Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/22/2024 01:30 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB149 | |
| SB204 | |
| SB248 | |
| SB182 | |
| SB234 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 149 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 204 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 248 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 182 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 234 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 22, 2024
1:36 p.m.
1:36:16 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Olson called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:36 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Donny Olson, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Kelly Merrick
Senator David Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Senator Cathy Giessel, Sponsor; Paige Brown, Staff, Senator
Cathy Giessel; Erin Walker-Tolles, Executive Director,
Catholic Community Services; Deb Etheridge, Director,
Division of Public Assistance, Department of Health; Jamie
Morgan, American Heart Association, Juneau; Cathy Munoz,
Commissioner, Department of Labor and Workforce
Development; Raymie Matiashowski, Staff, Senator Jesse
Bjorkman; Sylvan Robb, Director, Division of Corporations,
Professional, and Business Licensing, Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development; Ken Alper,
Staff, Senator Donny Olson; Kris Curtis, Auditor,
Legislative Audit.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Ron Meehan, Director of Government Affairs, Food Bank of
Alaska, Anchorage; Rachel Lord, Advocacy and Policy
Director, Alaska Food Policy Council, Homer; Hannah Hill,
Executive Director, Bread Line, Fairbanks; Duane Patterson,
Director, Catholic Social Services Food Pantry, Anchorage;
Ray Ward, Self, Anchorage; Scott Lingle, CEO, Beans Cafe,
Anchorage; Scott Damerow, Chief of Mechanical Inspection,
Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Anchorage;
Aaron Bloomquist, Chairman, Big Game Board, Palmer.
SUMMARY
SB 149 FOOD STAMP PROGRAM ELIGIBILTY
SB 149 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
SB 182 EXTEND BIG GAME COMM SERVICES BOARD
SB 182 REPORTED OUT of committee with four "do
pass" recommendations and with one previously
published fiscal note: FN 1(CED).
SB 204 CERT. OF FITNESS: PLUMBERS/ELECTRICIANS
SB 204 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
SB 234 EXTEND MARIJUANA CONTROL BOARD
SB 234 was REPORTED OUT of committee with four
"do pass" recommendations and with one new fiscal
impact note from the Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development.
SB 248 BIG GAME COMMERCIAL SERVICES BOARD
SB 248 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 149
"An Act relating to the supplemental nutrition
assistance program; and providing for an effective
date."
1:37:23 PM
SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, SPONSOR, introduced the legislation.
1:39:21 PM
PAIGE BROWN, STAFF, SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, discussed the
Sectional Analysis (copy on file):
Section 1. Amends AS. 47.25.980(a)(3):
This section updates the reference to the chapter of
United States code governing
the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
This section also increases
the household income limits for the SNAP program from
130% to 200% of the
Alaska poverty standard and eliminates the household
asset test.
Section 2. Amends uncodified law by adding a new
section:
This section provides the authority for the Department
of Health to adopt the
necessary regulations to implement this Act.
Section 3. Provides for an effective date for Section
2:
Section 2 has an immediate effective date.
Section 4. Provides for an effective date.
Except as provided in sec. 3, the effective date of
this Act is July 1, 2025
1:40:31 PM
RON MEEHAN, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, FOOD BANK OF
ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support in
of the bill.
1:47:42 PM
ERIN WALKER-TOLLES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
SERVICES, spoke in support of the bill, and its impact on
the services of the bill on the organization.
1:53:15 PM
Co-Chair Stedman remarked that for many seniors, the meal
delivery service was the only contact with people.
Therefore, the meal delivery service allowed for a person
to check on the senior's wellbeing. He wondered whether
there should be less workload within the fiscal note.
Ms. Walker-Tolles replied that there would be time
eliminated per case, but the processing of the overall case
will see an increase.
1:56:24 PM
DEB ETHERIDGE, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, spoke to the fiscal notes.
1:58:17 PM
Co-Chair Olson OPENED public testimony.
1:58:51 PM
JAMIE MORGAN, AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, JUNEAU, spoke in
support of the legislation.
2:00:50 PM
RACHEL LORD, ADVOCACY AND POLICY DIRECTOR, ALASKA FOOD
POLICY COUNCIL, HOMER (via teleconference), testified in
support of the bill.
2:02:25 PM
HANNAH HILL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BREAD LINE, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), testified in support of the legislation.
2:05:28 PM
DUANE PATTERSON, DIRECTOR, CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES FOOD
PANTRY, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of
the bill.
2:07:07 PM
RAY WARD, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified
in support of the legislation.
