02/12/2013 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB1 | |
| SB2 | |
| SB4 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 1 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 12, 2013
9:03 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Fred Dyson, Chair
Senator Cathy Giessel, Vice Chair
Senator John Coghill
Senator Bill Wielechowski
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Bert Stedman
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 1
"An Act establishing May 10 of each year as Alaska Mining Day."
- MOVED SB 1 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 2
"An Act enacting the Interstate Mining Compact and relating to
the compact; relating to the Interstate Mining Commission; and
providing for an effective date."
- MOVED SB 2 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 4
"An Act relating to applying military education, training, and
service credit to occupational licensing and certain
postsecondary education and employment training requirements;
providing for a temporary occupational license for qualified
military service members; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSSB 4(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 1
SHORT TITLE: ALASKA MINING DAY
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) GIESSEL
01/16/13 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/13
01/16/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/13 (S) STA
02/12/13 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 2
SHORT TITLE: INTERSTATE MINING COMPACT & COMMISSION
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) GIESSEL
01/16/13 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/13
01/16/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/13 (S) STA, FIN
02/12/13 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 4
SHORT TITLE: MILITARY TRAINING CREDIT
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) WIELECHOWSKI
01/16/13 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/13
01/16/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/13 (S) STA, L&C, FIN
02/12/13 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
ED FOGELS, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Natural Resources
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information related to SB 1 and SB
2.
DEANTHA CROCKETT, Executive Director
Alaska Miners Association (AMA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in favor of SB 1 and SB 2.
MICHAEL SATRE, Executive Director
Council of Alaska Producers
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in favor of SB 1 and SB 2.
GREG CONRAD, Executive Director
Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC)
Washington, D.C.
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in favor of SB 1 and SB 2.
CHRIS CHRISTENSEN, Associate Vice President
State Relations
University of Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to SB 4.
THOMAS CASE, Chancellor
University of Alaska - Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to SB 4.
MARC SAN SOUCI, Northwest Regional Liaison
Department of Defense
Tacoma, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 4.
RIC DAVIDGE, National Chairman of Government Affairs
Vietnam Veterans of America
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 4.
KENDRA KLOSTER, staff
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to SB 4 on
behalf of the sponsor.
DON HABERGER, Director
Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to SB 4.
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:03:01 AM
CHAIR FRED DYSON called the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Wielechowski, Coghill, Giessel, and Chair
Dyson.
SB 1-ALASKA MINING DAY
9:03:16 AM
CHAIR DYSON announced that the bills before the committee were
SB 1, SB 2, and SB 4. He stated his preference to move the bills
out of committee.
9:03:30 AM
SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, sponsor of SB 1, stated that the bill
would establish May 10 as Alaska Mining Day. She said that date
was chosen because on May 10, 1872, the General Mining Act of
the United States was adopted. She highlighted supporting
documents in members' packets. She noted that a lot of the
infrastructure in Alaska was built by the mining industry. The
most recent example is the Lake Dorothy Hydroelectric Dam near
Juneau, which was needed because of the Greens Creek Mine.
SENATOR GIESSEL pointed out that Alaska has a significant amount
of rare earth elements, such as those found in Bokan Mountain.
She spoke of an education program called Alaska Resource
Education that provides schools with information about mined
elements used for technology equipment.
9:06:53 AM
CHAIR DYSON asked if other mining states have done something
similar.
SENATOR GIESSEL did not know.
9:07:24 AM
ED FOGELS, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources,
testified in support of SB 1. He related that mining has paid a
critical role in Alaska's history and economy. He shared
statistics about the benefits of mining to Alaska. Mining has
provided over 4,000 highly skilled jobs, each that average
$100,000 per year. He talked about the tax benefits from the Red
Dog and Donlin Mines.
He said that a large part of his job is to ensure that the seven
operating mines are in environmental compliance. He described
efforts to strengthen the mining sector, such as the Strategic
and Critical Minerals Initiative. He spoke of new opportunities
in mining. He thought it wise to remind Alaskans of the
importance of mining by having an Alaska Mining Day.
9:09:58 AM
CHAIR DYSON suggested there was more mining activity in the last
ten years, than in the past. He stated that some of the mines
are world class. He asked if most mines are financed with
Canadian money.
