SB 233-PFD ALLOWABLE ABSENCE/MERCHANT MARINE  1:33:41 PM ACTING CHAIR STEVENS announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 233 "An Act relating to allowable absences for permanent fund dividend qualification; and providing for an effective date." ACTING CHAIR STEVENS stated that this was the second hearing and there was an amendment for the committee to consider. 1:34:09 PM SENATOR REVAK moved to adopt Amendment 1 to SB 233, [work order 32-LS1594\A.3]. 32-LS1594\A.3 Nauman 4/9/22 AMENDMENT 1  OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR COSTELLO TO: SB 233 Page 2, lines 6 - 7: Delete "program that prepares students for  careers in the United States merchant marine" Insert "vocational program that  (A) trains students for a career in the  United States merchant marine, including as a sea  engineer, in the deck department, or as a steward;  (B) provides seagoing service that meets  the requirements of the United States Coast Guard for  United States merchant marine credentialing; and  (C) is approved by the United States Coast  Guard" ACTING CHAIR STEVENS asked Ms. McCall to explain Amendment 1. 1:34:20 PM KATIE MCCALL, Staff, Senator Mia Costello, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, explained that Amendment 1 is in response to the concern the Department of Revenue (DOR) raised that the term "prepares" could be interpreted too broadly because a variety of programs could be seen as preparing students for careers in the United States Merchant Marine. Amendment 1 narrows the language and provides specific information about what constitutes a vocational program leading to a career in the United States merchant marine. She read the language in Amendment 1. 1:36:00 PM At ease 1:36:15 PM SENATOR STEVENS reconvened the meeting. He found no objection and Amendment 1 was adopted. He solicited the will of the committee. 1:36:32 PM SENATOR REVAK moved to report SB 233, work order 32-LS1594\A, as amended, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). ACTING CHAIR STEVENS found no objection and CSSB 233(L&C) was reported from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.