HB 2-PRIV EMPLOYER VOLUNTARY VET PREFERENCE  3:37:05 PM CHAIR BISHOP announced the consideration of HB 2. [CSHB 2(MLV, version 30-LS0071\D), was before the committee.] 3:37:31 PM CHAIR BISHOP said he had experience dealing with veteran preference in his past career as it related to Helmets to Hardhats, a program that allowed registered apprenticeship programs "to pierce their list" to bring veterans into registered apprenticeships. It worked very well. 3:38:39 PM At ease. 3:40:01 PM CHAIR BISHOP called the meeting back into order. 3:40:54 PM REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS TUCK, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of HB 2 said the bill would allow for an optional veteran hiring preference for private employers by taking advantage of an option that is available under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Section 11 of the act allows special rights for preferences to be granted to veterans if they are authorized under federal law, state law, or local law. Currently 37 states have adopted similar legislation and five other states, including Alaska, are considering it. The bill is a nationwide effort by the U.S. Department of Defense. All 50 states and D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico award preferences to veterans for initial hiring for public employment. 3:42:00 PM REPRESENTATIVE TUCK said however, private employers are prohibited from establishing comparable business hiring practices unless specific legislation is passed allowing this option. The road to employment can be difficult for veterans returning to civilian life. A 2012 survey of veterans from all areas found that for two-thirds, finding a job was the greatest challenge for transitioning. Alaska has one of the highest percentages of veterans per capita. About 14 percent of adults in Alaska, over 72,000 people, are veterans. 3:42:47 PM REPRESENTATIVE TUCK said that as of November 2016, the national Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the jobless rate of male veterans ages 18 to 24 still exceeds that of their civilian counterparts. Alaska prides itself in being a leader in supporting veterans and active duty military. The bill allows private employers to adopt a veteran hiring preference. 3:44:18 PM CHAIR BISHOP opened public testimony. 3:44:34 PM BOB DOEHL, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, supported HB 2. He said the department supports HB 2 for two reasons. The private sector can compete with the public sector, which already can give a veteran preference. Second, it enables the private sector to hire veterans, if employers want to. 3:46:03 PM BERNADETTE WILSON, Owner, Denali Disposal, supported HB 2. She shared, in the interests of full disclosure, that she is in a relationship with the bill sponsor and they have a child, but she is appearing as a witness in the role of president and owner of Denali Disposal, a commercial refuge company servicing Girdwood, Anchorage, Eagle River, and the surrounding area. She related a story of hiring two people, one a veteran and one not. The veteran did not have the relevant job experience, and the other person, on paper, was highly qualified. A year later the on-paper, highly qualified person was let go. The 24-year veteran is now the operations manager and a critical component to the company. As a small employer, they have seen first-hand that veterans are easy to train, have experience working with other people, and are very dependable. 3:48:54 PM DALE VANDE HEY, Liaison, State Liaison Office, U.S. Department of Defense, supported HB 2. He said he was speaking on behalf of Military Community and Family Policy. This is one of the key quality of life issues for the Department of Defense. This would be of great benefit to veterans. It equals the playing field and allows them to get a job when they exit the military. 3:49:52 PM CHAIR BISHOP noted they had received many letters of support for the bill. 3:50:26 PM CHAIR BISHOP closed public testimony. 3:50:45 PM SENATOR STEDMAN asked why it has taken so long to get this issue to the legislature. 3:50:57 PM REPRESENTATIVE TUCK said it was perhaps lack of awareness, but he doesn't know why the veteran preference was not extended from public employers to private employers previously. 3:52:20 PM CHAIR BISHOP held HB 2 in committee.