MR. FOGELS agreed with that analysis. He said that mining has
increased rapidly over the last 20 years. He recalled that 25
years ago Greens Creek and Red Dog were just starting up and the
only other mine in the state was Usibelli coal mine. He said
there are currently seven active mines and two more large mines
in the permitting process. He agreed that a considerable amount
of investment money is Canadian, but said some mines are
financed by American dollars, such as Pogo and Kensington.
CHAIR DYSON asked how mines are taxed.
MR. FOGELS listed the number of ways the state taxes mines: a 3
percent royalty on profits, a 9 percent corporate income tax,
and a 7 percent mining license tax. The royalty would only apply
if the mine is on state land. He pointed out that there are
localized benefits from the mines in the form of jobs and
property taxes.
CHAIR DYSON asked if those are taxes on profits.
MR. FOGELS said yes.
9:12:40 AM
DEANTHA CROCKETT, Executive Director, Alaska Miners Association
(AMA), provided the background of AMA and its members. She
provided data about the economic benefits the state receives
from AMA. She testified in support of SB 1.
SENATOR GIESSEL requested that Ms. Crockett review the economic
benefits of mining to the Native Corporations.
MS. CROCKETT described the economic benefits to the Nenana
Corporation from the Red Dog Mine. The Red Dog Mine is the only
taxpayer in the Northwest Artic Borough. She said that 60
percent of the jobs at the Red Dog Mine are Nenana Corporation
shareholders and 90 percent of the jobs at Donlin will be
shareholders.
CHAIR DYSON shared a view that the Red Dog project was well
done. He mentioned Teck Cominco mine-related benefits, such as
training, low fuel rates, the clinic, the airport, and barge
transportation, all which help the locals, as well.
MS. CROCKETT added that the mine has been very instrumental in
helping with evacuating villagers during major storms.
9:17:02 AM
MICHAEL SATRE, Executive Director, Council of Alaska Producers,
related that he represents large-producing metal mines. He
stated full support for SB 1. He wished to recognize the
individuals who contributed to the mine industry. He recognized
David Stone as being a premier supporter of mining.
9:18:56 AM
SENATOR COGHILL moved to report SB 1, labeled LS-0001\U, from
committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note. There being no objection, SB 1 was reported from
the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
SENATOR GIESSEL noted there was a zero fiscal note.
9:19:25 AM
At ease
SB 2-INTERSTATE MINING COMPACT & COMMISSION
9:23:33 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL introduced SB 2, which authorizes the state to
join and participate in the Interstate Mining Compact
Commission. The purpose of the Compact is to create and maintain
a creative and productive mining industry. The bill allows
Alaska to contribute to this knowledge. The dues for Alaska
would be about $35,000 per year for membership. She shared dues
requirements.
CHAIR DYSON asked for more information about the dues.
SENATOR GIESSEL explained dues are based on how much each state
produces. She referred to a chart of dues in members' packets.
The highest paying dues member is West Virginia. She said there
is a cap on the amount of dues paid.
CHAIR DYSON inferred that the $35,000 amount Alaska would pay is
based on Alaska's present level of mining activity.
SENATOR GIESSEL said yes.
9:24:58 AM
GREG CONRAD, Executive Director, Interstate Mining Compact
Commission (IMCC), testified in support of SB 2. Alaska has been
an associate member of IMCC since 2006 and is now moving forward
to become a full member.
MR. CONRAD explained that in today's legislative and regulatory
climate in Washington, D.C. it is more important than ever for
state governments to be heard. He said that IMCC is recognized
by many in Washington for its experience and expertise on mining
issues. As an example, IMCC has been asked to testify on behalf
of the states at six Congressional hearings over the past couple
years on topics, such as Good Samaritan Protections for Hard
Rock Abandoned Mine Clean Ups, stream protection requirements
for surface coal mining operations, hard rock financial
assurance requirements under the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), legislation
to enhance funding for states to reclaim abandoned coal and hard
rock mines, and the impacts of the federal budget on state grant
programs.
He said that IMCC has been consulted by the General
Accountability Office and the National Academy of Sciences on a
range of issues affecting the states. Also, IMCC is active on
several advisory bodies, steering committees, and state/federal
teams on which member states generally serve in order to insure
their direct input.
