HB 182 - QUALIFICATIONS OF STATE FORESTER Number 0027 CHAIRMAN KOTT announced the committee would hear HB 182, "An Act relating to the qualifications of the state forester," sponsored by Representative Williams. Number 0030 REPRESENTATIVE BILL WILLIAMS, Sponsor of HB 182, referred to the proposed committee substitute (CS), Version H, and said he has been working the Administration and the Society of American Foresters to come up with qualifications to be a state forester. He referred to the version of the bill that moved out of the House Resources Committee and said the committee members had misunderstood the Society of American Foresters. He referred to page 1, line 11, and stated he would like to change the language to read, "a bachelor's or higher degree in the broad field of forestry;". He noted the Alaska Forest Association, the Administration and the American Society of Forestry agrees with the proposed change. Number 0165 REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN PORTER asked if you had a degree in the narrow field of forestry, you could qualify. REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS responded that was where it was at one time. Number 0218 REPRESENTATIVE PORTER said what he interprets the change to mean is that it is an expansion of what was in the previous version of the legislation. He said a general degree in forestry will be required. Number 0247 REPRESENTATIVE GAIL PHILLIPS asked about degrees such as in natural resources management. Number 0258 REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS explained that a problem with Resources version of the bill was it stated, "accredited by the Society of American Foresters." He said he wanted to broaden it more and the Society of American Foresters agreed. He said the Society of American Foresters may change its philosophy, so they suggested making it the broad field of forestry. Representative Williams pointed out that the Society of American Foresters also made the recommendation that a person have at least three years of experience in forestry. In order to work in forestry, you would have to have some sort of background. The way the current statute is written it says you don't have to have a background in forestry. Anyone can be hired that has a degree in resources management such as mining, fisheries, et cetera. Number 0385 CHAIRMAN KOTT said he understands that. He said if the committee removed the wording, "accredited by the Society of American Foresters", we would have a broad degree of forestry versus a forestry-related program. He asked if the opportunity would be expanded. REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS said he isn't sure. Number 0423 REPRESENTATIVE PORTER said the wording could be interpreted to mean that if the word "forestry" was not in the title of the degree, you might not be able to qualify. He said if you had a degree in national resource management with an emphasis in forestry and three years of experience, he would guess someone might want to consider that person. Representative Porter said leaving "a forestry or related program" is better than "broad field of forestry." REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS responded, "close related program." He questioned changing the wording to "a bachelor's or higher degree in a forestry-related program." REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS added, "and the experience,". Number 0495 CHAIRMAN KOTT asked Representative Williams if that still captures the intent and would be supported by the foresters. REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS responded that he believes it would be supported. Number 0544 REPRESENTATIVE PORTER made a motion to adopt the proposed CSHB 182, Version H, dated 2/16/98. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Number 0567 REPRESENTATIVE PORTER moved to amend page 1, line 11. He said strike "broad field of forestry" and insert "in a forestry-related program; and". CHAIRMAN KOTT said it is a conceptual amendment. He asked if there was an objection. There being no objection, the amendment was adopted. Number 0809 REPRESENTATIVE PORTER made a motion to move CSHB 182, as amended, with individual recommendations and with the attached fiscal notes out of committee. CHAIRMAN KOTT asked if there was an objection. There being no objection, CSHB 182(RLS) moved out of the House Rules Standing Committee.