Legislature(2017 - 2018)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/15/2018 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): Commissioner, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
February 15, 2018
1:37 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Kevin Meyer, Vice Chair
Senator Gary Stevens
Senator Berta Gardner
Senator Peter Micciche
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Mia Costello, Chair
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Commissioner, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development
Mike Navarre
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
Mike Navarre, Commissioner Designee
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the position of
Commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community, and
Economic Development.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:37:14 PM
VICE CHAIR KEVIN MEYER called the Senate Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:37 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Stevens, Gardner, Micciche, and Vice
Chair Meyer.
^Confirmation Hearing(s): Commissioner, Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Commissioner, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development
1:38:06 PM
VICE CHAIR MEYER announced the business before the committee
would be a confirmation hearing for Mike Navarre, Commissioner
Designee of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic
Development. He was appointed on October 17, 2017, which gives
him four months on the job. Prior to this appointment he served
as Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor and as a member in the Alaska
State House of Representatives. He asked Commissioner Designee
Navarre to tell the committee about himself and why he wants to
be commissioner of DCCED.
1:38:56 PM
MIKE NAVARRE, Commissioner Designee, Department of Commerce,
Community, and Economic Development, Anchorage, Alaska, said he
started the job November 6 to get a feel for the department and
the people working there prior to the legislative session. He
opined that there are a lot of good people in the department who
are focused on service to the public. He looks forward to
working with this committee and the legislature to advance
economic development and take care of communities throughout the
state. The reason he accepted this position was because he's
spent time thinking about the state's fiscal situation and
talking to his community about what needs to be done to take
advantage of economic opportunity and further diversify the
economy and revenue base. He related that he's had a good
working relationship at both the local and state level and wants
to help in the dialog that's taking place on these important
issues.
1:41:01 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked his perspective of DCEED and if he sees
changes that need to be made going forward.
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE NAVARRE said he's been learning about the
different areas of responsibility and has been fostering a
brainstorming approach to find common ground on areas that need
to be addressed within the department and the legislature. He
explained that his approach is to look for ways to advance a
matter and not get stuck in routine. He cited the transition to
online professional licensing applications as an example of the
department responding to criticism and looking for a better way
to do business. It's being tested right now, and the processing
timeframes have already been reduced from six months to about
four weeks. The belief is that there will be both cost and time
savings with this innovation.
SENATOR STEVENS said he appreciates those efforts.
1:43:59 PM
SENATOR GARDNER asked, "Is there something that you think that
we should be doing that we're not doing at all
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE NAVARRE replied he doesn't have a list of
things the legislature isn't doing but there are things the
department has strong interest in. One is HB 170. It amends the
Alaska Securities Act and separates those responsibilities and
oversight from the Native Claims Settlement portion, which is
not regulated by the FCC. The department is also interested in
SB 165. It extends the ACHIA fund another five years so that the
state can continue to take advantage of the reinsurance program.
Another interest is SB 76. It is the Title IV rewrite to narrow
some of the definitions and authority for interpreting those so
that the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board is clear as to
its regulatory authorities.
1:47:48 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE said he's thrilled his friend is interested in
the position. He is a worthwhile adversary who always has an
answer in the middle that proves to be right. I look forward to
serving with you.
VICE COMMISSIONER MEYER noted that he attended Snow College and
asked where it is located.
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE NAVARRE replied it's a junior college in
Utah. He related his reason for attending.
SENATOR MICCICHE asked how he sees his role helping the state
tap new economic opportunities.
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE NAVARRE said the data shows that the
Alaska economy has been significantly diversified over the last
30 years, but the state has failed to diversify its revenue
stream. He described one of the governor's initiatives to build
year-round toll roads on the North Slope, which will be
critically important in ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge)
to build access for ice roads and ice pads to develop those
fields. He also highlighted the significant military buildout in
Fairbanks associated with the F-35s at Eielson Air Force Base.
He said opportunities abound, but the state must build a
foundation that recognizes the costs associated with economic
opportunity.
1:56:21 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE agreed there is a disconnect getting new
industry and new residents to help pay the way. He added, "I
don't have the answer, but it'll be good having you there to bat
solutions back and forth as we try to solve that problem."
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE NAVARRE expressed optimism for getting
there because everybody wants a strong economy and strong
economic opportunities.
SENATOR STEVENS asked from which location will he manage the
department.
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE NAVARRE replied he is renting a place in
Juneau at least through April. After that he will spend time
between Juneau and Anchorage.
VICE CHAIR MEYER expressed support for Commissioner Designee
Navarre and noted the family business in ARBY restaurants and
his role in youth sports.
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE NAVARRE clarified that he is still
involved with the ARBY restaurants, but his role is limited to
financial oversight and does not conflict with this job.
VICE CHAIR MEYER found no further questions and stated that the
Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee will forward the
name Mike Navarre to a joint session of the legislature for
consideration at a future date. He reminded the members that
this does not reflect any intent of the members to vote for or
against the confirmation of the nominee during the further
session.
2:00:31 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to forward the name of Commissioner
Designee Mike Navarre for consideration by the joint
legislature.
VICE CHAIR MEYER asked members to sign the report and reiterated
that the name would be forwarded to the full body for
consideration at a future date.
2:01:13 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Vice Chair Meyer adjourned the Senate Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee meeting at 2:01 pm.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| DCCED Commissioner Designee - Mike Navarre Resume.pdf |
SL&C 2/15/2018 1:30:00 PM |
Consideration of The Governor's Appointee |