HOUSE BILL NO. 100 "An Act relating to allocations of funding for the Alaska Workforce Investment Board; and providing for an effective date." 2:09:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE ADAM WOOL, SPONSOR, introduced himself. ASHLEY CARRICK, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE WOOL, introduced herself. Representative Wool explained that the bill was the Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) reauthorization. The bill took a percentage of the Alaska Workforce Investment fund, and distributed it throughout the state, with the University of Alaska (UA) being the largest recipient of the funds at 45 percent. He stated that nine other recipients received between two and seven percent, which was an approximate distribution of $12 million. Senator Wilson MOVED Amendment 1 (copy on file). Co-Chair Bishop OBJECTED for discussion. Senator Wilson explained that the amendment would take a 10 percent reduction to the formula in UA and redistribute it to the remaining TVEP recipients. Co-Chair Stedman expressed concern about the amendment, and also expressed concern about the bill. He stated that his region's allocation came from the university. He felt that his region was underrepresented, although he supported the passage of the bill. He felt that the issue should be reviewed periodically to ensure that it was fair and in the best interest of the entire state. He remarked that adopting the amendment would further heighten the issue of some areas of the state having underrepresentation. He opposed the amendment. Senator von Imhof remarked that there should be conversations around whether or not the university system should be more focused on workforce development or whether it should be more participatory with other organizations to provide workforce development. She worried that the amendment would have unintended consequences, because some programs would not have those relied upon funds. She invited the amendment drafter to address the subject at a later date to engage in a robust conversation. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Olson, Wilson OPPOSED: Von Imhof, Wielechowski, Bishop, Stedman Senator Hoffman was absent from the vote. The motion FAILED (2/4). 2:15:09 PM Senator Olson wondered whether he could offer a conceptual amendment. Co-Chair Bishop queried the length of the conceptual amendment. Senator Olson felt that the sunset could be adjusted to be reviewed every ten years. Co-Chair Bishop felt that the discussion should continue before the offering of the conceptual amendment. 2:16:03 PM ERIN SHINE, STAFF, SENATOR CLICK BISHOP, discussed the Letter of Intent (copy on file). She stated that the letter would state that it was the intent of the legislature that the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOL), and UA cooperate with a special audit to be requested a future Legislative Budget and Audit (LB and A). She stated that the conversation around the amendment highlighted some questions around the funding and participants in the program. Co-Chair Bishop wondered whether Ms. Shine was accurate. KRIS CURTIS, LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR, ALASKA DIVISION OF LEGISLATIVE AUDIT, replied in the affirmative. Co-Chair Stedman stated that he supported the Letter of Intent, and that it helped address his concern with the bill. Co-Chair Bishop agreed with Co-Chair Stedman. Senator Olson queried the purpose of the audit. Ms. Shine replied that special audit would be designed in conjunction with the Legislative Budget and Audit Chair and Ms. Curtis in outlining some of the criteria to be brought to that committee for consideration. Senator von Imhof pointed to the Governor's request in Fiscal Note 1. She remarked that there was a request of $490,000. Co-Chair Bishop highlighted the fiscal note. Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to REPORT HB 100 with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note. 2:25:56 PM AT EASE 2:26:05 PM RECONVENED 2:26:08 PM Co-Chair Stedman added to move the Letter of Intent with the bill There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. HB 100 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with one previously published fiscal note: FN 1 (EED). 2:26:26 PM AT EASE 2:26:46 PM RECONVENED