SB 181-IDENTIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR IN ADS  2:46:11 PM CHAIR COSTELLO announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 181 "An Act relating to identification requirements for contractors." She noted that this was the first hearing and the intention was to hear the introduction, take public testimony, respond to questions, and look to the will of the committee. 2:46:40 PM SENATOR SHELLEY HUGHES, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 181, paraphrased the following sponsor statement: [Original punctuation provided.] Since 1968, contractors and home inspectors in the State of Alaska have been statutorily required to list their name, mailing address, and registration number in all advertising. Additionally, contractors have had a fourth requirement of listing their principal place of business in any advertisements. This requirement can incur great expense for contractors, particularly those looking to advertise in print, radio, or television where each additional word or line increases the cost. Furthermore, contractors and home inspectors in Alaska may operate more than one registered business which are advertised together. This may require the contractor to list multiple registration numbers within the same advertisement. Senate Bill 181 amends the current statute by allow contractors and home inspectors to substitute their internet website or landing page in their advertisements which contains the statutorily required identifying information rather that list all the required information directly within the advertisement. Additionally, this bill requires contractors to specify that the internet website or landing page provided contains the information required under statute for the benefit of the viewer of the ad. These amendments are proposed in order to spare costs and streamline the advertisement process for contractors and home inspectors. 2:48:48 PM DANIEL PHELPS, Staff, Senator Shelley Hughes, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the sectional analysis for SB 181 on behalf of the sponsor: [Original punctuation provided.] SB 181: IDENTIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR IN ADS  Version G "An Act relating to identification requirements for contractors." Sectional Analysis Version B  Section 1 AS 08.18.051 (b) Page 1, Line 3 through  Page 1, Line 12 Amends AS 08.18.051 regarding identification requirements for contractors in advertisements. The new language specifies that a contractor's internet website or landing page satisfies the contractor's identification requirements in advertisements so long as it contains the identifiers required under AS 08.18.051 and the advertisement states that the required information is contained on the contractor's Internet website or landing page. Section 2 AS 08.18.053 (b) Page 1, Line 13 through  Page 2, Line 6  Amends AS 08.18.053 regarding identification requirements for home inspectors in advertisements. The new language specifies that a home inspector's internet website or landing page satisfies the home inspector's identification requirements in advertisements so long as it contains the identifiers required under AS 08.18.051 and the advertisement states that the required information is contained on the home inspector's Internet website or landing page. Section 3 AS 08.18.171 Page 2, Line 7 through Page  2, Line 10  Amends AS 08.18.171 by adding a definition of "landing page" to the definitions for Alaska Statute Title 8 Chapter 18. CHAIR COSTELLO asked if other states had similar legislation and if the original notice requirements apply in communities that don't have internet access. MR. PHELPS replied that this provides an option for contractors to use the internet. The original language remains in statute and the required information is the same whether the advertisement is online or not. CHAIR COSTELLO asked if there was any specific support or opposition to the legislation. SENATOR HUGHES said her office had heard no opposition to the bill and the industry was supportive. She deferred to Mr. Phelps to discuss the support. 2:51:25 PM MR. PHELPS advised that the bill had received verbal support from ADT and the Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing and the companion House bill had written support from the Alaska General Contractors Association. He offered to provide a copy of that letter. CHAIR COSTELLO asked if there were any consumer protection concerns the committee should be aware of, and if an agency was charged with checking that the contractor's internet website or landing page for the required information actually existed. SENATOR HUGHES said it would have to come to the attention of the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED) and she believes the department is open to such reports. To the question about a business that advertises in an area that has no internet, she said she believes a business in that situation would make sure their information was available as required under the current statute. SENATOR MICCICHE asked if someone who advertises on a website or Facebook page would fall under the definition of "contractor" if this legislation were to pass. 2:54:32 PM GLENN HOSKINSON, Deputy Director, Division of Corporations Business and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Juneau, Alaska, advised that anyone who is advertising, offering, or performing services that fall under the definition of "construction contractor" must be licensed and this legislation doesn't change that. The only change SB 181 makes is to allow contractors to show their website address in lieu of listing the required information on the advertisement. 2:55:22 PM CHAIR COSTELLO opened public testimony on SB 181; finding none, she closed public testimony on the bill. She stated she would hold the bill for future consideration. 2:55:52 PM At ease 2:56:09 PM CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting. 2:56:12 PM SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report CSSB 181(CRA), work order 32- LS1404\G, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). CHAIR COSTELLO found no objection and CSSB 181(CRA) was reported from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.