MR. CONRAD referred to IMCC's annual report which was included
in committee members' packets. He related that IMCC is regularly
called upon to provide its recommendations on a plethora of
issues on Capitol Hill and before the federal regulatory
agencies. The recommendations are developed by the states at
IMCC meetings and are communicated in the form of resolutions,
testimonies, formal comments, and Congressional staff briefings.
It is IMCC's ability to speak with one voice on common concerns
that draws the states together and gives meaning to what IMCC
does.
He addressed why Alaska should become a full member of IMCC. He
said that membership would allow Alaska to have a formal vote
and to lead the Compact in the direction that is favorable to
the state. Alaska would also be able to chair IMCC standing
committees and have access to all communications, meetings,
programs, and initiatives. Membership would also allow federal
agencies and Congress to recognize Alaska as an important player
in environmental concerns and regulatory issues. Since IMCC is
focused on mining and related environmental protection issues
with the federal government, it benefits Alaska to become a
member.
9:30:03 AM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked about Article 3 of the provision. He
inquired if it currently meets Alaska's laws, or if it would
need to be revised.
MR. CONRAD understood that the state has robust policies and
regulations in place for the mining industry. He said that IMCC
would not interfere with regulations, but rather provide advice.
CHAIR DYSON inquired how the Compact works regarding mining
safety.
MR. CONRAD said that subject is not reflected in specific
Compact language, but rather in the general provisions of IMCC's
authority to be involved in mining issues that impact state
governments. He offered to provide that information, as it is
one of the key issues that IMCC pursues on behalf of states.
9:33:09 AM
SENATOR COGHILL pointed out that information is found in Article
1, subsection (b)(4).
CHAIR DYSON agreed.
He noted IMCC members have very large mineral zones that cross
into Canada. He asked if IMCC has a working relationship with
Canadian provinces.
MR. CONRAD said no.
9:34:33 AM
ED FOGELS, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources
(DNR), testified in support of SB 2. He said that DNR has a
strong mining regulatory and permitting program, which is in
line with IMCC's enabling legislation and its requirements.
Under the Governor's direction, DNR is looking for ways to
improve permitting and regulating of natural resource
development projects. Part of this initiative is to improve
collaboration with federal agencies and to dialogue with other
state regulatory and permitting agencies. This is why IMCC is so
important to Alaska.
He recalled his work with IMCC the previous seven years when
Alaska first became an Associate Member of IMCC. He shared the
advantages of becoming a member of IMCC, such as the full weight
it carries from its 25 member states during interactions with
the federal government. He gave examples of federal issues of
importance to Alaska: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
initiative to take over bonding for hard rock mining, numerous
Endangered Species Act issues, federal budgets, and Mine Safety
and Health Administration (MSHA) regulations. There is a serious
concern in Alaska that MSHA is not taking into account the
remoteness of some of the mine locations.
He mentioned that some issues transcend the mining sector. He
said he was the Governor's designee to represent Alaska at IMCC
meetings. He stressed that full membership would give Alaska
more power. He noted that IMCC is growing; Nevada is pursuing
full membership, Montana is contemplating membership, and there
is a movement to get more Western States to join. He concluded
that IMCC is a valuable tool for Alaska.
9:39:05 AM
SENATOR COGHILL asked what the current makeup of IMCC is.
MR. FOGELS replied that IMCC consists of predominantly Eastern
states, but there are some Midwestern states. There are several
Western Associate Members, Wyoming, Nevada, Alaska, Colorado,
and Utah. Idaho and Montana are considering membership.
SENATOR COGHILL asked if water quality and small placer mines is
an issue for other Compact states.
MR. FOGELS noted that Alaska is unique in that respect. He
opined that there were some smaller operators in other states.
Also, other states have gravel and sand mines.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI pointed out that currently there are no
full-member Western states. He wondered if decisions are made on
a consensus basis.
MR. FOGELS deferred to Mr. Conrad to discuss voting methods. He
agreed that Alaska would be the first Western state to join.
SENATOR COGHILL said Article 5, subsection (b), refers to voting
rights. The commissioner is entitled to a vote. Most voting is
by majority.
9:42:57 AM
MICHAEL SATRE, Executive Director, Council of Alaska Producers,
testified in support of SB 2. He referred to written comments
the Council submitted to the committee. He noted that the
Council has always supported a permitting and regulatory process
that is rigorous, science based, transparent, and predictable.
