CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 83(L&C) "An Act repealing the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities; creating the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee and relating to the committee; and providing for an effective date." CHERYL WALSH, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, read the sponsor statement: Senate Bill 83 is an act repealing the Governor's Committee on Employment and Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities; creating the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee. The primary purpose of this legislation is to bring current state statute into compliance with federal laws. During the first week in May, a monitoring team from the Federal Rehabilitation Services Administration will be in Alaska so the division is very interested in having this bill pass prior to their visit. The bill repeals the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (GCEPD) and creates the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee which will function as the State Rehabilitation Council and the Assistive Technology Advisory Committee, both of which are required by federal law to accept funding for the Assistive Technology grant and to operate the Vocational Rehabilitation Client Services Program which assists Alaskans with disabilities to obtain employment. Membership requirements of the State Rehabilitation Council and the Assistive Technology Advisory Committee are very similar. The bill addresses the appointment, number, composition of committee members. Membership described in current state statute is related to a board that no longer required and is no longer relevant. The bill is designed to allow the composition of the committee to change without revising state statutes, if federal regulations change. This was done at the recommendation of legislators during the 2007 legislative session. Since the committee is funded from same funds used to provide services and make assistive technology available to Alaskans with disabilities, the division is not interested in growing the size of the committee beyond what is required. There is no paid staff on the committee. The bill also addresses the selection and term of the committee chair. It eliminates the need for the governor to appoint the chair, allowing the voting members of the committee to make a selection, subject to disapproval by the governor. The bill provides for four meetings per year which may be conducted telephonically. The committee currently makes sure that at least one meeting is held in a rural location. The ability to conduct meetings telephonically allows for committee members to participate when their disability makes travel difficult. If necessary, and when appropriate, the committee could hold telephonic meetings to control expenses. The bill allows for a smooth transition of current members to the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee. In closing I'd like speak specifically to the value that this committee brings to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. This committee brings an important external view to the agency. Members act as a voice for consumers and other stakeholders in the public rehabilitation system. Without the structure of a volunteer, governor-appointed board; the division would not have access to the talent, wisdom and experience that members bring. The majority of members also bring the perspective of what it is like to live with a disability. Their perspective enriches the program greatly as we conduct the statewide needs assessment, survey consumer satisfaction, host community forums, review agency policies, and make recommendations to improve service provision. At each of their quarterly meetings, they reserve an entire hour to receive public testimony from individuals who are currently receiving services. This hour is always filled with incredibly valuable feedback. Committee members recently met with legislators and handed out their annual report to the governor. The report describes their purpose, history, responsibilities, goals, and results of the consumer satisfaction surveys. If you have not received a copy, I would be happy to give you one. One final note, creating the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee would end the confusion between the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education and The Governor's Committee on the Employment and Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities. Although the purpose of each board is very different, the public often confuses them because the names are so similar. 9:51:48 AM Co-Chair Stedman commented that the bill was due to federal regulations. He wished to know more about the costs, and whether it was an unfunded mandate. He requested the administration's opinion and wondered if the bill required future legislative adjustments. Ms. Walsh explained that the committee is funded by the Client Services budget for $65,000 per year. The legislation requires that the committee have about 15 members, of which 51 percent have disabilities. The bill is correcting the composition of the committee, which currently caps the members at 12. The difference in cost of three more members would be about $7,500 per year and would be grant funded. 9:53:51 AM Co-Chair Stedman summarized that the three additional seats would be fully funded by the federal government, which is requesting the new committee. Ms. Walsh said the department has a match requirement. She did not foresee a need to change this legislation in the future because its goal is to correct a statute which has been out of alignment. Co-Chair Stedman wondered what response the administration would have if the federal government decided to reduce the $7,500 amount. Ms. Walsh reported that there were a number of ways the committee could meet, such as telephonically, in order to save money. 9:55:47 AM Senator Thomas asked if there was a measuring mechanism to see the impacts of job placement. Ms. Walsh wondered if Senator Thomas was asking how many people were employed. Senator Thomas wished to see evidence of job placement results related to the committee. Ms. Walsh clarified the role of the committee regarding policy changes, business development, and surveys. The committee is not actually tied to placements of individuals. She reported that 549 individuals with significant disabilities were placed in competitive employment last year. Senator Thomas wondered if that was as a result of the committee's activity. Ms. Walsh believed that the committee increased the quality of placement. 9:58:56 AM Senator Huggins wondered which categories of people are represented on the committee. He restated the question related to page 2, line 5 of the bill. Ms. Walsh replied that the current member representatives are listed in the bill. The required members are: one vocational rehabilitation counselor, one certified rehabilitation provider, four business, industry or labor representatives, one person from the Alaska Workforce Investment Board, the Statewide Independent Living Council designee, one Parent Training representative, one Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation representative, one Client Assistance Program representative, the Vocational Rehabilitation Director, a Statewide Education representative, a former or current Vocational Rehabilitation consumer, and a representative of individuals who have difficulty representing themselves because of their disabilities. Co-Chair Stedman asked if the administration supports the bill. Ms. Walsh said it did. Ms. Scavera offered to answer questions. 10:02:43 AM KARLA JUTZI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, testified via teleconference. She spoke in support of the bill which corrects an outdated statute that makes it difficult for the governor's office to make committee appointments that are in compliance with current federal regulations. Co-Chair Stedman noted one fiscal note from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development which reflects the $7,500 increase in travel and per diem for the three additional members of the committee. The cost will be absorbed in the division's current budget. SB 83 was heard and HELD in Committee for further consideration.