2:10:07 PM
SCOTT LINGLE, CEO, BEANS CAFE, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the bill.
2:11:58 PM
Co-Chair Olson CLOSED public testimony.
2:12:12 PM
Ms. Brown thanked the committee.
SB 149 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 204
"An Act relating to the issuance of certificates of
fitness for plumbers and electricians; relating to
fees for certificates of fitness for plumbers and
electricians; and providing for an effective date."
2:13:02 PM
CATHY MUNOZ, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, introduced SB 204.
2:15:30 PM
SCOTT DAMEROW, CHIEF OF MECHANICAL INSPECTION, DEPARTMENT
OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), discussed the presentation, "SB 204 -
Certificate of Fitness: Plumbers/Electricians Senate
Finance Committee" (copy on file).
Mr. Damerow addressed slide 2, "Proposal":
This legislation would:
• Change trainee certificate of fitness durations from
two-to six-years
o No change to the $200 fee for this license
• Increase the fees for journey-level licenses from
$200 biennially to $300 biennially
Mr. Damerow highlighted slide 3, "Why the Change":
Trainee certificate of fitness holders (enrolled in
the federal apprenticeship program) often lapse their
license during their apprenticeship. This results in:
• Time worked that cannot be counted towards the
journeyman license
• Administrative delays in processing licenses
• Delays in becoming a journeyman
Mr. Damerow pointed to slide 4, "Mechanical Inspection
Active Licenses":
Active licenses on 1/1/2024:
AA Asbestos Abatement
B1-4Boiler Operator Class 1-4
EJ Electrician Journeyman
ER Electrician Residential
ET Electrician Trainee
HP Hazardous Paint
LJ Lineman Journeyman
LT Lineman Trainee
PG Plumber Gas
PJ Plumber Journeyman
PR Plumber Residential
PT Plumber Trainee
PU Plumber Utility
XH Explosive Handler
Mr. Damerow looked at slide 5, "New Licenses Issued by Type
and Year 2019-2023."
Mr. Damerow highlighted slide 6, "Plumbing Licenses Issued
by year: 2019-2023."
Mr. Damerow pointed to slide 7, "Electrical Licenses Issued
by year: 2019-2023."
Mr. Damerow looked at slide 8, "Other Licenses Issued by
year: 2019-2023."
Mr. Damerow discussed slide 9, "Trainee Requirements":
Requirements for a journeyman plumber or electrician
license are similar:
Completion of 8,000 legally obtained on-the-job hours
o May include 1,000 classroom hours
o Hours are submitted on one or more 'Experience
Verification Forms'
Passing score of 70% or better on the exam
Payment of $200 fee
Mr. Damerow addressed slide 10, "Trainee Barriers":
Barriers that can make it difficult to obtain a
journeyman license:
Employers do not complete the 'Experience
Verification Form' correctly
Employers are not available to complete the
'Experience Verification Form'
Some of the hours worked were not legally obtained
o Maintenance hours may not be counted
o Trainee certificate of fitness was lapsed when
the hours were worked
Mr. Damerow displayed slide 11, "Lapsed Trainee Card
Hours":
In the period from 2019
-2023:
Electrical trainee license days lapsed:21,142(57.9
years)
o Average number of licensees affected per year:
51.6
o Average days lapsed for each affected
licensee:81.9
Plumbing trainee license days lapsed:15,513(42.5
years)
o Average number of licensees affected per year:
28.8
o Average days lapsed for each affected
licensee:107.7
2:20:52 PM
Mr. Damerow looked at slide 12, "Trainee Card Renewal
Requirements":
Renewal of a two-year trainee certificate of fitness:
Pay $200 renewal fee
Mr. Damerow discussed slide 13, "Impact":
The proposed change to duration and fees would:
Lower the cost of apprenticeship programs for
plumbers and electricians
Reduce administrative requirement to renew a trainee
certificate of fitness in the middle of an
apprenticeship
Result in much less time lost due to lapsed licenses
Results:
Incentivize more workers to enter the trade
apprenticeship programs
Shift the financial burden to the higher-paid
journey-level workers
Allow apprentices to "journey out" faster by
removing lapsed periods
Mr. Damerow pointed to slide 14, "Proposed Fee Changes":
Fee change results:
• $164.5 average increase in annual fees based on
2019-2023 data
• $58.75 average annual savings for trainees
• Trainee licenses will cost $200 for the entire
apprenticeship rather than the current $400
Mr. Damerow looked at slide 15, "Reasoning for Proposed Fee
Increase":
The primary purpose of the proposed fee increase is to
offset the proposed lack of renewals for trainee
licenses
This number was selected to compensate for the lack of
fee increases since 2006
$200
-$300 fee change matches the Consumer Price Index
from 2006-2023
Mechanical Inspection is self
-funded from program receipts
Co-Chair Olson OPENED and CLOSED public testimony.
