urged
support of HB 119.
3:36:39 PM
RYAN TUNSETH, President, Alaska Marijuana Industry Association,
expressed support of HB 119, explaining that it's about
protecting Alaska's nascent cannabis industry and the revenue
generated, thus protecting Alaska jobs and reducing or
eliminating black market sales. He said there is some concern
that 6 percent is too high, with 3 percent being the suggested
amount, but he still supports HB 119, as well as the policy
changes made on the bill.
3:38:55 PM
BAILEY STUART, Chief Operations Officer, Green Jar Cannabis
Retailers and Stuart Consulting, said she has seen firsthand the
burden the current tax structure has placed on the cannabis
industry, and how it has affected consumers, jobs, and the state
of Alaska. She stated that, as excise taxes stand, and with the
possibility of the federalization of marijuana, most cannabis
will be imported, and the taxes will not go to the state. She
pointed out that many cultivators are operating at a loss due to
the tax burden. As a retailer, she feels taxes should be on the
product's value. She stated support for HB 119.
3:40:39 PM
TRAVOR HAYNES, Owner, Good Cannabis, testified in support of HB
119. He and his wife own Good Cannabis in Fairbanks where they
employ 30 people. He explained that the cannabis tax structure
is one of the highest tax rates of any state, which creates an
artificial price floor; keeps the consumer costs high; puts
undue burden on cultivators; and ensures a thriving black
market. He pointed out that, in Oregon, flower marijuana is
being sold wholesale at $50 an ounce, whereas in Alaska, the
cultivator is paying $50 in taxes per ounce of flower. He
stressed that marijuana accounts for over 70 percent of all
value created by Alaska's agriculture industry and reiterated
that the tax regime is causing cultivators to go out of
business. He urged members to approve HB 119.
3:42:43 PM
THOMAS AZZARELLA, Director, Alaska Children's Trust, Alaska
After School Network, relayed the trust's concern about HB 119.
He asked the committee to look at how taxes are structured and
the amount of money that goes toward addiction prevention. He
explained what percentage of the cannabis taxes go to programs
that include marijuana education, addiction treatment, after
school programs, suicide prevention, and recidivism. The
marijuana education treatment fund supports 39 Alaska
communities. Changes in the cannabis tax structure would affect
the programs.
3:45:31 PM
GEORGE PIERCE, representing self, spoke in favor of HB 119. He
explained that a person can go to the black market and buy
marijuana for less than half what it costs at a store. He
pointed out that the state gets no tax dollars from black market
marijuana sales. He suggested that raising the taxes on mining
and on the oil and gas companies is a better source of revenue
than mom and pop cannabis businesses. He urged members to
approve HB 119.
3:47:45 PM
BRANDON EMMETT, Co-Chair, Governor's Advisory Task Force on
Recreational Marijuana, stated the task force supports HB 119.
3:48:19 PM
CHAIR SUMNER, after ascertaining there was no one further
wishing to testify, closed public testimony on HB 119.
3:48:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to report HB 119, Version 33-
LS0636\U, Radford, 12/7/23, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
3:48:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK objected for the purpose of discussion.
She thanked the task force and the folks in this industry who
spoke in favor of this tax restructure. She pointed out the
importance of supporting Alaska's industries and small
businesses and how restructuring the tax will help fight black
market cannabis. She removed her objection.
3:50:23 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced there being no further objection, CSHB
119(L&C) was reported out of the House Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee.
3:50:29 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:50 p.m. to 3:54 p.m.
HB 186-VOLUNTEER LABOR COMPLIANCE OFFICER PRGM
3:54:37 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 186, "An Act relating to volunteer labor
compliance officers; and providing for an effective date."
CHAIR SUMNER explained that he is a homebuilder, and during his
time in the industry he has seen many unfortunate incidents that
could potentially be addressed by this type of legislation. In
the private construction industry cash pay and misclassification
of employees as independent contractors is pretty rampant, and
this is something that the legislature should take a look at.
3:55:38 PM
SARENA HACKENMILLER, Staff, Representative Jesse Sumner, Alaska
State Legislature, introduced HB 186 on behalf of Representative
Sumner, prime sponsor. The bill would establish a volunteer
labor compliance officer program which would help address some
of the difficulties Alaska construction workers face because of
wage theft. She stated that the construction industry is a
vital part of Alaska's economy. While many employers uphold
fair labor practices, there are those who engage in exploitative
behaviors that undermine workers' rights and jeopardize their
well-being. She recounted a number of ways contractors exploit
their workers, avoiding just treatment and affecting worker's
compensation. To address this state and national issue, HB 186
proposes the establishment of a volunteer labor compliance
officer program. The program would enhance worker protection,
promote compliance of Alaska's labor laws, and foster a fair and
competitive industry environment. The program will empower more
workers with knowledge of their wage-related rights. Trained
volunteers will visit worksites and conduct interviews, noting
potential violations and encouraging proactive adherence to
labor standards.
