HOUSE BILL NO. 28 "An Act relating to temporary licenses for certain nonresident professionals." 1:35:31 PM Vice-chair Fairclough moved the workdraft CSHB 28 (FIN) 27- LS0192\S dated February 15, 2011. Co-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED for purpose of discussion. KACI SCHROEDER HOTCH, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE BILL THOMAS, discussed that HB 28 focused on improving the lives of Alaska's military members. Families of military members were largely impacted by frequent deployments, long periods of single parenthood, and relocation. She explained that 14.5 percent of military spouses crossed the state line annually, which made them one of the most mobile populations in the nation. Only 1.1 percent of civilian spouses crossed the state line on an annual basis. Military spouses often moved every two to four years. The readiness of Alaska's armed forces was directly impacted because the ability for a spouse to maintain employment often factored into a member's decision to remain in the military. Military spouses were less likely to be employed and tended to earn less than their civilian counterparts. Similar to their civilian counterparts, military spouses depended on two incomes and hoped to achieve aspirations of their own. The legislation would assist spouses in their transition into the State of Alaska. Co-Chair Stoltze asked for a history and description of the changes in the workdraft. Ms. Schroeder Hotch communicated that most of the changes in the workdraft were at the request of the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED). She discussed that whenever the word "department" appeared in the legislation, the language had been amended to read "department or appropriate board." She explained that depending on the circumstance, the department or a board was responsible for regulation. She pointed out that the word "courtesy" was inserted directly following any occurrence of the word "temporary." The workdraft also removed marine pilots from the exemption list on Page 3. She explained that tight regulations alleviated the department's initial concerns regarding its ability to comply with the bill. Representative Wilson had been told that the legislation was redundant by several callers. She wondered what specific action the bill implemented that was not already in place. Ms. Schroeder Hotch clarified that the bill was not a criticism of existing law. She discussed that the bill would put into statute what was currently done under regulation. The bill included a section for the special consideration of military spouses. Language to expedite the issuance of a license was inserted on Page two and was the primary change to the statute. It was very difficult for a military spouse to find employment when they only lived in Alaska for two years and had to wait six months to obtain a license. 1:40:18 PM Co-Chair Stoltze WITHDREW his OBJECTION. Representative Guttenberg had also heard from a caller that the bill would not do anything new. He saw that the legislation shortened the temporary license to 180 days. He wondered whether boards and commissions were capable of taking action in the shortened timeframe in the event of a large influx in military families. Ms. Schroeder Hotch believed that DCCED did have the ability to act within the new timeframe. She explained that although some boards only met a couple of times per year, there were ways for the boards to vote by email or by mail. DON HABEGER, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS, BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, discussed that the department was already familiar with each of the six different tasks included in the bill. He did not believe the legislation would have a significant impact on the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (CBPL). The only new process for the division was related to the expedited licensing for military spouses. He indicated that the department's zero impact fiscal note reflected its belief that CBPL could easily absorb the work. The ability to vote by mail and other methodologies would enable boards that met less frequently to take action on applications. Co-Chair Stoltze asked Mr. Habeger if he had any objections to the deletion of Section E on Page 3. Mr. Habeger replied that the section did not pertain to CBPL. Co-Chair Stoltze wondered whether the legislation impacted the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission's licensing of educators. Ms. Schroeder Hotch replied that the bill did not affect teachers. She explained that a similar statute for teachers existed and was working well. 1:43:59 PM Co-Chair Stoltze opened public testimony. MARK SAN SOUCI, NW REGIONAL LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, (via teleconference), stated that taking care of military spouses was the number one priority of the defense state liaison office. The temporary license would enable spouses to begin work immediately and would give them up to six months to fulfill any requirements imposed by the state. He discussed that Florida had passed similar legislation the prior year and that HB 28 would place Alaska on the cutting edge of the issue. He expressed appreciation for Co-Chair Thomas's sponsorship and for the committee's consideration of the bill. Co-Chair Stoltze closed public testimony. Mr. Habeger discussed the zero impact Fiscal Note 1. The department believed that the tasks under the legislation were already occurring in one form or another and would only require a slight variation or adjustment. He discussed that there were three existing programs that had a military exemption by regulation. The department believed it could absorb the work relatively easily. Co-Chair Stoltze thanked DCEED for its cooperation. He appreciated the department's willingness to absorb the functions through its normal activity. Representative Neuman wondered how the list of professions covered under the bill had been compiled. Ms. Schroeder Hotch responded that the list included all of the professions that were regulated by CBPL. She believed that marine pilots would be included with the adoption of the CS. She relayed that teachers were also in high demand and were covered under a different statute. 1:48:09 PM Representative Guttenberg believed the legislation was positive. He wondered whether different jurisdictions had aligned definitions related to the terms "unresolved complaint, review or procedure," listed on Page 2, Line 13, Sections 4 and 5. He asked whether an appeal process existed for people who objected to a ruling. Mr. Habeger responded that the bill pertained to just one component of the extensive central licensing statute. The division believed that a number of prohibitions or authorities existed in order to verify the accuracy of the credentialing commitment. There was an investigative unit that could determine whether there was a mark against a person in another jurisdiction. A board or the department could then provide further review to determine whether something was substantial enough to warrant probationary modifications or the refusal of a license. The department believed it could handle these occurrences. Representative Guttenberg asked whether there was a way to go from provisional to permanent licensing. Mr. Habeger answered in the affirmative. Co-Chair Thomas MOVED to report CSHB 28 (FIN) out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. CSHB 28 (FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with previously published zero note: FN1 DCED. 1:51:53 PM AT EASE 1:55:10 PM RECONVENED