HB 305-RECREATIONAL/AVOCATIONAL TRAINING EXEMPT.  2:18:22 PM CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of HB 305. She noted that this is the first hearing of the bill. [CSHB 305(EDC) is before the committee.] 2:18:49 PM REPRESENTATIVE LYNN GATTIS, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of HB 305, said the bill puts sideboards on the regulatory powers of the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE). It exempts recreational and avocational training programs that are done primarily for fun and not as a career. 2:20:45 PM CHRYSTAL RANDOLPH, Staff, Representative Lynn Gattis, Alaska State Legislature, provided the sectional analysis for HB 305. Section 1:  AS 14.48.030 (a). Adds new lines. Exemptions to the Regulations of Postsecondary Institutions. Exempts programs that are in a field that: A. Does not require a professional or occupational license under AS 08. B. Provides training primarily for recreational purposes; and C. At the advanced training level, prepares program graduates to teach or instruct in that field. Section 2:  AS 14.48.030. Adds new subsection. Exemptions to the Regulations of Postsecondary Institutions. Requires the educational programs or institutions that are exempt under (a)(5) to provide students with written notice, before enrollment, that the program or institution is exempt from state authorization requirements. Section 3:  AS 14.48.030. Adds new paragraphs. Exemptions to the Regulations of Postsecondary Institutions. Provides definitions to the terms "avocational," "recreational," and "vocational". 2:22:44 PM CHAIR COSTELLO inquired about page 2, line 5, "at the advanced training level, prepares program graduates to teach or instruct in that field" and asked how this would apply to coaches who would need special training. MS. RANDOLPH said she believes the bill wouldn't apply to recreational youth programs because ACPE regulates postsecondary programs. CHAIR COSTELLO said she'd like that clarified. 2:24:28 PM SENATOR STEVENS asked for examples of exempted programs. MS. RANDOLPH listed karate, Zumba, and hunter courses. SENATOR STEVENS asked if ACPE will suffer a loss due to this bill. MS. RANDOLPH deferred to the representative from ACPE. 2:25:30 PM STEPHANIE BUTLER, Director, Program Operations, Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education, said HB 305 would represent a loss in revenue, but not a significant loss. Regarding the coach question, a volunteer youth coach would not be subject to commission regulations. Someone looking to coach or teach in a school would need to meet all district requirements. CHAIR COSTELLO asked if the administration or ACPE has a position on the bill or the zero fiscal note. MS. BUTLER said ACPE does not have concerns about the bill and has no comment on the fiscal note. 2:27:17 PM JODEE DIXON, Owner, The Yoga Path, testified in support of HB 305. She said that yoga teacher training (YTT) is a program for advanced yoga. It is a 200-hour program that requires commitment and is motivating for those who complete the training. Completion generally does not lead to a sustainable career. She said Alaska does not regulate yoga teachers and they do not have to have a special license. She discussed the Yoga Alliance, of which she is a member, which sets standards for the industry. 2:30:28 PM SENATOR MEYER asked if there are different types of yoga that require different training. MS. DIXON said there are many types, but all of them could generally be categorized as Hatha Yoga. SENATOR MEYER asked if yoga is used for both relaxation and stretching. MS. DIXON said it's used for a myriad of reasons to benefit the health of the individual. 2:34:09 PM BARBARA DOBBERTHIEN, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Yoga Alliance, testified in support of HB 305. She clarified that ACPE's institutional authorization process does not apply to yoga programs and YTT programs should not be subject to the requirements. She listed the states that have passed legislation similar to HB 305. The bill is consistent with the national trend of states refraining from subjecting YTTs to occupational educational regulation. 2:36:49 PM CHAIR COSTELLO closed public testimony and held HB 305 in committee for further consideration.