SB 204 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 248
"An Act relating to an executive administrator for the
Big Game Commercial Services Board."
2:24:56 PM
RAYMIE MATIASHOWSKI, STAFF, SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, read
from the Sponsor Statement (copy on file):
Senate Bill 248 adds an executive administrator to the
Big Game Commercial Services Board. The addition of
such a position would support the Board as they look
at the licenses they oversee, including registered
guide-outfitters, master guide-outfitters, and
transporters. An Executive Administrator assigned to
this Board would be a complex job that requires the
employee to work with multiple departments, generate
reports, and assist Investigative Services and the
Department of Public Safety in investigations.
The lack of this position is felt whenever a new
individual comes in to fulfill these responsibilities
as a licensing examiner. Being a licensing examiner
has become a bit of a steppingstone position, and each
turnover requires training from the ground up. This
has led to some administrative errors that were
highlighted in the recent audit of the Board. While
the Board has been sharing an executive administrator
with the Board of Marine Pilots, it has not fully
resolved the issues, as both boards need much more
than half of that persons time. This bill seeks to
address those issues by providing a position that
would encourage consistency in support of the Board
and its functions.
The Big Game Commercial Services Board plays an
important role in the management of commercial game
hunters in the interest of the State's wildlife
resources. Thank you for your consideration of this
legislation.
2:26:26 PM
AARON BLOOMQUIST, CHAIRMAN, BIG GAME BOARD, PALMER (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the bill.
2:30:35 PM
SYLVAN ROBB, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS,
PROFESSIONAL, AND BUSINESS LICENSING, DEPARTMENT OF
COMMERCE, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, explained the
fiscal note.
Co-Chair Olson OPENED and CLOSED public testimony.
SB 248 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 182
"An Act extending the termination date of the Big Game
Commercial Services Board; and providing for an
effective date."
2:32:23 PM
KEN ALPER, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, explained the bill.
Senator Wilson MOVED to REPORT SB 182 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note. There
being NO OBJECTION it was so ordered.
SB 182 REPORTED OUT of committee with four "do pass"
recommendations and with one previously published fiscal
note: FN 1(CED).
2:33:21 PM
AT EASE
2:34:35 PM
RECONVENED
SENATE BILL NO. 234
"An Act relating to the Marijuana Control Board; and
providing for an effective date."
2:34:41 PM
KEN ALPER, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, explained the bill.
KRIS CURTIS, AUDITOR, LEGISLATIVE AUDIT, addressed the
audit attached to the legislation.
2:36:23 PM
Senator Merrick MOVED to REPORT SB 234 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note
SB 234 was REPORTED OUT of committee with four "do pass"
recommendations and with one new fiscal impact note from
the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development.
ADJOURNMENT
2:37:05 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 2:37 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 149 Sectional Analysis version A 2.2.24.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM SHSS 2/13/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 149 |
| SB149 Sponsor Statement Version A 2.2.24.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM SHSS 2/13/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 149 |
| SB 149 Supporting Document - Alaska Food Coalition.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM SHSS 2/13/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 149 |
| SB 149 DOH PAFS 022024.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 149 |
| SB 149 DOH QC 022124.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 149 |
| SB 149 Letters of Support as of 2.20.24.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 149 |
| SB204 Sectional Analysis Ver A.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM SL&C 2/26/2024 1:30:00 PM SL&C 4/3/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 204 |
| SB204 Sponsor Statement Ver A.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM SL&C 2/26/2024 1:30:00 PM SL&C 4/3/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 204 |
| SB 204 Supporting Documentation 4-5-24.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 204 |
| SB 204 Additional Documents-Jan. 2024 Dept of Labor Support Data 3.25.24.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 204 |
| SB 149 CBPP Research on BBCE.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 149 |
| SB 204 S Finance COF Presentation.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 204 |
| SB 248 BGCSB Audit.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 248 |
| SB 248 LOS Jason Bunch Chair of the Board.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 248 |
| SB 248 SFSC DCCED Department Budget Overview pg 17 02.28.2024.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 248 |
| SB 248 Supporting Document - BGCSB Meeting Minutes 12.04-06.23.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 248 |
| SB 248 Ver. B Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 248 |
| SB 248 Ver. B Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 4/22/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 248 |