ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS  May 13, 2025 2:43 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Ted Eischeid, Chair Representative Andrew Gray Representative Carolyn Hall Representative Dan Saddler Representative David Nelson MEMBERS ABSENT  Representative Zack Fields Representative Jamie Allard COMMITTEE CALENDAR  HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20 Encouraging the United States Congress to establish hiring goals for apprentices and veteran apprentices. - MOVED HJR 20 OUT OF COMMITTEE HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 21 Encouraging the United States Congress to designate 2025 as the Year of the Soldier. - MOVED HJR 21 OUT OF COMMITTEE HOUSE BILL NO. 158 "An Act relating to professional licensing; relating to temporary licenses for certain professions; and providing for an effective date." - MOVED HB 158 OUT OF COMMITTEE PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: HJR 20 SHORT TITLE: HIRING OF APPRENTICES/VETERANS SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) NELSON 04/14/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 04/14/25 (H) MLV, L&C 05/06/25 (H) MLV AT 10:15 AM BARNES 124 05/06/25 (H) Heard & Held 05/06/25 (H) MINUTE(MLV) 05/13/25 (H) MLV AT 10:15 AM BARNES 124 BILL: HJR 21 SHORT TITLE: 2025 YEAR OF THE SOLDIER SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) NELSON 04/22/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 04/22/25 (H) MLV, STA 05/06/25 (H) MLV AT 10:15 AM BARNES 124 05/06/25 (H) Heard & Held 05/06/25 (H) MINUTE(MLV) 05/13/25 (H) MLV AT 10:15 AM BARNES 124 BILL: HB 158 SHORT TITLE: PROFESSIONAL LICENSING; TEMP PERMITS SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR 03/26/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/26/25 (H) MLV, L&C 05/01/25 (H) MLV AT 10:15 AM BARNES 124 05/01/25 (H) Heard & Held 05/01/25 (H) MINUTE(MLV) 05/13/25 (H) MLV AT 10:15 AM BARNES 124 WITNESS REGISTER SYLVAN ROBB, Director Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony on HB 158. ACTION NARRATIVE 2:43:18 PM CHAIR TED EISCHEID called the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 2:43 p.m. Representatives Hall and Eischeid were present at the call to order. Representatives Nelson, Gray, and Saddler arrived as the meeting was in progress. HJR 20-HIRING OF APPRENTICES/VETERANS  2:44:02 PM CHAIR EISCHEID announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20, Encouraging the United States Congress to establish hiring goals for apprentices and veteran apprentices. 2:45:00 PM CHAIR EISCHEID opened public testimony on HJR 20. After ascertaining that there was no one who wished to testify, he closed public testimony. 2:45:48 PM The committee took an at-ease from 2:45 p.m. to 2:47 p.m. 2:47:34 PM REPRESENTATIVE HALL moved to report HJR 20 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HJR 20 was reported from the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs. 2:48:09 PM The committee took an at-ease from 2:48 p.m. to 2:49 p.m. HJR 21-2025 YEAR OF THE SOLDIER  2:49:38 PM CHAIR EISCHEID announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 21, Encouraging the United States Congress to designate 2025 as the Year of the Soldier. 2:50:00 PM CHAIR EISCHEID opened public testimony on HJR 21. After ascertaining that there was no one who wished to testify, he closed public testimony. 2:50:51 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER commented on the positive implications that HJR 21 could have for soldiers within his House district. 2:51:40 PM REPRESENTATIVE HALL moved to report HJR 21 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HJR 21 was reported from the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs. 2:52:07 PM The committee took an at-ease from 2:52 p.m. to 2:53 p.m. HB 158-PROFESSIONAL LICENSING; TEMP PERMITS  2:53:07 PM CHAIR EISCHEID announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 158, "An Act relating to professional licensing; relating to temporary licenses for certain professions; and providing for an effective date." 2:53:40 PM SYLVAN ROBB, Director, Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development, gave invited testimony on HB 158. She thanked the committee for hearing the proposed legislation and provided a brief overview of its legislative intent. 2:54:24 PM REPRESENTATIVE HALL asked why it might be necessary to mirror federal law in Alaska Statute. MS. ROBB responded that the proposed legislation could reduce confusion in professionals seeking licensure in Alaska. 2:55:23 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked how military spouses might benefit from the proposed legislation. MS. ROBB said that she would follow up with more information later. 2:56:34 PM CHAIR EISCHEID opened public testimony on HB 158. After ascertaining that there was no one who wished to testify, he closed public testimony. 2:57:17 PM The committee took a brief at-ease at 2:57 p.m. 2:57:54 PM CHAIR EISCHEID stated that the committee does not plan on introducing amendments for the bill. 2:58:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE HALL moved to report HB 158 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 158 was reported from the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs. 2:58:52 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER commented on his first chairmanship being House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs and compliments the current chair. CHAIR EISCHEID stated it is an honor to chair the committee. 2:59:37 PM ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting was adjourned at 2:59 p.m.