He opined that Alaska is a leader in mine permitting and
regulation, but must continue to improve on that process. One
way to do that is to collaborate with other mining states by
joining IMCC.
9:44:32 AM
DEANTHA CROCKETT, Executive Director, Alaska Miners Association,
testified in support of SB 2. She highlighted a letter of
support. She testified that federal regulation has become more
problematic and IMCC can be helpful in that area. She reported
on the status of the Western States Mining Coalition. She stated
it would be very beneficial for Alaska to join IMCC.
9:46:01 AM
SENATOR COGHILL moved to report SB 2, labeled 28-LS0005\A, out
of committee with individual recommendations and the attached
fiscal notes. There being no objections, SB 2 was reported from
the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
9:46:34 AM
At ease
SB 4-MILITARY TRAINING CREDIT
9:47:27 AM
SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI, sponsor of SB 4, introduced the bill.
He stated that he has been working on the bill with the U.S.
Department of Defense for about two years. The bill passed the
Senate and House last year. It is the top priority of the
Department of Defense. The bill directs state boards to accept
relevant military education training and service as equivalent
to some or all of the qualifications required while applying for
a license or a certificate. It also authorizes issuance of
temporary licenses or certificates for active duty service
members who had an equivalent license or certificate issued in
another state.
He discussed a major concern over unemployment issues for newly
separated veterans. The jobless rate for post-911 veterans was
9.9 percent as of last September, with young male veterans
experiencing an unemployment rate of 18.1 percent.
He noted that 25 states have passed similar legislation.
He emphasized that the University of Alaska is doing a good job.
SB 4 would simply codify some requirements.
9:50:40 AM
CHRIS CHRISTENSEN, Associate Vice President, State Relations,
University of Alaska, addressed Section 2 of the bill which
directs the university's president to adopt policies and
procedures to award credit for military training, education, and
service. He noted that Alaska's university is already in
compliance with this mandate.
He related that the university is committed to offering quality
educational experiences to active military, veterans, and their
dependents. "GIJobs" is a magazine and web portal that exists
specifically to serve people who are transitioning from the
military back to civilian life. It has designated both UAA and
UAF as "military friendly schools." Only 15 percent of all
universities, colleges, and vocational schools in the country
have earned this distinction, which is based on an institution's
financial and non-financial commitment to recruit and retain
military and veteran students.
MR. CHRISTENSEN reported that the web portal "Guide to online
schools.com," which bills itself as the most comprehensive
authority on distance education and online learning, has ranked
the most military-friendly online colleges in the country, and
out of the multitude of schools that offer online education, UA
was rated number five.
He shared that the transfer of credit has been problematic at
the university, and military transfer of credit is a piece of
this bigger issue. He explained that the Board of Regents has
adopted a written policy that says campuses must accept in
transfer as much credit as is appropriate to a student's new
degree and graduation requirements. All three campuses have
established transfer credit policies designed to give maximum
credit for courses and training taken elsewhere, including in
the military. Awarding appropriate credit for military training
is one of the university's responsibilities, and another way to
show commitment to recruit and retain military and veteran
students.
He addressed misconceptions about the credit transfer process.
Transfer credit processes at the university are managed at the
campus level, although there is intentionally a great deal of
uniformity in the system. With respect to credit for military
training, all three campuses transfer credit based on
recommendations made by ACE, which is the acronym for the
American Council of Education. For over 65 years, ACE has had an
agreement with the Department of Defense to review military
training and experience for the award of equivalent college
credits. Its recommendations on equivalent college credits are
utilized by many colleges and universities across the country.
The three Alaskan campuses have each entered into written
agreements with the Department of Defense to use the ACE
recommendations.
He continued to say that the three campuses are also members of
the SOC Consortium. He explained that SOC stands for the
Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, a consortium of over 1,000
colleges and universities that enroll military, and dependents
in special degree programs, both on campus and through distance
learning. Its purpose is to let the military get degrees, rather
than just accumulate credits as they move from base to base. To
be part of SOC, the campuses signed written agreements to, among
other things, follow specific guidelines to ease transferability
of credit between the member institutions and to limit the
number of credits military students have to earn at UA in order
to get a UA degree. For example, military students working on an
Associate's Degree at UAA only need 3 UAA credits to earn the
degree; UAA will take all the rest of the credits from other
schools in the SOC Consortium.
