ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE  March 5, 2002 10:08 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Randy Phillips, Chair Senator John Cowdery, Vice Chair Senator Gene Therriault Senator Johnny Ellis MEMBERS ABSENT  Senator Rick Halford COMMITTEE CALENDAR  SENATE BILL NO. 11 "An Act relating to the legal age for attending school; and providing for an effective date." APPROVED FOR CALENDARING SENATE BILL NO. 297 "An Act moving employees of the Alaska mental health trust land unit of the Department of Natural Resources from the partially exempt service to the exempt service." APPROVED FOR CALENDARING CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 291(L&C) "An Act relating to the requirements for obtaining a residential contractor endorsement." APPROVED FOR CALENDARING PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  SB 11 - See HESS minutes dated 2/5/01, 4/20/01 and 4/27/01. SB 297 - See State Affairs minutes dated 2/28/02. HB 291 - See Labor and Commerce minutes dated 2/21/02. WITNESS REGISTER  Representative Kevin Meyer Alaska State Capitol Juneau, AK 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 291 ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 02-3, SIDE A  Number 001 CHAIRMAN RANDY PHILLIPS called the Senate Rules Committee meeting to order at 10:08 a.m. Senators Cowdery, Therriault, Ellis and Phillips were present. SENATOR THERRIAULT, sponsor of SB 11-COMPULSORY SCHOOL  ATTENDANCE, informed members that the measure was modified by the Senate Finance Committee to require that if a child is enrolled in first grade at the age of six, that becomes the date for compulsory attendance. He noted the current statute does not require compulsory attendance until age seven. He explained that he introduced the legislation because a small number of parents enroll their children at age six but send their children to school sporadically. Districts cannot compel the students to attend yet teachers must spend a lot of time trying to keep the children up to speed. There being no questions, SENATOR THERRIAULT moved to calendar SB 11 with its accompanying fiscal note at the Chairman's discretion. CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS noted that with no objections, SB 11 would be placed on tomorrow's calendar. MR. TIM LAMKIN, staff to Senator Wilken, sponsor of SB 297-MENTAL  HEALTH TRUST LAND UNIT EMPLOYEES, explained that this bill changes the employment status of the employees in the Land Unit of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (AMTHA) from partially to fully exempt. The AMHTA requested the change in an effort to retain the staff it is training, as they are often "cherry-picked" by other agencies. The change also aligns the land unit staff with the rest of the management structure. The change will affect nine employees. SENATOR COWDERY moved to calendar SB 297 with its accompanying zero fiscal note at the Chairman's discretion. CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS announced that with no objection, SB 297 would be placed on tomorrow's calendar. REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN MEYER, sponsor of HB 291-LICENSING OF  RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTORS, explained that HB 291 extends the application period for a residential contractor's license from six to 12 months after the applicant has passed the exam. The extension will make the application process consistent with other license application processes and will allow a contractor time to get financing together for a residential project. He introduced the measure after a constituent passed the exam but was forced to go to Arizona where his wife was hospitalized. He missed the application deadline upon his return. The Division of Occupational Licensing found no reason for the six month time period. He stated that he has heard no opposition to the legislation. SENATOR COWDERY moved to calendar CSHB 291(L&C) with its accompanying fiscal note at the Chairman's discretion. CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS announced that with no objection, CSHB 291(L&C) will be calendared tomorrow. There being no further business to come before the committee, CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS adjourned the meeting at 10:12 a.m.