SB 87 ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS & SURVEYORS  CHAIRMAN LEMAN said that completed everyone they were able to reach and announced SB 87 to be up for consideration. MS. KREITZER, Staff to Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, explained the CS which was a result of conversations between the Division of Occupational Licensing, the Alaska Professional Design Council, and the AELS Board. The only element this Committee made clear they did not agree with was the sunset date which remains at 2001, not at 2003. She said they might want to note on page 2, under Organizations and Meetings, the title of President is changed to Chairman and Vice President is changed to Vice Chairman. SENATOR KELLY said he thought they would eventually add landscape architects to this Board. If they do that, he noted that there was room for someone to be appointed. SENATOR MILLER moved to adopt the CS to SB 87. There were no objections and it was so ordered. MR. MERLE JANTZ, President, AELS Board, said the Board had worked hard and focused on public health, safety, and welfare. He said they support the CS to SB 87. It addresses all the issues the Board was concerned about except they are in favor of the year 2003 as the sunset date. He clarified that they elected the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, and the Secretary. Number 250 SENATOR MACKIE moved on page 2, line 5 to delete "president" and insert "chair;" delete "vice president" and insert "vice chair." There were no objections and it was so ordered. MR. DWAYNE ADAMS, Alaska Professional Design Council, said this one of the most important pieces of legislation they will review for the protection of the health and safety of Alaskans. Continuance of the licensing of architects assures our buildings work, meet safety codes, and are accessible. Continuance of licensing of engineers insures our water is clean, our buildings are safe, and their mechanical and electrical systems meet the needs of our unique climate in our urban and rural conditions. Continuance of the licensure of our surveyors insures the ability to conduct commerce under clearly defined lines and patterns of ownership. He said they support this bill, but recommend that the 2001 be changed to 2003, because the value of these professionals for maintenance of health and safety is self evident. Number 297 MR. MIKE TAURIANIEN, Board of Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors, said he has served for seven years. Bringing the number of surveyors to two is important for the efficient operation of the Board. They make up a significant portion of their work load. SENATOR KELLY said he supported the bill and asked if anyone opposed licensing landscape architects. MR. TAURIANIEN said the Board has generally been in favor of it, although it's been a split vote. His main concern is showing a compelling reason for protection of the public. SENATOR KELLY asked him if he didn't think the fact that 43 other states do was enough of a reason. MR. TAURIANIEN replied not at all. SENATOR KELLY asked why he thought it was compelling to license him. MR. TAURIANIEN said he wouldn't argue with him if the legislature decided not to. He thought they went overboard in registration of many professions. MR. JANTZ said the Board in a teleconference about a week ago considered the issue of including landscape architects and voted in favor of removing them because there weren't enough to justify an additional position for licensing them at this time. MR. KALEN said the draft legislation the Board reviewed proposed to add a landscape architect to the Board. VICE CHAIRMAN MACKIE noted that Senator Leman had to leave and that they would have this issue before the Committee in another bill. SENATOR MILLER said he wasn't sure why the fiscal notes coming from the Department are written to show fiscal impact when these funds are already built into the budget. A fiscal note means another Finance Committee referral. MS. REARDON, Director, Division of Occupational Licensing, said the only reason they do the fiscal notes that way is because they were directed by the legislature several years ago to show the on-going costs so they would know what they would save by eliminating the licensing program. She said she would be very happy to do the fiscal notes any way the legislature wants them. SENATOR MILLER said if it's money that's already being collected, he would rather see them reflect either additional money that would be used or if there was a subtraction. SENATOR MILLER moved to zero out the fiscal note to make it accurate. There were no objections and it was so ordered. MS. REARDON added that the draft CS adds a member to the Board which would have a small fiscal impact of the money needed to travel to the Board meetings for that person. She anticipated about $2,500 per year. Number 420 SENATOR MILLER moved to pass CSSB87(L&C)am from committee with individual recommendations with a $0 fiscal note. There were no objections and it was so ordered.