He said UAA is currently accepting approximately 51 credits per
student from those military students who attended the Community
College of the Air Force, the service academies, and other
regionally accredited military institutions. At UAF, a military
student can use approximately 30 credits of typical training for
the Bachelor of Emergency Management Degree, or 90 credits for a
General Studies Bachelor of Arts that does not require
satisfying particular major requirements.
He continued to say that neither UAA nor UAF have any limitation
on the number of military transfer credits they will award. He
said they used to, but they've done away with it as part of the
continual process to review the system and make it more student
friendly.
9:55:41 AM
CHAIR DYSON asked how long ago the university made that change.
MR. CHRISTENSEN thought that UAA made the change about two years
ago.
He shared that UAA awards over 15,000 hours a year of military
transfer credit for training, for education, and even for time
spent in the service. That number is increasing. Last year,
approximately 99.5 percent of the students who requested
military transfer credits received those credits.
He said that Alaska is widely known to service members as a
state that welcomes and appreciates the military. Alaska's
university, as demonstrated by its existing transfer policies,
reflects those prevailing social values.
He stated that in the last 12 months UAA has done a number of
things to improve the treatment of military, veterans, and their
families on campus.
CHAIR DYSON recalled stories of credit transfer problems within
the Alaska university system.
MR. CHRISTENSEN said it was an interesting question. He
explained that 98 to 99 percent of all credits transfer;
however, statistics can be misleading. President Gamble has
engaged in the University's Strategic Direction Initiative,
which is a comprehensive look at what the university is doing
right, as well as wrong. It was discovered that credits do
transfer, but the process is problematic, as is the amount of
time it takes. In 2011 at UAA it took 45 days for the credit
transfer process, but now it takes only 3 days. UAA transferred
275,000 credits last year or 41 percent more than four years
earlier. They transferred in credits for 6,000 students last
year, which is an increase of 65 percent. He concluded that
there is a commitment to change the system.
CHAIR DYSON said that was heartening.
9:59:47 AM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI shared that his staff member has had a
negative personal experience regarding credit transfer from UAS
to UAA.
MR. CHRISTENSEN explained that credits sometimes transfer as
general education, but not as requirement credits. He suggested
referring problems to him.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said he would.
CHAIR DYSON recalled President Hamilton saying that each
discipline within the university has its own credit standards.
He asked if that is still a problem.
10:01:47 AM
MR. CHRISTENSEN agreed that has been a problem in the past, but
he said the situation continues to improve. For example, 100
percent of general education credits are now accepted between
UAA and UAF.
CHAIR DYSON said he had an impression that the university was
monolithic.
MR. CHRISTENSEN countered that the opposite is true; he said it
is the least monolithic institution he has been exposed to.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there is a policy in place for
National Guard members attending school.
MR. CHRISTENSEN offered to find out.
10:03:48 AM
CHAIR DYSON shared a story about a military person's problem
with receiving credit. He voiced appreciation for the ability to
adjust credits for military members. He requested information
about allowing military experience for credit.
MR. CHRISTENSEN could not speak to that issue.
10:04:41 AM
THOMAS CASE, Chancellor, University of Alaska - Anchorage,
stated the importance of his deep personal commitment, and the
University's commitment, towards the good treatment of military
veterans. He spoke of his 33 years of active duty military
service and said that Alaska is the most military-friendly state
he has served in. He predicted Alaska's commitment to veterans
would increase due to the pending "draw down of engagement"
around the world and the return of more veterans.
He shared statistics about how many veterans are currently
enrolled. There are 1,850 active duty and veteran students in
the UAA system. The university has established a Military and
Veteran Student Task Force in order to take a close look at each
of the programs. He referred to the example Chair Dyson
mentioned and said that an attempt is being made to see what
will work for that individual.
He shared that UAA is one of eleven campuses nationwide to be
accepted to participate in Vet Success on Campus. The university
has a new Military and Veterans Student Resource Center. Much of
the progress the university is making is impacted by legislative
support. Aspects of the budget that go toward building up the
counseling program are making a difference. He said the
university is working very hard on the transferability of
credits and making great progress.