3:59:31 PM
MS. HACKENMILLER presented the sectional analysis for HB 186
[included in the committee packet], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
HB 186 Volunteer Labor Compliance Officer Program
Sectional Analysis
Section 1: Adds new Article to AS 23.05 directing the
Department of Labor and Workforce Development to
create a Volunteer Labor Compliance Officer Program
for said volunteers to inspect construction sites in
order to document compliance with state labor laws.
The Department of Labor and Workplace Development
through the Volunteer Labor Compliance Officer Program
will ensure the state has a roster of qualified
individuals to inspect constructions sites by
providing the proper training, safety equipment,
granting them the authority to enter a worksite and
inspect records outlined in AS 23.05.100. The
Department will also outline regulations for
volunteers such as ID badges, required safety
equipment, as well as specifying the insurance
coverage needed by volunteers.
Article 6 adds new statues to AS 23.05 outlining
powers and duties of the volunteer labor compliance
officer. These powers and duties include the ability
to access and inspect a construction site on behalf of
the department and initiate labor compliance
investigation, require volunteers to visibly display
the Dept. issued ID card and wear the required safety
equipment on site, email a report of the Department
visit within 48 hours, document that the officer is
covered by workers compensation, and maintain required
confidentiality. A volunteer labor compliance is not
allowed to be a state employee, issue citations or
enforce state labor laws. While conducting the
investigation the volunteer is not allowed to wear
attire of any other organization other than the
department, disparage the employer, organize, or
promote or display insignia for any other entity or
organization, or preform any type of work outside the
scope of the volunteer labor compliance officer while
acting the capacity of a volunteer labor compliance
officer. Article 6 also adds statues to AS 23.05
outlining to the department the requirements a
potential candidate must fill to be a volunteer labor
compliance officer, and the ability to permanently
revoke a volunteer's badge in certain instances.
Section 2: Provides an immediate effective date.
4:02:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked how objectivity and equal treatment
could be ensured under the law.
MS. HACKENMILLER responded that HB 186 includes a conflict-of-
interest provision; however, the regulations will be determined
by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD),
which will find a fair and equitable way to ensure the conflicts
of interests are acceptable by the industry.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX requested clarification that the issue would
be addressed by regulations.
4:03:05 PM
CHAIR SUMNER explained that the legislature shouldn't administer
in fine detail, but HB 186 directs DLWD to create regulations to
that effect.
4:03:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER noted that HB 186 seems to envision
deputizing private citizens to enforce state regulations and
laws. He asked whether there are other instances in state
government where the inspection and applications of regulations
and laws are outsourced to private individuals.
CHAIR SUMNER gave the example of a tip line for poor drivers and
suggested that there are other examples where members of the
community would like to help enforce laws especially considering
there are not adequate employees or money to cover all areas of
the state. He said there are a significant number of rural
projects, so it is envisioned that this would allow community
members to help with the enforcement of the laws.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether the notations of violations
would be anonymous.
CHAIR SUMNER responded that would be a good question for DLWD as
to whether it takes anonymous tips. He said he would provide
Representative Saddler's office with a copy of the wage and hour
report form.
4:05:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK questioned whether there was anything in
HB 186 to prevent a volunteer compliance officer from being
paid, for example: a competing construction company wants to
send its employee to do compliance work with private
contractors. She asked if the company would be allowed to do
that.
CHAIR SUMNER posited that the DLWD would have sideboards in the
regulations so that one company could not send its employees to
a competitor in an abusive manner.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked what compels the Department of
Labor and Workforce Development to set up provisions around the
program creation. She commented that there were some gray areas
in the language.
4:07:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE explained that he wanted to better
understand the qualifications in Section 1 for the compliance
officer. In the initial introduction to the bill there was a
lot to do with wage theft, but the qualifications in the bill
seem more focused on construction experience and safety
orientation. He questioned whether the volunteer compliance
officers would be doing an accounting of the books or looking at
employee paychecks.
4:08:41 PM
MS. HACKENMILLER said she could not answer the question at that
time but will provide the information to Representative
Ruffridge's office.
4:09:12 PM
CHAIR SUMNER asked invited testifiers to speak.
4:09:49 PM
CHRIS DIAMOND, Representative, Western States Regional Council
of Carpenters, began his testimony by defining worker
misclassification, human trafficking of laborers, and
construction industry tax fraud. He explained that these
problems affect the Alaska construction industry.
