HB 304-ALASKA FIRE STANDARDS COUNCIL  8:06:30 AM CHAIR LYNN announced that the first order of business was HOUSE BILL NO. 304, "An Act relating to the membership of the Alaska Fire Standards Council." 8:06:47 AM REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG JOHNSON, Alaska State Legislature, as sponsor, introduced HB 304. He deferred to his staff to present the proposed legislation. 8:07:46 AM ERIN SHINE, Staff, Representative Craig Johnson, Alaska State Legislature, presented HB 304 on behalf of Representative Johnson, sponsor. She noted that the sponsor statement in the committee packet shows two changes [to the membership of the Alaska Fire Standards Council (AFSC)], and she explained that there is a third change that did not make it into the sponsor statement in time for the bill hearing. She said the proposed legislation would make the following three changes relating to AFSC: designate an existing seat to a member of the Alaska Professional Fire Fighters Association (AKPFFA); add a seat for a member of the Alaska Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA); and reclassify the existing seat for the Alaska State Firefighters Association (ASFA) from "firefighter administrative officer" to "a member of" the association. MS. SHINE stated that the mission of AFSC is to establish professional standards for fire service personnel and curriculum requirements for the certification of training programs. She said AKPFFA, an affiliate of the International Association of Fire Fighters, represents roughly 500 career fire fighters throughout the state. She relayed that the mission of AFCA is to serve the people of the state of Alaska by influencing fire and emergency services programs in legislation, advancing fire and emergency services professionals, and providing for the safety and well-being of fire fighters and their communities. She said the mission of ASFA is to serve its members through professionalism and leadership, thereby enhancing the fire rescue services of Alaska. MS. SHINE said under HB 304, the Governor would appoint one member of AKPFFA, one member of ASFA, and one member of AFCA to the council from a list of at least three nominees submitted by each association. She said the intent of the bill is to ensure that AKPFFA, ASFA, and AFCA are represented on the Alaska Fire Standards Council and to guarantee their designees can "speak with the full confidence of their respective associations." 8:10:54 AM MS. SHINE, in response to a question from Chair Lynn, offered her understanding that the need for HB 304 was voiced by AFCA and AKPFFA, as well as through letters of support from AFSC. 8:12:14 AM REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked, "So, instead of having an administrator, we're having a professional fire fighter - an experienced fire fighter - on the council instead? Is that ... why that was switched?" MS. SHINE answered yes. 8:12:36 AM MS. SHINE, in response to Representative P. Wilson, said after asking all three associations and the council, she could not find any opposition to the proposed bill. In response to Representative Seaton, she offered her understanding that HB 304 includes all fire fighter associations of Alaska; however, she deferred to upcoming witnesses for verification. 8:14:04 AM JEFF TUCKER, Fire Chief, North Star Volunteer Fire Department (NSVFD); Past President, Alaska Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA), testifying in support of HB 304, confirmed Ms. Shine's answer to Representative Seaton that [HB 304] would represent the three statewide organizations that represent fire fighters throughout Alaska. He said AFCA, along with AKPFFA, has worked with the council to give those two organizations representation on the council; ASFA already had a seat on the council. He said the decisions of the council have a direct influence on fire service provisions and fire fighter training. He emphasized the importance of having direct representation on the council. 8:15:19 AM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG cited AS 18.70.360, which read as follows: Sec. 18.70.360. Alaska fire services personnel fund. The Alaska fire services personnel fund is created in the general fund. The fund consists of appropriations made by the legislature to the fund. The council may use the money in the fund to carry out its powers and duties. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG noted that AS 18.70.350 does not reference the Alaska fire services personnel fund. He said he thinks the last sentence in AS 18.70.360 would normally appear in AS 18.70 350. He said he would like to know more about the fund. 8:17:10 AM MS. SHINE said she would have to get back to Representative Gruenberg with an answer. 8:17:38 AM CHAIR LYNN asked what Representative Gruenberg's question has to do with the number people on the council. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG answered nothing, but indicated that it is related. 8:18:06 AM MR. TUCKER deferred to Gordon Descutner to answer Representative Gruenberg's question. 8:18:49 AM TOM WESCOTT, President, testified in support of HB 304. He stated that AKPFFA represents fire fighters from Kotzebue to Ketchikan. He said both the fire chief and AKPFFA have worked with the council to be represented on the council and to get the support of the council for the proposed legislation. He said, "Speaking for both, it's basically our goal to bring our experience, our expertise, and our resources to the board in an effort to help the board fulfill its mission." 8:20:13 AM MR. WESCOTT, in response to Representative P. Wilson, said there are criteria for a fire fighter from a town with a population of less than 2,500, as well as one from a town that has a population greater than that. In response to a follow-up question, he said there was no major event that brought about the realization that the proposed changes were needed; there were a couple meetings, where the idea was generated that the people who make up AKPFFA and AFCA have something to offer to the council. He confirmed that there are seven communities represented by AKPFFA. In response to Representative P. Wilson's query as to whether AKPFFA would "try to get more," he said, "Well, certainly." 8:22:51 AM MS. SHINE, in response to Representative Petersen, said currently there are 11 members serving on the council and, under HB 304, there would be 12. 8:24:36 AM GORDON DESCUTNER, Executive Director, Alaska Fire Standards Council (AFSC), Department of Public Safety (DPS), in response to Representative Gruenberg's previous question, said the original intent of the council was to collect a fee from home insurance premiums that would be put into a dedicated fund to support the council; however, that never materialized. He said that language is still in statute, but technically there is no money in a fire services personnel fund. He said the council does have the authority to collect receipts, which are tied most directly to testing and certification, but are not tied to council travel, which has, to date, been covered with the council's general funds. In response to Representative Gruenberg, he said he does not know why the provision in statute for the fund has never been implemented. He said there was a lot of work done about 10 years ago regarding this issue, but no agreement was reached with the insurance agencies and "the other personnel that were involved with the early formation of the council." He stated his belief that because of the difficulty reaching an agreement, [the council] chose an alternative solution, part of which was to at least have the administrative services and travel costs for council members covered under the general fund. CHAIR LYNN requested that the bill sponsor check into this issue and report his findings to the next committee of referral - the House Finance Committee. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said he would like a copy of those findings. 8:27:45 AM CHAIR LYNN, after ascertaining that there was no one else who wished to testify, closed public testimony. 8:28:13 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report HB 304 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 304 was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.