SB 168-BOARD OF BARBERS AND HAIRDRESSERS  1:37:29 PM CHAIR COSTELLO announced the consideration of SB 168; "An Act relating to the membership of the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers." She stated this is the first hearing and the intent is to hear from the sponsor's staff, open public testimony and hold the bill. 1:37:48 PM TREVOR Gutierrez, Staff, Senator Lesil McGuire, sponsor of SB 168, introduced the legislation on behalf of the sponsor speaking to the following sponsor statement: Senate Bill 168 aims to create equal Board representation for all licensees governed by the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers. This restructuring of the Board will not remove any current board member from their position, and it carries a zero general fund fiscal note. As of February 3, 2015, the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers oversees 2,271 Hairdressers, 962 Manicurists and Nail Technicians, 542 Estheticians, 151 Barbers, and 146 Tattoo/Permanent Cosmetic Colorist/Body Piercers. The current Board structure is 1) Hairdresser, 1) Hairdresser/Esthetician combo, 1) Tattoo/Permanent Cosmetic Colorist/Body Piercer, 1) Public Member, 2) Barbers. Providing Board Representation for Nearly 1,000 Currently Unrepresented Nail Technicians In 2015, legislation was passed requiring those practicing the art of manicuring to receive education and to pass a nationally recognized examination. Current statute does not provide a nail technician seat on the Board. As the second largest body of licensees overseen by the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers, nail technicians should be given a seat at the table to advocate for their industry. This bill ensures that nail technicians be given a Board position. Creating a More Balanced Number of Board Members This bill increases the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers from six to seven members. This will create an odd number of voting members, better assuring a tie-break in certain Board decisions. Seven members also make it more likely to have a quorum at Board meetings and teleconferences. Evenly Distributing Board Representation for Current Seats When the Board seats were created, Alaska had approximately 1,200 Barbers. We currently have 151 in the entire state. There is an over-representation from a minor licensee group, which not only makes Board recruitment difficult, but it gives an over-abundance of voice to the Barbering industry. This bill will change one of the Barber seats to allow for any licensee group governed by this Board. CHAIR COSTELLO asked Ms. Hovenden to give the administration's position on the legislation and discuss the fiscal note. 1:40:19 PM JANEY HOVENDEN, Director, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), said the fiscal note asks for $4.5 thousand in travel costs for the additional board member to attend board meetings. This is a receipt-supported service so the licensing fees will pay for the additional seat and travel costs. Responding to further questions from the Chair, she reported that the board is operating at a surplus and the administration is neutral on the bill. CHAIR COSTELLO asked if there is any opposition to the legislation. MS. HOVENDEN said she assumes the barbers aren't pleased to lose the second seat, but that doesn't prevent a barber from filling the undesignated licensee seat. 1:42:39 PM CHAIR COSTELLO opened public testimony. 1:42:53 PM JEANNINE JABAAY, member, Board of Barbers and Hairdressers, Hope, Alaska, stated the board fully supports SB 168 and believes that barbers currently are over represented. The licensees haven't voiced direct opposition to re-designating the seat and both barbers on the board support the change. She relayed the board's surprise at the fiscal note and their belief that it should be zero. She pointed out that the board is receipt supported and is operating in the black. CHAIR COSTELLO said the Finance Committee would address the request to zero the fiscal note. 1:44:56 PM CHAIR COSTELLO closed public testimony on SB 168 and held the bill in committee for future consideration.