4:11:35 PM
GABE SHADDY FARNSWORTH, Representative, Western States Regional
Council of Carpenters, spoke about his background in the
construction industry and his personal experiences of wage
theft. He cited the Century Foundation which found that 14.6
percent of Alaska construction workers were victims of wage
theft or misclassification, which resulted in an estimated $4.7
million dollars in unpaid overtime wages, as well as $23 million
in lost tax revenue in 2021. He said this is a major issue in
Alaska, and there are not enough resources to enforce existing
wage and hours laws in the industry. He stated that HB 186 is a
creative and cost-effective approach to maximize state
resources, namely, wage and hour investigators, through
leveraging voluntary wage and compliance officers.
4:14:18 PM
MR. DIAMOND added that there is an economic boom coming to the
construction industry in Alaska with the federal Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act, which is going to be put towards public
projects all over Alaska. He explained that the state currently
does not have resources to ensure fair treatment of workers;
currently Alaska does not have enough contractors or workforce,
and outside contractors will come up and potentially use
unscrupulous practices.
MR. FARNSWORTH said that, in terms of the conflict-of-interest
question, HB 186 addresses that issue. He acknowledged that the
bill was somewhat sparce in how the department would implement
the program. He noted that the bill does contain a provision
that the gives the department the ability to terminate the
volunteer's badge.
MR. DIAMOND commented that the idea is to follow current
department rules and regulations on how information can be
gathered and how to submit the information to the department.
MR. FARNSWORTH pointed out that the fiscal note includes a
coordinator between the department and the volunteers, with the
department providing oversight.
4:18:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned whether the organizations,
like the brotherhoods or unions, carry out any of the services
that might be performed by the proposed voluntary compliance
officers.
MR. DIAMOND answered that, as a member of the carpenters union,
he has visited union and non-union job sites where workers have
reported various issues with wage theft. He said that he cannot
file a claim on the worker's behalf, but the worker has to file
the claim. He offered scenarios of the challenges workers face
in this regard, like not working on the next project if they
report problems.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked for clarification regarding whether
he or other union representatives could file claims, and if so,
how it would work.
MR. DIAMOND explained that, as a union representative, he was
not able to perform that function, and if a member doesn't want
to answer questions, they don't have to. He said that if a
contractor asks him to leave, he will leave. He pointed out
that this differs from wage and hour investigators whose
questions need to be answered because they are protecting public
money.
4:20:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX observed that the focus of the testimony was
on public projects. He shared his experience in working for a
private company, and there was always a union contractor, and
for state projects there would be a project manager. He
commented on the difficulty in removing the conflict of
interest. He asked whether a project manager could be required
for each construction project whose duties would include wage
and hour monitoring.
MR. FARNSWORTH said he had no problem with having one of a
construction company's staff whose job would include checking
the work that is performed and ensuring enforcement.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX clarified that the hypothetical staff member
would be part of the state's condition of the contract, and that
the state be allowed to check whether the company is following
wage laws.
MR. FARNSWORTH responded that the contractor is required to
submit a certified payroll to the Wage and Hour Office.
Typically, a wage and hour technician examines the reports and
looks for discrepancies. Some of the work requires "boots on
the ground" to witness certain types of violations. If there
was a requirement in the statute for public projects to have a
wage and hour enforcer, that would be a great idea; it would
not, however, cover private construction.
4:26:14 PM
MR. DIAMOND commented that, in such a case, it should be a state
employee rather than someone affiliated with the contractor or
company.
MR. FARNSWORTH followed up that it is a good idea but would be
very expensive.
4:26:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT shared his experience working with Davis
Bacon wages and expressed his approval of HB 186. He agreed
that having a wage and hour investigator on site all the time
would be very expensive. He recalled employer training,
documentation that the employees understand their rights, and
random compliance visits.
4:28:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE referred to language on page 2, line 9,
of HB 186, which addresses the powers and duties of a volunteer
compliance officer. He then drew attention to page 3, line 14,
describing the compliance officer's qualifications. He said he
was not sure that five years of construction experience and the
completion of a 10-hour Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) workshop would qualify someone to perform
a relatively detailed check.
MR. DIAMOND explained that there would be DLWD training to
ensure officers would be following department guidelines.
4:30:20 PM
MR. FARNSWORTH pointed out a section in the bill that addressed
training by the department. He said that the five-year
requirement is needed for them to identify the work that workers
are doing.
4:31:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked Mr. Diamond and Mr. Farnsworth how
their organizations view the status of Alaska's enforcement and
compliance of labor laws.
MR. DIAMOND responded that his organization continually asks for
more oversight and enforcement. He said the state of Alaska
currently does not have the capacity to check all the job sites
for compliance.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER observed that a person who qualifies as a
volunteer compliance officer would be more likely to take a job
with wages and benefits.
4:33:05 PM
MR. FARNSWORTH explained that there would be some retired
construction workers as well as other interested individuals but
conceded that it is a point well taken.
4:34:34 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that HB 186 was held over.
4:34:48 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
4:35 p.m.