10:07:54 AM
CHAIR DYSON requested information about how military work
experience, or "hands on," translates to credits, such as in the
medical profession.
CHANCELLOR CASE offered to provide specific examples.
CHAIR DYSON requested specific examples of military experience
that is considered for credits. He said he was impressed with
the progress the university has made.
CHANCELLOR CASE said, "We have only begun to fight."
10:09:14 AM
MARC SAN SOUCI, Northwest Regional Liaison, Department of
Defense, testified in support of SB 4. He related that in
September of 2012, the unemployment rate for young, male
veterans 18 to 24 was 18.1 percent. He said in 2012 a study
reported that Alaska had 1,231 military veterans separate or
retire back to Alaska. In the last two years, over 2,500
veterans returned to Alaska.
He emphasized that he is not asking for direct occupational
licensure if it is not equivalent. He is only seeking credit
where credit is due. The public has already paid for veterans'
training within the "Department of Defense (DOD) School.' The
DOD recognizes the need to make credits easier for credentialing
bodies to process and accept. Six pilot states are reviewing
military occupations to see whether training and experience
qualify for credits.
He said there is a new Joint Service Transcript (JST), which
will validate and document military credits so institutions can
review them. He added that DOD is also working on determining
which credentials relate to which military occupations.
10:14:21 AM
RIC DAVIDGE, National Chairman of Government Affairs, Vietnam
Veterans of America, talked about the crucial 90 days between
separation and the start of school or training or finding a job.
He reported that his organization aims to shorten the 90-day
period and provide training or work for returning veterans. He
said SB 4 will help with this goal.
He described the placement of two Veteran Services Officers on
campus in Fairbanks and Juneau to help meet the needs of
veterans.
10:17:38 AM
CHAIR DYSON thanked all of the testifiers.
SENATOR GIESSEL wished to focus on Section 1 of the bill which
has to do with licensing boards and temporary licensing. She
explained that subsections (b - e) on page 2 deal with
activities of the professional regulatory boards. She said she
appreciates (b)(2) which holds in place the criminal background
check for licensing. She voiced concern about subsection (d)
regarding a temporary license being issues for 180 days and
potential for another 180 days. She said when she reviewed
statutes for the Board of Medicine and the Board of Nursing
where competence is paramount, she discovered that they both
provide for a 180 day temporary license, which is non-renewable.
She wondered why the extra six-month period was provided for in
this legislation.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI requested his staff, Kendra Kloster, to
explain.
10:20:32 AM
KENDRA KLOSTER, staff to Senator Bill Wielechowski, sponsor of
SB 4, explained that the language was written with the help of
the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
(DCCED). She said the language Senator Giessel is referring to
is similar to language used for transferring temporary licenses
for spouses. She emphasized the word "may" is used, so it is up
to the boards on whether they want to extend the period.
SENATOR GIESSEL informed the committee that there are boards
that have temporary license limitations of only 30 days. She
related her concern that if an individual is not qualifying for
a permanent license after six months, it calls into question
their ability to meet the requirements. It also creates
additional administrative activity for the board.
MS. KLOSTER deferred to DCCED to answer.
10:21:45 AM
DON HABERGER, Director, Division of Corporations, Business, and
Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community, and
Economic Development, explained that the Division views it as a
policy call. There are a variety of temporary licenses, either
through statute or adopted by regulation from a professional
board. The Division does not have a specific comment on the
extra 180 days.
CHAIR DYSON asked if regulations are run by the professional
boards.
MR. HABERGER said yes. He explained that the 40 professional
licenses are split into "boarded" and "unboarded" categories.
The legislature has given the boards authority to regulate their
professions. The Division only sets regulations for those
programs that do not have boards.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI agreed it was a policy call. He recalled a
previous bill that provided similar provisions for spouses. He
said the legislature is free to change that language.
10:23:29 AM
At ease
10:25:21 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL offered a conceptual amendment:
On page 2, line 19
Add a period after "180 days"
Delete the rest of subsection (d)
There being no objection, the conceptual amendment was adopted.
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report SB 4, labeled 28-LS0016\U, as
amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSSB 4(STA) was
reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
10:26:51 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Dyson adjourned the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee at 10:26 p.m.