HB 28-TEMP LICENSE/FEE WAIVER FOR PROFESSIONALS  2:05:27 PM CHAIR EGAN announced HB 28 to be up for consideration [SCS CSHB 28( ) labeled 27-LS0192\G was before the committee]. 2:05:38 PM KACI SCHROEDER, staff to Representative Thomas, said she was available to answer questions. SENATOR PASKVAN moved to adopt conceptual Amendment 1 as follows: AMENDMENT 1    OFFERED TO SCS CSHB 28(STA) Page 1, line 3, following "forces" insert "; authorizing temporary licenses for pawnbrokers not currently licensed by a municipality; and for an effective date" Page 3, following line 14, insert two new bill sections to read: "Sec. 2. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read: TRANSITION: CURRENT NON-MUNICIPAL PAWNBROKERS. (a) Notwithstanding AS 08.76.100, enacted by sec. 5, ch. 49, SLA 2010, a person engaging in business in this state on July 1, 2011 for which a license is required by AS 08.76.100 and who does not hold a current municipal pawnbroker license on that date may continue to engage in business as a pawnbroker until December 31, 2011 without obtaining a license issued by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development if the unlicensed pawnbroker applies to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development for a temporary license on a form provided by the department on or before September 1, 2011. Upon receipt of the application, the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development shall grant a temporary license as described in this subsection. (b) A temporary license issued under this section is non-renewable and expires on December 31, 2011. (c) Notwithstanding (a) and (b) of this section, an applicant for a license required by AS 08.76.100, enacted by sec. 5, ch. 49, SLA 2010, bears the burden of proving eligibility for the license. *Sec. 3. Section 2 of this Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c)." CHAIR EGAN objected for purposes of discussion. MS. SCHROEDER said this is a cleanup amendment and then deferred comments to the department. 2:06:56 PM SARA CHAMBERS, Program Coordinator for Professional Licensing, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), explained that this amendment would establish a 120-day period in which to license those eligible for the state's new pawnbroker licensing program. She explained that SB 292 relating to the registration and operation of pawnbrokers allowed no window of time between the effective date of pawnbroker regulations and the effective licensing date of the affected parties. A 120-day temporary license would allow an opportunity for those required to be licensed under the new statute to become fully licensed in an efficient manner that provides ample opportunity for due diligence to be performed. Those affected could become temporarily licensed and continue to legally operate following the July 1 effective date of the regulations providing the department ample time to notice licensing information to all known interested parties and legally accept payments for licensure and allow time for a potential licensee to ask questions and gather documentation required for initial licensing. Without this change, licensees would need to become licensed before regulations would come into effect rendering such an event impossible. SENATOR GIESSEL pointed out that line 7 of the amendment says "Sec. 2" and it should actually be "Sec. 3" since there is already a Sec. 2 in the bill on the bottom of page 2. CHAIR EGAN noted the change. CHAIR EGAN withdrew his objection and Amendment 1 as amended was adopted. SENATOR PASKVAN moved to advance SCS CSHB 28( ) as amended from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note, if any. There were no objections and SCS CSHB 28(L&C) was moved from committee. 2:10:37 PM At ease from 2:10:37 PM to 2:12:17 PM.